Masters of RVing Adventures

Alaska – Here We Come. . . & More Trips to Share!

Hi family and friends! We are Mark and Amanda Masters. I originally started this site as a way for you to join along as we took an adventure to and from Alaska. Most of you who know me, know I am not a big Social Media fan, but we had so many ask us to post during our trip, that this blog became my answer.

Still true today, Mark will be doing most of the driving, so I will be doing most of the writing, photography and posting (though I am now driving Jack to give Mark breaks on long travel days). My goal is still to post every few days, but I make no promises. I’ll do my best to add as often as I can. As requested, I’ll try to add more about our “daily” life on the road.

Most of you know, but if not, you’ll soon learn about Jack & Cheeto, as well as Timber, and a few other characters (umm – friends) who have joined us on our Alaska journey. I’m sure we’ll meet more on our travels that you’ll also be introduced to as I post. Stay tuned for much more!!

Blog

Thank you for reading our interpretation of traveling to Alaska. We continue to add more adventure notes as our travels have taken us to more places around the country. Take a minute or two and scan the latest entry. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the journey along with us.

As you can see, I’ve had requests to continue posting even though we’ve returned from Alaska. We still travel often in the rig, so for those who want to keep reading – I’ll try to keep posting.

Meet Jackson (AKA Jack), our home on wheels during our extended months of travel!
A closer look at our cute boy.
A better look at our sweet boy!
Meet Timber – our traveling guide dog!
Me and my best friend adventuring! – Hope we’re still friends after 4-months in the RV!

Our Routes

Home to the Border

This is our first two weeks getting to the US border. We have a stop in the RV capital of Indiana to pick up a new sofa for Jack and then on to North Dakota, where we’ll add a sticker to our “states camped in.” (By the end of this trip, we’ll only have four states left to have camped in all 50 states.) We have a number of sightseeing stops in ND before reaching our rally meet up point in Great Falls, MT. You’ll meet the rest of the gang here. After that, we overnight in Shelby, MT to cross the border the next day.

Canada & Alaska

Here is the heart of this trip. All of these stops took months of planning, research, and preparation, though the actual route, stops, campgrounds and itinerary were compiled quickly and easily within AdventureGenie (linked at the top). Our group had a lot of discussions on exact options. We’ll spend a little over three months exploring towns, National Parks and the majestic beauty of these areas. We’ll hit places like Calgary, Diamond Valley, Cline River, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, the Yukon Territory, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Homer, Seward, Valdez, Skagway, Dease Lake, Stewart, Prince George, Cache Creek and more.

Border to Home

This will be the final leg of our awesome adventure! We plan to stop and look at a few ski towns on our way home. Mark thinks we need to have a winter RVing trip for skiing. I usually prefer a few weeks down in the Florida Keys. [Did I mention I hate being cold???] Big questions to answer here on the final stretch to home…did we make it without incident? Are we tired, but ready to embark on a new adventure soon? Have we met new folks and made long lasting friendships?

Early Summer Trip – 2025

We spent a month in the Florida Keys, soaking up island breezes, eating an abundance of fresh seafood, and diving in the turquoise waters. Evenings were spent watching spectacular sunsets — the kind of moments you can’t help but pause and savor.

From there, we made our way to the Gulf Shores of Alabama, mostly in Orange Beach, for a few more weeks of coastal charm. Beach walks, local eats, and quiet mornings sipping coffee, and making new friends made it hard to pack up and leave.

Out West Trip Fall – 2025

Here’s a highlight of the stops. As we travel, I’ll zoom in on the map at each location and tell you all about the stop.

  • Oklahoma City, OK – Dining at the iconic Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
  • Utah’s Mighty 5 – Exploring Arches & Canyonlands, as well as Four Corners.
  • Moab, UT – Off-roading adventures and jaw-dropping scenery
  • Mesa Verde National Park, CO – Discovering the ancient cliff dwellings
  • Ski Resorts in UT, ID, MT – Scouting winter playgrounds for future trips
  • Custer State Park, SD – Witnessing the Buffalo Roundup in person!
  • Colorado Springs, CO – Driving to the top of Pike’s Peak & exploring Garden of the Gods
  • Fort Worth Stockyards, TX – Experiencing true Texas cowboy culture
  • Waco, TX – Joanna Gaines and Magnolia Market sightseeing
  • Round Top, TX – Antique hunting heaven
  • McCall, ID & Kerrville, TX – Reuniting with Alaska DRV companions
  • Crystal Beach, TX – Catching up with AIM friends
  • Texas Hill Country – Wine, wildflowers, and winding roads
  • Visiting family in Oklahoma, Idaho, Colorado, and Texas along the way

Late Summer / Fall – 2026

This fall’s adventure combines old friends, legendary roads, off-road thrills, national parks, and a few unforgettable events. From morning balloon launches and Route 66 nostalgia to mountain trails and meeting new friends, this journey promises plenty of adventure. I’ll share the details as we travel, but here’s a preview of what’s ahead:

  • Catching up with our DRV/Alaska friends in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
  • Upgrading the rig in Elk City while exploring Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City again
  • Traveling Route 66 through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
  • Visiting family in Colorado Springs and exploring Cripple Creek
  • Riding side-by-sides through Creede’s mining country and Moab’s red-rock backcountry
  • Taking the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the San Juan Mountains
  • Reuniting with friends at a DRV Rally in Angel Fire—and scouting a possible future ski home
  • Exploring the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, White Sands, and Carlsbad Caverns
  • Joining the AIM Club for Albuquerque’s spectacular Balloon Fiesta
  • Experiencing the Fort Worth Stockyards, Dallas history, Hot Springs, Nashville, and the Grand Ole Opry
  • Wrapping up the trip at the first-ever Open Roads Rally in Pigeon Forge