Pink Mountain



"We wander for distraction, but travel for fulfillment."

                                                               --Hilare Belloc

Years ago, my husband and I decided to move to Alaska. Our newlywed life together started out in Florida, but the Alaskan adventure that beckoned was too romantic and exciting to decline. We bought a used Chevy truck, loaded it with all of our earthly possessions and headed northwest to the Alaska Highway.

Maybe it was our youthfulness or obvious naivete that made the truck driver warn us about the perils of Pink Mountain.

There we were - seated in metal chairs in front of our motel room somewhere in British Columbia, Canada, when a man walked up and asked about our next destination. According to him, one thing stood between us and our future happiness - Pink Mountain. We kept nodding at the stranger and asked a few questions about the success rate of much larger trucks crossing over the mountain. I remember that our would-be guardian was tall and thin, and spoke in a deeply serious voice, giving each word a heavy importance. After giving us a bug screen for the truck and a final dire warning about crossing the mountain, he departed, and we returned to making dinner plans.

It might have been the soft, pretty name of the mountain that lulled us into feeling comfortable about the next day's journey. After all, isn't pink associated with flamingos and lemonade? Even the mountain's gentle name stems from its pink glow at sunrise, according to locals.

Or it may have been that a mere eight hours after leaving Orlando, an orange Chevy Vega had run into our truck, damaging the fender. When the police officer arrived and started interviewing the fidgety  young man who had hit us, it became obvious that the driver couldn't remember where he lived or exactly whose car he had been driving. We were given permission to leave; the young man was still being sternly questioned as we drove away. The next day, while crossing Missouri on I-70, with my husband dozing beside me, I was pulled over for speeding. When the state trooper asked me where I was in such a hurry to get to, and I answered "Alaska," things went downhill. I was given a hefty fine and a stern lecture about not thinking that Alaska was far enough away to avoid payment.

Our adventure wasn't over.

The truck broke down in Montana and for the first (and only) time in my life, I hitchhiked. A very nice couple, whose radio musical tastes leaned toward polka and other dance music, rescued us and drove us to the nearest gas station. The Chevy's problem was diagnosed as a faulty transmission -  a problem that had been "fixed" in Orlando. Our cash reserve, not much to begin with, was quickly dwindling.

Pink Mountain? Somehow the threatened peril of crossing that mountain seemed laughable after a wreck in Georgia, a transmission mishap in Montana, not to mention starting married life in an aging and cramped truck heading to Alaska.

Yes, we easily reached the other side of Pink Mountain and never looked back.

Much belated thanks to that modern-day cowboy who warned a young couple about the dangerous trail up ahead. Little did he know...


Some travel books to accompany you on your own journey or to enjoy from the comfort of your favorite chair:


On the Road - Kerouac, Jack (F). It's a novel. It's an autobiography. It's both of these. The idea for the book was born in 1947. A few years later, Kerouac started typing and didn't stop until "On The Road" was finished. The original scroll version was released in 2008.

Although, Of Course, You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace - Lipsky, David (NF). Lipsky had a plum assignment from Rolling Stone magazine - accompany DFW on the road for an epic interview. The men discussed writing, teaching and America's pop culture. Wallace, who wrote Pale King and Consider the Lobster, committed suicide in 2008. 

Travel As A Political Act - Steves, Rick (NF). Along with unusual food, outstanding museums and beautiful scenery, travel can broaden our understanding of the world's many cultures. Steves provides the lessons on getting more out of our travels.

Into Thin Air - Krakauer, Jon (NF). A must-read, especially in the hot summer weather. Krakauer brings us along to the summit of Mount Everest.

Travels with Charley: In Search of America - Steinbeck, John (NF). One of my favorite books written by my very favorite author. Join Steinbeck and his trusty sidekick, Charley, as they set out to discover America. 

Milepost  (NF) - Detailed account of the Alaska Highway. Includes advice on restaurants and camping, and offers updated information on road conditions.

A Field Guide For Immersion Writing: Memoir, Journalism and Travel - Hemley, Robin (NF). Perfect for anyone wanting to document their travel adventures.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail and Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America - Bryson, Bill (NF). Don't read either of these in a public place - you'll disturb people with your loud laughter and guffaws. If snarky observational humor while traveling is your idea of fun, Bryson is your newest favorite author. 

Travel guides: Fodor's; Frommer's; Off The Beaten Path; Lonely Planet; DK Eyewitness; Rick Steves' guides.

What I'm Reading:

Wild - Strayed, Cheryl (NF). The author decided to hike the 1100-mile Pacific Coast Trail after her life started falling apart. It is difficult to put the book down for even a minute.

Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West - Rarick, Ethan (NF). If you think your last family road trip was bad, read this book. All jokes aside, the Donner party was plagued with bloated egos, misguided leaders and extremely bad weather.  

Thanks to CS for sharing Alaska with us.