OK Janet, Glad you started this. I will be going in Sept, around the 7th I think. I will drive from VA to ANC and meet my wife who will fly. We then plan on touring to Fairbanks, Valdez, Haines and take the Ferry to Bellingham but may have to catch it somewhere else. We have a Arctic Fox 4 seasons so dont worry about temps and I learned to drive in San luis Valley of CO so snow is no big thing. I am not taking tapes or a kindle. I'm trying to get away from noise. If people are interested, look up http://international.findmespot.com/. Lets you communicate from anywhere. I just want to fish, sleep and enjoy AK without the racket of civilization.