So after driving from Missouri to Montana, a two week stint in Great Falls, and four long days of bad weather driving through Canada, we finally arrived in Alaska (technically)!

After pulling over for the night, just barely back into the U.S., Dave readied the RV so we could all get some rest. Per his usual routine, he went outside and inspected it as to ensure everything was satisfactory. (He said something had seemed a little off. The RV was a little bouncier than before). After a few minutes, he returned…his face wearing a mixture of exhaustion and defeat. He beckoned me outside to “assess the damage.” Remember in Part 2, I mentioned how incredibly awful the roads were through the Yukon? Well……..apparently the strain from all the potholes was a little much on our tow hitch. It was nearly ripped completely off the back of the RV.

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Now, Dave and I have a rule: Only one of us is allowed to have a meltdown at a time. Have you ever just been “done”? That’s where Dave was…DONE. I’d already had my moments, so tonight it was Dave’s turn. After taking a few moments to clear our heads, and toying with the idea of calling it quits, we realized just how fortunate we truly were. Our F-150, which had been “four wheels down” towed this entire time, was still attached. If we had continued to travel any further, we aren’t sure if the hitch would have come lose, and well, it doesn’t matter if you have all the safety wires and connections secured to the hitch, if the whole thing falls off. We’re just glad the hitch and the truck didn’t decide to go their separate ways! Unfortunately, repairs would have to wait, so our days of riding together were over. I would have to drive the truck while Dave drove the RV to our final destination.

So let’s recap…our water system is frozen, which means no water for showering, cooking, flushing toilets, etc., and now our hitch is broken, so we are driving separate. Isn’t it so easy to focus on the negatives in life? Admittedly, at this point in time, I had to start reminding myself of our blessings. We had safe travels, a warm place to stay, and plenty of food. Having to drive separate allowed Dave and I to spend hours in conversation with our kids as they took turns riding with us. Abby even got in a little winter driving practice.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3

Now, as for driving through Alaska…breathtaking. Pictures don’t do it justice. Words fail. The grandeur, the splendor, as the white-capped mountains reach up and attempt to scrape their summits across the sky. Turquoise, frosted glaciers, like giants, resting in the valleys below. Jagged, frozen icebergs littering the waters of the Cook Inlet. Majestic eagles flying overhead. Moose, like gangly teenagers, paying no mind to passing cars as they munch on winter’s leftovers.

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Fast forward three weeks:

Our adventure across the U.S. and Canada is now a memory. We are settled into the artsy, quaint, little town of Homer. Spring, or the Breakup, as Alaskans like to call it, is here. The days are getting warmer and the snow is almost melted. The sun doesn’t set until after 9:30 p.m. and the days are only growing longer. We have running, hot water again!

Beach-combing, hours of fishing, hikes, wildlife viewing, and irreplaceable memories lie ahead of us.

It was worth the drive!