Told in the author's personal and humorous fashion, the book unfolds with not only practical suggestions regarding safety, vehicle breakdowns, campgrounds and boondocking, but takes you on every paved and major (and a few minor) gravel roads throughout Alaska and Northwestern Canada. From the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay and the Dempster Highway to the Northwest Territories of Canada, you will experience true adventure with this solo silver gypsy.

The author combines the excitement of Alaska and Canada with flying to outlying villages for a taste of a different life; playing with the Katmai grizzlies; "mushing" real sled dogs on a glacier; and a 500-mile, wilderness canoe trip on the mighty Yukon River. Through her eyes you will feel the awe of the Aurora Borealis on a lonely section of Top of the World Highway; thrill at Mt. McKinley coming out to play; and the fun of Chicken on a Saturday night.

In these 220 packed pages can be found the needed practicality for RV travelers and entertainment for arm-chair travelers.

I read about "Charlie's" adventures twice through and couldn't resist going there myself. Although I traveled by car I included many of the places which I enjoyed in her book. I found many delightful tiny villages and friendly Alaskans like she wrote about. My trip was unforgetable.

Whether you're an "armchair traveler" or you're planning to visit Alaska, this book is a MUST. I give it five stars!

Sue in Virginia


A Kick in the Pants!   April 16, 2005
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I bought this book thinking "one day, when we retire, maybe we'll go." The author, "Charlie" as you'll get to know her, makes the trip real. All the details are given, with explanations of what to take, when to go, what to watch out for, and what to see while you're there. More importantly for us, however, was the underlying theme of the book...GO AND DO IT! "Charlie" points out repeatedly, "I did it, so can you." Use some common sense, but GO!

This book gave us the kick in the pants to pack up our two small boys (2.5 years and 6 months old), buy a small RV, and GO! We didn't want to wait for retirement. Ten weeks and 12,000 miles later, we had the time of our lives. We also had memories of things that most people only dream of doing!

My father borrowed this book from me, fell in love with the stories of faraway places, and took off to see it for himself.

The book's a great motivator, and Charlie is a down-to-earth storyteller. Thanks, Charlie, for the kick in the pants!


Quite a ride!   August 18, 2006
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is more a "travel writing" book than an RV book, and very interesting reading. My only problem with it is that her writing style was rather jumpy - there might be several subjects and locations in one paragraph, and I often got lost as to where we were and what we were doing... Then it didn't seem to matter, I just enjoyed the ride.


Outdated   March 1, 2008
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I didn't realize this book was last updated in 2002. Outdated. There isn't much coverage of Canada either.


A happy surprise!   April 26, 2007
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I expected it to be more of a "how-to" book and less of a travelog, but it was fun to read and well worth the price. My wife and I have made 4 driving trips to Alaska over the years. We traveled once in a Class C motorhome, twice in a van, and once in a Surburban pulling a small travel trailer, and we plan to return every year or 2 or 3 for so long as we are able. Even with that experience, the book was a source of good information and ideas. An index of places cited in the book would have been a plus, and it is best read with a good map in your lap, but I certainly recommend it.