GREAT ALASKAN HOLIDAY SPRING ADVENTURE 2013 IOWA/ALASKA

[RV_RS]

We have just been confirmed for the Great Alaskan Holiday Spring Adventure 2013 from Forest City, IA to Anchorage, AK (leaving May 10th). Although we have travelled Canada and Alaska by air, rail, and water, this is our first road trip through Canada. Would love to hear from anyone that is booked for 2013 as well as those of you who have made the trip in the past.

[RV_RS]

We left Forest City on May 10th and today visited Denali National Park, some 3700 miles later. What a wonderful experience we have had; met amazing people along the way, saw beautiful landscape, hundreds of wild animals, and took over 2k pictures. We will turn in the RV on the 27th May and take the NCL cruise to Vancouver before flying back to Atlanta. I'm working on a trip journal and will share ASAP. I am so appreciative to those of you who shared your trip journals from the past as it helped us immensely in planning our trip. I hope all of the other GAH'rs from Forest City experienced a safe and enjoyable trip as we did.

[SkiCruiser]

Hi RV'RS:

The pizza place is Pizza Hut and they will deliver to your RV at the Rally Ground. You just have to give them your cell phone number, the row number your RV is in. They will stop at the end of the row. We ordered the individual pasta dishes and a liter bottle of Pepsi. The phone number for Pizza Hut is (641) 585-5010. They will also deliver "pizza", too! There are no other options in Forest City if you don't have a way to get to town. There is a Hardee's but it is about 2 miles away in town.

The excitement builds! It was snowing yesterday in Forest City!!!!

Cheryl

[GrandmaCarol]

I had forgotten the pizza place - but their number was on our table when we got in the RV, so easy to get in touch with them.

[cwcawcAL]

RV'RS I telephoned "THE LODGE" in Forest City, lady told me their Restaurant would NOT be open until June. SO I don't expect anything there. She did say the convenience store across the street (assume across street from Lodge), and pizza place will deliver.

[GrandmaCarol]

Can't help you on either of those questions. Location is across the road from the Winnebago factory.

[RV_RS]

Grandma Carol
We ask for a coffee maker and was hoping to make coffee the first morning before orientation. Do you know if they provide filters or what type coffee makers are provided? I can take some a couple for first morning.
Do you remember the address of the area where the motor homes are parked? I've found a couple of different addresses.

[GrandmaCarol]

I took us a couple MW meals for that first night, but I don't think we ate them in all the excitement. No transportation available to go get something. Last year the lodge there was open for supper, but you can't count on it. Also, there's a convenience store about a block away.

I think the buses are scheduled to leave at 5, and supposedly they won't wait on you. But ours waited and waited last time so that we didn't get to Forrest City until 9:00 - time to make the bed and get some sleep!

[RV_RS]

Hello everyone. I can't believe the time has come. The anticipation since last August has been energizing. Packing about 80% to date. Canadian currency ordered. Route planned.
I do have questions on what others have done about food after arrival in Forest City? Is there any type of transportation available? What time do the buses usually arrive in FC? If flights are late, do the buses wait?
We are in 8AM orientation May 10. Plan to stop in Mitchell, SD at Wal-Mart and Cabellas, for supplies, then on to Chamberlain, SD for the first night. Any recommendations for RV parks?
Is there anyone in our orientation?

[SkiCruiser]

Hi Grandma Carol:

It's not looking good for the TOW this year unless it really warms up fast! The Yukon River Breakup Website shows that the river a Dawson City is way behind where it was last year. Check out www.yukonriverbreakup.com. I've been watching SueT. and ExploreNorth's websites and checking weather quite a bit to see how things are shakin' out up there but seems to be quite cold still! It's been in the high eighties here with the A/C on since February! I guess the TOW will have to wait until retirement!

We just made our reservations today to make the fly/drive trip up to the Arctic Ocean this year!So at least we can do that!

Anyone else out there headed north with us?

Cheryl

[sue_t]

The sun is bright and warm in our area of Yukon these days. There is still snow on the ground but it is melting fast.

We visited Liard Hotsprings at Easter, camping with the fifth wheel. No problems! Highway was clear although wet in spots.
http://suethomas.ca/20130328_Whitehorse-Rancheria.html

The morning of 13 April 2013

[GrandmaCarol]

Cheryl, please post some trip reports for those of us who can't take the trip this year!! Sure hope you make it over the TOW this year!

[trigley]

SkiCruiser wrote:
Hi Everyone!

Can't believe that it's getting so close to leaving for MSP. We still have a lot of work to do to get everything ready to go. Too much going on at work and exhausted on the week ends to start packing. Anyone up on the weather in BC or Yukon? I have been checking out www.yukonriverbreakup.com occasionally to see when they begin to post new pics of the Yukon River. We're gonna try the Dawson City trip again this year!

CG

Can't speak for Northern B C or the Yukon but Alberta temperatures continue to be well below normal. Had another few inches of snow yesterday so all white again. In our area it was still 50% white anyway. Slowest spring I can remember and that includes more than I care to mention

[SkiCruiser]

Hi Everyone!

Can't believe that it's getting so close to leaving for MSP. We still have a lot of work to do to get everything ready to go. Too much going on at work and exhausted on the week ends to start packing. Anyone up on the weather in BC or Yukon? I have been checking out www.yukonriverbreakup.com occasionally to see when they begin to post new pics of the Yukon River. We're gonna try the Dawson City trip again this year!

CG

[cwcawcAL]

hello everyone,

6 weeks to go. wife had knee replacement 6 weeks ago, doing well. also just found out another couple from right near home is scheduled same day as I am. looking forward to the adventure.

Cecil and Ann

[jstrips]

Thanks Carol,
I would like to go that way and my only concern is the weather and how much snow will be left from these storms that have been hitting BC. I guess we will check on road conditions and weather when we are in Jasper and decide then which way to go.

I've been getting covered with e-mails from "Great RV Escapes" offering their RV Park Guide for half price ($40). Do you old hands like Woodall,s better or is this acceptable? Only a little more than 60 days to go!
Jim Christy