An unfamiliar site in Syracuse, N.Y.: car plates from Alaska.
As I pulled up to the red light and eased to a stop one block over from my house Sunday morning, the car right smack in front of me afforded a sight that I can call a first in my 30 years living in Syracuse, N.Y.
The weathered Mercedes 3000 Turbo Diesel was adorned with Alaska plates. The Last Frontier, it declared proudly beneath the numbers-letters combination.
I grabbed for my iPhone and hoped the light would cooperate. Yes, I did get my shot before it turned green.
I followed the beige car further up the street, and we traveled in tandem a couple of miles. It looked as if three people were riding in the car, one in the back. I could not see them clearly.
They turned, but I kept going straight to my destination. I had an appointment to make. The inquisitive following of a car from Alaska did not fit my schedule. Besides, wouldn’t that be slightly stalker-ish?
My mind, though, stayed with that Alaska-plated vehicle, right up until the moment I pulled in front of my friend’s house.
How far had that Mercedes come in its trip for Alaska to Central New York?
A visit now to TravelMath.com tells me that the driving distance between Anchorage, Alaska, and Syracuse, N.Y., is a somehow lyrical 4,321 miles.
Did they ship the car by rail? I prefer to think they drove it themselves, several people sharing the wheel duties and adventures such a drive could bring.
How many days did it take? Where did they stop to eat and sleep? How many people did they take the time to talk to; the further they came east, the more uncommon Alaska plates would be and the more curious folks they crossed paths with would become.
Was it a vacation, a family emergency, a change in job?
I blurred the identifying letters and digits here to allow the owner a modicum of privacy here on the web.
And I wonder if I should ever get the chance to talk with these people from Alaska, would their story live up to my expectations?
Would you have followed the Alaska-plated car to try to meet the people inside? What would be your first words of introduction?
Mark Bialczak 
In Syracuse, I was used to long commutes (to work in Utica). But 4,321 miles? That’s just cr-a-zy!
The only time I ever intentionally followed any one was a snowplow in Utica that had dumped snow in the paper’s parking lot and then backed up 4 lanes and drove off. I didn’t follow them for long. 🙂
LikeLike
Never pick a fight with somebody who plows snow in a parking lot, is a vehicular rule to remember, Judy. Yeah, I just love that 4,321 figure that travelmath gave me for Anchorage to Syracuse.
LikeLike
When I was in California many years back, I didn’t believe the number of folks who would literally flag me down when they saw my Massachusetts license plate. And back when I had my Audi, a car FULL of very scary gentlemen followed me off 690 and pulled up next to me, honked, made me roll down my window all to find out what was the color of my car. (Answer: Pearl) I think that, in America, any question about anyone’s car, made respectively, will always be answered no matter how it is asked. But that’s just me.
LikeLike
I loved that pearl Audi of yours, Bake! And I do agree that our fascination of all things auto here in the US of A does sort of level the playing field. I still didn’t want to stalk the Alaska car at that particular point nevertheless. If I would have encountered it after a triple slide back in the day …
LikeLike
I would not have followed. I would be like you and let me imagination take me away….
LikeLike
Safer these days, anyhow, PJ.
LikeLike
my theory is that it may be some of santa’s crew, in town for the upcoming big holiday, alaska is not too far from the north pole )
LikeLike
Santa sent down an advance team in a diesel Mercedes! How did I not think of that myself, Detective Beth?
LikeLike
well, he does seem to have a thing for performance vehicles and it does fit his m.o. –
LikeLike
I totally forgot that the good Mr. Claus goes for the turn-on-a-dime, fast accelerators.
LikeLike
It’s funny how I’m torn, as you, when you take a look at the Alaska plate. My mind would be blown as well, wondering how and why they were in this neck of the woods. I would have taken the approach as you, and I woudn’t have followed due to it being creepy.
You got my mind generating all these possibilities now, because I can’t turn down a good road trip (especially since I have a lot of time on my hands temporarily).
If given a chance to meet these people, I would probably start off with a simple “Hello, how are you?” Kicking off a conversation with, “WOW! Alaskan plates? What brings you out this way?” can be a bit intimidating and rude.
I hope you run into the vehicle again!
LikeLike
My hopes are high because I spotted the Alaska car one block over from my house, Chris. My eyes will be open!
LikeLike
It’s the ones with Hawaii plates that really grab my attention.
LikeLike
Yeah, but I know that one had a boat ride in its past. Thanks, Jnana.
LikeLike
Good chance the one from Alaska did, too. Remember that from when I was living in Washington state … in the desert.
LikeLike