Thursday, July 5, 2012

Elle's Epic Journey

Winner of the Prize is Lilsis!
...Lilsis contact me to claim your prize...
Last Saturday I returned from an epic (for me) trip. We drove over 9000 miles in 33 days from Northwest Arkansas to Fairbanks, Alaska and many wonderful places in between. I kept saying "this is a bucket list" item and one I have to do before I die. Now that I've done it...I'll fly next time!

Not that the trip wasn't spectacular and we saw so many things we would not have if we'd flown, but sheesh, so many days confined to the cab of a motorhome. I wouldn't trade it though. I've been to places I might never have seen otherwise.

It gave me a great appreciation for the brave and courageous men who explored and built the ALCAN highway and the people who are out there now exploring for oil, gas and mining. It's a wild and beautiful country both in the U.S. and Canada. Here are some of my favorites (there were too many to begin to list them all:
Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada 


Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley

Homer, Alaska


Cassair Highway, Canada where Bears abound and eat dandelions

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About the Author:

Elle James spent twenty years livin' and lovin' in South Texas, ranching horses, cattle, goats, ostriches and emus. A former IT professional, Elle is proud to be writing full-time, penning intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edge of their seats. Now living in northwest Arkansas, she isn't wrangling cattle, she's wrangling her muses, a malti-poo and yorkie. When she's not at her computer, she's out snow-skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories.
Visit Elle James at her website ellejames.com

30 comments:

  1. I'm extremely jealous that you got to go to Alaska! It looks like you had a wonderful time and made wonderful memories! My parents did the motor home drive in the 70's.....they were so bored that I was conceived!

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  2. That's a long trip. Sure sounds like fun though. I love your pictures they are so pretty. Would love to see Alaska.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Wow now that little trip has moved up on my list! This is something I have always wanted to do! In fact when my sister told me her daughter was getting married in Hawaii,I asked if she couldn't get married in Alska instead!

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    1. Hi Lilsis,
      Using the random number generator on random.org, you were selected as the prize winner. Please contact me to claim your prize.

      Delete
  4. Hi Elle. I followed your trip on Facebook and it sounds like a wonderful trip. I bet you are glad to be home. :) Both sets of my grandparents took a cruise through Alaska and they said it was a trip of a lifetime.

    Marika
    maw1725@gmail.com

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  5. I've always wanted to visit Alaska. I hear though mostly cold, it's quite beautiful.

    Even in the middle of Nature here is becoming citified and I hate it!

    We moved to he middle of nowhere to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, and for the peace and quiet.

    Over the years too many people from big cities have migrated down here and demanded city ordinances. Soon we will be forced to forgo our well water for city water, city gas, and city trash.

    I prefer burning our trash, it helps keep the skeeters away.

    Seriously, if you move to the country than you should live the country way, not bring down city ordinances.

    You're pictures are beautiful. The last one sends longing through me, for the days before this place got crowded.

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  6. Alaska is a beautiful place. I love your pictures.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. So many memories are flitting by right now: I love travelling in the mountains; they are so beautiful and peaceful ... I love travelling in a motorhome, having everything I need at my fingertips ... 9,000+ miles? Wow, that's a lot ... 33 days? Awesome; I WISH! ... Hostage to Thunder Horse? 4 1/2 stars from Romantic Times Reviews is super! I love stories with an "unconscious woman", this time in a snowdrift (as I dream about being that woman). I am definitely looking forward to reading Kat and Maddox's story, especially with Maddox being so protective (sigh)....

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  8. great pictures. That is a lot of miles

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  9. Wow, and here I am dreaming of road trips. Maybe I should just jump in the car and see if the family can fend for itself for a few weeks... months... and months...

    Nah, I'd miss them too much.

    Besides, I can't even shake loose to set up a daytrip!

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  10. This brought back memories of my trip to Alaska...it truly is a beautiful state. So glad you enjoyed your trip as well. I enjoyed Dawson City...made me feel like I was back in the Gold Rush days.

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  11. Nice pictures and so happy you are safely returned. Looking forward to your book, and all your next ones!

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  12. Elle, I loved following along with your posts and photos--thanks for sharing some of your epic trip with us! Glad you had an amazing time, too!

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  13. Thanks for sharing your trip! Alaska is a beautiful state! Thanks for your books - you are one of my favorites!

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  14. Sounds like a great trip Elle! I have never been to Alaska but I've heard great things about the beauty of it - I had a friend whose parents took an inland trip ( I think that's what it's called) on a cruise ship and loved it! I would have to fly though because I could not be cooped up in a motorhome for that long..lol.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  15. I have never been on an Alaskan trip, but my grandparents have. They said it is beautiful up there. Glad you liked your trip. Planning on a trip to Alaska in the next year or two. Planning on taking a cruise there. Never been on one so should be a photographic and a blogging experience.

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  16. Great pictures, I especially like the one with the bear. I love to travel and your trip sound like fun. I can't wait to get my hands on your next book, Thunder horse heritage was so good, I read it in one go.

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  17. Congratulations on your trip to Alaska. The untamed and beautiful scenery take my breath away. You are very lucky to have taken this once in a lifetime trip. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. glad u had a great time looked fabulous wish i could've gone with u to escape the heat for a bit

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  19. Alaska is on the top of my to do list - I followed your trip on FB - I would worry about be stranded with mechanical trouble. Maybe Ill fly to Canada and make a shorter road trip. Also on my to do list is reading Thunder Horse Heritage. I bought it and it is on the top of my to read stack.

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  20. What wonderful pics... it all looks so beautiful! I have not visited Alaska yet... my parents have taken a few cruises to there and said the sights are amazing... they have shared their own wonderful pics with us and I look forward to seeing it one day!

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  21. I have a friend who worked in Alaska for 5 years. She sent some awesome pictures home.

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  22. ELLE
    OMG THIS IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER FABULOUS READ CANT WAIT TY FOR THE CHANCE
    TAMMY
    tammyjackson75@yahoo.com

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  23. Nice pictures. That sounds like it was a fun trip.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  24. Wow what pictures and also this would be one of the things that i did and it was so good and homer alaska was one of the prettiest but going to canada is on my bucket list as 1 lady who has the same disease as i do we have been pen pals for 23 years and never met i would love to meet her and spend some time with her . We have written about books,our kids and everything, But wow what a trip you had i sure hope you get the chance to do it again

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  25. WOW! Nine thousand miles of driving! Only
    way we would attempt a trip of that length
    is flying there and back with a rental auto
    for in-state driving! Even with a dozen
    pillows and cushions, my gluteus maximus
    would rebel at a drive that long!!! BTW, the
    photos of that beautiful scenery are great!

    Pat C.

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  26. Love your pictures. What a great trip. My longest drive was from Southern California to North Carolina. I will never do it again!

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  27. It is an epic trip, but certainly memorable too. Thank you for the beautiful photographs.

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  28. What a trip!! These few pics hardly give it justice. I followed your tweets. Glad you are home safe and I want to read that BOOK!

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  29. OH EL! AWESOME PICTURES AND WITH 107 HERE I SURE COULD ENJOY YOUR BOOK IN ALASKA!!

    lindarb49@hotmail.com

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