On the road shopping list

Jim and Barb, I see you mentioned non smoke/drink, but enjoy food. If you pass through Dawson Creek, check out the meat markets. In '05 we found prices very good. Fuel costs will get your attention. I'd highly recommend looking at toursaver if you're planning on any tours,
cruises, flightseeing, etc.

toursaver.com - booklets used to be available at Safeway, great deal.

One thing you CAN get at Fred Meyer's (at least in Eagle River/Anchorage) is local produce from the Mat-Su Valley. They sell carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and I *think* the cauliflower and broccoli are local, too. This is all IN SEASON - not necessarily year-round. IIRC, they did a pretty good job of labeling them locally grown. The difference in taste is unreal - the carrots especially. They are like sugar candy, and never, ever have that nasty woody center. And they are humongous, too.

You won't have much fresh stuff left when you reach the Yukon/Alaska border, so not too much to worry about.

Southern B.C. has the farmer's markets and roadside stands but northern B.C. and Yukon typically don't. In Whitehorse there is a Thursday afternoon market at Shipyards Park but fruits & veggies are limited until later in the season.

Fresh produce from the stores is often in poor condition too, due to the distance it must be shipped by truck and then it is stored for a indeterminate amount of time by the retailer.

Alaska border agents will ask about oranges. Don't have any. Apparently there is an insect that lives in the peel. One agent let us peel our three oranges and then continue without the peelings.

Good news folks. Thanks.

Re. what to take across border or not, see stickys at top of section page.

But think insects are attracted to: citrus fruit, root vegetables.....

But you can buy just enough to take you to the next border, then support local after you cross.

:B

Well we dont drink or smoke. However we love good food . It sounds like farmers markets will be the way to go. Now what will or will not pass at the us customs into Alaska. Dont want to toss out good money.

Anchorage, AK has several wonderful farmers markets on the weekends. The downtown one is the most popular, but it is definitely not RV friendly. You'll have to park a ways away and walk....

Little Kopit wrote:
Are there farmers markets out west?

:)

BC is full of farmer's markets, road side stands, road side honour system stands and more.

As well as local fruit and vegies, we have many wineries, cheese makers, local meat markets and many other ways to enjoy local foods. Fresh salmon, crab, shrimp etc off the boat is always better than what you can buy at a grocery store.

Lots of brew pubs for trying a local brew as well.

A good reason to carry cash when travelling.

Are there farmers markets out west?

:)

Thank You to all for your thoughts on on this. We will likely carry enough for 3-5 days for inclimate weather or what ever may cause a delay.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product-catalogue

This is a price list of the prices in BC operated liquor stores. Alberta stores are private owned and tend to be less expensive. Figure out how much, if any, booze you plan to consume in Canada and decide if it is worth it to haul extra.

One thing I have noticed over the years, is that Canada doesn't have the cheaper lines of booze, such as we have in the US. I don't know what the alcoholics in Canada use to fuel their needs. Here in the US we have all the cheap vodka, gin, fortified wines, etc. for that market. If a person compares the costs of the products available in Canada with the top lines/same brands of US liquor, it isn't much different. I can buy a jug of Black Seal rum, made in Bermuda, in Canada cheaper than I can buy it here in Florida. Must be something to do with the Commonwealth status of both countries, as with England, etc.

I have always heard it is no sin to drink good gin. But the cheap stuff sold in the US seems to cause problems with people that consume too much. Most all gin in Canada is imported from England and is first rate, if a person likes the stuff.

I walked into a liquor store here in Florida last week to buy some gin, for medicinal purposes. True, honest, as I soak golden raisins in the gin, to then eat a spoon full a day, for joint problems. Research says the old folk remedy doesn't work, but for me, I believe it does, plus the juice is so yummy. There were several brands that were on sale for less than $10 a liter, not something you will find in Canada, from my experience.

The years living in rural Interior Alaska, I used to buy cheap vodka,80 proof or better, add about a half cup of Joy or Dawn dishwashing soap to it for use in my vehicles as windshield washer fluid. Tends not to freeze up as does most of the commercial window wash solutions. :P

Even my Baptist friends would use the stuff, even though several would ask me to go buy the basis ingredient for them. So I would, us Presbyterians are good about doing stuff like that for others. LOL :)