Alaska this summer

Blackrock · 04-20-2016, 05:06 AM

We are prepping for out trip to Alaska this summer. Leaving out of southern Arizona. I pretty much have my route picked out plus I have made the run between here and Montana many time as I have family there.

Making up a list of RV Parks and Campgrounds, some I have stayed at before some not. Either going east and picking up I-25 or straight north Globe, Holbrook, Blanding Ut and catching I-15 at Spanish Fork Ut.

Plan to cross at Sweetgrass/Couts then hammer on from there.

Desert185 · 04-20-2016, 06:00 AM

Get one of these: https://www.themilepost.com

The Canadians won't let anyone enter with certain degrees of records, criminal or misdemeanor...unless you're a "refugee" with no documentation, of course.

If anyone is traveling with you who may have what you might think is a relatively minor offense, even dating back a ways, it might be a good idea to precheck with their customs before a turnaround at the border.

Just saying...

Murphsmom · 04-20-2016, 06:46 AM

RV.net has an entire section for people who are planning (or have been) on trips to Canada and Alaska. Lots of good hints and info there.

Blackrock · 04-20-2016, 09:19 AM

Been studying this trip for the last 5 years and have all the books plus Tourism freebies from the Canadian Provinces. We have several friends who have done it and have gotten their spin on things. One couple enjoyed it and had a great time, the other couple not so much.
I have a friend in Kenai, Ak who we will hook up with who knows a lot of out of the way places where real Alaskans go to escape the tourists.

koko · 04-22-2016, 06:51 AM

We've been talking about a trip like that for a couple of years. We think it would be the ultimate road trip of a lifetime, but Alaska seems so far away and so remote. We've read several people's on-line journals, and most don't regret the trip at all! They do stress taking extra spare tires, and some talked about getting broken windshields with nowhere to fix them...that's the scary part. Would definitely take some severe planning. It's not for the faint-hearted.

rschad · 04-22-2016, 08:00 AM

So why not just enjoy British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan . Mountains, lakes and more lakes. Lots of wilderness and places to camp.

notanlines · 04-22-2016, 10:45 AM

Blackrock, I'd like to have a little conversation with the couple that went to Alaska and didn't enjoy it. I'm betting they frown at free pizza! We spent two months on our trip to Alaska and things couldn't have been better. Rschad also has a pretty good idea of enjoying the Canadian provinces as you travel through them. I had to laugh when Koko said "Alaska seems so far away and so remote" and they live in SW Wyoming. My wife's spin on this thread is "be sure to allow plenty of time for this trip!"

Steve S · 04-22-2016, 01:20 PM

It's a great trip with many things to do and the trip up is full of wildlife and wonderful scenery

I went up there in January to see the Northern lights and it was awesome!
As for windshields and tires back in the day we would have to bring about 4 spares as it was a pretty rough road. Now it's all paved and there's really nothing to worry about

I plan to go again this summer and I would recommend Alaska to anyone that's adventurous!

Blackrock · 04-22-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

Blackrock, I'd like to have a little conversation with the couple that went to Alaska and didn't enjoy it. I'm betting they frown at free pizza! We spent two months on our trip to Alaska and things couldn't have been better. Rschad also has a pretty good idea of enjoying the Canadian provinces as you travel through them. I had to laugh when Koko said "Alaska seems so far away and so remote" and they live in SW Wyoming. My wife's spin on this thread is "be sure to allow plenty of time for this trip!"

The people who didn't have the greatest trip still admit it was the greatest trip of their life. Their biggest problems were husband, wife, two pre-teen daughters and two dogs in a 10 year old class C coach. It was one of those older style Dodge chassis and powertrain. They had transmission troubles in Whitehorse YT plus overheating issues all along the way. This was back in 1994 if I remember right.
Rainy weather, cramped space and wet dogs for most of the trip plus a coach acting up wasn't fun. Just talked to them last month about a lot of their trip. They did bite the bullet and took the ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert on the trip home.

notanlines · 04-23-2016, 04:30 AM

That does kind of put a different spin on their experience. Truck trouble is a "top of the list" situation. Be sure to keep us all up on your trip as you go along. I can assure you we are all jealous of you. And be sure to stop in to the Klondike Bar and Grille in Whitehorse, YT. Have a piece of their Bumbleberry pie.....with ice cream. You won't regret it!

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