Day 5 was one of those days where the scenery finally starts to match the adventure and the kids felt like they had truly entered a different country.
For the first several days, the views were mostly plains, farmland, and long stretches of highway. Beautiful in their own way, but today felt different.
Today, the mountains arrived.
As the convoy pushed farther north, the landscape transformed from wide-open prairie to towering peaks, winding roads, turquoise lakes, and views that had Dax and Ana constantly reaching for their cameras.
Throughout the day, my phone filled with pictures of mountains, valleys, rivers, and wildlife sightings. While there were plenty of animals to spot, the favorites of the day were yaks and mountain goats.
The excitement level was noticeably higher than it has been in previous days. It’s hard to compete with endless miles of flat road when suddenly you’re driving through scenery that looks like it belongs on a postcard.
Today also marked a major milestone in the journey:
The convoy officially reached the Alaska Highway, better known as the ALCAN.
If you’ve never heard of it, it’s worth taking a few minutes to look up the history. Built during World War II in just over eight months, the highway stretches more than 1,300 miles through some of the most remote terrain in North America. What began as a strategic military project became one of the most iconic roadways on the continent.
For a family making its way to Alaska, finally seeing the famous sign felt a little like crossing a threshold. The destination still isn’t here, but somehow it feels a lot closer.
The day ended at Muncho Lake, where the convoy checked into a cozy lodge and enjoyed something every road trip traveler appreciates:
Comfortable beds.
After five days on the road, mountains outside the window and a good mattress inside the room felt like a pretty solid combination.
Herd Stats
Miles Driven: 3,146
States/Provinces Traveled: 10/3
Tire Blowouts: 3
Wildlife Sightings: Moose 4, Bear 1, Yak 10, Wild horse 1, Mountain goats 1, Bison 5
Hotels Occupied: 7
Herd Morale: Mountain High
Sanity Level: Improving with Better Scenery and Comfortable Beds
The Davies Herd 
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