Alaska Planning
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13206
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 5:07pm
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Topic: Alaska Planning
Posted By: StephenH
Subject: Alaska Planning
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 10:52am
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We would like to travel with our RPod to Alaska next year (2020). However, my wife is not comfortable with us going it alone. I know I have spoken with some others about such a trip. However, so far it has just been in generalities. It is time to get down to specifics. Who here would like to participate in such a trip? If you are willing, when would you be available to take such a trip? As I see it, there are two options: 1. Go with an organized group such as Fantasy RV tours or Great American Caravans. This would be predictable but expensive. The fee for the tour would cover much to include places to stop but would not include fuel or a number of meals. Nor would it cover getting to the starting point or getting home from the ending point. My wife is leaning toward this though as she would feel better knowing that there are people there to help should a breakdown occur. 2. Go with an informal group. This is less predictable but also less expensive. None of the organized events nor scheduled meals nor reserved camping sites would be there unless someone with experience in making such a trip helped organize these things. Also, since any of the organized trips would definitely take more than 30 days (48 was the shortest one I saw), what do those who are on the road longer use for mail and taking care of bills, etc. for their homes? Does anyone have any experience with the various mail forwarding services, either from the USPS or from the service offered by Good Sam? Given that this trip is likely to have many places out of cellular range, how does one keep in touch and be available if something should happen at home? Having experienced one break-in while we are gone, we do now have an alarm system, but it is self-monitored. Without cell or WiFi, I do not know if the alarm is triggered. Part of this is to get someone trusted who can monitor when we are out of contact but I am open to looking into other options. I guess that is enough questions to get the discussion started. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 1:04pm
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My parents have been 3 times, and my dad plans for them to do it again, maybe next year. Bills on auto pay. Or set up to pay on the internet. Just put in a hold mail with USPS, pick it up when you get home. Have a friend or neighbor check on the house, where we live, you can let the police know you are out of town and they will check in on it for you. Sometimes you will be out of touch/reach. When you get to service, check in. It's how the whole world worked just one short generation ago. If you are days away.. will it really matter if you don't have your vacation ruined on Tuesday, instead of Thursday? I wouldn't do a group. Get the latest copy of the "Milepost". Plan from there. Go freestyle. ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 3:01pm
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The only problem with mail hold is that the USPS will only hold for 30 days maximum. An Alaska trip will last longer than that. I was able to work around it a little bit last year by extending the hold a few days (helps to know the postal carrier). However, I can't count on that being available so that is why I was asking about mail forwarding services also. After telling my wife the prices for a couple of the caravan group tours, she is leaning that way also.  ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 3:50pm
I live in a smaller town so the folks at USPS are neighbors (of sorts). She had me fill out the extended (following month) form and she kept it there for me. I do so like my little town! I was also told you can go online and sign up for the next months hold. Don't know how well that works (didn't have to do it). I will say mail forwarding failed miserably for us. Some rather important mail was returned instead of being forwarded which lead to several phone calls to work it all out once we got back. Just 'our' experience with forwarding.. I go with 'hold' now. I did authorize my daughter to pick up my mail which worked out very well. If you're gone for months you could get something you need to put attention to. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 3:59pm
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As far as cell service.. You will drive in and out of. Take advantage of when you can. Data is a whole other issue. Finding WIFI to collect or send is going to be the biggest issue. As much as I used CG systems, including going to the office to do such, I found most times if I had a LTE signal, I'd stop and send/retrive as I could. That leads to a good plan that includes Canada. My AT&T plan includes Canada, so not issue there. If yours doesn't, then possible a Pay-as-you-go SIM may be a solution. Funny how even in USA, yet on the fringes of Canada, the towers are Canadian. Don't know about Alaska and the border areas. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 4:14pm
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Would love to see your route to get there. Heading up through the Rockies into the Canadian Rockies is spectacular! You could even run through Glacier National and north into Jasper Provincial and do the northern run across, which I hear is amazing (found the locals). Most run the TCH, few see what's above that. Tell us more, please! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 5:47pm
Our routing is currently vague (start driving and get there and back). We have not gotten into specific routing yet. We would like ot combine it with seeing our daughters and grandchildren (Arizona and Utah). I will be starting to look at the maps soon to try to firm up some routing options. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 6:05pm
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Big mountains, big mosquitos, lots of ice.... Next!  ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: wooleeman
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 7:22pm
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Stephen, please keep us apprised of your plans on the forum. You have my interest but as relatively new to the RV world I don't know if I would be properly prepared to attempt a trip such as this. ------------- 2022 RP-202 2016 RP-179 (Sold 9/2020) 2014 Silverado Crew Cab. 6-1/2' Bed Golden Retriever (DOB 6/16/2020) English Bulldog (RIP 6/15/2020) |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 8:11pm
Yes I was of course, kidding around....sounds like a grand adventure... ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: bob-Pod
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 8:21pm
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We towed our 171 to Alaska in the summer of 2013. We live in Washington so it is a little bit closer for us. We took a month off work. We took the ALCAN north and the Cassiar south. I have a coworker that would drive to Alaska every couple of years to fish on the Kenai so I used him as a fount of knowledge. As FurPod said "Get the Milepost". You can make the trip alone! Although you will feel like you are the only vehicle on the road at times, there are others out there. ------------- 2015 RPOD 178 HRE (2015- ) 2010 RPOD 171 (2009-2015) 2010 Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2019 at 8:57pm
We would be more likely to sign up with a caravan group if the price weren't so high. Part of that is the shows and tours that are included as part of the packages offered. We can dispense with the shows. The scenery is the main show as far as we are concerned. We don't need to go to a burlesque show or have a sled-dog ride, etc. As for shopping, we did enough of that when we went on the cruise. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2019 at 8:17am
Yep.. we are literally neighbors with the manager.. On a "been over for BBQ" basis with our delivery person. We start with a 30 day, then let them know we will be a bit longer.. hasn't been an issue yet. though 38 days is the longest we have done. I would do two 30 day holds, back to back, with one day split, and have a friend go in on that one day to pick up the mail from the 1st hold.. We do mail holds several times a year, always sign up on line, always choose "we will pick up held mail". ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2019 at 2:32pm
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We do not have any family in the area. I could ask a neighbor or fellow church member to pick up mail for us. I did a quick Google Maps routing search and came up with some results. If we avoid the Chicago area, it makes the trip a bit longer, but we should avoid some rather rough roads that way. If I were to follow the route in the picture below, it would be 10,903 miles and (at highway speeds, not towing) would take about 175 hours to drive. Of course, that means in all practicality, it would be much more than that many active driving hours since we won't drive the high speeds on which the figure is based. Just based on those hours, it would take 21 days of 8 hours per day driving to make the trip. Add on to that the stops in Utah and Arizona to see the grandchildren (plus daughters and son in law). This trip could easily take 60+ days when all is said and done.  ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2019 at 4:00pm
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We routimely take longer than 30 day trips. We have had good luck by being good friends with our delivery person. We give him a prepaid box addressed to the address of a campground we will be staying at and he mails out the first installment. We put a second hold on for the rest of the stay. I purchased "The Milepost" last year as we were thinking of going to Alaska in 2020. We aren't going to be able to go then but maybe the following year. The Milepost is also available on-line at themilepost.com. There is a disclaimer in the book about calling the places you are planning to stop at. Like many small businesses, these close with/without notice so check for availability. ------------- Enjoy Life!! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2019 at 4:12pm
I don't know how well that would work because the USPS does offer a forwarding service. Also, since we have not got as far as planning our stops, it would be difficult to say just where we would be.
Thanks for the online link. I'll check it out. We have been traveling for the most part without reservations except at certain destinations where we know we will be staying more than overnight. That may need to change for this trip though. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2019 at 5:03pm
Being where your coming from, nice run! Up the eastern side of the Rockies and crossing in Canada. Oh ya, will that be a run! You will cross into Canada and the Rockies will become amazing, even more so that what you have seen as you travel along. It caught me buddy! Plan a little extra time to enjoy please. You are also going to go so close to the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Ocean, it's almost too close not to.. I met three folks traveling that where headed there just because it just opened up. Yup, adding more thought to your journey of lifetime! Sorry... ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2019 at 1:46pm
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Hello Stephen, Good luck with your trip. We have always talked about doing this-but never got around to it. We ar frequently gone more than 30 days. We put in multiple hold mail requests for 29 days and let our rural carrier know what it going on. It works it out fine since it meets the gov't requirements. I built a plywood box with lid that is waterproof and he simply deposits 30 days worth of mail when the period is up. a neighbor stops by on the appointed day and puts it in our house. also, we have gone from NC to Oregon and up into BC with the pod. We had a great trip going north to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, etc along our northern border. Unless it's too early(cold,ice,snow) in the season, the weather will be cooler and less crowds. There are lots of good places to visit/camp along the way drive safe Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 3:00pm
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Figured I'd post up over here and get ya active again! I fell so in love with the Canadian Rockies that I will go back at some point. Alaska is a reach or goal I may not do, so kiddo's to you for doing the deed! I will return and catch Northwest Terriitories and Yukon Provinces, two I have no touched in Canada. Especially with the road to the Arctic Ocean now open! But that is just too much of an add to your trip.. Besides, it's my goal and you have yours. Your going to have a hard time slowing down as to travel north through the Canadian Rockies, yet I can not stress enough to plan a little extra time as you do. It's going to amaze you! Be ready for this! I wasn't or actually hoped it would and it just blew me away! Return trip down the west side of the Rockies has it's pluses with going through Washington and Oregon. Two states well worth seeing. Yet if you've never been down the east side and into Utah.. Don't hesitate. The trip south is just beyond words as to how wonderful the landscape is. When you do reach Utah and explore around the Big Five and the Minors and those eve less than, you wonder why you have visited before. You have an amazing trip ahead of you! ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 5:27pm
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Yes, as I said in the other topic, the final route has yet to be determined, but I do hope we can see some of the more spectacular landscape the US and Canada have to offer. That is why we want to make this trip instead of booking another cruise to Alaska. There isn't much landscape to see when one is away from the shoreline.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 8:41am
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As far as the fear of traveling alone, rest your fears. There are so many RVers on these highways and unlike in the lower 48, everyone helps everyone. We have made this trip and have encountered RVers with a multitude of problems but have never experienced anyone being left on their own. We (and others) always stop if we see a problem and do whatever we need to do to get these folks back on the road. Please don't let this fear keep you from traveling to Alaska. I promise you will meet the nicest, most helpful people you can imagine. I cannot imagine traveling on a schedule. You will want to pause and enjoy every moment of it. JUST GO!! ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 8:53am
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I agree with Woodmiester. We did this trip in 2017 it was really a piece of cake. Get the latest copy on "The Milepost" which will be out in March have the navigator keep it open on their lap and enjoy the trip. The one caveat is plan more time than you think you will need we spent 74 days on the trip from Boston to Alaska and back 16,000 miles and only saw the south east corner of Alaska. Don't miss Liard Hot Springs for at least one night and if you can get reservations at Teklanika campground in Denali plan at least 3 nights there. "The Milepost" is indispensable on on any trip up to Alaska. If you have specific questions and want to PM me please do. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 10:50am
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 11:52am
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One more thing We went up the ALCAN and down the Cassiar Highway the Cassiar is more isolated than the ALCAN but worth the extra planning. We stayed at Boya Lake PP and Meziadin PP with a day trip down to Hyder, AK to see the bears. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 12:14pm
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Now I am going to have to go to the maps to see the routing and places. I take it PP means Provincial Park. What about gasoline stations? I guess that with the ALCAN, there would be sufficient stations to not have to worry about running out. What about the Cassiar Highway? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 12:40pm
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We carried 5 gallon and 2.5 gallon cans on the trip down the Cassiar and did not need them. However you are correct it can be tight if the station run by a First Nation settlement south of Boya Lakes is not open. We towed a 179 with a Nissan Frontier so we had a safe 200 mile range without the extra gas. It looks like gas is available at AH146 (that's 146 miles from the ALCAN junction), Iskut AH198 and and Bell II AH 353. Yes PP is Provincial Park if you don't mind dry camping they are the best. However be advised dump stations can be hard to find so use your black water tank judiciously. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 3:11pm
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Good advice! We have found that the gray water tank fills up first though. But by then, the fresh tank is empty so we would need to find a place to dump the full tanks and fill the empty tank anyway. If we take (and I don't see where we would't) our generator, I would be carrying at least a 5 gallon gas can anyway. Is there any trouble at the borders (US and Canadian) if one is carrying gas cans? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Wendell
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 3:47pm
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We visited AK in '17 also. If you're comfortable in a semi-primitive campground, I recommend Kusawa Lake CG https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/site/kusawa-lake - https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/site/kusawa-lake . Finding gas wasn't really a problem, but next time I'll pay more attention. I didn't really like refueling at self-service facility(don't recall where)  and a similar one in Burwash Landing. We returned on the Cassiar Hwy and I don't recall any problems with gas. I was disappointed by all the people at Denali NP, it was like Yosemite, Zion, and Smoky Mtns. Finding a site was a problem in Seward(the weekend, an RV park 3-5 mi. N was better than the overflow lot) and Lake Louise/Banff(very, very popular, but the McLeod Meadows CG, Kootenay NP was almost empty). We took 6 weeks to/from Alaska and it wasn't enough time. We had a house-sitter, so mail wasn't a problem, and our postmistress has been very nice to us. The one time we did a mail-order while gone, we got it from the PO General Delivery where we knew we'd be in a few days. Alaska is an extremely interesting place, and I wish I'd visited there sooner. I know I'm going to enjoy going back again. ------------- R-Pod 171 '17 Toyota 4Runner Off-road https://ourr-pod.blogspot.com/ - Our R-Pod |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 4:05pm
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Thank you. I don't mind semi-primitive campgrounds.The link for Kusawa Lake Campground states that it is closed for construction until further notice. Perhaps it will be open when we head that way. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 7:04pm
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Taking gas across the border was not a problem. Check the Canadian website for the latest rules. Two things to note you can bring bear pepper spray across but you can not bring people spray (personal protection spray) into Canada also a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction is considered a felony in Canada and you will not be allowed in. Their are ways to mitigate this ahead of time so if anyone traveling with you Has a DUI convictions you should do some research. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 7:14pm
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Not to worry about DUI. I've never had one. I'm always the designated driver.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2020 at 9:20pm
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Suggest that you look at the big picture here first. For what you are planning to do, unless you really like to drive and don't plan on seeing much along the way, 60 days is probably the minimum time you 'd need to allocate to a trip like this. My brother did a similar trip from NC last year, through Canada up into Alaska and back, in about 8 or 9 weeks. And they had to hightail it back. I live in the west - the best way to travel out here is off of the interstate highways, and many of the places that you are suggesting that you'd want to pass through could easily occupy 3-4 days. My suggestion - decide what the overriding control factor is; is it time on the road (4 weeks total), or is it see Canada/Alaska and parts in between, with stops to see family along the way? If its the former, then perhaps scale back your trip - maybe a few western states, taking your time to stop and see some of the less well known ones (where you'll find the best of the west, not the regular tourist stops). If its the latter - then plan on 8-10 weeks, I'm sure that you can figure out a way to deal with mail, someone checking in on the house, etc. If you try to do too much, you 'll end up stressed out and spend all your time driving. For me personally, I can't imagine anything worse than traveling in an organized group camping expedition, sounds like a modern day wagon train - with someone telling you where to go and when, and the inevitable people who hold everyone up. There's so much to see out here. FWIW, if we were to organize a trip from here to Alaska, I'd probably plan on at least 8 weeks, and I'm alot closer. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2020 at 9:46am
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We do have one commitment in mid-July that will mean we have to be back and reset in order to meet that commitment. This trip will certainly last longer than 30 days. I expect 45-50 days when all is said and done. I know it will be a lot of driving, however, I don't see us waiting even longer with the increased probability that we would not be able to make the trip at all. We may have to shorten it a bit by eliminating Anchorage (just turn around at Denali) to save a couple of days. We may also need to only have short visits with our daughters. We will see how things go and adjust as needed. Perhaps we won't make it to Alaska, but just to Banff if it looks like we would exceed the time we have available. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2020 at 5:34pm
The Banff turnaround might be a realistic and satisfying approach - my brother seemed to enjoy that part of his journey as much as anything. Spectacular country. I've been to Anchorage, interesting city but wouldn't be at the top of my list as a destination if needing to pare back.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2020 at 6:17pm
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Denali is a worthwhile destination. Anchorage, not so much unless we did decide to take the ferry back to Washington instead of driving the reverse route. That is why I included it. When I last checked, the May and June schedules were not available.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 7:45am
I can't stop saying enough of that area!! The Canadian Rockies are just beyond words.. We spent 3 weeks in the area and barely scratched the surface. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 8:10am
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I would agree about dropping Anchorage from your schedule if you need to save time. It is a nice ,big city-much like other big cities. It would be a good place to refill, refuel, etc, but not a destination to spend much time. Go further north to Sitka and Denali Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 9:35am
Umm, Sitka is in SE Alaska, not north of Anchorage. Did you mean Seward by chance? The Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) is a good way to travel but state funding squabbles are impacting the sailing schedules. My advice is to NOT travel in a group but go solo. Driving from the Lower 48 to AK is like driving anywhere else. No big deal. Just be prepared for the gravel sections in Canada. BTW, I lived in AK for 26 years in case you're wondering. And drove to/from the Lower 48 to AK about 10 times. And flew my little airplane to/from twice. ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 9:56am
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We have been to Alaska a couple of times. A couple things I can say, is be prepared to drive a Looo-ooong time. The distances in AK are immense. AK is as big as half of the lower 48. The good news is that there aren't roads in most of it (big picture, there are basically 3 roads in AK that make a giant triangle). The bad news is that ALL the roads will be under construction during the relatively short summer. Travel times will always be longer than you might expect. Our highlights:
We flew there both times. Once commercial, and once in our private plane. When I flew there in my plane, I made a side trip to North Pole AK, and a guy I met in Canada along the way took me to an island on the Yukon River. We went down-river from Yukon River Camp to his "cabin" on the island and spent a couple days fishing there. That is the most remote place I've ever been. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 10:05am
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I suggest this campground:
https://www.alaska.org/detail/blueberry-lake-state-recreation-site - https://www.alaska.org/detail/blueberry-lake-state-recreation-site And the website in general for Alaska trip planning.
------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 1:34pm
Good to know. So far, I have not seen much that would be useful for May and June isn't on the schedule at all.
Again, good to know. I came to the conclusion when I viewed the Passport America itinerary for their Alaska trips. Much of what was scheduled did not really interest us.
Thank you. Can you give me an idea of how many days (assuming no more than 8 hours a day of driving) it takes to get to Alaska from the lower 48? Of course, my routing would not necessarily be the same, so it would be a very general idea of how long I would need to drive there.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 2:01pm
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Just the trip from Spokane WA to Northway AK is about 2,000 miles. Assuming you can average 50 MPH for 8 hours on the Alcan, that alone would take 5 days. The road is very, very improved from what it was 20 years ago, but there will still be construction delays. I think expecting 400 miles per day (especially pulling a trailer) is possibly a generous guestimate. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 3:08pm
I would suggest 5-7 days to drive from Spokane to Northway without much recreation and about 10 days if you want to take side trips. My opinion is that the only reason to visit Los Anchorage is to get to the Kenai Peninsula or Prince William Sound. Valdez is nice and the glacier cruises are fun. Fairbanks is quite interesting as well. ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 3:45pm
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I apologize for not mentioning this before.....get a copy of The Milepost. https://www.themilepost.com/ - https://www.themilepost.com/
------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2020 at 4:02pm
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I was looking at that, but was waiting until the 2020 edition comes out as mentioned previously. Thanks.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2020 at 9:34am
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We found Denali to be somewhat of a disappointment. Over crowded, and really didn't see anything different than we could see from 300 miles away. We much more enoyed the trip to the kenai and the old ghost mining townes up in the mountains east of Anchorage. Where ever you go, I am sure you will have a great time! ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: jalong
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2020 at 9:49am
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Sue & I did the Alaska trip last summer May 19th
to July 6th. Sue was apprehensive but the trip without reservations
went fine. From SE Wisconsin it took 8 days to get to Fairbanks averaging 8
hours of driving a day. We drove 9,000 miles and spent $9,500 including groceries,
admissions, campgrounds, gas, souvenirs, gifts, boat trip to Seldovia from
Homer, and glacier-whale boat trips from Seward and Valdez. Most lunches we ate
out, breakfast and dinner in the camper. This was not a camping trip for us,
but a road trip bringing along our room. We were early in the season so the
only reservations we made were for Denali two days before we got to the park.
The Alaskan Highway puts out orange flags (meaning slow down a lot) where there
are frost heaves, they were mostly fixed by the time we returned in July. July
and August are the big seasons for Alaska camping, we saw many RVs and escorted
RV tours heading up as we returned home. Our 179 has the black pipe support issue, reinforce the
bracket before you go. We spent 4 days in Seward, Homer, Valdez, Whitehorse-Yukon
and Dawson City-Yukon. We also stayed several days in Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer
and Dawson Creek-Alberta. The best glacier boat trip we took was in Valdez on
the Stan Stephens 8-1/2 hour trip to the Mears Glacier. Favorite cities were Seward
and Dawson City-Yukon. We had no problems finding gasoline (fill up when you reach ½
tank), laundromats are at most private campgrounds and there was no problem
finding groceries. I typically carried a full tank of water, for us that was
enough for 4 days with 6 showers. Private campgrounds are gravel lots with close sites; the
most we paid was $60 a night in Homer & Valdez that was fine with us as we
wanted to be able to walk to the attractions. While traveling we stayed in provincial
parks, federal parks, city parks, Walmart, Great Canadian Superstore, private
campgrounds and Minnesota rest stops. I would avoid the Pioneer Campground in
Whitehorse. July 1st is Canada Day, campgrounds may be full. We found the “Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping” by Mike
& Terri Church better than the Milepost to find campgrounds. Also useful
were Janet Sedlar’s RV convection oven cookbooks. ------------- John & Sue 2016 179 - built in April 2015 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L 13-16mpg with 179 - 21-28mpg without |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2020 at 9:58am
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John and Sue, Thanks for the details of your trip. That is very helpful. I have already had two black pipe support failures. There won't be a third as I made my own support. I'll have to look for the books you recommend. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |