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Old 05-20-2017, 08:38 PM   #1
Bumala
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Alaska or Bust

So last year we busted, our TV blew an engine. So here we go again. The plan is to start mid June, head to Tahoe and then to Salmon Idaho. My wife is related to Emma Russell, the sheep queen of Idaho. We'll stay there for a few days, then head north. If anyone has any must stops, or fun things to do on the way up, let me know. I've done the trip four or five times as a passenger but we drove straight through. Any good RV parks? things to do, etc.
Thanks,
Bob.
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Old 05-20-2017, 08:53 PM   #2
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I hope you make it all the way this time. Which highway up to Tahoe?
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Old 05-20-2017, 11:13 PM   #3
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I've done the trip twice in the last 8 months. The first trip while towing was straight thru and that's all that fun. Second trip was tent camping and it took 3 days and was more enjoyable as I went off rd to camp up by some of the old mines.
There's so much to explore and see if that's your thing. Check out a few of the old dredges as they're pretty cool!
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Old 05-21-2017, 06:48 AM   #4
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Get: www.themilepost.com before you leave. Go up the AK Hwy and return the Cassiar Hwy, or vice versa. It's a great trip.
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Old 05-28-2017, 08:36 AM   #5
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Agree w Desert185. The Mile Post book probably saved us some damage and was a great investment. Very current and let's you know exactly where road damage is before it sneaks up on you. Also good tips overall. We made trip from FL to AK and found the Alaska Highway in BC very good road except the last 60-70 miles to the AK border, which was miserable, but hopefully they've worked on that since last year..I was very impressed with the road conditions in AK overall, they are investing in a lot of repairs and maint.
Make it to Homer, Anchor Point beach , where you will probably see 100+ eagles at the right time on the beach. Amazing sight. Halibut fishing there pays for itself even w 2 fish limit, due to price of Halibut. Take the all day trip that goes out to deeper water and bigger fish. They charge minimal amount for flash freezing at the docks. If u r a hiker/Trekker, make sure you tackle Flattop Mountain near Anchorage.. Amazing climb and no technical skills needed, just endurance.

We made the trip on the Dalton Highway to the Artic Circle (then took a pic a the sign, shot of Tequila to celebrate, and the 6 hours back)and the 13 hour round trip from Fairbanks was worth it to us..you will never get another chance to say you made it to the Artic Circle. You can rent a Dalton Highway rental car for about $200 to make that trip, but we took our truck, saw lots of motorcycles and even a tandem bicycle, but they were having a tough time of it. Refused an offer for a lift so guess they were happy enough. The rental car already has the windshield and body paint damage so that can take the stress out of worrying about flying rocks from the truckers, and there's a lot of them. We made it w our Denali damage free, but took washing the truck 3 times to get off the thick mud layer. Crossing the wooden bridge across the Mighty Yukon was a thrill. Moose and calves along the way as well.

You have to make it to Denali Park and take the bus shuttle as far as you can go, to Talkeetna. You will see moose, caribou, black bear and maybe a Grizzly if u r lucky. Make sure you make as early a reservation as possible for the shuttle. You can get on/ off the bus anywhere along the way to hike, which we did. Make sure u have Bear Spray, just in case, and to be safe. . We Saw Dal Sheep on one hike, and the views from the higher elevations of the hike are breathtaking.

Alaska was an amazing place to visit and we want to go back, but may consider flying into Anchorage and renting a Mini Winnie instead of hauling our rig the next time, just due to cost of gas. 13,000 miles from FL round trip, and glad we did it once
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Old 05-28-2017, 09:06 PM   #6
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Gotta drive it at least once, and remember, once you get to Los Anchorage, Alaska is just an hour away.
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Old 05-30-2017, 09:12 PM   #7
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I was just thinking that it would be a good idea to carry a spare fuel filter for your TD on your trip north.
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:46 PM   #8
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One last time (this is the third time I've had to write this because This message board wants me to re-log in and then crashes!)

I grew up in Palmer Alaska (the heart of the Matanuska Valley). Like most people who live in tourist areas, we didn't visit them. I've driven the road a number of times, usually driving straight through. The last time we drove it touristy was 50+ years ago (I was 12). My wife and I plan on stopping at every spot along the way. In Alaska we are visiting family in Wasillia and Kenai.
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:49 PM   #9
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You should always carry bells and bear spray to scare away the bears. You should also keep an eye out for bear scat (poop) to see if any bears are in your area. Bear scat is easy to spot, it's near the empty bear spray cans, and has bells in it (old Alaskan humor, and I should know)
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:51 PM   #10
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I hope you make it all the way this time. Which highway up to Tahoe?
We're going up I80. There's this RV park next to the Truckee River.
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Old 05-31-2017, 09:55 PM   #11
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Get: www.themilepost.com before you leave. Go up the AK Hwy and return the Cassiar Hwy, or vice versa. It's a great trip.
Yep, got my Milepost! The first time we went up, us kids would lay up on the camper bunk, and notch off the mileposts, and walky-talky to my folks to stop and see whatever.
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Old 06-01-2017, 07:18 AM   #12
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One last time (this is the third time I've had to write this because This message board wants me to re-log in and then crashes!)

I grew up in Palmer Alaska (the heart of the Matanuska Valley). Like most people who live in tourist areas, we didn't visit them. I've driven the road a number of times, usually driving straight through. The last time we drove it touristy was 50+ years ago (I was 12). My wife and I plan on stopping at every spot along the way. In Alaska we are visiting family in Wasillia and Kenai.
My wife is a third generation homesteader from Palmer/Wasilla. The Reeder's, if that sounds familiar.

To stay on subject, if you drive the Cassiar up or back and stop at Smithers at the southern end, eat at Louise's Kitchen. Pretty popular with the locals. Best pierogis I've ever tasted.
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Old 06-01-2017, 09:52 AM   #13
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What Desert ^^^^^ said about Louise's. Had breakfast and a blueberry muffin. Fabulous! You can have my share of the borscht.....
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Old 06-09-2017, 08:40 AM   #14
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I'm watching Alaska posts here and elsewhere. I really would like to do it in 2018. I asked the DW about going in the cabover and she said we would kill each other. I just don't want to drag the 5th up there. Looks like a "me" trip right now. I'll have to do a work around on packing a firearm. All I've read, Canada gets quite sensitive about it. Maybe just pack bear spray.
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Old 06-09-2017, 08:45 AM   #15
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I'm watching Alaska posts here and elsewhere. I really would like to do it in 2018. I asked the DW about going in the cabover and she said we would kill each other. I just don't want to drag the 5th up there. Looks like a "me" trip right now. I'll have to do a work around on packing a firearm. All I've read, Canada gets quite sensitive about it. Maybe just pack bear spray.
Ferry.....
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Old 06-09-2017, 09:24 AM   #16
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I'm watching Alaska posts here and elsewhere. I really would like to do it in 2018. I asked the DW about going in the cabover and she said we would kill each other. I just don't want to drag the 5th up there. Looks like a "me" trip right now. I'll have to do a work around on packing a firearm. All I've read, Canada gets quite sensitive about it. Maybe just pack bear spray.
Long guns OK with a $25CDN, 60 day permit. Handguns a big no-no in Canada.
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Old 06-09-2017, 09:27 AM   #17
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Ship it to an FFL dealer in Alaska, and then pick it up. Ship it back home when you leave.
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Old 06-09-2017, 09:46 AM   #18
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Ship it to an FFL dealer in Alaska, and then pick it up. Ship it back home when you leave.
Yep! X2 Have done this. Bear spray in Canada
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Old 06-09-2017, 09:49 AM   #19
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Long guns OK with a $25CDN, 60 day permit. Handguns a big no-no in Canada.
Yes, I've looked at the Canada form to do that. Need to read it some more. I guess a "black gun" qualifies. Or my standby...Remington 870 youth 20 GA.
I even thought about leaving a handgun at a gun shop in Helena MT. for "cleaning" and pick it up on the way out.
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Old 06-09-2017, 11:45 AM   #20
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Check the minimum barrel length required. I've had them measure the barrel length on my 1895... and ask what kind of action does it have. "Well...this here lever, I imagine, would make it a lever action" "Is it loaded?" "No...in fact it's taken down in two pieces. The only thing loaded is my fire extinguisher." "Well don't point it at anyone," as they then do so when measuring the barrel length.
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