2020 Trips

[gypsyrose1126]

I have been kicking around the idea of Alaska this year. Not sure if I want to drive (from WI) or fly in and see what I want by land, rail or sea. I know some of you have been to Alaska, and I would like to hear the good, the bad and the ugly!!
Anyone else thinking of driving to Alaska this year??
I am so wishy washy about this!!

[BirdbyBird]

If you have the time and the funds for the gas, I would drive if you haven't already explored western Canada's wonders. In 2012, except for the eagles and the running salmon and the seals that were busy eating them, I think I may have seen more wildlife along the Canadian highways as I did in Alaska. No matter what you choose you can't go wrong, the state is so huge and diverse, you will not experience it all in one summer, but by choosing to go you will see more than you would if you didn't go at all!

Happy planning. I recommend Church's guide book. It is straight forward, clear information without wading through advertisements.

Tina

[Bethers]

Ditto what Tina said, especially the Church's book. Personally I say, if you can, take all summer and the rv. If that's not doable, anyway you can, just do it. But I don't recommend going with a tour. I'd go with but it's not in the cards for this summer.

[gypsyrose1126]

Tina and Beth thanks for the info. Tina, did you go by yourself or with someone else? Beth any plans on going next year?
I don't mind the drive, just would be sort nice to go with someone else. I have not heard of the Church's guide book so had to look it up, it is the same as the milepost book, which I have heard of. Yes, I will definitely get that.

[Bethers]

The Milepost and Church's books are two separate books. I gave away my Milepost in favor of the Church's book.

I plan to go to Alaska again (I've been 3 times do far) but I doubt it'll happen for a few more years. But my plans are not set in stone. I just know it won't be this year .

[SoCalGalcas]

Yes, go to Alaska! It is unbelievably beautiful. And, you do not need to go in a caravan. It is very easy to figure out where you want to go. I too gave my Milepost away quite early in the trip. It had outdated info.
When I went, I went with two other rigs. Between the three of us we did fine. Talk to fellow travelers, go to visitor centers, gather info that way. We were out of the US for two months. I loved every minute of our trip. I am not traveling now or I. Would go with you! Have fun! Lyn

[BirdbyBird]

The Milepost that I saw was full of advertisements and distractions. Church's book is plain and simple. It gives you enough information to make some informed decisions without over loading you with millions of other information. It is easy to plan day by day how far you want to drive and what your lodging, RV park choices are. The Canadian Provincial Parks we stayed in didn't have hook ups but were beautiful and quiet. In 2012 when several of us headed up, we ended up wanting to explore different things and had different time lines. One important issue was that Nan and I both had elderly dogs that would not have been comfortable for the time durations of staying below deck coming back south on the ferry system so we drove back and came out through Idaho. On the way south through Chicken, Alaska, we did meet up one night with Sprinter who was traveling Alaska solo that summer. It is doable and like all adventures, you will meet up with other travelers along the way. There just aren't that many roads.

[gypsyrose1126]

Thanks for the info, I will ck out the milepost book and the Churchill book. Last year I did a month by myself in Canada and down into Washington, and have done other trips by myself. But it sometimes its nice to have a traveling buddy, especially on a trip this far away from everything. I had hoped someone on the forum would like to travel up and back together. Lyn sorry you are not traveling anymore. That is one reason I want to get to Alaska, before I make a decision to hang it all up.

I would assume that there must be repair shops in the event of trouble. How about groceries, cell service - did anyone take a ferry to any of the islands, see the inland passage?

Thanks for all the info and suggestions, they are greatly appreciated.

[BirdbyBird]

Yes, there are areas of civilization. You plan ahead and the selection is not always as overwhelming as here in the states. The cost also may be more because of the trucking to get products to stores. Liz and Birdie took the ferry down the southern passage. I think Beth has and I think she also stopped along the way and explored several of the communities. Yes on the repair shops but it helps to have a good roadside assistance. I believe Sprinter had engine trouble with her Class B Sprinter coming back south though the wilds of Canada and it had to be towed over 1,000 miles back to Whitehorse for repairs. The towing was at no cost to her. Think about it, Alaska depends on the smooth running of trucks to get supplies over what many sometimes are less than stellar roads. They also depend on tourists to come visit during the fair weather seasons. Verizon worked well for me but at that time it was still considered International roaming rates for Canada. I think that has changed now. Again, back in 2012, before being able to use Verizon in Canada and also the use of MIFI in Canada we depended upon using WIFI in stores or restaurants or where ever we could find it. Coming back from Alaska, Nan and I boondocked more often. It is easier to find spots whe you are only trying to park one or two vehicles. We would boondock a couple days and then pay for a park and hookups one night. In Alaska several stores and public places had free dump stations. Church's book listed information like that.

If you want to go. Go. Though I would travel north again with another rig. I would limit it to one rig and be sure ahead of time that plans can be very fluid and going down separate roads is always a possibilities if interests are headed in different directions. It is a big big state and not everyone wants to see the same things. If I go again I would not hesitate to make the journey solo. But then I survived driving myself on the left side of the road in Scotland and lived to post about it. As Mila wrote it is not about being Fearless but in Fearing Less.

Tina

[Bethers]

Well said, Tina. And yes, I took the ferry part way south/home on my first trip specifically to stop at 3 islands. I spent a couple /few days on each. I exited in Canada. I was glad I did it.

[SoCalGalcas]

A PS...I drove up and down from Canadian Border as I had been on two commercial cruise ships, one up and one down through inland passage.
I wouldn’t mind doing that again, and I’m exploring train trips too. I hate the thought of not doing any traveling!!!
Lyn

[snowball]

A PS...I drove up and down from Canadian Border as I had been on two commercial cruise ships, one up and one down through inland passage.
I wouldn’t mind doing that again, and I’m exploring train trips too. I hate the thought of not doing any traveling!!!
Lyn

Lyn I have heard of a train trip from some point in the PNW to somewhere in CA. I know a lot huh? it was one of those things on FB looked like fun but the chances of my doing it was remote so promptly forgot more of the details
sheila

[gypsyrose1126]

Lyn I had thought a cruise on a small ship would be fun (less than a 100 passengers) but of course they are more expensive. A train trip would be nice.
I did pick up a milepost 2018 from the library and will look thru that, before I decide what book to buy. Like Tina, I prefer to boon dock a few days and then stop at a campground that has hookups and showers! A lot to think about and plan for. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

[Colliemom]

I drove to AK in 2000 with a couple friends. We didn't RV cause we didn’t have one, but did the motel/cabin thing. We went through the Canadian Rockies and took the Alaska Marine Highway ferry up the Inside Passage from Prnce Rupert, BC to Haines, AK. That was a fantastic trip and I would do it again. Cuts about 700 miles off driving. And the scenery was spectacular. They carry all types of vehicles, you pay by length. You can hop off at different ports and catch another ferry to continue on. All this takes planning though. We had all our reservations made ahead of time, starting 7 months before we left. Like others have said, there’s way more to see than you can do in one trip. Coming home, we came back on the Yellowhead Highway (Canadian Highway 5) which was a beautiful drive. You need to plan so you have a place to park for the nights. The others can probably give suggestions. I have been wanting to go back again, but won’t be this year. Having driven up and back, the roads are good except for construction zones etc. In a way, I would almost rather go in a single vehicle, like a MH or van, rather than pull a trailer as service places are far and few between and construction can get a bit bumpy. But that was long time ago. We saw quite a few RV’s when we were out there. We met so many nice people, saw so much beautiful country and had experiences we wouldn’t have gotten with a tour, due to time restrictions. Have fun planning and deciding.

[chalet05]

Tina is right on! I'm glad you got the Milepost from the library to decide - I found it useless compared to Churches' book.

I went up with a friend in 2012 - we happened to meet up with Tina's group in Denali. I went back on my own in 2014 although I did meet the same friend in Dawson City, Yukon for a couple of dirt road adventures. When it came time to go our separate ways, there was rain and more rain, so I hung around near Fairbanks where I hadn't planned to go that trip. We did eventually split up and I set out on my own once again to places I wanted to return to. I did take a boat to Juneau for the day. I came back to the lower 48 early due to all the rain.

First trip the truck needed a new water pump - can't remember where we were. Stopped at an auto parts store and they recommended a great backyard mechanic. There are free dump stations with potable water in many places. By 2014, Verizon service was very good. We spent very few days in campgrounds. First trip we were up there 3 months.

Sorry I have too many plans this year or I'd be tempted!