Overland Road Trip: Michigan to Alaska (Adventure Series Part 1)

When people think about a big adventure, they usually think about the destination. They picture the mountains, the rivers, the wildlife, and the experiences waiting at the end of the road. Looking back now, some of my favorite memories from this trip happened long before we ever arrived.

On August 29, 2025, we pulled out of the driveway at 8 a.m. with a cup of coffee, two dogs, a canoe, and a destination that still didn't feel real. We were headed to Alaska and we gave ourselves a five-day window to get there from Michigan and the starting point for an adventure we had spent months planning.

What makes this trip even more special looking back is how new everything still was. Kyle and I had only known each other for five months, and I had officially been part of the Adventure Chasing team for just one month. We had spent the previous two months researching routes, organizing gear, coordinating logistics, and dreaming about the places we hoped to see. At the time, everything felt new. The relationship was new. My role within Adventure Chasing was new. Even the future felt uncertain in the best possible way.

What we did know was that we shared a love for adventure and a willingness to chase something bigger than either of us could have imagined on our own.

Crossing the Midwest and Falling in Love With the Prairies

The excitement carried us through the first day. Ollie and Miya settled into the truck immediately, and before long we found ourselves watching familiar landscapes disappear in the rearview mirror. Along the way we spotted two wolves, three deer, and even caught a glimpse of a moose disappearing into the brush.

By the time we arrived at our campground near Bemidji shortly before sunset, it felt as though the day had flown by. Kyle went for a swim while I stayed back with the dogs. After a quick stop in town, we settled into camp and made sloppy joes using Kyle's grandpa's recipe. It was one of those simple meals that somehow tastes better outside.

As we continued west, I found myself unexpectedly falling in love with the Prairies. So many travelers view them as something to pass through joking that the best time to drive through them is at night, but the landscape has a way of slowing you down and making you pay attention. The sky seems larger somehow. The horizon stretches endlessly in every direction. Grain elevators rise from tiny towns, and fields of gold sway beneath clouds that seem close enough to touch.

There is a peacefulness to the prairies that photographs never quite capture. Mile after mile, the landscape reminded us just how vast North America really is.

Entering Canada and Exploring Saskatchewan

Crossing into Canada was one of the parts of the trip we had spent the most time preparing for. Traveling with dogs, a canoe, food, camping gear, and plans to spend weeks exploring remote places meant there were plenty of details to organize ahead of time.

The officers who assisted us were friendly, professional and thorough. Before long we were back on the road, excited to officially begin the Canadian portion of our journey.

That evening we arrived at a campground outside Regina, Saskatchewan. The campground host welcomed us with maple cookies and even had treats waiting for Ollie and Miya. She personally walked us around the property and let us choose our campsite. After a long day on the road, that simple act of kindness stayed with us.

The following morning began with a boat inspection appointment in the city. After weeks of preparation, the process itself took only a few minutes, and before we knew it we were back on the highway headed toward Alberta.

Elk Island National Park and Wildfire Smoke in Edmonton

One of the most unexpected highlights of the drive came when we arrived at Elk Island National Park. We pulled into the park just before 6 pm learned that the gate behind us would close only minutes later.

As we explored, we watched herds of bison grazing across the prairie. 

Later that evening we arrived in Edmonton beneath a blanket of wildfire smoke. The haze was thick enough to irritate our eyes and throats, a reminder of how widespread wildfire impacts can be across western Canada. After finding our Airbnb, we walked to a nearby brewery and then enjoyed one of the best bowls of pho we've ever had.

Like many road trips, the evening ended with an unplanned grocery store run. Ketchup chips, ice cream, dog treats, and supplies for the road somehow found their way into our cart before we finally called it a night.

Jasper National Park and Mount Robson

Around four in the morning, Miya woke us with a bout of reverse sneezing. The wildfire smoke had irritated her allergies too. After sitting with her for a while, we decided there wasn't much point in trying to go back to sleep. If we were already awake, we might as well get an early start.

As the sun began to rise, the mountains appeared on the horizon.

One moment we were driving through forested valleys. The next, towering peaks surrounded us in every direction.

Jasper National Park unfolded before us beneath clear blue skies. The Athabasca River glowed a brilliant turquoise as it wound through the valley below. Every corner revealed another incredible view, and every stop seemed more beautiful than the last. It was one of those rare days where reality somehow exceeds every expectation.

Then came Mount Robson.

As the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson dominates the landscape in a way that is difficult to describe. A sprawling meadow stretches toward the mountain's massive face, creating one of the most dramatic views we have ever experienced.

While exploring the area, Kyle discovered wild blueberries growing along the trail. Standing there in the late summer heat, surrounded by mountains and endless views, we couldn't help but reflect on how far we had already traveled and how much adventure still lay ahead.

Arriving in Terrace, British Columbia

The drive north toward Terrace continued to surprise us. We stopped in Smithers and immediately understood why so many people fall in love with the town. Nestled beneath rugged peaks and surrounded by rivers, it felt like the kind of place that quietly works its way into your heart.

As we followed the Skeena River Valley, waterfalls spilled down mountainsides, salmon filled the rivers, and every mile seemed more beautiful than the last.

By the time we arrived at our campground outside Terrace, it was nearly 7 pm. Ross, our host greeted us at check-in and immediately made us feel welcome.

The dogs wasted no time finding trouble.

Within minutes, Miya rolled in fish guts along the shoreline. Ollie quickly followed. What should have been a relaxing evening became an impromptu bath session involving dish soap, cold water, and two stinky dogs.

Fishing the Skeena River and Reflecting on the Journey

The next morning, Kyle headed down to the river while I organized camp and spent some time with the dogs before joining him. As the clouds slowly lifted, mountain peaks emerged from the mist and revealed a landscape that felt almost too beautiful to be real.

Some of my favorite photographs from the entire trip were taken that morning as Kyle fished beneath those towering mountains.

Later that afternoon we spotted a black bear across the river. For a few moments we both stood quietly, hoping the other was seeing what we were seeing. The bear eventually disappeared into the brush, leaving us once again alone with the mountains, the river, and a growing sense of gratitude.

Fall had already arrived in northern British Columbia. Golden leaves lined the riverbanks, glowing against the blue sky and clear water. That evening, with hot chocolate in hand, we found ourselves reflecting on everything that had happened over the previous five days.

Somewhere between Michigan and British Columbia, the trip stopped feeling like a planned adventure and started feeling like the beginning of something much bigger.

The mountains, rivers, wildlife, and miles were unforgettable.

This stretch from Michigan to Alaska was only the first leg of something much bigger.

Part 2 continues the journey north.