2hams2alaska
Explorer
Joined 18 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Doing it alone?
Thanks to everyone who replied to my query. I appreciate the advice, suggestions and especially the information from those who have made the trip alone or camp alone. It has been 6 years since our last trip up the Alaska Highway and I am feeling the call of that long ribbon through the wilderness. With all there is to see and do I hope it will work out that I can go again. If all falls into line, the departure date will be around the end of June following a family wedding. To 2lazy4u, I admire your ability to do all those things alone without all the creature comforts some of us seem to no longer be able to do without when traveling. To sue.t, I just may take you up on your offer. I have always wanted to meet you as I have always enjoyed the photographic postings of Alaska, BC and especially the Yukon you provide for the group as well as the sound advice and information for those of us just passing through, not lucky enough to live there. I'll post more when I am able to commit to the trip this year. Mike609Views0likes0CommentsDoing it alone?
I am considering a fourth trip to Alaska and return for this summer. I wouldn't be leaving until late June due to a family wedding. But unlike the earlier three trips, I would be making the trip alone as I lost my DW last April. I wonder how many posters out there have done the trip alone? And if you had any unexpected complications due to not having a companion along? I would love to do the trip one more time while I am able, one never knows how much more time you have to do such things. I am 73 and in good health and do not take any meds other than for cholesterol control. But it would be just me and my two Shih Tzu, Jack and Diane. Any suggestions or comments from those who have made the trip alone would be much appreciated. Mike4.7KViews0likes19CommentsRe: Going Back to Alaska Question
In the past we have crossed at Del Bonita, west of Sweet Grass. It is a little used rural crossing and we have never had to wait in line. In fact the last time coming home I had to declare an item we had purchased in AB and it took 15 minutes to fill out the paper work. In that time no one else passed through. From there we take highway 501 to Cardston and highway 2 up to High River. At High River we get off 2 and go over to Black Diamond where we pick up 22 and follow that up to the Trans Canadian Highway and on up to Banff and Jasper. Mike320Views0likes0CommentsRe: Black Diamond, Alberta
We stayed at the Lions' CG in Black Diamond 3 times going to and coming from Alaska. Very nice, quiet, clean, and friendly folks. Within walking distance of a market. Would go out of our way to stay there again. But since we usually take highway 22 in order to bypass the city traffic in Calgary, it isn't out of the way. Mike360Views0likes0CommentsRe: Satellite Dish Reception
Worrying about TV reception was the last thing we did on our three trips north. And you know what, we didn't miss it at all. Once north of the border we had too much to do to spend time watching TV. Taking in the scenery, making new friends around the evening campfire, watching the wildlife, walking the campground to view the various rigs, and reviewing each days experiences and planning for tomorrow left us with little free time for TV. That said, I do have to admit however,that there were a night or two with rain pounding on the roof, that we did put a DVD movie on while we played Yatzee. Mike754Views0likes0CommentsRe: Route Two
MissouriBird wrote: You might want to consider cutting south on 22--west of Calgary, thereby missing lots of Calgary traffic. This drive takes you through the heart of Turner Valley, prime ranch country. We stayed several nights in a lovely Lion's Club CG in Black Diamond, giving us an easy drive into Calgary for site seeing but staying in the country. Missouri Bird is correct. Highway 22 by bypasses Calgari traffic and the Lions Club CG at Black Diamond is very nice, quiet with lots of friendly folks. Some spots are seasonal but we have stayed there four times going to or from Alaska and always found a spot there for a couple of nights. Highway 22 down to Black Diamond and then 7 over past Okotoks to High River is the way we always go. You can then pick up Highway 2 there. There is a big gas station/truck stop at the intersection of 22 and Transcanadian 1. Nice place to fuel up before heading north into the parks when heading that way. Highways 22 and 7 are good roads and we found several farmers stands along there where we could pick up fresh vegetables or fruit. Mike457Views0likes0CommentsRe: What is best tires for e 450 super duty
I have a 2000 28.5 foot Coachmen C on a E450 chassis. We put Michelin XPS Ribs on the unit several years ago. We are now at about 35,000 miles on them without a single issue. Not even a flat. That includes 2 times to Alaska and back at 10,000 miles each trip. The tread looks nearly new even at that mileage. The only down side is that they give a slightly harsher ride due to the all steel construction. But the security and safety of the steel construction is what I wanted for the rough back roads. When it is time to replace them I will likely go down to the Michelin LTX since it will likely not make the Alaska trip again. Mike1.3KViews0likes0CommentsRe: RV Park Recommendations Near Denali
in 2010 we stayed several nights before going into Denali at the Tatlanika Trading Post Company Campground about 30 miles North of the Denali junction on the Parks Highway. Very nice and quiet. Friendly staff. Spaces were well separated. Although they may not have full hookups, most sites had electric hookup and there is a dump station and fill. The owners had a large vegetable garden between the campground and the highway as well as a greenhouse where they raised produce for sale to local restaurants. When there was more than their commercial customers required, the produce was available for sale to the campers. Mike382Views0likes0CommentsRe: Caravan Trip to Alaska
Moosehead05... The book he referred to is the best guide to campgrounds in Alaska, the Yukon, BC, and the Alaska Highway. It was written by Mike and Terri Church and is titled 'Traveler's Guide To Alaskan Camping'. On our three motor home trips to Alaska and back we found it to contain much more honest and accurate descriptions of the campgrounds you will find along the way than other publications. Search Amazon for it and you should have no trouble finding it. It is relatively inexpensive at less $25. Make sure you get the latest edition (6th edition) which I believe was published in Jan 2014. It is updated about every two years. Mike396Views0likes0CommentsRe: preferred tire brand
We have been running with Michelin XPS Ribs all around for the past 6 years. Coachmen 28.5 foot Class C on a E450 Chassis. They have about 35,000 miles including two summer long round trips to Alaska. Never have had a single tire issue. Not even a flat. The tread looks like new and to this point in time, there is no evidence of side wall deterioration due to aging or UV. One previous poster is correct, they are not M/S tires. That said, we did boondock a lot in Canada and Alaska on our trips and drove lots of gravel and muddy roads without a traction issue. The only time the MH got stuck was coming out of the storage building this spring when the ground was abonormally soft due to heavy rains. The XPS Rib is a steel core tire with steel belts and rides a bit firmer then the LTX version but we felt the conditions on the back roads of Canada and Alaska warranted the better tire. Mike405Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Feb 13, 202538,707 Posts
