In some detail, a week ago, we gave you a look at the Claude Z. Westfall file, the conclusion of a long-held goal, a seven-week, 12,047-mile adventure over land from Orono, Maine, to Alaska.

Westfall, a retired University of Maine engineering professor, and his wife, Rosemae, fulfilled their ambition when they departed on June 25 and returned Aug. 11.

The Westfalls made the journey in a 1992 Ford pickup towing a spacious, 35-foot recreational vehicle, or so-called “fifth wheel.” The custom-designed, self-contained unit is outfitted with all of the refinements of a first-class home, including air conditioning and television.

A week ago, from the Westfall file, our interview concluded with an important quote: “The weather in Alaska can change by the minute but generally is pleasant for a summer trip.”

So what should one bring, especially clothing suitable for temperatures ranging from a low of 40 degrees to a high of 80 degrees?

Westfall: “Rain gear, long thermal underwear, low cut camp shoes, hat, gloves, jacket, heavy and light socks. I cannot overly emphasize the need for quality rain gear. One minute you’re apt to be out in a hard rain and the next, covered with a hot sun. So sunglasses, camera and film become essentials for a first time visitor.”

Anyone fishing a salmon river, especially the Penobscot, knows Westfall’s penchant for fishing. So what does an angler need if plans call for fishing Alaska’s abundant sport fishing waters?

Westfall: “I am certainly not an authority on fishing in Alaska. However, I soon learned that the various types of angling calls for specific tackle. Small trout and grayling are species calling for a 6- to 8-foot light weight rod; larger trout, 8-foot medium weight. For big salmon, I mean anything from 30- to 80-pound kings, you’ll need 9- to 10-foot heavyweight rods. The 9- to 10-foot models are ideal when fishing silvers, too. A beautiful fish, very close to being the Atlantic’s equal when it comes to measuring fighting qualities.”

Does a spinning rig come into play?

Westfall: “Extremely popular and quite possibly the most used method in Alaska. And effectively, too. Spinning rods geared to handle 3- to 20-pound test line will produce excellent results. Spoons, spinners, small, medium and large sizes, work very well. I saw fishermen doing very well spinning artificial baits like squirrel-tailed Mepps spinners and the old reliable Dardevle, of course.”

If you were to suggest a single species of fish for the first-time visitor, what would it be?

Westfall: “That’s a most difficult one to answer. Alaska offers such a great diversity of species. The fisher people have Arctic charr, lake trout, northern pike, grayling, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden trout, silver or coho salmon, red or sockeye salmon, king or chinook salmon, and dog or chum salmon.

“That’s an amazing diversity of sport fish. I did get a 50-pound king on the Kenai, and that was an exciting experience. But don’t ever undersell the reds or the sockeye salmon. There’s a wonderful fighter for its weight. I’d probably suggest sockeye fishing for a newcomer or an inexperienced angler. It’s a superb fighter, and they’re enormous in numbers coming into their home waters.”

All that said and done, your travel log starting at Orono, Maine, and ending up in the heart of Alaska. What was your highway routing?

Westfall: “As I stated earlier, we departed on the morning of June 25. We headed south to the Massachusetts Turnpike, west to the State of New York thruway to Buffalo, followed a route adjacent to the Great Lakes to Cleveland and Chicago. From Chicago it was northwest to Minneapolis, Grand Forks, N.D., Shelby, Mont., north to Calgary and Edmonton, Canada. Then it was west to Dawson Creek, British Columbia and Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway.”

Was your return home via the same routing?

Westfall: “No. We made a return trip over the Alaska Highway, headed to Edmonton, British Columbia, then east to Saskatoon and Regina, Alberta. South to Minot, N.D., east to Grand Forks, S.D., Duluth and Sault St. Marie, where we traveled the Trans Canada Highway to Montreal and a last leg home to Maine and Orono.”

Why the route change on the return trip?

Westfall: “Economics. By returning via Canada, even though gasoline costs were higher, this was offset by a shorter driving distance, no highway tolls and less traffic congestion.”

For the Westfalls, was the experience a dream come true?

Westfall: “Absolutely. Our conclusions, Alaska being our 49th state, really are easy to reach. You need not be wealthy. The experience can be thoroughly enjoyed on a modest amount of money. Second, since Alaska is relatively unpopulated, the fisheries receive little pressure. It is a haven for photographers, birders, nature enthusiasts and those seeking the quiet solitude of lush forests and clean water. If Alaska is on one’s dream list, I say go for it and enjoy its hugeness, diversity of fishing, majestic beauty and what truly is America’s great, living frontier.”