“North to Alaska….Again!”

We are pointing Dee-Luxe 2.0 north once more. If you had told me a few years ago that Marc and I would be driving the ALCAN Highway a second time, I probably would have laughed and continued drinking my tall hot chocolate from Starbucks. Alaska was easily our most challenging logistical feat so far.

The short seasons, the unpredictable weather, and the sheer remoteness really tested our patience.

But just like this crazy game of golf, the toughest tracks are always the ones that call you back.

Our big home-on-wheels, “Dee-Luxe”, is packed to the brim again. We are trading the pristine fairways of the lower 48 for the rugged beauty of the midnight sun. You might think RVing all this way is roughing it – but trust me, it’s not!

Let’s just say we are happily glamping our way back, and it is now a rematch with the Last Frontier!

I guess if I were to be totally honest, my idea of camping has always been a Holiday Inn with no pool. So instead of roughing it, we are happily glamping our way up north.

And we get to bring the comforts of home right along with us!

Our first trip to Alaska checked a major box on our 50-state golf bucket list.

We fell in love with Alaska’s challenging courses, endless summer daylight, and jaw-dropping scenery when we drove the ALCAN Highway our first time up.

When we first set out to golf in all 50 states, Alaska was undeniably a logistical feat. The unique local challenges and short golf season make it an unforgettable experience entirely different from that of the rest of the country. But that is exactly what makes the journey so beautifully rewarding.

But for this second trip, we decided it’s time to lean into the beloved RV lifestyle we have grown to love. We are carrying everything we need to enjoy the great outdoors on our own terms:

• Golf Clubs – Check

• Great Friends – Check

• Favorite books – Check

• And of course, Hazel – Check

Honestly, returning isn’t about checking boxes anymore – it’s about the experience.

• The Scenery: Majestic mountains that are completely free and challenge your mind.
• The Logistics: Potholes, frost heaves, and planning fuel stops down to the mile.
• The Tee Times: Playing golf at 10:00 PM without needing solar-powered balls.
• The Real Test: Seeing if my putting stroke can survive local, rugged public greens.

And of course, no matter where our travels take us, there is absolutely no better time to experience the earth waking up than those quiet, early mornings. Watching the daybreak is a calming, hypnotic gift. It gives me a front-row seat to the planet’s awakening, reminding me to appreciate the wonder of nature in this beautiful sport.

My Reads from the Reds – Every morning on the course is a chance at a new day, and every new state is another chance to write a life story filled with significance, connection, and joy. As the legendary Ben Hogan once said, “As you walk down the fairway of life, you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.   

Written by Kathy Festa