bill, you used to be able to drive a motorhome to alaska for the manufacturers for free. You camp in it on the way and drop it off at a dealer in Alaska. Seems like they even paid you so much per mile. I thought of doing that a few years ago.
49Clipper
I will have to search for that. A one way motor home trip would be great. I have done that with rental cars.
Remember, our paved roads are often as bad as gravel, or grave roads are often smoother than paved because they grade them off... and paved gets frost heaved and terrible bumps... between the DonJek River and Beaver Creek is UGLY ROUGH, even though paved.
If you have time to drop into Haines on your drive, there is lots to do and see here...
I am back, so Bill and all, call here at the house early morning or in the evening and I can talk about the trip with you.
Just remember that there is more to do and see here than a month will allow... figure out the three most important things you want to do/see, then keep putting the other stuff in order. Untill you know what is most important, our advice is really a shot in the dark.
But I will suggest if you are in anchorage, go to Martin Buser's kennel and see his deal!
My house where I am: (907) 767-5589
And please no 'red river' crank calls... I am having enough of a bad day as it is!
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
Hadn't really considered Haines but have heard its really nice there. Definately going for Halibut and loading up some parts for the project in Anchorage. Three weeks isn't allot of time and the wife has her own ideas on what's a priority! Is it worth while going up to Fairbanks? Seward has made the list with the fishing, aquarium, fiord and stuff. Were driving from middle Canada so i might have to scale back some to avoid looking at a winshield every day. Thanks for the info on the roads.Originally Posted by aktango58
Kevin
Poke....
I found this incredible Alaska Info site & thought of you. Grab a (whatever you drink) & plan on spending some time poking around here.
http://outdoorsdirectory.com/index.php
I hear Ak is almost as nice as BC
Nimpo Lake Logan... boonie SuperCubber
200mi (300km) from nearest stoplight... just right! - "Que hesitatus fornicatus est"
I hear Ak is almost as nice as BC
only with pistols!
Honestly, Haines is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska.
If I were driving from south and back, with Seward as a destination, my route would be up to Hns Jct., come down to Haines, up to Tok, to anchorage and Seward, back through anchorage to Fairbanks, (with a stop at Busers's kennel in big lake and other attractions around anchorage); Stop at the Malamute Saloon in Ester...
Back to Tok (through Delta), take the turn north to Dawson, then back to Whitehorse and south. Very little back track, lots of great places to visit...
or drive from Tok to Valdez, catch the ferry to Seward and drive back north to Anchorage.
Each highway has it's own draw, and all are different than the last. Something new to see everywhere. If you have three weeks to do the trip, schedule what a normal 2 week trip would be, and then you will actually have time to stop when you want to see something.
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
I agree! I choose to live in the Matanuska Valley beacause of the beauty and job opporutunities. Haines has all but the latter. If I could figure a way to make a living in Haines I would move there. The population of the Mat Valley is too large for my liking and it has grown too fast.
If I were driving from south and back, with Seward as a destination, my route would be up to Hns Jct., come down to Haines, up to Tok, to anchorage and Seward, back through anchorage to Fairbanks, (with a stop at Busers's kennel in big lake and other attractions around anchorage); Stop at the Malamute Saloon in Ester...
Back to Tok (through Delta), take the turn north to Dawson, then back to Whitehorse and south. Very little back track, lots of great places to visit...
or drive from Tok to Valdez, catch the ferry to Seward and drive back north to Anchorage.
Each highway has it's own draw, and all are different than the last. Something new to see everywhere. If you have three weeks to do the trip, schedule what a normal 2 week trip would be, and then you will actually have time to stop when you want to see something.
Pretty close to what we were thinking, Whitehorse to Dawson, Tok to Anchorage and Seward. Then time permitting up to Fairbanks back to Tok and down. How many hours from Haines junction to Haines? We were planning on skipping the ferry's with the dogs.
Last edited by Cub X; 03-13-2012 at 07:15 PM.
Kevin
For something a little different try:
http://www.denalisights.com/
I have some motion sickness pills that will definitely work for your mom. I would be happy to send some to you no charge. She needs to fly to see the real Alaska. skyrat
skyrat
May I suggest these side trips,
Riverboat Discovery, Chena Hotsprings, and UAF museum and MuskOx in FAI.
Kennicott and McCarthy, long drive but awesome. Really should consider this, as in just do it.
Denali Highway, between Paxson and Cantwell lousy gravel road but awesome.
Talkeetna, quick easy drive from ANC, little bit touristy.
Denali Park, take a bus for a long but enjoyable day. It is the Alaska version of a zoo.
Seward Sealife Aquarium, once again easy day trip from ANC.
Take food and drinks for all the above, many times places to eat are few and far between or just not there, good foul weather gear, and more time than you think you need. Buy a Milepost book/guide.
I would suggest some sort of boat trip to see wildlife or a small half day fishing trip. Illness or motion sickness as mentioned might be an issue.
Mike
Pokette,
From Homer, at the end of the Kenai, you can charter a flight out to Katmai National Park to view Brown bears in the wild feeding on rich grasses in a small valley. Advanced reservations are essential. Our charter company flew two 206s out there and landed on the beach.
No need to take big telephoto lens with you on this excursion, trust me. A couple of times we could hear the Browns chewing. This was the highlight of my trip last summer.
Last edited by Norm Lunt; 03-15-2012 at 10:20 AM.
Former CFII. Sold my 2001 Maule M7 260C
I wasn't ready to say goodbye: www.shaunlunt.typepad.com
Norm
Good to see you still on the site
Bill
Very Blessed.
We have our itinerary set. Anchorage on the 2nd of June, Talkeetna on the 3rd and 4th, Denali on the 5th and 6th, Anchorage on the 7th, Vancouver on the 8th and 9th, home on the 10th..
Any supercubbers in the area want to meet for coffee, tea, lunch.. etc. Love to get together.
Diana
314-537-7381
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Have fun, Diana! Can't wait to see your pictures and hear all about your trip.
Anne.
Baloney is still baloney, no matter how thin you slice it.
weather forecast is for rain showers every day we are there. Will that happen?
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Most likely. Bring your rain coat! Have fun. -EG
Speedo
Diana,...the forecast doesn't get much better than this. "Scattered showers" is just a CYA for the weather forecasters.
No big storms coming in, or forecasted steady rain. Should be fine. But do bring some rain gear. A sweater or jacket under a GoreTex/etc jacket will feel pretty nice in the evenings or during the "scattered showers". Temps will likley be a bit cooler than you're used to in the summer.
Jim W
Dillingham
Zone Forecast: Susitna Valley
Today...Partly sunny with isolated rain showers. Highs around 60 except in the mid 40s to lower 50s toward the park. Light winds.
Tonight...Cloudy with scattered rain showers. Lows in the mid 30s to mid 40s. Light winds.
Saturday...Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Highs in the lower 50s to mid 60s. Light winds.
Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Lows in the upper 30s to upper 40s. Variable wind to 10 mph.
Sunday...Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Light winds.
Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Lows in the 40s.
Monday And Monday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Highs in the 60s. Lows in the 40s.
Tuesday And Tuesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Highs in the 60s. Lows in the 40s.
Wednesday And Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain. Highs in the 60s. Lows in the 40s.
Thursday...Partly sunny with a chance of rain showers. Highs in the 60s.
There's an old saying that only fools forecast the weather in Alaska. There's some truth to that. Prepare for some sprinkles. Expect bugs. Don't complain too much about either because both are products of warmer weather than we're having right now. Yesterday felt like winter. It was 42* this morning but at least the winds have laid down. Good summer weather in Alaska is relative to how bad the winter weather was. If you don't like our summer? Come on back in January.
Getting really excited. Mom is almost here to STL, and we are off in the morning.
I have sweatshirt and rain gear ready to go!
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The thing most new visitors marvel over is the sunrise at 4:30 and sunset at 11:30. And it's light earlier and later than that. Like George Carlin's Hippy Dippy Weatherman would say, the forecast is for widely scattered light. Lots of it.
diana,
mile 80 ,10 miles north of willow headed to talkeetna stop by or call will take ya'll to lunch,tour our little bit of heaven,bill rusk plastered my place all over the internet during his last trip up!! if for some reason we don't get to meet,you and mom have a great time while you are here,not enough time to see much,so you''ll be back!!!
mile 80 left -(west) on wilderness rim,left on south airpark place-left side-(east side) of the gravel runway,next to last log home&hanger.
907-495-2655
cell coverage is spotty after willow until you reach talkeetna
jr. hammack same on sc.org
character ref: really wondering to list this bunch,but why not!!!!!
ron massey
steve eaton
steve johnson
steve pierce
bill rusk
laura johnson
:
Indeed. I forgot to mention that Jr Hammack makes a GREAT breakfast. Cowboy beans and all. No kidding, best breakfast I had in Alaska. Highly recommended!
Thanks again Jr. I'll be back.
Bill
Very Blessed.
Thanks you are the best. We will not have a car.. we are doing the train with the dome thing.
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Diana - now that will be a movie???
Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not.
I can only try
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160 miles from the Jct. to Haines...
I don't know where you've been me lad, but I see you won first Prize!
What time does your train depart Anchorage? Maybe we can arrange a fly-by.
Life in Alaska isn't always easy, but it has its rewards.
Leaves at 8:15am
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Missed a flyby...
Trip was fantastic. We arrived in Anchorage with time to walk around Lake Hood. Stayed at Lake Hood Inn B&B, great place. Weather was great the entire trip. Took the train to Talkeetna, spent the next day waiting for the ceilings to lift so I could do my glacier flight. No joy. Hiked around the rivers, went up the road 2 miles and hiking through a local park, did some geocaching. Next day did the glacier ride with K2 Aviation first thing. They and all their employees were fantastic. I spent some time chatting them up the day before, and upon arrival. Greg was a fantastic Beaver pilot and allowed me to ride copilot - even offered a cub ride if I was going to be there for a couple more days until his day off. Rushed to the train - K2 again was great getting me there with 7 minutes to spare! Train to Denali. Stayed at the Denali Bluffs Hotel - a bit pricy for the services. Hiked all around the entrance to the park the next day - again great weather. Pizza joint was fantastic. Train back to Anchorage then on to Vancouver to visit family.
Thanks for all the suggestions. It is good to hear so many as then I can pick the ones that fit with the vacation that works for us... so
Train with the dome car - spot on - great ride, lots of room, pleasant people all around.
Glacier ride - spot on - fantastic ride even without seeing the top of Denali. K2 was great.
Going in early June to miss the crowds - again spot on - great weather cool days about 60ish, and 40ish at night, some low ceilings, but mostly great. Loved seeing Alaska start to bloom.
I posted pictures on Facebook in the supercub pages.
Hope to return some time with the Graham group via an airplane gaggle!
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Regarding the fly-by, you were already on your way when I got the message about your departure time. You were headed north, I was headed west to the Yentna. I guess you'll just have to come back soon and we'll try again.
Bruce
Life in Alaska isn't always easy, but it has its rewards.
Deal!!!Regarding the fly-by, you were already on your way when I got the message about your departure time. You were headed north, I was headed west to the Yentna. I guess you'll just have to come back soon and we'll try again.
Bruce
Keep in touch or keep on touching
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A couple of short video's of the trip:
https://vimeo.com/44291440
Keep in touch or keep on touching
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Keep in touch or keep on touching
www.votawaviation.com
Definately on the list for our next trip back. Alaska was awesome, as was the Yukon. We caught everything as it was just opening, no bugs yet and reasonable temps for that time of year. Couldn't believe the amount of activity at Lake Hood, and all the cubs in one location. Loaded up at Stodards and Atlee for the supercub project and did a fishing charter in Seward which netted a King and some Halibut. I have never had such delicious seafood and we did on the trip, everything fresh not frozen sure makes a huge difference. Put 10125 k.m on the rig but worth every penny and already dreaming of a return trip one day.
Kevin
Maisie and the Train of Destiny!! Love it. Go Maisie Go!!
Di ~ thanks for sharing your trip with us. I'm heading back up in August and will incorporate some of these suggestions into my travel plans. I don't geocache, but I bet I'll find some treasures!
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