Ramblers Blog 2013: RV Odyssey II
We just returned from a week's reunion in Florida with a 24 hour turnaround before we start our RV trip.  Luckily, we were able to pre-pack; tropical clothing will not suffice the Alaska trip.  We were able to visit with Brenda, Alejandro and Gaby in Tampa along with their parents Al and Betty.  It was fun to see cute Gaby as a 7 year old and meet Sparkle, wonder dog.  We along with the Bloombergs met up with Australian friends Phyllis and Ray Knight in Fort Lauderdale at the Largo Mar Resort.  It was the official 2013 FOG (Friends of Glasgow) Reunion; we met there twenty years ago while on secondment.  We had a fun four days together enjoying the resort, sites, dining, sharing memories and celebrating milestone birthdays.
This Ramblers Blog is RV Odyssey II from Hudson, Ohio, May 10, to Anchorage, Alaska, June 11. We are once again delivering a new 25 foot Winnebago from the manufacturer in Forest City, Iowa, to the dealer at Great Alaska Holidays in Anchorage, Alaska.  This blog is our daily trip diary where we will document our adventures.  The blog will include pictures, a map showing our progress and personal ramblings of wit?, wisdom? and observations. There is an option to send comments. We will try to make daily entries depending on Internet access. If an entry is delayed it will be added as soon as Internet is available so a few days may be joined on a single day.   
Driving this route is not unique to us, we did it in 1984 with a new Suburban and 18 foot tandem trailer (two mothers-in-law and two babies) and again in 2011, when we brought a new RV to the dealer; now infamously known as Odyssey I.   
Our route will vary from the 2011 adventure and again, it is just we two .... together, in a closet on wheels, 24/7 for 21 days....  The reward at the end of the trip will be visiting with Brenna and Zach, seeing old friends and meeting Zach's parents.
One of the highlights of this year's trip will be attending the Great Alaskan Craft and Home Brew Beer Festival, May 24th and 25th in Haines, Alaska, including a groumet dinner supplied by a Seattle chef. Rumor has it we will be joining a 5k walk on the 25th before the beer tasting begins.  Much better than after the beer tasting.  We will be taking the RV on the Alaska ferry for 2 short skips, one in the Inside Passage and one on Prince William Sound.
The blog will continue as we stay through our days in the Anchorage area until we reach home.  Visit our unedited ramblings on the blog as often as you like.  We welcome you to come along!