Flanada: 2 month flying trip in Canada and Alaska

Hi

My girlfriend and I are planning to do another 2 month flying trip.
After Australia (www.bucka-lassen.dk/flacroz) and Southern Africa
(www.selberschuld.com/flafrica) we have decided this time to do Canada
and Alaska (and maybe parts of the northern US). We are seeking advice
on where to go, where to rent a plane and more (see summary below).

The Route
=========
The route is not set at all yet. All we know is that we probably will
be starting somewhere near Regina/Saskatchewan, as we are going to
visit some friends there before (or after) the round trip itself. We
also know that we want to make it to Alaska. We have thought of
skipping the east coast of Canada (been to Toronto a couple of times
already) - as it possibly would mean too much flying for our taste.
During the previous two adventures we have done an average of about 1.5
hours of flying per day, which suits us fine.

The Plane
=========
We're looking to hire a plane like a Cessna 172/182, a Grumman
Tiger, Piper Archer or any similar sized single prop plane that can
carry at least 200kg of passengers and luggage in total. Travel speed
should preferably not be much lower than 120 knots. This means 160hp
will just about do it, but 180 (or more horse powers) are better. Also
for the higher altitude flying in the north-west of the continent might
require a higher powered plane - agree?

Initially we actually thought of doing the trip in a seaplane, which
would be great for the lakes in the north. However, I would first have
to do the seaplane rating and then finding a place that rents a float
plane to a rookie - which probably is impossible. Also the cost would
most likely be much higher than with a "normal" plane. Last but not
least a seaplane would also limit us to JUST water landings. An
amphibian plane of course is the answer to the latter issue, but at the
same time amplifies the other problems (renting and price).

I realize that Canada probably is THE PLACE (of all) to do seaplane
flying, but I just can't see this happening for us this time - if
anybody disagrees with my analysis above, please let me know.

About Us
========
Linda and I are Danish but live and work in Zurich, Switzerland. We're
both in IT (kind of). No kids so far, but who knows what the future
will bring :-) .

I (Klaus) have a PPL and have piloted the two previous trips mentioned
earlier in this posting (115 flying hours around Australia in 2000 and
60 hours in southern Africa in 2004). My total experience is about 270
hours as PIC.

Summary
=======
To sum up ... ANY suggestions and help on
1) the route
2) hints on what to see and what not
3) where to stay and places that should be avoided
4) tips on where to hire a plane (doesn't HAVE to be Saskatchewan)
5) administrative stuff that has to be sorted out (visas for
instance), etc.
would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Linda and Klaus

P.S.: When replying by mail please have the subject line contain the
word 'Flanada' such that my spam filter doesn't discard those e-mails.