Alaska or Panama?

[danbrew]

Hello everyone - I'm fairly sure that I'm going to do the Panama Canal this summer. But I have also been considering Alaska. Am taking the month of August off from work (God, do I have a great job or what? They're even gonna pay me while I'm gone... go figure!)

I went out out bought the latest edition of Milepost (ww.milepost.com), which is *the* guide to use if you are considering an Alaskan trip. And I also went out and bought a bunch of ITM maps for Mexico and Central America. Although I haven't even decided upon the desination, I figure I've already invested $200 or so in maps... Of course that means I *am* going to take a trip.

The interesting thing about this is that I have previously visited both Panama and Alaska - thanks to Uncle Sam when I was in my 20's. So... which way? North or South? Hmmm. I figure that any old fool can point an RV north (or maybe even a motorcycle... a joke, of course, am taking my GS). But what about south? While I've visited Mexico, it's always been border towns. Mexico proper, Guatemala, El Savador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Hmmm. Sure sounds a lot more exciting than the US, Canada, and back to the US - Alaska.

Make no bones about it, of course. I'm going to do them both. The issue is which one will I do this year. I'm literally taking the entire month off - figure 35 days. What do you think? Alaska or Panama?

Is 35 days enough time to do Chicago to Panama and back? I think I could probably do it if I went balls to the wall. But I also think I'm gonna want to stop and smell the roses along the way. There's no doubt that I could do 10,000+ miles (or Alaska) in the same timeframe - but Mexico and Central America? Not sure.

My moto experience is limited to US coast to coast trips, and everywhere in between - with a bit of Canada thrown in. While I don't have off the beaten track experience, I do have the right attitude and a smile.

A few folks on other boards have suggested that I would want to look at 45-60 days for a Panama Canal and back trip. What do you think about the timing?

Comments/suggestions/tips/routes/etc. appreciated.

thanks - danbrew

[This message has been edited by danbrew (edited 30 March 2005).]