The Forestry Forum

Outdoor topics => Travel Guide => Topic started by: Qweaver on May 24, 2014, 11:50:38 PM

Title: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on May 24, 2014, 11:50:38 PM
We waited until the mail lady delivered our "The Next Exit" before leaving Weston on Friday to have a few warranty items resolved by the PKG camper folks.  They resolved every problem and we hit the road for Hot Springs Village in AR. We got to the Ky/Tn. boarder and slept at the absolutely beautiful Tn. Welcome Center.  We got to the Village about 3:00 pm today and spent the rest of the day with great friends catching up, cooking and just plain having a good time.  We will spend a few days here and hopefully sail a lot if the winds co-operate.   We love "the Next Exit" BTW.  How did we get along without it?

BTW, how can diesel be $4.29 in Weston, WV and $3.55 in AR?  We were getting between 16 and 17  MPG traveling at 60 mph.  That will be our target speed for this trip.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on May 30, 2014, 05:06:07 PM
We had a great sail on Lake Ouachita and then spent 3 days making the drive to Addy, Wa.  Drove thru The Bad Lands park and to Mount Rushmore on the way and looked upon the wonderful landscapes of South Dakota, Montana and Idaho.  Wow!  And the trip has just begun. The ride down the mountain as you enter Idaho will get the juices running.  I set the cruise control on 55 and never had to hit the brakes.

Quinton
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: thecfarm on May 30, 2014, 05:11:39 PM
Trip is starting out good!!
By the way,anyway to post pictures as you go,like a dairy?
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: beenthere on May 30, 2014, 05:43:24 PM
QuoteThe ride down the mountain as you enter Iowa will get the juices running

I'm thinking Qweaver means Idaho.  ??

Sounds good so far, and wonder how everything is riding.

Have a son, flew to Fairbanks last evening from MPS, then a train today to Talkeetna for 3 days, then to Healy, AK for 3 days, then to Anchorage, boards a cruise ship through the inside passage, and to Vancouver for a week. About 3 week trip.
So look forward to Qweaver's trip and hopefully photo's too.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: sandhills on May 31, 2014, 12:58:09 AM
Qweaver, you gotta try those trips down the mountain in a '55 chevy with my uncle throwin' the old three on the tree into neutral!  Scared the ever living billy heck out of me but he was grinning ear to ear, kept saying this is the only time you'll see her doing 75  :D.  Enjoy your trip!
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on May 31, 2014, 06:38:09 PM
I'm happy to post pics but most everyone has seen pics of The Bad Lands and Mount Rushmore and other common tourist spots...usually taken by much better photogs than me.  To be there in person is a whole different thing tho'.
Quinton
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: mometal77 on June 01, 2014, 07:50:11 AM
I was in Addy,wa last oct looking at land but looking at idaho or north of flathead lake. When you get going soak.net is a great site for hotsprings. Be safe.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 01, 2014, 10:34:28 AM
We catch the ferry in Bellingham on Sat the 7th.  We plan to leave Addy and take the scenic Rt 20 but since we have time to spare we would like to visit any particularly interesting spots along the way.  Any suggestions?  This should be a great drive! My Silverado is a real mountain goat and just gobbles up the mountains both up and down. 


Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Magicman on June 01, 2014, 02:29:56 PM
The North side of the Columbia River Gorge and the Olympic Loop in the NW corner of Washington.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: SawyerBrown on June 01, 2014, 05:38:58 PM
Well, I can testify that Alaska is beautiful right now. We're going into Denali this afternoon, and they've been seeing lots if wildlife. Rain expected but so far holding off

This morning really went to the dogs ... literally. We visited Husky Homestead where they breed and raise Alaskan Huskies, and met Jeff King, multi- Iditarod winner. Great tour if you get the chance, and the puppies are adorable!



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31067/image.jpg)

Fairbanks on Tuesday.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 15, 2014, 03:03:34 PM
No internet on the Alaskan Ferry but I will post this when we get to Homer.  After 6 days, 6 stops and lots of beautiful landscapes we are anxious to get moving on shore.  The few hours that we have at each stop does not give us enough time to do any real sight-seeing.  Mainly just grab a meal and do some shopping.   The Bloody Marys at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau  were the treat of the day.   
The three mile walking return to the ferry 2 minutes before departure time at the first stop added a little stress to the trip and a "we'll never do that again" was agreed to!
Landed in Homer Today and spent the night on the Spit. Traveling to Soldotna tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 15, 2014, 03:17:25 PM
Spent Saturday at a friends beautiful home on the Kenai River.  The river runs at 11 MPH at about 40 deg.  Not a good place for a swim.  Church with Sarah this AM and planning for the next destination this afternoon.  We went to the stock car races last evening and cards with the friends til 1:am.  Stopped at  Norman Lowell's art gallery yesterday.  Talked with Norman at length and enjoyed his great art.  Don't miss it if you are in the area.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: SawyerBrown on June 15, 2014, 03:51:01 PM
Q, where else you headed?
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: thecfarm on June 15, 2014, 10:41:54 PM
Sounds good!!
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: hardtailjohn on June 16, 2014, 11:09:04 PM
When in Homer, take a plane ride with Bill Decreeft (spelling?). He flies scenic flights in a 1929 Travelair 6000. Something you wont forget!! Awesome guy too! (If he's still in business...)

John
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: scsmith42 on June 17, 2014, 09:36:21 AM
Great thread - thanks for posting the updates!
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Raider Bill on June 18, 2014, 03:51:25 PM
A friend of mine leaves friday on a motorcycle trip to alaska. He found this site of cameras throughout the state.

http://avcams.faa.gov/m/acpomap.php?x=64.83777&y=-147.71639&z=6
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: DeerMeadowFarm on June 18, 2014, 05:56:44 PM
We did a two week cruise in 2011. My wife's company gives their employees a certain amount of money to be used on a vacation on their 25th anniversary. We went through Holland/America and our daughter rode for free! Total cost for us was our airfare from Mass to Washington and any souvenirs we bought. Trip of a lifetime! I would love to do what you are doing though and drive it. Maybe when/if I ever retire...?
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 18, 2014, 10:57:34 PM
We camped in a free spot on the way to Exit Glacier just out of Seward last night and will return there tonight.  We did the 8 hour boat trip today.  Saw lots of whales and glaciers,( Holgate,Bear & Aialik) pretty calm seas plus salmon and prime rib for lunch.  Major Marine Tours was the vendor and it was very well done.  The view from the water was awesome.  Sea Life Center tomorrow  and then back on the road unless we find something else to do here in Seward.  Maybe hike up to the glacier.  It's a 2 mile hike and I think I'm up to that.  Beauty all around.  These glacier fed streams just rip.  Best not to fall in.  Lots of fishermen along the Seward Highway on the way here.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 23, 2014, 06:40:41 PM
We just arrived in Fairbanks and will spend a few days here.  We did the flight to Mount McKinley and the bus ride in to Denali.  Both were great and I'll post more with a few pics later.  This is our first internet and electric for days so we are using this afternoon to catch up with friends, edit pics and make plans for the next few days.
Quinton
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 23, 2014, 09:55:43 PM
A few of my fears  allayed.  Some new ones.  The roads have been generally very good...a few rough ones but no worse than W. Va.  The Parks Hwy between Denali and Fairbanks has several construction areas that are dirt but not too bad.  The mountain roads thru Idaho, Washington and Alaska have a lot of un-guard-railed roads with little berm and sharp drop offs that would be deadly if you strayed off the road.  The road into Denali is just plain scary.  No bear scares but a few close encounters with moose. The view from the plane was awesome.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13195/A-Mt_McKinley-1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 26, 2014, 01:00:34 AM
We are going to leave Fairbanks tomorrow and head south.  We don't really know where to go from here.  We want to visit friends in Powell River just before we get back to the US.  I'll get out the Mile Post I guess.
Suggestions?
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 28, 2014, 11:48:03 AM
We are leaving Tok this morning headed for Chicken.   We'll spend a day or two in chicken and hopefully on to Dawson City, Canada.  The road between Chicken and Dawson gets some bad reviews.  I wish I had some current first hand info.  Anyone?
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: mometal77 on June 29, 2014, 03:44:58 AM
Trip advisor or yelp google places and people usually make forum post on sites on where to visit i found out when i go through a town i look it up.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on June 29, 2014, 07:46:35 PM
We left Chicken at about 3:00am.  Very light but the sun did not get fully up until about 7:00.  It is about 105 miles but the road was closed at about 35 miles and did not re-open until 7:30.  Canadian customs does not open until 8:am so we just slept parked on the road until 7:30.  Customs made a complete search of our truck and camper.  We will have to repack to get it like we had it.   The road was very rough but plenty wide.  The highest mountain was 12,000 ft.  The road ends at a free ferry to get across the fast flowing Yukon river to Dawson City. 
> We can not use our cell phone in Canada but we have a deal where we can use pay phones for pennies a minute.  Inconvenient but do-able. Most RV parks have WiFi but we really need a phone to book places to stay.  The RV parks often fill up.  That road really lived up to it's reputation.  Rough on the US side not too bad on the Canadian side. 
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on July 11, 2014, 01:43:15 PM
We are back at my cousins home in Addy, WA.  It was a 2 hour wait at the border to get thru customs.  I am amazed at how high the cost of living is in Alaska and Canada!  We've had a great time visiting friends and traveling thru the wilderness but the cost was astounding. I get so much more bang for the buck in the lower 48.  $6 per gal diesel and $60 camping sites can quickly upset the budget. Alaska and Canada have many beautiful places to visit...but so do most of the states in the lower 48.  We loved it but one trip will do us.  So it's on to Glacier and Yellowstone. 
QL
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: reride82 on July 11, 2014, 06:21:18 PM
I was in Glacier last weekend! The east side of the 'going to the sun road' is pretty tore up, but the west side is new and awesome, I highly recommend it! We also did a day hike by two medicine lake, which was nice since it's a little off the beaten path and fewer people. Do you know which direction you're headed through Glacier? Any other plans in Montana? Bison Range between Flathead Lake and Missoula, The ringing rocks east of Butte is cool but the road was in bad shape the last I was up there, Lewis and Clark Caverns are neat and on the way to Yellowstone, as are Norris Hot Springs, and Red Rocks Wildlife refuge is west of West Yellowstone. Have fun and enjoy Montana's construction season  :D
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: scsmith42 on July 12, 2014, 04:07:01 AM
Sounds like it has been quite the trip!  Am looking forward to seeing some photo's.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: sawguy21 on July 12, 2014, 12:21:30 PM
I agree with the high cost of fuel :'( but where were you camping for 60 bucks a night?  Any we have stayed at range from 28 to 35 dollars.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on July 12, 2014, 07:35:26 PM
The first RV parks we called were $50 to $66 on the Spit near Homer.  They were full hookups with showers.  Most of the ones we stayed at were $25 to $35 with electric only or you had to pay for the shower.  We did stay at a lot of free sites, church yards, Walmarts etc.  Fuel in Alaska was reasonable and easy to find.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on July 18, 2014, 06:40:08 PM
We got back at our home at 5:30 today.  It was a great trip!  It's good to be home.  No flat tires, no mechanical problems...but it will be great to sleep in our king size bed tonight.  I'm about to take my first shower in five days. I'll just throw these clothes away.
QL
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Hilltop366 on July 18, 2014, 08:30:19 PM
Nice to hear you had a successful trip!
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: thecfarm on July 18, 2014, 10:13:10 PM
It's nice to go,but it's nice to come back home too.
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on July 18, 2014, 11:08:34 PM

With total ferry costs @ $4000 and fuel @ $3500, not a cheap trip but when you consider all that we got to do and see...cheap enough.  I haven't added up all that we spent...and I don't intend to.  It was a lot.  But it was worth what ever it cost.  The number of OH MYs! that I heard from Sarah was payment enough.
We took a lot of pictures but I don't think I will post many.  They do not do justice to the real thing.  Oh My!!
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: Qweaver on July 19, 2014, 11:59:52 AM
If there is one outstanding dislike during this trip...this is it. Any mistakes on this road and you die!  And there are many just like this or worse.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13195/Scary_Roads-2.jpg)
Title: Re: The Trip to Alaska Starts
Post by: luvmexfood on July 22, 2014, 05:41:42 PM
Quote from: sandhills on May 31, 2014, 12:58:09 AM
Qweaver, you gotta try those trips down the mountain in a '55 chevy with my uncle throwin' the old three on the tree into neutral!  Scared the ever living billy heck out of me but he was grinning ear to ear, kept saying this is the only time you'll see her doing 75  :D.  Enjoy your trip!

Sounds like my grandfather in the late 60s/early 70s. He had an old Chevy van and come top of everyhill and he would throw it in neutral and cut the engine, drift till just enough speed to pull it down into third and pop the clutch to start. And that was when gas was 25cents a gallon.