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.

[mclee47]

Has anyone had any experience with customs duties on auto repairs or parts in Canada? I had to have a tow bar and plate replaced in Canada, and I am wondering what the customs duty will be. I cross into Alaska tomorrow.

[55cruisers]

In Wasilla tonight. Doing the Anchorage thing tomorrow and probably the next day too
Bert and Diane

[Kidoo]

In Dawson city, staying at Dawson City Campground, $18.75 no service, Wifi free, dump and water. There are also campspot with all the services. Diesel is at 1.64 a litre. Going to Chicken tomorow. Yesterday we stayed on the other side of the river in the Yukon Campground, very nice too, 12$ no service but right beside the River, fire wood included. Also walking along the river to the boat graveyard. We went on de Dome and at the Dreadge No. 4, still some active mining in the area.

We made it to Tombstone Park on the Dempster Highway, the road is gravel but very nice, 70 km from Highway no. 2. Yukon campground right in the park in the middle of the mountain, very nice and close to the parc interpretation center.

[traveylin]

Made it to great falls mt today prior to the rain setting in. Dick's RV is well utilized tonight with two caravans assembling for about 40 rvers. Our role call Alaska signs are in the rear windows of rv and toad and sign forest sign is 40 % complete. Probably cross to Canada on wed. headed to Banff

pops

[GordonThree]

Finally home! ... 11,600 some odd miles traveled.

FYI: Crossed back into the lower 48 few days back. CBP official in Montana told me registration with CBP is now compulsory for all firearms before leaving the country. I did not argue with him about the CBP website not saying anything about mandatory registration. Crossing into Alaska, I declared a firearm, and no such fuss was made... sigh.

At least I did get to keep my apples and lettuce, both of which were products of the USA but bought in Canada.

CBP Form 4457

[mclee47]

In Dawson City be sure to drive up Dome Road to the top of Midnight Dome for a breathtaking view of the city and the river. Dome Road is on the left going out of town to the south.

On the Dome I ran into a young lady who is a miner. Her claim is near that of the Hoffmans and Parker Schnabel of the Gold Rush show, and she knows them all. The Hoffmans are back in the Yukon after their disastrous year in Guyana last year. She said she turned down an opportunity to be on the show herself.

For another spectacular view of the City, cross the river on the ferry and when the highway makes its big turn to the right, exit left on Sunnyvale (or Sunny-something) Road. Not far down is an overlook on the left.

Also do not miss the boat graveyard. Cross on the ferry and enter the Provincial Park on the right. Drive straight ahead and parallel to the river until the road turns left. Park and walk down to the river through the yellow metal gate. At the river turn left and walk down the bank for several hundred yards.

[EsoxLucius]

We are still in Fairbanks at River's Edge. Not hard to spot at the entrance across from the office-giftshop-bathrooms-laundry. Follow us at jtappen.wordpress.com

[mclee47]

We are in Dawson City at Bonanza Gold RV Park, site 92, for 2 or 3 days. Got a large 50A site, but no grass anywhere since the park is built on mining tailing. Showers are pretty good. Wifi is iffy and has a daily limit.

The road from Whitehorse was rough at times - pothole and rough patches. We were able to do the speed limit, 90, at times, Watch for dark patches on the road and multiple tire marks. Apparently when tow vehicle hit a frost heave, the trailer brakes are engaged, which leaves a skid mark. This very helpful hint came from a fellow RVer at Dawson Creek.

Our favorite food discovery in Canada is Canadian Rye. That is all we buy if we can find it.

BTW, the AFD card lock station is right across the road from Bonanza Gold.

[reelgalnita]

Reached Dawson Creek yesterday, had fun touring the area today - staying in Northern Lights RV Park, about 1.5 miles out of town. Not bad, we had a shady grassy spot to park our little r-pod. Very clean restrooms/showers, quiet despite being almost full each night. We do have reservations for most of our campspots, good as there are lots of caravans passing through - heard there is one coming in here tomorrow with 40 RVs. Heading to Fort Nelson in am, then onto Summit/Muncho Lake area. Haven't seen any other Roll Call folks yet. Really enjoying the trip. We are traveling in a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Moab edition, "rock lobster" - pulling an 18 ft r-pod, getting lots of comments and questions about our rig, have given a few tours as well... hope to see some of you along the way....

[Veebyes]

jmckelvy wrote:

We are in Riley Creek tomorrow and Monday. Heading to Tek Tuesday morning.

We are thinking about taking a day trip on the fast ferry from Haines to Juneau. Anyone done that? Comments?

Maybe see you in Tek on Wednesday. Arriving for 4 nights. Can guarantee we will be the only Alpenlite Voyager there.

[Fer2005]

Outside of Calgary heading home. The Cassair was fine, just take your time. Side trip to Hyder was great! Salmon glacier road was not good unless in a vehicle with good ground clearance.

The Yellowhead Hwy was a very good ride back to Jasper! The scenery was amazing!

Going back through Sweetgrass tomorrow!

If you have any question just ask. It was a wonderful trip just too fast! Next time we will be much slower!

[Trackrig]

The way is seems to change from week to week on what fruit or vegy the boarder people are confiscating, I sometimes think it all depends on what they might be short on at home?

Bill

[jmckelvy]

We are in McKinley RV Park for tonight near Healy. Overpriced and would not recommend. However not much choice otherwise. There is another Park a bit closer to the park entrance (Denali Motel and RV) which IMO is slightly better. We checked out the RV park down by the commercial lodges close to the park entrance. IMO it is even worse than the two mentioned. Sites are REALLY close together and there is little manuvering room.

We are in Riley Creek tomorrow and Monday. Heading to Tek Tuesday morning.

We are thinking about taking a day trip on the fast ferry from Haines to Juneau. Anyone done that? Comments?

[hr0082]

We are now in Lethbridge. We had no problems at the border---just the usual where are you from, what is the tag number, how long will you be in CA, do you have or own firearms, but nothing about what foods do you have. The wait was about 20-25 minutes, but the interaction with the officers was about 5 minutes at the most. We got lucky this time. Last time the took my tomato.

[Veebyes]

Enjoying the second day of Chickenstock. CG is more than full. Additional camping at airstrip. Tents everywhere next to the dredge. It is mostly a locals event, read Alaskans & a few Yukoners. Very few from lower 48.

Good festival. Not as much bluegrass as expected but good entertainment just the same. Great to meet so many locals too. Weather could be better. Could be a whole lot worse too. A little light rain & a bit chilly is tolerable.

No stage lighting, even though the music goes on till 1:00AM. Must be an Alaskan thing.