55 road trip to all 50 states

[sofj45]

Sorry for the loss of the cabin. But, wow, you all dodged a bullet!

Yeah that’s what I keep saying is just thankful no one was there and everyone near us is safe. They said about 25 of our 25 acres burnt. The closest neighbor lost about 20 of there 35. This was our driveway two years ago when we showed up start of June. Sunk the suburban to the frame but the 40 had no problems

 

[sofj45]

Dang, that sucks for sure. Sorry you lost the AK getaway. You’re so well grounded with the family, everything else is trivial. I’m sure this unfortunate event won’t dampen the incredible time you have had as a family!

Gonna rebuild? That’s beautiful area for sure.

We will have to see how the land recovers. May just build a large deck and throw a wall tent up for the next trip. Hoping I can recover the wood stove to use again. But time will tell. Keep it simple and regroup all the things gathered over the years. The camp kitchen, chuck box, fishing poles, chainsaws, all the winter clothes since they weren’t needed in Hawaii, lots of little things but all just things in the end. will probably leave some of the stuff from this trip there this time around to start the gathering process again.

 

[sofj45]

Pretty sure this was the best smoked salmon I’ve ever made. Good fresh fish and turn the chimney into a smoker

 

[bobm]

Sorry for the loss of the Cabin! At least you didnt get there on time and everyone,'s safe. The way you guys build stuff it wont take long . Call ya bro wit da new Deck

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Gosh that's awful but as everyone already said, it could have been much worse. All I needed to see was a Stihl chainsaw in the photos. That and the fact that you have a 55 and actually convinced 3 females to travel to every state in the US with you - in it, is evidence for sainthood in my book.

Now, pick up your wife and get up through Canada. We are all living vicariously through this little adventure of yours. Don't let us down!

 

[Ol Yeller]

Will miss you here in Langley but the Rockies are an amazing drive.

Also very sad to read about the fire but will echo that some luck your family was not there. Vibes.

 

[PabloCruise]

If I’ve tried to tell myself anything on this trip it’s that I’m were I’m supposed to be at the right time. Can’t rush things and force it. Just go with the flow and everything has a reason. My goal was be in Alaska just after Father’s Day to be at our place and do some fishing and hang out for a month there. We decided not to rush the trip and spend time along the way since we really had no where to be. Got confirmation today the we lost our place from the bear creek fire. I’m so glad that the crews were able to save both our neighbors homes that live there full time. We lost some things but nothing that will keep us down. Luckily the alaska cruisers are at my dad’s house in the shop and most the guns were also in a safe at his home. We Bought the property 5 years ago and slowly been picking away at making a nice little relaxing vacation fishing hunting cabin. Not sure what the next step will be but I’m thankful we were not down the two track driveway out of cell service when the fire blew up. the winds whipped thru and it grew from 20 acres to 4000 in a day and the next it was up to 21,000.
Lots of good memories and laughs were had and the most beautiful sunrises on the porch drinking a cup of coffee.

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There’s a lot of wisdom to that right place/right time philosophy.
Or if it’s not wisdom, it’s at least peacefulness.
I sure am sorry that you lost your cabin. And it is great that your neighbors still have a place to live.
I hope the trip continues to go well for you. It took some work in your part to have this time with your wife and kids.

 

[sofj45]

Few days driving ahead of us. We have owned this pig for 22 months, of that probably been on the road about 18 months. We rolled 30k miles today since we bought it.
Also have to say the Rockies portion of Canada so far has been probably been the best scenery on the entire trip, and the lower speed limits are helping the fuel economy. Been averaging about 12.5 mpg the whole trip. Yesterday and today was 15. Keep it at 60 or below and she just cruises along.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I want to drive that part someday.

 

[Ol Yeller]

I want to drive that part someday.

I’m yet to see N of Dawson Creek, retirement trip I guess.

 

[sofj45]

I want to drive that part someday.

Highly recommend kootnay, banff and up to jasper although the fire that went thru jasper left a ton of destruction there is still so much in there and so much new life coming in.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I’ve been through Banff/Jasper twice as an adult, once in an ‘85 4Runner and last time in a FJ62. It’s definitely one of the most spectacular places on earth in my opinion.
There are several fun hikes around Banff/Lake Louise and also a hot springs. We got caught in a sudden storm once when canoeing on the lake. Weather can change rapidly there.

 

[tucker74]

Highly recommend kootnay, banff and up to jasper although the fire that went thru jasper left a ton of destruction there is still so much in there and so much new life coming in.

That’s a beautiful drive, we did Waterton Lakes up to Jasper a few years ago. Western Alberta is spectacular

 

[cppilot]

Mason, sorry to hear about the cabin…your right….just things. What a fantastic trip the family will remember forever. Be safe and tell your dad hello for me….

Mark

 

[cppilot]

Sent you a pm also…

 

[sofj45]

Will post pictures and a write up in a bit but officially made Alaska. Did top of the world highway and finally back in service acouple hours tell my dad’s house a reset. 50 states plus DC, AB, BC, NWT AND YK. So counting 55 in this 55 year old fj55

 

[Ol Yeller]

Will post pictures and a write up in a bit but officially made Alaska. Did top of the world highway and finally back in service acouple hours tell my dad’s house a reset. 50 states plus DC, AB, BC, NWT AND YK. So counting 55 in this 55 year old fj55View attachment 3939793

Just awsome!

 

[sofj45]

all and all was a very successful trip and went very smoothly for what it was. We are sitting at 14,800 miles and some change. One oil change along the route, u joints, rotated the tires couple times, lost gauges at one point but they started working again, lost brights but got them fixed easily in a parking lot one morning. Figure just about 1200 gallons in fuel. Didn’t spend a lot of time in all the states but we did put rubber down in all of them.

Have to say to go back and visit any day would be Canadian Rockies. Doesn’t matter where you go, could spend a good amount of time in any section of it. Was beautiful country.
In the states would love to go back to outer banks and spend some time, northern Florida I wouldn’t mind heading back to for a visit. East glacier also was fantastic and wouldn’t mind spending time there. We got lucky on weather and really only had a handful of days of rain and bad weather. The wind for the most part could have done without. Same with really only a handful of days of over excessive heat in the south. If I could do over I would do coil suspension and get rid of leafs for a smoother ride. Also wouldn’t have went with mud tires. They did great everywhere we went and no complaints on that end but not a fan of the tire. The rubber seems to have cracking and degradation on side walls and along lugs. I have falkens and bfg that are 6-8 years old and look better than these that have been on for 2 months. They are 24 date stamps but they will be worn out before they fall apart is the plan.

Thank you @TRDdrew @svsisu @bobm for taking the time to meet up and give us a hand and showing us around. @YukonCruisers , @Ol Yeller hopefully we can meet up as i think I’ll be driving it south to ship it back out.

 

[Ol Yeller]

Would love the chance to meet up if your driving South, and living as close as we do I don’t spend nearly enough time in the Rockies, but every trip there has been amazing.

 

[sofj45]

Seen that 70 series in east glacier as we did road to the sun. And then ran into him again at liard hot springs in BC and again and finally talked to him at the sign post forest in Watson lake Yukon. He is from France doing 18months I believe they said. Shipped into east coast Canada across Canada to Alaska then headed south along west coast to Panama and continue to South America. Language was a bit hard to communicate but got that it’s a 79 series, that they’ve replaced with a turbo diesel and then added the camper in place of the bed. Has a long journey ahead but they were in great spirits and enjoying the time hitting national parks.