A Traveling We Will Go

April 22, 2008 Arcticulates ® Focusing on Alaska's Beauty Author: K. Fields Traveling We Will Go Made the 100 mile trip to Fairbanks yesterday, it was snowing like crazy, and the roads were a mess. It took 2.5 hours where normally it takes about 1.5 hours to get there. It's that time of year, where the temperatures are warmer, yet it's still snowing on and off, and that ends up making our paved highways VERY slick. But the great thing about this time of year is that the roads are a mess in the morning, but by evening they are clear and dry again. Scenic Road View Photo by Mike Kingston When traveling in Alaska, we do not have gas stations or 7-11 mini stores everywhere, the tiny gas stations that we have are few and far apart, and there is no guarantee that they will be open, so it is always best to keep our car fueled up the whole time we are traveling. Alaska has many miles and miles and miles of highway, that are slim in population, except for wildlife.We need to make sure we carry essentials with us, just in case of: Buffalo on The Road Photo by Mike Kingston Other causes of concern: Accident Flat tire Avalanche Mud or Rock slides Blizzards You run into: a moose, caribou, bear, or buffalo (which destroys your vehicle) Earthquakes White-out (White-out = "snowblind" where everything is covered in fresh white snow, and it is snowing so hard you cannot distinguish the road from the ground, or the vehicles in front of, or behind you! A dangerous time to drive) Road Damage Road Work Or other “extreme” weather conditions or situations that can cause you to stop for a while. ***** Here is a list of what every Alaskan should carry when traveling, we must carry enough for the driver and each passenger: Blankets and/or sleeping bag Change of Clothes (clothes should always be kept dry) Extra Socks (should always keep your feet dry) Boots (for hiking, and for warmth) Extra Coat (even in the summer, the temperatures can quickly drop to dangerous levels) Road Flares(several) Spare Tire Jack And crowbar Bottled water Cell phone (works in some areas on the highways) Working Flashlight With extra batteries Sterno (Canned Heat) Can opener Matches (lighters don’t always work in the extreme cold) Jumper Cables Bottle of Antifreeze Oil Medications (extra) Well Stocked First Aid Kit! Food Packages of dried fruit, nuts etc...(enough for driver and passengers) Aeriel View of Our Town Surrounded With Miles And Miles of Pure Beauty Photo by Mike Kingston Most of the people that I know that live here carry a gym bag already packed with these items, which they can grab as they leave and easily carry back in to the house. We can’t leave the liquid stuff in the car over-night or any long length of time without the car running and the heater on during the winter months, because of our extreme freezing temps Now! The people that have lived here the longest tend to get lazy and don't carry all the essentials for road travel.. I have to admit, most of the time I don't either, it just seems like too much of a bother, but that really isn't a very good excuse, it may save someone's life, possibly my own! Later... K Fields See Also: Glimpse of Autumn! Digg This Please Hey! Please Stumble It! Add to Technorati Favorites Please Rate at Blogged! Mixx it Please! Engage This Please Kudo Me! You are welcome to comment in the box below. Please keep in mind that this is a child friendly site. Thank You! I look forward to meeting you and reading your thoughts.

Return to: Arcticulates' Home Archives Author: K. Fields Alaska, USA I live in Northern Alaska! Hence the unique spelling of my blog title. I love Alaska! It can be a challenging place to live, but... the beauty that surrounds me makes it all worth while. This blog/website is my opinion or views on what I hear, or see, on just about anything! Mixed with some genuine facts! Did you know that you can have all the new Arcticulates' posts sent directly to your email or favorite RSS feeder? All you have to do is click on Arcticulates' Feed for this free service. Thank-you! Arcticulates' Feed Recent Posts! Forty Below Alaska's Fall Colors #3 Going Greenhouse! Beautiful Night Lights Alaska's Fall Colors #2 Alaska's Fall Colors #1 Snowshoe Hare Bunnies Majestic Eagles Ice Sculpture Winners 2009 Polar Bear Conundrum Oil.. Alaska's Liquid Gold Whooo Loves Owls? Triumphant Harvest Most Popular Posts! Magnificent Eagles Grizzly Situation! Glimpse of Autumn! High One or Not! Other Areas! Cooking in Alaska Reviews Links / Blogroll Alaska Jokes Archives Interior of Alaska Arcticulates' Disclosure Policy

Recent Comments From My Readers! Thank-you!