RVing Alaska and Canada: A How to and Why not Book

by Sharlene "Charlie" Minshall

Book Overview

Sharlene "Charlie" Minshall, a single, solo, full-time RVer for twenty years, criss-crossed North America countless times from Mexico to Labrador, Florida to the Northwest Territories. She toured Alaska and Western Canada five times for a total of two years. This fourth revision reveals "How to" chapters on where to stay, when to go, what to take, road conditions and distances, plus information on border crossing, communications, boondocking, safety,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439218013
• ISBN13: 9781439218013
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Even better the second time

It's like Blue Highways or Travels with Charlie (no pun intended), but by someone who is happy and upbeat. She talks about the mechanical and weather challenges, and how she deals with them. She is so enthusiastic about Alaska and the Canadian Northwest, it makes you want to go up there NOW! (Well, maybe in spring.) I looked forward to coming home at night and reading this book with the Auto Club map in one hand. At first I thought her travels might be too tame and her adventures too un-macho -- but she had some great adventures and, hey, she did the Alaska Highway solo. I can't wait to order her other books.

Gold Nuggets for Alaska Travel (or Armchair Travel)

I read about "Charlie" Minshall's Alaska adventures twice through and couldn't resist going myself. I traveled in Alaska (by car)and included many of the places I enjoyed in her book, finding 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

The Guidebook and Trip Planner That Reads Like a Great Story

I typically read reference books, not storybooks, picking through them for bits and pieces of helpful information. I couldn't do that with Charlie's book about RVing in Alaska. I tried, but it just didn't work. I'd try to look up some particular thing - and a half hour later I'd be just reading along - absorbed in her adventure. RVing Alaska! (and Canada) is Charlie's story. It's a true and fascinating story of her ventures into the Alaskan wilderness, her partaking of typical tourist attractions, her mingling and interacting with the Alaskan locals, and her descriptions of how she combines daily life as a working, full-time RVer with having a fantastic time. If you'd love to go to Alaska, but think you can't - read this book. Charlie will have you there in a matter of minutes.If you are planning a trip to Alaska - read this book. You need it to help you plan and prepare. It can serve as your travel planner and guidebook. It can save you grief over not knowing what to expect, what to take, how to get where you are going, etc.If you are already in Alaska - read this book. You will find things you would never find otherwise - everything from peaceful campgrounds to scrumptious clam chowder.

It's two, two...two books in one!

This was the first book I read when planning our RV trip to Alaska. It was a fun and informative read, after which I went on to other books. The interesting thing is that when I got down to the nitty-gritty of planning I found myself referring to it more than I ever thought I would. I took it with us and...guess what? I referred to it quite often.The reason I found it so useful was that I got a real feeling for what places were like. Other Alaska travel books give a lot of information on campgrounds and places of interest, but Charlie's book was like having a friend tell you what things are REALLY like. An example: Charlie says, "I stayed at Centennial Park just outside of Anchorage. Some pleasant big campground, with all the amenities plus, exist within the city limits, but their prices are not as pleasant as the Centennial Park. It is a dry camp park for $13/night. They have showers, dump station, and telephone. I like it because it is in a wooded area, and convenient." Compare that to a popular guide book: "Centennial Camper Park - 83 spaces w/o hookups; 3 pull-throughs; sewage dump station; flush toilets; drinking water...separate tenting area; 14 day limit." Yes, Rving Alaska is not a guide book but one person's traveling experience. But with the author's practical advice, positive attitude and true love of adventure you can't help but love this book. Like the back cover says, "This book explains the practical 'How to' and the bold 'Why not'".By the way, when parking in an area described in the book, I noticed a familiar looking RV. I couldn't believe it but it was her...the silver gypsy! (Picture in my personal profile.) As we talked I realized how alive and vivacious she really was. This woman has a lot of spirit and she's a kick to be around.

RVing Alaska (and Canada)

For anyone planning the great RV trip to Alaska, or the armchair traveler just dreaming of the northland, this book cannot be missed! The author takes you along in the passenger seat and introduces you to the sights, the people and the thrills to be found in Alaska. Part travelogue, part guidebook, part diary, and always interesting, you'll feel like you're part of the trip. No journey to Alaska should be condidered without reading this book first! I've read it twice and will keep in on my bookshelf for future reference and enjoyment.