Roll Call Alaska 2014

[sljohnson1938]

Anyone traveling to Alaska in 2014? We ,my wife and I, are planning a trip and was wondering if anyone is planning on going in 2014 also.
Would go this year, except we have two weddings to go to in MI, one in late June the other in early August.
So next year we are planning to leave home in NC in mid July, we plan a 2 month trip. We were there in 2004, only that time we were with paid RV tour. Loved it, and would take another paid tour in a 'heart beat', but the cost is now too much.
The reason for the mid July date is looking at the 2013 Alaska postings the wx, road conditions and insects are at their worst. Later in the season all three are better. Plus I want to travel back on the Cassiar Hwy in Sept is supposed to be the best time of the year on the Cassiar, plus less travelers.
Finally, money is an issue with us. So we will 'boon dock', stay at
free or low cost CG's, rest areas, etc. when ever possible.


Hope you all have a great trip and hope to see you some where along the way.

[2gypsies1]

Here's the link to Mike & Terri Church's site with additional places to find it other than Amazon. I've seen it at Barnes & Nobles or they can order it for you with the ISB number.

Mike & Terri Church' Alaskan Campgrounds

Another worthwhile buy is the Tour Saver 2/1 coupon book. Just one glacier cruise will pay for the book.

Alaskan Tour Saver 2/1 Coupon Book

[bgnmky]

Rosebud wrote:
Happy New Year.. My Wife and I are planning a return trip this summer. Leaving FLorida in the first part of June, returning late August or early Sept. We flew up and spent 3 weeks traveling about. Just a reminder Alaska is a BIG PLACE. Allow for travel time between points of interest. Also watch for coupons from Groupon. You can register with Groupon and purchase different things of interest at a greatly reduced price. We were able to purchase tickets for a Boat Tour in Seward and enjoyed it greatly. I know that the Lowes and Walmart in Fairbanks allows parking in their parking lots. Just about anywhere there is a level gravel spot on the side of the road you can stop and camp. If you are Military then access to the BX's will help on expenses. Also Sams and Costco are a help too. Things are expensive in Alaska so make your choices wisely. We can't wait to get started back up there. You won't be sorry you went, only that you didn't go sooner.
Bill & Wanda Rose
wrose5545@aol.com

Hi Bill and Wanda..thanks for the tips…

just curious when you register for Groupon..the only city is Anchorage right? I did sign up a few weeks back, but only saw that one..is there any others you noticed to get email notifications on?

[Rosebud]

Happy New Year.. My Wife and I are planning a return trip this summer. Leaving FLorida in the first part of June, returning late August or early Sept. We flew up and spent 3 weeks traveling about. Just a reminder Alaska is a BIG PLACE. Allow for travel time between points of interest. Also watch for coupons from Groupon. You can register with Groupon and purchase different things of interest at a greatly reduced price. We were able to purchase tickets for a Boat Tour in Seward and enjoyed it greatly. I know that the Lowes and Walmart in Fairbanks allows parking in their parking lots. Just about anywhere there is a level gravel spot on the side of the road you can stop and camp. If you are Military then access to the BX's will help on expenses. Also Sams and Costco are a help too. Things are expensive in Alaska so make your choices wisely. We can't wait to get started back up there. You won't be sorry you went, only that you didn't go sooner.
Bill & Wanda Rose
wrose5545@aol.com

[Ernest]

bgnmky wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:

bgnmky wrote:
Howdy from Texas all!!!

we are newbies and will be going to Alaska and renting an RV. We have an RV at home, but have not been able to use it much so still novices!!!

I actually posted on another thread about which floor plan to rent!

Anyway…we are going in July 2014 and I am reading through the thread! wow..lots of pages. I also got the 2013 sticky list cut and pasted on my spreadsheet.

BEFORE I read through the whole thread, just curious is it in this thread or the 2013 thread that I can find info/input from people on the actual campgrounds. I do see a few listed on the list from the sticky post….but just curious…looking for those "favorite" campgrounds and why.


Thanks everyone and looking forward to being a part of this AWESOME thread!!!

EDITING: As I am reading it appears one of the best things to do is go to the 2013 thread for the actual campgrounds.

Would you guys agree? Is there a place where the sites are listed by area and people chime in on which ones they like and why? Example: Seward…I heard the one near the water is nice for views, but packed in...

Trust Me - Trust Me - Trust Me. Beg, borrow, steal or buy the Alaskan Camping book by Mike and Terri Church.

Interesting you said that..as I almost ordered it the other day, but it says backordered….

BUT someone on the thread said it would be available in Nov 2013.

I just preordered through Amazon….does anyone know where it is available from!

AND totally agree going for the experience….

It won't be available till 1/31/2014. It was delayed from 11/1/2013.

[bgnmky]

CA Traveler wrote:

bgnmky wrote:
Howdy from Texas all!!!

we are newbies and will be going to Alaska and renting an RV. We have an RV at home, but have not been able to use it much so still novices!!!

I actually posted on another thread about which floor plan to rent!

Anyway…we are going in July 2014 and I am reading through the thread! wow..lots of pages. I also got the 2013 sticky list cut and pasted on my spreadsheet.

BEFORE I read through the whole thread, just curious is it in this thread or the 2013 thread that I can find info/input from people on the actual campgrounds. I do see a few listed on the list from the sticky post….but just curious…looking for those "favorite" campgrounds and why.


Thanks everyone and looking forward to being a part of this AWESOME thread!!!

EDITING: As I am reading it appears one of the best things to do is go to the 2013 thread for the actual campgrounds.

Would you guys agree? Is there a place where the sites are listed by area and people chime in on which ones they like and why? Example: Seward…I heard the one near the water is nice for views, but packed in...

Trust Me - Trust Me - Trust Me. Beg, borrow, steal or buy the Alaskan Camping book by Mike and Terri Church.

Interesting you said that..as I almost ordered it the other day, but it says backordered….

BUT someone on the thread said it would be available in Nov 2013.

I just preordered through Amazon….does anyone know where it is available from!

AND totally agree going for the experience….

[CA_Traveler]

And beg, borrow, steal or buy the Milepost.

[CA_Traveler]

You are NOT going there for the CG's. There are few that offer much more than a place to stop. You are going there for the adventure. Have a great trip.

[CA_Traveler]

bgnmky wrote:
Howdy from Texas all!!!

we are newbies and will be going to Alaska and renting an RV. We have an RV at home, but have not been able to use it much so still novices!!!

I actually posted on another thread about which floor plan to rent!

Anyway…we are going in July 2014 and I am reading through the thread! wow..lots of pages. I also got the 2013 sticky list cut and pasted on my spreadsheet.

BEFORE I read through the whole thread, just curious is it in this thread or the 2013 thread that I can find info/input from people on the actual campgrounds. I do see a few listed on the list from the sticky post….but just curious…looking for those "favorite" campgrounds and why.


Thanks everyone and looking forward to being a part of this AWESOME thread!!!

EDITING: As I am reading it appears one of the best things to do is go to the 2013 thread for the actual campgrounds.

Would you guys agree? Is there a place where the sites are listed by area and people chime in on which ones they like and why? Example: Seward…I heard the one near the water is nice for views, but packed in...

Trust Me - Trust Me - Trust Me. Beg, borrow, steal or buy the Alaskan Camping book by Mike and Terri Church.

[bgnmky]

Howdy from Texas all!!!

we are newbies and will be going to Alaska and renting an RV. We have an RV at home, but have not been able to use it much so still novices!!!

I actually posted on another thread about which floor plan to rent!

Anyway…we are going in July 2014 and I am reading through the thread! wow..lots of pages. I also got the 2013 sticky list cut and pasted on my spreadsheet.

BEFORE I read through the whole thread, just curious is it in this thread or the 2013 thread that I can find info/input from people on the actual campgrounds. I do see a few listed on the list from the sticky post….but just curious…looking for those "favorite" campgrounds and why.


Thanks everyone and looking forward to being a part of this AWESOME thread!!!

EDITING: As I am reading it appears one of the best things to do is go to the 2013 thread for the actual campgrounds.

Would you guys agree? Is there a place where the sites are listed by area and people chime in on which ones they like and why? Example: Seward…I heard the one near the water is nice for views, but packed in...

[Veebyes]

Two best words of advice for driving the north are, SLOW DOWN. Also, that means DRIVE ACCORDING TO ROAD CONDITIONS, not speed limits. This is how you get shots like Sue posted. Have a camera ready at all times. That bear & 'meals on wheels' is priceless.

You never know when you are going to get a rock chip. The only one I ever received came from a TC which had just pulled out of a gravel road & was accelerating coming towards me on a paved road. Things happen.

[CA_Traveler]

BTW The best drivers were the truckers because almost all would move as far to the right as possible as I did. Clearly they didn't want any rocks from my rig.

Very very few locals and tourists would move to the right.

[CA_Traveler]

Frost heaves and the short summer season for repairs are major factors that effect road conditions. Just drive for the conditions and have a great trip!

[CA_Traveler]

Veebyes wrote:
CA Traveler, did you go to the same Alaska the we did? It has been almost 3 years since the last trip but the roads were nothing like you have described them. Yes there were a few sections under construction & a few others in need of attention but generally we found the roads to be good.

As I posted - in 2013 the roads in Alaska were good except for the 2 sections that I mentioned. But the Alaskan Highway and the northern section of the Cassiar not so good for many miles.

Also the Cassiar was closed for a number of days due to flooding as were some other roads.

These aren't just my opinions as there are many posts on road conditions.

I met 2 5er owners who bent their hitches and a trailer lost an axle. There can be rock damage as well. Drive around Whitehorse and you can observe that about 50% of the local cars have broken windshields that will never be repaired.

As I'm fond of saying you can certainly drive the speed limit - just take enough money to buy a new rig. :B:B:B

That being said it was a great trip and we want to go back!

[sljohnson1938]

Four months to go.

[sue_t]

If you're into mountain biking, know that Outside magazine voted Whitehorse and Carcross area as the top places to mountain bike http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/outside-names-yukon-best-place-for-mountain-biking-1.1394853

If you're thinking gentle pedalling along a road or paved trail, well, not so good. Many of the roads and highways don't have paved shoulders either.

Also, Yukon bears refer to cyclists as "meals on wheels". It is all too easy to surprise a bear when you're quietly and quickly cycling along a trail. Same rules apply to cyclists that apply to hikers ... make lots of noise to let the bears know you're around. They'll usually move away if they know you're in the area.

Having said that, each summer we see numerous cyclists "doing" the Alaska Highway.

Saw this cyclist (no helmet!) touring the Campbell Highway in Yukon. The black bear was chasing him up the hill until it heard us behind it. Then the bear veered off the highway. The cyclist must have had a good burst of adrenalin to help him over that hill!