Road Trip: From Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

*This post was sponsored by Cars.com, however, all opinions are 100% that of To & Fro.

Road trips are our thing. We love a good road trip. 

When we lived in Alaska, our favourite thing to do during our summer weekends was to pack up the car with our outdoor gear and just drive. Drive to explore new places and spaces, down roads we had never been. 

When planning our Alaskan adventure this time around, we knew the three(ish) hour trip down to the Kenai Peninsula to visit friends was a must. We had done the drive a handful of times before, but this time was a bit different. Not only did we have a little one in tow this trip, Anchorage had been blanketed by dense fog the days leading up to our road trip. We knew that there was the potential the drive could get a bit dicey going through the mountains pass. But, as they say in Alaska, you can't plan around the weather. 

Despite the weather, the drive down to what is affectionately known as "Alaska's Playground" is always an adventure, and one serious visual buffet. 

Hop in the car. Let me take you on a scenic road trip from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska.

It’s 9:30am on an early November day. We hit the Seward Highway and head south out of Anchorage just as the sun is rising. The dense blanket of fog and cotton candy skies make the first leg of the journey along the Turnagain Arm especially stunning, and easily the most dramatic. 

As we leave the “big city” behind, the highway narrows to two lanes, and is sandwiched between Potter Marsh on our left and the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet on our right. 

Potter Marsh is a favourite for nature lovers, often welcoming snow goose on their migratory stopover, spawning salmon, bald eagles and the occasional moose. Maybe we’ll stop there on the way back, hoping the fog has lifted.

Past the marsh, the road begins to wind - this time, we have the ebbing and flowing tide of the Cook Inlet on our right and the steep rocky cliffs of the Chugach State Park on our left. A bit of a change of scenery. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the white specks in the mountains - they may just be dall sheep.

We’re in a bit of a time crunch. But, if we could, we would stop at one, or more, of the many scenic lookouts or tiny towns along the way - Beluga Point, Bird Point, Girdwood and Portage Valley, just to name a few.

As we pass the Portage Valley turnoff, where you would catch the access tunnel to Whittier and Prince William Sound, we begin to wind ourselves around the tip of the Turnagain Arm. Again, the scenery changes. Now with mountains as far as the eyes can see. We have officially reached Turnagain Pass. 

Continuing on the highway, we make a short pit stop to get our photo taken at the Kenai Peninsula welcome sign. A must do.

Back on the highway, a sign for Hope suddenly appears. Seeing as we’re on an adventure, let’s go down a road we’ve never traveled and check out the small town. Population 192. 

And, just as quick as we arrive, we turn back around to the highway. I'm sure its a beautiful, bustling little town in the summer, but in early November, there's not a soul in sight. 

At Tern Lake, we take a slight right at the fork and meet up with the Sterling Highway, one of Alaska's Scenic Byways. This highway is a popular place in the summer months as it leads to some of the best fishing spots along the Kenai River. 

During a road trip in the summer, its not rare to see shoulder to shoulder “combat” salmon fishing along the banks of the turquoise-coloured Kenai and Russian Rivers, or the odd bear wandering the banks in search of its next meal. 

This area truly is Alaska’s Playground, and is also a haven for rafting, flight seeing, horseback riding, hiking, camping and more. This time of year the bears are sleeping, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and moose!

Continuing on, we pass the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and drive through the small towns of Sterling and Soldotna. Not far from Sterling is Funny River. You may have heard about the terrible forest fire that happened there a few years back. 

If you hook a right through Soldotna, you’ll be taken to the Peninsula’s namesake, the town of Kenai itself. 

Seeing as we've been in the car for a few hours now, lets make a pit stop for a snack at one of our favourite places in Soldotna - The Moose is Loose. Morley will tell you, they have the best apple fritter donuts. 

We're almost there, I promise.

Driving just a few miles past Soldotna, we’ve arrived at our destination of Kasilof. If time allowed, we would keep on driving to the end of the Sterling Highway and reach Homer, the halibut fishing capital of Alaska. I highly recommend planning a trip to come back during the summer months for some halibut fishing on the Kachemak Bay, a must on anyone's Alaskan bucket list. 

Now that we're here, it's time to kick back and relax for a night while we catch up with some good friends.

Thanks for coming along, we hope you enjoyed the ride!

Are you planning an upcoming road trip vacation, and in search of the perfect rental car? For peace of mind before you rent, check out cars.com for the latest expert reviews, multi-car comparisons and more! 

Have you taken any good road trips lately? I'd love to hear!

Canadian Podcasts Worth Listening To

While Canada may not necessarily be known for producing quality television shows, one thing that we can be proud of is Canadian radio content. This includes podcasts.

Podcasts really aren’t that different than any other kind of radio program. The only real difference is that these free programs are made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, such as an iPhone. 

Podcasts come in many forms - long, short, single and series - and cover almost any topic that you can imagine. They can make you laugh, they can make you cry, they can share a good story and they can teach you something new. Many popular programs already on the radio are also available in podcast form. Then there are programs that come strictly as podcasts, available nowhere else. 

Because you can download podcasts that match your interests and listen as you please, it is essentially like creating a customized radio station focused entirely on the topics you want to listen to, whenever and wherever you want to listen.

For me, podcasts are the perfect way to kill time on the long commute to and from work each day.  I can turn on a podcast, pop in my headphones and escape the rat race that is my hour-long commute.

During the summer months, podcasts are the perfect accompaniment to help you relax on the dock with a cold beverage, or fill the air while hitting the open road to explore someplace new.

In honour of Canada150, and our love for a good road trip, I'm sharing the top 10 Canadian podcasts podcasts worth listening to.

Top 10 Canadian Podcasts Worth Listening To

General Interest

1. Vinyl Cafe

While creator and storyteller Stuart McLean passed away earlier this year, I must still include CBC Radio's Vinyl Cafe as #1 on my list. This podcast holds a place in my heart, as we listened to story after story of the adventures of Dave and Morley on our road trip home from Alaska, eventually leading to the naming of our daughter.

2. This Is That

Another brilliant podcast from the minds of CBC Radio. This Is That is a current affairs programs that doesn't just talk about real issues, it fabricates them.  Each week, the hosts will introduce you to the voices and stories that give this country characters in this 100% improvised, satirical podcast.

3. The Debaters

Add a little comedy to your podcast playlist with the Debaters, brought to your by CBC Radio and hosted by Canadian comedian Steve Patterson. Each episode includes two sets of debates, where two comedians argue their stance on deliberately comedic topics. The winner is then chosen by audience reaction at the end of the debate. 

Current Affairs

4. The Current

Brought to you by CBC Radio, Anna Maria Tremonti's The Current is a meeting place of perspectives, ideas and voices, with a fresh take on issues that affect Canadians today. 

5. Quirks & Quarks

For the science nerd in all of us, CBC Radio's Quirks & Quarks covers the quirks of the expanding universe to the quarks within a single atom, and everything in between. Not to be missed if you enjoy learning about dolphin sex, worms that eat plastic and peeing in the pool.

6. Today in Canadian History

Dive into Canadian history with this daily podcast. Each short episode contains an interview with a Canadian professor, journalist, author or "everyday" historian and focuses on a unique event or moment that took place on that day in Canadian history. A first step to learning more about our past.

7. Canadian True Crime Podcast

Crime buff? If you loved Serial, than this one's for you. Go on a journey through many of the most heinous and shocking crimes in recent Canadian history. 

Sports

Ok let's be honest here, hockey is a big part of Canada so there are obviously a number of hockey-related podcasts worth noting (per my husband).

8. James Duthie Presents: The Rubber Boots Podcast

For the sports lovers, my husband would mention this weekly podcast, brought to you by the host of TSN Hockey, James Duthie.

9. The TSN Hockey BobCast

With more than 35 years of experience covering hockey, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie is the definitive authority on breaking news and analysis from every corner of the hockey world. 

10. Hockey Central @ Noon

Sportsnet 590 The FAN's Hockey Central @ Noon brings you the latest hockey buzz with host Daren Millard and former NHLers and NHL execs.

What are you listening to? Do you have any favourite podcasts? I'd love to hear!

Preparing Your Vehicle For Summer Family Fun

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CanadianTire #QuakerState #CollectiveBias

It's hard to believe that in just two short weeks, summer will officially be upon us. Where has 2017 gone?! Despite the calendar still reading spring, the outdoor adventures that come with the glorious summer season have already begun in our house. 

Summer time is travel time. During the warm and sunny months, we love to get outside. Camping, hiking, swimming and exploring our own backyard are some of our favourite activities. We also love a good road trip, usually to visit my parents or our family cottage, both on Lake Huron.

After saying goodbye to our faithful ultimate road trip companion in the fall, we look forward to making new road trip memories with our new crossover. We can't wait to load up the car and hit the open road to create some amazing summer family memories.

But before doing so, we must first make sure our vehicle is prepared to get us to and from our summer adventure destinations safely. Especially with a little one in tow.

Extreme heat and long drives can be tough on cars, so here are 6 tips for preparing your vehicle for a successful summer family road trip.

6 Tips to Prepare for a Successful Summer Family Road Trip

1. Check your brakes. 

Your brakes are the single most important safety feature in your car, so its important to maintain their condition. Don't put your or your family at risk this summer by driving on worn or even faulty brakes.

2. Inspect all lights and bulbs. 

Having properly working head lights, tail lights and brake lights is important, especially at times when visibility is reduced, whether during rain or darkness.

3. Maintain clean air filters.

It is important to change both your engine and cabin air filters to improve airflow and prevent dust, dirt and allergens from entering both the engine and cabin. 

4. Maintain your air conditioning.
If you've ever driven a car with no air conditioning during the hot summer months, then you what a big difference a little cool air makes. Air conditioning systems are complicated, so if you think there is a fault in yours, take it to the professionals. 

5. Create a summer emergency kit.

A well stocked kit can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stranded, even in the summer months. For the summer, items to include are jumper cables, flares, flashlights with extra batteries, first aid materials, snacks and water. If you're traveling with children, adding an extra supply of diapers and wipes, a few toys, sunscreen and extra snacks and water is key. Make sure to store your kit in an easily accessible place. 

6. Top up your fluids.

In the summer months, important fluids for your vehicle include windshield washer fluid, coolant and motor oil. Remember to keep all topped up, and carry extra in your vehicle just to be safe. 

As a family on a budget, we opt to change our own motor oil. Not only is it cost effective, it is also super easy. Working on our own vehicle also gives us a sense of accomplishment when hitting the open road. 

Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil is the perfect motor oil for your summer road trip adventures. Not only do the fuel-saving additives give the oil more durability and help keep the oil fresh, but as engine temperatures increases, heat-activated viscosity improvers and anti-wear additives kick in to maintain oil thickness to help extend your engine life. Quaker State® gives you more durability and more honesty.

Changing you oil is easy! First, we opened the hood and located the dipstick to check your motor oil level. We removed the dipstick and wiped it with a clean, lint-free cloth. The dipstick was then replaced and removed once more to re-check the level (left photo above). When completing this step, make sure the level is between the minimum and maximum level marks. If it is below, add oil immediately. To add oil, we removed the oil filter cap, which is usually located beside the dipstick. Remember to add oil that meets the correct specifications of your vehicle. This information can be found in your owner's manual. Once oil was added, we rechecked the oil level using the dipstick. If the oil level is correct after completing this step, simply replace the dipstick, replace the oil filler cap, close the hood and you're good to hit the road!

Remember to take all necessary safety precautions to protect you, your vehicle and your family.

Quaker State® Ultimate Durability™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil is a great oil at a great price. It can easily be located in the Automotive Department at your local Canadian Tire. Just look for the gold bottle!

Whether we're hitting the road to visit the wilderness, family or even the local pool, having a vehicle that is prepared to handle our adventures is key to a safe and fun summer season.

Where will your summer adventures take you? Have you ever used Quaker State® automotive products? I’d love to hear about it!

Road Trip Reminiscing

It's hard to believe that 3 years ago we were just a few days in to the ultimate road trip - a 4000+ mile journey from Anchorage, Alaska home to Toronto, Ontario.

I'm a sucker for a good road trip, and this one definitely tops the list of most memorable. Let's take a drive down memory lane...

Day 1: Anchorage to Tok, Alaska
We left Anchorage around 10:30am, with a planned easy six-hour drive ahead of us to Tok, Alaska, just inside the border.  We had done half the drive before when we travelled to Eureka and on our way home from our Valdez adventure. This time around, we couldn’t have asked for better weather for our way out. 

Day 2: Tok, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon
We picked up the Al-Can Highway in Tok, AK. Although an exhilarating and ultimate road trippin' experience lay ahead of us, one of the toughest days I've ever had was crossing that border and not just because of the fun ordeal we had at Customs.

There was a bench sitting right on the border - you could chose which country you wanted to be in. I kept my composure through most of our goodbyes, but it wasn’t until I was standing half in Alaska and half in Canada that the waterworks started.  For three years, we had called both home.  It’s funny how things change – the temper tantrum I threw at the border just then was very similar to the one I threw that day in Walmart when I found out we were moving to Alaska in the first place. After a quick "let's go" from Steve, we were on our way, back to our home and native land. 

The drive to Whitehorse, Yukon was gorgeous, with many wildlife sightings, including a grizzly and a couple of black bears. We spent the night in Whitehorse, catching up with an old friend.

Day 3: Whitehorse, Yukon to Liard River Hot Springs, British Columbia
After grabbing a quick Tim Horton's coffee to start our day, we continued on our adventure. We had a picnic lunch at Watson Lake, Yukon, spending a few minutes walking through the Sign Post Forest to take in the thousands of other travellers that have been on the same exhilarating adventure as us.

We camped at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park in northern British Columbia, enjoying a much needed soak in the hot springs.

Day 4: Liard River Hot Springs, British Columbia to Grande Prairie, Alberta
After hitting the road for what would end up being a long day, we stopped in Muncho Lake, BC to fill up the tank - a pricey $2/L! When driving the road less travelled, it's important to stop and fill up whenever you can, despite the price, because you never know when the next 'in service' service station will appear. The usual turquoise colours of Muncho Lake were muted by the rain.

We saw wildlife galore - from black and brown bears, to stone sheep, bison, coyote, caribou and more.

We passed the Al-Can Highway Mile 0 sign in Dawson Creek, BC, stopping to only snap a few shots, give a quick high five, and continue on our 4000+ mile journey.

Day 5: Grande Prairie to Jasper, Alberta

The drive from Grand Prairie, AB to Jasper, AB was a fairly uneventful one.  The flatness eventually turned back into the towering mountains we had grown accustomed to. Night number 5 was spent at the Fairmont in Jasper to reward ourselves for making it this far without incident.  

Day 6: Jasper to Banff, Alberta

We enjoyed the Fairmont right up until we had to check out in the morning.  We woke up refreshed and ready to continue the second half of our journey home. On our way out of Jasper, we saw elk and black bear galore. 

We drove along the Icefields Parkways, one of the most scenic drives in the world, and is studded with more than 100 glaciers and numerous small lakes, rivers and waterfalls. We stopped at the Columbia Icefield Interpretive Center, to awe over the Athabasca Glacier.  The Columbia Icefield is a surviving remnant of the thick ice mass that once mantled most of Western Canada's mountains and is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. At one time the Athabasca Glacier reached the road, however, because of a warming climate, it has retreated almost 1.5 kms, over the past 125 years!

Before arriving in Banff, we made a pitstop at Lake Louise. Of course it was raining. We finally made it Banff and were welcomed with more rain, but a relaxing night catching up with a good friend over some drinks, made the rain not matter.

Day 7-8: Banff to Calgary, Alberta

We spent a few days relaxing in Calgary with family.

Day 9: Calgary, Alberta to Estevan, Saskatchewan

We said goodbye to family and hit the Trans Canada Highway heading East. We welcomed to the prairies of Saskatchewan by rain, and the terrain became as flat as a board. The largest excitement of the day came when we saw this Canadian icon, the television set of 'Corner Gas' while driving through Rouleau, SK. 

Day 10: Estevan, Saskatchewan to Eau Claire, Wisconsin

On day 10 of the road trip we travelled through 1 province and 3 states (Saskatchewan, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin) before reaching our destination for the night. It was a long driving day, so before passing out for the night, we indulged in some Wisconsin cheese and beer, and some smoked salmon from our Alaskan friends.

Day 11: Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Chicago, Illinois

We spent a few days playing tourist in the Windy City, indulging in some craft beer and deep dish pizza and celebrating my 27th birthday a few days early at Shedd Aquarium. It was a hot and humid few days, definitely not the summer weather we were used to in Alaska. 

Day 12: Chicago, Illinois to HOME

4154 miles, 12 days, 7 states, 4 provinces and 1 territory later, we made it HOME.

While this was a trip of a lifetime, it definitely required some pre-planning. If you're feeling adventurous and want to experience it for yourself, I recommend investing in the Milepost. This is the bible of all Alaska/Alberta/BC/Yukon/Northwest Territory road trips and marks every stop, including things to see, gas, lodging, campgrounds, etc.

Plan to visit Alaska? Check out these helpful resources:
Driving the Al-Can Highway
Wildlife Viewing in Alaska
How to Pack for Alaska
Alaska Travel Planning Resources

Do you enjoy taking road trips? What's your most memorable road trippin' experience?

Driving the Al-Can

The Alaska Canada Highway, or Al-Can, traverses a vast wilderness in a remote expanse of North America, from Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, BC all the way through the Canadian Rockies and Yukon Territory, 1422 miles to Delta Junction, AK.

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On our ultimate road trip home last summer from Alaska, we picked up the Al-Can in Tok, AK on our way out of the great state. Although an exhilarating and ultimate road trippin' experience lay ahead of us, one of the toughest days I've ever had was crossing that border...

Day 2: We spent the night in Whitehorse, Yukon with friends.

Day 3: We had a picnic lunch at Watson Lake, Yukon, spending a few minutes walking through the Sign Post Forest to take in the thousands of other travellers that have been on the same exhilartating adventure as us.

We camped at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park in northern British Columbia, enjoying a much needed soak in the hot springs.

Day 4: We stopped in Muncho Lake, BC to fill up the tank, a pricey $2/L! The usual turquoise colours of the lake muted by the rain.

We saw wildlife galore - from black and brown bears, to stone sheep, bison, coyote, caribou and more.

We passed the Mile 0 sign in Dawson Creek, BC, stopping to only snap a few shots, give a quick high five, and continue on our 4500 mile journey...

And we can't forget about this little guy, who did the entire ride with us, whether he liked it or not.

Some frequently asked questions:

How long will it take?

Plan on driving for about 5 days, at 7-8 hours each day, with limited stops but plenty of scenery and wildlife to view. Make sure you have a good camera to document the adventure.

Is the road paved?

When the road was originally constructed in 1948, it was a mixture of gravel and dirt. Nowadays it is completely paved. But, that does not mean it doesn't still present its challenges. In some parts it is fairly windy through the mountains and there is no guardrail to hold you back. In other parts the harsh weather and freeze/thaw cycle has taken its toll on the road, with frost heaves creating a bumpy ride that can do some damage to your car if you're not careful. In the summer road construction is ongoing, so be prepared for some stoppages.

What kind of car should I drive?

Whatever kind you want. We saw cars, trucks, suvs, trailers, vehicles pulling trailers and motorcycles. The most important thing is to make sure it is in good shape, including the tires. We took ours for a check up before we left to be sure. The last thing you want is to break down in the middle of nowhere.

Do cell phones work?

Be prepared for some stretches with no cell or satellite reception. This also goes for satellite radio. 

How far apart are services?

Fuel, food and lodging can usually be found in the small towns you'll come across. But be prepared to go at least 150 miles without seeing a gas station. Pay attention to your gas tank and fill up when you see a pump, even if it's to top off the tank. Also, be prepared to pay more for services.

Extra tips:

This road trip definitely requires some planning. If you're feeling adventurous and want to experience the Al-Can for yourself, please invest in the Milepost. This is the bible of all Alaska/Alberta/BC/Yukon/Northwest Territory road trips and marks every stop, including things to see, gas, lodging, campgrounds, etc. 

Do you enjoy taking road trips? What's your most memorable road trippin' experience?

Linking up with A Compass Rose for Travel Tuesday.