Roll Call Alaska 2018
Okay...I know 2017 hasn't even taken off, but those of you that remember me from Roll Call 2013 know that I plan well ahead of time, lol. 4 years is way too long to go without being in Alaska so we a...
Forum Discussion
We really enjoyed traveling down the Okanogan Valley of BC. Very scenic and we never realized that the Columbia River starts in BC flowing north then turns back on itself and flows down into WA to the OR/WA boarder and out to the Pacific Ocean near Portland. We spent 3 nights at Radium Valley Vacation Resort which is very nice but expensive per night. But after some of the rustic places we called home up north it was nice to have a few nights in a very nice park. Many of the sites are owned and rented out when the owners are not using them so they are kept pristine. Every time an RV leaves staff inspects the site, cleans it, trims the grass to insure it is ready for the next guest to move in. Very Professional. Nothing I love more then getting a site and having to police cigarette butts, bottle caps etc so I don't feel like I'm visiting the dump for a night or three. The resort is gated, staff is friendly and helpful made for a very enjoyable stay. They even permit rig washing at your site which after spending 2 months in Alaska it was nice to get the majority of the grime off our rig. Last time it was washed was in Dawson City. Cost $25.00 in Loonies at the park power wash station. It was really bad there as the rigs were brown top to bottom, windows, everything after transiting the Top of the World Hwy in 6" deep mud at times in 4 wheel drive.
I have done Alaska half a dozen times and always traveled clockwise. Next time will be counter clockwise. Our next trip will be off the beaten path to Inuvik NWT and Prudhoe Bay.
One trip we stayed at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park (always stop there) and my x-wife and I were tent camping years ago. A decent size bear rolled into the campground and began walking the loop we were on. Came into our site then moved along around the loop. I could tell where it was as many of the RV owners were up on their rig roofs. Cracked us up. Now I own a couple RV's. LOL
Over the years I have had some very memorable road trips up north. One trip I was riding my go fast motorcycle CBR 1100XX between Whitehorse and Fairbanks doing triple digit speeds when a very large brown bear exited the woods on my right up ahead. The sow walked to the edge of the road and looked left as I got things hauled down to a stop about 75 feet from her. She then grunted and her 3 cubs popped out of the timber line and they proceeded to cross the road in front of me and poof, back into the woods on the other side of the Alaska Hwy. It was priceless once my heart rate slowed down. She weighed more then my bike, gear and me combined.
In 2016 we were headed home when we crested a hill and could see what looked like smoke blowing across the AK Hwy a few miles ahead of us. As we approached we noted a long line of vehicles and RV's heading north backed up and a large herd of bison stampeding north along a dirt area next to the hwy. We stopped and waited for them to pass behind us in case one or more darted up and over the hwy as they were spooked and running for all they were worth. Glad I wasn't on a motorcycle.
For those heading north in 2018 have a grand trip. You will never forget the experience.
In 2016 we left North Central, WA with new tires on everything. Truck and trailer. New Michelins on the F-550 and Good Years on the trailer. Plus 2 spares for each vehicle. We had no tire issues but came across those who did during our 8,000 mile trip. For those going north make sure your vehicles drive line U-Joints and exhaust system is up for the adventure. I've been behind rigs that have dropped both and had to avoid their vehicle parts after they bailed from their vehicles. Drive lines, mufflers, exhaust pipes. Only takes a few minutes to crawl under your rig and check for play in the drive line u-joints and make sure the exhaust hangers are all in good working order and tight.
In 2016 we had made camp early at an RV Park off the north Cassiar Hwy when a large 5er pulled into the site next to us. I was done with set up sitting in my camp chair having a cold one and noted. Humm, chit is hanging off the underside of their trailers axle. So as they began hooking up I walked over and introduced myself and suggested they have a look see at the passenger side trailer axle as there was an issue. There was, it was the trailers brake line had broken loose and was hanging an inch or so off the roads surface. I gave them some parts I had since I always carry stuff to fix things while traveling so they could fix the problem and continue north without ripping their trailers brake line off down the road.
I have done Alaska half a dozen times and always traveled clockwise. Next time will be counter clockwise. Our next trip will be off the beaten path to Inuvik NWT and Prudhoe Bay.
One trip we stayed at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park (always stop there) and my x-wife and I were tent camping years ago. A decent size bear rolled into the campground and began walking the loop we were on. Came into our site then moved along around the loop. I could tell where it was as many of the RV owners were up on their rig roofs. Cracked us up. Now I own a couple RV's. LOL
Over the years I have had some very memorable road trips up north. One trip I was riding my go fast motorcycle CBR 1100XX between Whitehorse and Fairbanks doing triple digit speeds when a very large brown bear exited the woods on my right up ahead. The sow walked to the edge of the road and looked left as I got things hauled down to a stop about 75 feet from her. She then grunted and her 3 cubs popped out of the timber line and they proceeded to cross the road in front of me and poof, back into the woods on the other side of the Alaska Hwy. It was priceless once my heart rate slowed down. She weighed more then my bike, gear and me combined.
In 2016 we were headed home when we crested a hill and could see what looked like smoke blowing across the AK Hwy a few miles ahead of us. As we approached we noted a long line of vehicles and RV's heading north backed up and a large herd of bison stampeding north along a dirt area next to the hwy. We stopped and waited for them to pass behind us in case one or more darted up and over the hwy as they were spooked and running for all they were worth. Glad I wasn't on a motorcycle.
For those heading north in 2018 have a grand trip. You will never forget the experience.
In 2016 we left North Central, WA with new tires on everything. Truck and trailer. New Michelins on the F-550 and Good Years on the trailer. Plus 2 spares for each vehicle. We had no tire issues but came across those who did during our 8,000 mile trip. For those going north make sure your vehicles drive line U-Joints and exhaust system is up for the adventure. I've been behind rigs that have dropped both and had to avoid their vehicle parts after they bailed from their vehicles. Drive lines, mufflers, exhaust pipes. Only takes a few minutes to crawl under your rig and check for play in the drive line u-joints and make sure the exhaust hangers are all in good working order and tight.
In 2016 we had made camp early at an RV Park off the north Cassiar Hwy when a large 5er pulled into the site next to us. I was done with set up sitting in my camp chair having a cold one and noted. Humm, chit is hanging off the underside of their trailers axle. So as they began hooking up I walked over and introduced myself and suggested they have a look see at the passenger side trailer axle as there was an issue. There was, it was the trailers brake line had broken loose and was hanging an inch or so off the roads surface. I gave them some parts I had since I always carry stuff to fix things while traveling so they could fix the problem and continue north without ripping their trailers brake line off down the road.
