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.

[sue_t]

The roads break down with spring thaw so some of the construction areas aren't known until the ground has thawed and the pavement broken. The highway construction reports are posted here:
http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/trans/engineering/bridgeconstruction.html

You can see road reports at:
http://www.511yukon.ca/
http://www.drivebc.ca/

It is hard to avoid a road closure or construction zone when there is only one route to take. Although in Yukon, if the AK Hwy is closed west of Whitehorse the North Klondike is an option if you're headed to Alaska.

If you're on the Cassiar and it is closed for a flood, the detour BACK and then around on the Alaska Highway is a long one. Cassiar is known to close for a day or days due to conditions (floods or fires).

Yukon doesn't announce its pending construction until spring. But, based on news reports and RFPs/tenders put out, avoid the Campbell Highway in Yukon this year.

[CA_Traveler]

One of the nicest CGs is Portage Valley RV Park. They supply local information, a fire every day, BBQs and chairs all under a covered area so rain is a non factor. Even cooked some salmon for everyone, great host. Small glacier up the hill and they were planning some new FHU sites for 2014. We were there 3 times due to our family flying into Anchorage.

[CA_Traveler]

It's difficult to avoid road construction when there is only one road! And with a limited 3 month window for repairs you will drive through construction zones.

There were no significant road construction delays in 2013. The Cassiar was closed for days due to a flood. The Parks Highway out of Fairbanks was closed several days for a fire. Kick back, relax and wait it out.

Road construction: Rip up 15 miles at a time - both lanes so all dirt, mud, gravel and very rough. Replace all culverts so route traffic through creek beds. You may/may not have a pilot.

There was a lot more complaining about rain than construction on these boards. But we had 24/7/3 months of sun with 3 nights of rain.

Advice: When you arrive in Tok if Valdez/Kenai have good weather go there otherwise go to Fairbanks.

It's all part of the adventure.

[VegaSaurus]

terrax wrote:

In the meantime we have added more features that are, hopefully, of good use for RVers coming to the North. Ones you are up here you can find

• gas stations
• free wifi hot spots
• rv parks
• campgrounds
• dump stations
• attractions

near your current location. Just type www.rvnorth.com into the browsers address bar (as you would do to access any other website) and you are good to go. Hope that helps.
See you soon in the North.

Stephan, another suggestion is to add a list of "scheduled" road construction areas in BC and the Yukon. Current driving conditions help but for trip planning it would be nice to know areas to avoid if at all possible. Your road conditions tab is also helpful but doesn't let you know that they are planning to tear up a certain area next month.

I'm not exactly sure where that information is but I was told it's available online somewhere. And since you usually have to go through BC to get to the Yukon adding a tab for scheduled construction in BC would kind of be appropriate.

Recently we were camping in Florida by to a lady cg host from AK and she was telling us how her brother came up to see her one year and was stuck in road construction where he went 40 miles in 18 hours. If he had checked the scheduled road construction he could have avoided that area.

Just a suggestion. Thanks

Jim & Yvonne
Clearwater, Fl
(We moved up our departure date to April 28th and need to start planning !!!)

[terrax]

AStinker- wrote:
Thanks to GarySandra for updating the list. Much appreciated.:)

Would like to know if everyone or anyone is using this?

terrax wrote:

gmctoyman wrote:
Terrax, nice, simple, easy to use. Thanks !

In the meantime we have added more features that are, hopefully, of good use for RVers coming to the North. Ones you are up here you can find

• gas stations
• free wifi hot spots
• rv parks
• campgrounds
• dump stations
• attractions

near your current location. All with distance, details and driving route, please see image below:

Is this something we should all download and use? Is it something that would be a good way to keep in touch and communicate and/or find things? I am technically challenged so for me to use it I am going to have to get some help to get it on my phone & help on how to use it. I hate to bother someone to help me and then find out it not of much value. Everyone's input will be appreciated.

On your mobile device - iPhone, iPad, Android smart phone or tablet - you have a mobile web browser. This is, in case of Apple devices, Safari, on Android there is the default browser and/or Google Chrome or Firefox browser.

Just type

www.rvnorth.com

into the browsers address bar (as you would do to access any other website) and you are good to go.

Hope that helps.
See you soon in the North.

[borderbrae]

Many thanks to everyone for the great info. Sue T, many thanks for all the info you provide! I've sent for the YT wildlife guide and some other items, along with making the YT site a favorite on my ipad. That Glacier Bear is really interesting looking! Would be so exciting to see one of them.

Am planning on entering Canada from MT early in June, heading up to AK and then leaving AK around mid August to get into Glacier NP later in Aug. From there on to Yellowstone, Tetons, UT, AZ then home to FL. I've made reservation at Teklanika for early July for a week, that is the only reservation so far. Will also try to get a spot at Riley or Savage River.

I do plan on having a Roll Call 2014 sign either in the truck window behind the driver like AlCar mentions on the spare tire of the trailer.

terrax I've bookmarked the rvnorth website, too. Will check into the forum there about staying in touch.

AlpineRV2go, I grew up on Cape Cod but moved to FL when retired. Still get back there once in a while.

As time goes on this trip becomes more and more real, not just a dream. Of course having the kitchen table covered with the Milepost, Church's camping book and other maps, pamphlets, etc. passed on to be from friends who went in 2013 helps. I really look forward to meeting some of you folks along the way. So many friends have said "you're going alone?!" but I don't really feel like I'm going alone.

[3939site21]

I am technically challenged so for me to use it I am going to have to get some help to get it on my phone & help on how to use it. I hate to bother someone to help me and then find out it not of much value. Everyone's input will be appreciated.

I find there is no need to get too technical. Once at Dawson Creek, there is not much navigation to do except follow the road. If your fuel gauge is near 1/2 and you see a station. Get fuel.

[AStinker-]

Thanks to GarySandra for updating the list. Much appreciated.:)

Would like to know if everyone or anyone is using this?

terrax wrote:

gmctoyman wrote:
Terrax, nice, simple, easy to use. Thanks !

In the meantime we have added more features that are, hopefully, of good use for RVers coming to the North. Ones you are up here you can find

• gas stations
• free wifi hot spots
• rv parks
• campgrounds
• dump stations
• attractions

near your current location. All with distance, details and driving route, please see image below:

Is this something we should all download and use? Is it something that would be a good way to keep in touch and communicate and/or find things? I am technically challenged so for me to use it I am going to have to get some help to get it on my phone & help on how to use it. I hate to bother someone to help me and then find out it not of much value. Everyone's input will be appreciated.

[MargueritaM]

Please add me - I'm driving home to Anchorage from Bullhead City, AZ starting early May and crossing most likely in Osoyoos. Wish I could be more specific on dates and I'm hoping to travel with other Alaskans headed home 🙂

[GarySandra]

sljohnson1938 June (some time) or mid July
donrebyct June 1
imamech2 May - beginning
dahkota May 15
garysandra May - mid
esoxlucius May - mid
Gordonthree April - mid
Lakeside013104 May 15
Seahawk09 May 20
Shootdr July - Aug
Paisleydale June 1
Veebyes
Mclee47 June 1
Traveylin
Jkindel
Alan and Ruth May - late
SS573
Ran July - mid
Ernest July - Aug
Jmckely
55cruisers May - late
Chiefelectrusn May
Fer2005 May - mid
kpole65 June - mid
Ran, Wisconsin, Mid July
StanL, Fenton, Mo, May,
PeterAndMargaret, Ca, May - ?
Fputnam, Fl, Mid March-May p Sept
Nomads_2, Al, Apr-May - ?
hehbr, Merrittt Island, May 15 - ?
Ernst d& Joanne, Pa, July 1 -
Sweetj38, Delano, Mn, Aug 14 -
84bob, SoCal, Mid June - Mid Aug
mernmb, Cal,
Rettrooper, N. Hampshire, 7-8 Wks
Roundtowner, Larry, Oh, Mid May - ?
jimroach, Az, May 27 - July
AlCar, Columbus, June 10 - Aug?
Ketchman, Ft Mill, Sc, Mid May -
daily double, Ketchum, Ok, May -
mclee47, Huntsville, Tx, June 1 -
DrDaveMa, Cape Cod,Ma, June - Aug
sheltieRV, Ca, Mid May -
Randy & Sue, Wi,
Fer2005, Central Alabama, May -
AStinker Alan & Deb, Scott City, Ks, May 20 -
Rosebud-Bill & Wanda, Carrabelle, Fl, June - Aug
VegaSaurus, Clearwater, Fl
Dennis & Carol, BC, June 22
Veebyes, Bermuda & Maryland, June 12
06ViewH, Sturgeon Bay,
GordonThree, Michigan, Mid April
peliflight, USA, June 18 -
Vette4ba, Barb, Buffalo, NY, Mid-May - June
reelgainita, Mt, 8 weeks
Kidoo, Chicoutimi, Quebec, Late May
Bearpaa, Nevada, First of May - ?
55cruisers, Diane & Bert, Australia, April 18
3939site21, Bellingham, Wa, May 26
jdarin, Portland, Or, End of June
suedonlem, Susan, Nokomis, Fl, Apr 2
Rmolina, Eastern NC, Late April
borderbrae, Florida, Late - May
hr0082, Hattiesburg, Mid June - ?
traveylin, Rockport, June 6 - Aug
dahkota, May 31 - Sept
bgnmky, Bedford, Tx, July 7 - 14
Jerry & Nita, Montana, June 9 - Aug 2
jkindel, Washington, June 1 - Aug 1
EsoxLucius, Eau Clair, Wi
Rich & Mary (Graydust), Allendale, Michigan, June 2 - Aug
Kidoo-Michael-Suzanne-Therese, Notre Dame des Bois Quebec,
June 16 - Aug 15

sljohnson1938 - Hope all goes well with eye surgery & thanks for getting Alaska Roll Call 2014 started... - I tried to get all that said they were Alaska 2014. For those I missed, let it be known so I or someone else can get you listed. For those who want off the list let us know. Looks like we have a group from all over the country. See you on the Alcan.

[Kidoo]

AlCar wrote:

GarySandra wrote:
sljohnson1938 wrote:

Hi Janet -

so far here it is

Alaska 2014

if i have your name or planned depart date incorrect please change it.

as of right now my planned date changes daily

name and planned depart date -

******* not in any particular order *******
**********************************************

sljohnson1938 June (some time) or mid July
donrebyct June 1
imamech2 May - beginning
dahkota May 15
garysandra May - mid
esoxlucius May - mid
Gordonthree April - mid
Lakeside013104 May 15
Seahawk09 May 20
Shootdr July - Aug
Paisleydale June 1
Veebyes
Mclee47 June 1
Traveylin
Jkindel
Alan and Ruth May - late
SS573
Ran July - mid
Ernest July - Aug
Jmckely
55cruisers May - late
Chiefelectrusn May
Fer2005 May - mid

kpole65 June - mid

borderbrae Florida Late May
ss573 Pearl, Ms May - ?
hr0082 Hattiesburg Mid June - ?
traveylin Rockport June 6 - Aug
dahkota May 31 - Sept
bgnmky Bedford, Tx July 7 - 14
Jerry & Nita Montana June 9 - Aug 2
jkindel Washington June 1 - Aug 1
EsoxLucius Eau Clair, Wi
Rich & Mary (Graydust) Allendale, Michigan June 2 - Aug
AlCar Columbus, OH June 10-Aug ?




It appears that most are departing for Alaska in May.


I am not trying to take over the list. Hope it is ok to add names to the list. I added the most recent that said they were going.

Add mine, Kidoo: Michel, my wife Suzanne and my 80 years young mother Therese. Leaving 30 june from Notre Dame des Bois Quebec, should cross Alaska border 16 of June, return 15 of August.

[sljohnson1938]

AlCar wrote:

What kind of wording? I am thinking of just saying "Roll Call Alaska 2014" and put it in my street side window behind the driver's seat.

******************************************************

Hi - the wife is scheduled for her eye surgery on May 1st. So that means I probably can not leave until mid June or later.
As for the sign I will have one like Alcar suggested.
As for the "sign up sheet", please anyone update it as you see fit.

Hope to see lots of "Roll call Alaska" signs.

Finally, I guess my trip to Chicken, AK will not include the Chicken
Music event. I will be there, but not in time for the event.

[AStinker-]

So how do we get our name on the list?
AStinker- aka Alan & Deb from Kansas
We will enter Canada north of Williston, ND May 19th, be in Banff-Jasper, BC area May 22nd to 25th and Fairbanks around June 15th to drive the Haul Road starting June 21st.

[Chiefelectusn]

Chiefelectusn we are not going this year but 2015 is a go. Keep information and pictures coming.

[sue_t]

bgnmky wrote:
sue - Love the picture of the Glacier Bear..I have never seen that bear before!!!

Few people see these bears. Those that are seen are usually on the SE coast of Alaska. Very rare in south central Yukon!