Roll call Alaska 2017

[colliehauler]

I will try to get to Alaska next year, dreamed about it for years.

Anyone else planing a trip for next year?

[PA12DRVR]

fanrgs wrote:

sue.t wrote:
Seeing many Alaskans returning home in their RVs. Lots of Alaska plates driving by heading north this weekend.

Our friends TC and Dave and their 20+ sled dogs just returned to Colorado from their new, post-fire cabin in Willow, AK. Wish I could convince them to stop and see you and Steve on one of their spring or fall trips.

Have a great summer with all your new 2017 Alaska Highway "friends"!

FWIW, the trial for the Sockeye fire (i.e. Willow) is starting / has started. Will be interesting to see how that goes.

[sue_t]

fanrgs wrote:
Our friends TC and Dave and their 20+ sled dogs just returned to Colorado from their new, post-fire cabin in Willow, AK. Wish I could convince them to stop and see you and Steve on one of their spring or fall trips.

Have a great summer with all your new 2017 Alaska Highway "friends"!

Some folks just need to make miles, which I understand.

This August there is a vintage jeep convoy making the trip to Alaska in honor of the Alaska Highway's 75th anniversary.
http://www.deilers.com/AlaskaOrRust/2016/10/14/alaska

They plan to stop for a visit to see my 1943 FORD GPW Jeep. Should be an interesting day!

[Veebyes]

At one point we had plans of doing The North again this year, for the fourth time. It was put on hold till next year so now everyday we moan about where we could be by now, about leaving Maryland, if we were going.

Oh well, this is keeping us home till July 5th then we can start some travelling.

Alaska next year.

[fanrgs]

sue.t wrote:
Seeing many Alaskans returning home in their RVs. Lots of Alaska plates driving by heading north this weekend.

Our friends TC and Dave and their 20+ sled dogs just returned to Colorado from their new, post-fire cabin in Willow, AK. Wish I could convince them to stop and see you and Steve on one of their spring or fall trips.

Have a great summer with all your new 2017 Alaska Highway "friends"!

[AlaskaShooter]

R. Walter wrote:
Can't wait for Memorial Day Weekend when I head up to Alaska. Currently in Massachusetts... will return to NM to drop off my 5th and pick up my TC later this month for the journey north. Am a volunteer for the summer with the Alaska State Parks System.

Where you going to work in Alaska for the park service?

George

[R__Walter]

Can't wait for Memorial Day Weekend when I head up to Alaska. Currently in Massachusetts... will return to NM to drop off my 5th and pick up my TC later this month for the journey north. Am a volunteer for the summer with the Alaska State Parks System.

[AlaskaShooter]

We had a blast last summer. Left home in North Central WA state and returned early Sept. Around 8,000 miles traveled.

Some friendly advice for anyone going for the 1st time this year.

Take your time both when driving and at each destination along your planned route. Don't be stuck on a planned route. If you hear of or discover a really fun destination then go check it out.

We found that base camping for several days and doing daily adventures that we had planned to visit but due to really bad road conditions we opted to leave the 5'er parked and just take the truck for the day.

If you have the Kennecott Mine on your to visit list keep track of the Copper River salmon dip net season. It will be wall to wall people out at the river camping in every nook and cranny in the area.

Keep in mind during tourist season there are multiple RV Caravan's all visiting the State of Alaska. Generally 30 or less RV's but they have organized stops each night and can take over smaller RV parks. Lots of Class A groups, Airstream trailer folks and Class C RV's traveling together.

We stayed at some decent parks and some really dumpy ones during our 3 month adventure last summer. We stayed at one park just south of Prince George off Hwy 97. Owner was a super nice guy. One man operation but the site he assigned us was not acceptable. Due to rain there was half a foot of water where the picnic table and fire ring were located. There were lots of other open pull through sites so we just asked and moved to a dryer site.

One CG store we stayed at near Cache Creek wanted $18.00 for bags of cubed ice for our ice chest. Far as I know the two bags I wanted are still there since I was not a taker.

Beer and alcohol are very expensive in BC and the Yukon. Not unusual to pay close to $100.00 for a case of beer. The more remote the more it costs. In the Yukon only liquor stores sell beverages with alcohol in them. Beer, wine, hard liquor etc. So bring your piggy bank if you plan to drink adult beverages while traveling.

Eating out. It was not unusual to pay $60.00 CD for 3 of us plus tip for breakfast when we opted to go out for breakfast on occasion. I love reindeer sausage so any chance I got in the Yukon or Alaska to have some for breakfast I took it.

Everyone have fun this coming summer and watch for critters while you explore the Great White North.

[sue_t]

Seeing many Alaskans returning home in their RVs. Lots of Alaska plates driving by heading north this weekend.

[Seamutt]

I live in Prince George, a lot of Alaska bound traffic passes through here. The Alaska traffic is just starting to trickle through.

[lakeside013104]

Willow13 wrote:
Wow - done packing - impressive. Thanks for pushing us to start packing! Leaving from the Phoenix area May 21st... We're really doing this! Crossing in Sweetgrass - onto Banff, Jasper and then on to Alaska! Safe travels everyone!

We too are crossing at Sweetgrass & onto Banff, Jasper, AK. Will be leaving Northern Maine on May 6th. Will stop in Michigan for a couple days to visit with Mr Sidecar and sip a can of his favorite refreshment.

We plan to be on the east side of the Rockies prior to Sept 15. No intentions on spending the winter months in BC.

Safe travels to all. See a Maine plate, give us a holler. Coffee pot is always on.

Lakeside

[Willow13]

Wow - done packing - impressive. Thanks for pushing us to start packing! Leaving from the Phoenix area May 21st... We're really doing this! Crossing in Sweetgrass - onto Banff, Jasper and then on to Alaska! Safe travels everyone!

[gemert]

2gypsies wrote:
So... is everyone about done packing for your trip of your lifetime?

The last 6 weeks or so is a tense but exciting time.... did I forget anything? will I need this?

I'm excited for all of you doing the trip!! I'm anxious to read of your experiences. Don't forget to post them as you travel and give updates on things that are closed or if you have issues. This will help others.

MONTARA24d: So sorry you won't be going this year. Hopefully you can make it next year.

We left yesterday. So far not missing anything too important. Just the opposite, I am stumbling over stuff that hasn't found a home yet. We were gone all last summer and didn't have this much stuff!

[Ed_Rana2]

We will be leaving AZ toward the end of May. Going to do a slow role through Glacier and Banff before starting toward Alaska. Will be following this topic and look forward to hearing from all along the way.

[2gypsies1]

So... is everyone about done packing for your trip of your lifetime?

The last 6 weeks or so is a tense but exciting time.... did I forget anything? will I need this?

I'm excited for all of you doing the trip!! I'm anxious to read of your experiences. Don't forget to post them as you travel and give updates on things that are closed or if you have issues. This will help others.

MONTARA24d: So sorry you won't be going this year. Hopefully you can make it next year.

[Montara24d]

As happens all too often, we make plans, & life gets in the way. Looks like we won't be making the trip this year. Safe travels to all, go slow & enjoy the adventure.
John