We had talked about going to Alaska for years. We talked a little more when we were in Vancouver several years ago and realized we could take the ferry pretty cheaply from there up the inside passage to Prince Rupert; we thought it would be fun to do that, stopping for a day (or more) anywhere the ferry docked and then moving on, and then taking the train back down to Vancouver from there. Should be a beautiful trip. Problem with that plan: Prince Rupert is in Canada. That wouldn't get us to Alaska at all. We continued to talk about going to Alaska someday.
At some point, I realized that we needed to pick a date or it would forever be something we would do "someday." Fortieth anniversary sounded good, and would give us sufficient time to plan and save. It was on the calendar! That all important step one had been taken.
I read James Michener's
Alaska which entertained me while informing me a little of Alaska's history and geography. That gave me a better idea of where I thought we might like to go and see...limited, of course, by the practicalities of time and money. While doing that, I looked at and bookmarked a number of web sites with information on Alaska.
The next task was to chose a tour that would encompass the areas I had identified. I was having trouble there, as most went only some of the locations. Then a friend who had taken a tour to Europe with
World Wide Country Tours shared her enthusiasm about their tour. I checked their web site and found that they had a tour that 1) would take us where I wanted to go, 2) was of an acceptable duration, and 3) was reasonably priced. I finally took a deep breath and made the reservation. Finally beyond step one, and fully committed.
That got the ball rolling, and it was time to begin actually preparing for a trip that would take place!