RVing into Canada's Arctic ('RVing in...' travelogue series)

Rating:
Summary: Tells it like it is!
Review: by Peggi MacDonald, a full-time RVer

John and Liz Plaxton tell it like it is in their newest book 'RVing into Canada's Arctic'.

They rave about the great places they saw and provide an interesting account of the many joys and beautiful sights they encountered while exploring Canada's North. Their many photos - both black & white and colour - complement the written word of each great adventure. They also include a few not so good points like a dusty or poor roads and scenery or weather that was less than perfect.

Even if you can't make the trip right now, reading the Plaxton's travelogue will take you on an armchair adventure to places most us will never travel.

This duo have the ability to visit a little known place and find something special about the area. In Tsiigehtchic, Yukon they watched ravens play in the breezes sweeping up the river. Many RVers by-pass similar scenes because they don't look beyond the obvious. Simple things that help build memories can be part of everyone's everyday RV excursions if they slow down their travels. John and Liz definitely feel they need time to 'stop and smell the roses', as the saying goes.

Although their off road jaunts may appear a bit rustic, John and Liz demonstrate time and time again that unbelievable sites can be found everywhere.

Reading the Plaxton's travelogue with an atlas in hand made it easy to follow their extraordinary journey.

John writes the first portion of the book but Liz's diary which follow provides daily observations, neat places, small quick change of plans like an emergency hair cut or dealing with the dust, and food costs and fuel prices. Her quips bring to life each day of their journey. Both writers include the great, the good and only OK events in their portion of the travelogue. The Plaxton's added five additional diaries and articles at the end of their publication; John states these extras provide more balance to their recorded activities.

The Plaxton's enjoyed an incredible journey, but unless you travel in a small older RV, plus you are a knowledgeable mechanic, you may want to rethink following their many off road side trips in your RV. The Plaxton's and I have discussed this and agree to disagree on this point. I recommend a safer and more enjoyable alternative would be to park someplace with several other units, like in a gravel pit or, better yet, in a recognized campground. Use your toad (towed car) or tow vehicle to visit many of the fascinating places the Plaxtons stopped at on their off-road trips.

Liz and John don't hesitate to become involved to add interest to their excursions either. While in Inuvik, NWT they volunteered to work during the annual Great Northern Arts Festival ten day July extravaganza. The festival named them "Super Volunteers for 1998".

By reading John and Liz's book before you go to northern British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, you can discover some of the many neat places they researched and add them to your itinerary. This couple has the ability to take the reader by the hand on their adventuresome journey and alert you of what you could include in your itinerary and what side trips you may decide to bypass. I could go on and on about the special hints the Plaxton's include in their travelogue.

This entertaining, informative book is well worth reading either as research or to assist in planning your next trip to visit Canada's North.

Rating:
Summary: RVing
Review: I enjoyed this book, I was planning an Alaska trip, and now will include Canada.

Rating:
Summary: Travelling companion for Arctic RVers
Review: RVing into Canada's Arctic Written By Liz and John Plaxton

Reviewed by Mrs. Pat Regan, Kelowna, BC [former-citizen of Norman Wells, NWT]

If you've ever longed to explore Canada's beckoning north country, RVing into Canada's Arctic by John and Liz Plaxton will be a friendly and helpful companion for your journey.

As you tour along Yukon, Alaska and Northwest Territory highways, you will be able to refer to the well documented and clearly presented information pertaining to many communities as they appear along the route you've chosen.

Through "tried and true" experiences, John and Liz share their recommendations for RV sites, RV service shops, museums, churches, and interesting curio shops. Other essential information include "the best" grocery stores (with price lists), the finest and not so fine northern "eateries", and the cleanest laundromats.

This adventuresome duo in their Class C motorhome have explored many less frequented roads and have discovered, to their pleasure, some amazing camping, fishing, wildlife observation and bird sanctuary sites.

Some short histories on several communities and their colourful characters are included.

Liz and John share their memoirs of participation in many northern activities: golfing under the Midnight Sun in Dawson City and volunteering for the Great Northern Arts Festival and stick-gambling with the locals in Inuvik, to name only three.

This book, whether used as a reference or read for pleasure, is truly refreshing.

Artistically written with vividly picturesque descriptions of scenery and wildlife, complemented with many fine photos, RVing into Canada's Arctic will be as beneficial to you as "having a good friend who's already been there" travel at your side.