New Iberia, LA to Alaska or Bust.

[Dave Barras]

Ok folks, I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off (well I did have a day of rest) and didn't have internet until today. After getting back home had to load up and head to Kenedy, TX for work. I'll need a couple of days to post some pictures and compile the statistics. I did fly over 100 hours, met some really great people and made lots of memories. You guys made this trip one that I'll never forget.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Can't wait to hear and see more Dave.

 

[Dave Barras]

First glacier sighting.

 

[Dave Barras]

Tal and I headed to Ultima Thule Lodge. What a view!

 

[Dave Barras]

What an impressive line-up.

 

[Dave Barras]

Putting out eggs for the geocache with Tal. The fun meter was about to bust.

 

[Dave Barras]

I love those glaciers. They fascinate me.

 

[Dave Barras]

Honey, I found our new home. Start packing.
Actually this is Jake's Bar public use cabin and sauna.

 

[Dave Barras]

Drink straight from the Chitina River.
That's not something you try down in Louisiana :???:.

 

[Dave Barras]

Looks like Dave is just about home. I hope he posts some pictures also. I also would like to have some statists posted like how many total hours flown for this round trip. I'm just guessing like 160 hours and other takers? And how many gallons of fuel? Congrads Dave on a safe trip. I know you will have lots of memories and stories. Jon

Hours flown = 101
Fuel consumed = 717 gallons
Money for fuel = I'm not gonna post that, my wife might see it .
Most expensive fuel = Whitehorse $8.92 Canadian

 

[Dave Barras]

And Paul doesn't need a runway, the ramp will do.

 

[aktango58]

trying to find all of your pictures...

Glad you made is safe; did you fish?

 

[Dave Barras]

Hi George,
I did not fish, so much flying and so little time.
Work was calling, took a pipe test this morning.
Start work tomorrow :sad:

 

[Dave Barras]

My trip was a success due to the encouragement and help I received from many wonderful people. I will remember this experience for years to come.

I would like to say, “ Thank you very much”:

• Steve Johnson, for hunting me down, a great lunch, and the greatest website.
• Steve Pierce, for starting this thread for me, for hooking me up with Tal and sharing your knowledge and expertise with me. It helped me have the confidence to go on this trip.
• Cathy Pierce, for putting up with me, feeding me a great steak dinner and giving me a place to sleep it off.
• David Rice, for helping me tie down my airplane in a 40 knot wind and getting me to a hotel.
• Bill, Wup, Nicole, Sarah and Steve at Alaskan Bushwheel, for outstanding customer service.
• Wup and Nicole, for a great dinner and getting my airplane in a hangar at 11:OO pm due to 40+mph winds, my hats off to you.
• Dan and Sally Lilja, of Lilja Riffle Barrels, for the ride, lunch and great tour of your machine shop.
• Bob Barrows, of Bearhawk Aircraft , for being a great flying companion from Lethbridge, Canada to Northway, Alaska.
• Rick Kohlruss, for taking Bob and me in out of the rain and showing us great hospitality.
• Dieter and Karen, for the ride to your home, great food and making Bob and me feel like family.
• Tal Erickson, for showing me around Anchorage and some super-cool supercub geocaching. I had a great time Tal.
• Jym and Cathy Erickson, for warm hearts, great food and a comfortable stay.
• Paul (the man) and Donna Claus, for a life changing experience. The lodge and food were awesome, I recommend this place to everyone.
• Loni Habersetzer, for sharing your knowledge and experience with me.
• Larry Rivers, for showing me around Talkeetna, and putting me up in your hangar. I wished I could have stayed longer.
• The Fairbanks airport security guy, for bring me a bicycle to get around on.
• George Campbell, for getting me to go to Haines. I almost didn’t go but very glad I did. Oh and a place to rest for the night.
• Drake, of Alaska Wingmen and flydrake.com, for a great visit and much BS.
• Gary and Jan Kempt, for opening your home to me and for the pizza.
• To all who posted comments to help make this trip a fun and safe one.
• My apologies if I have forgotten anyone.
• My wife and best friend (I’m working for brownie points here, I smell another trip), for putting up with me and having patience.

 

[Dave Barras]

First gravel bar, its a big one .

 

[Dave Barras]

And a little wx comming into Whitehorse.

 

[Dave Barras]

The pass leading to Skagway, the gps says i'll be 40'msl in just a few miles.
It didn't seem real, 40' msl in a few miles.

But there it is...

 

[Clayton Harper]

Dave, if your trip didn't inspire anyone, your nice thank you should. A great example to follow, I know, at least for me. Thank you.

 

[aktango58]

Come on back!

This time I will hang out and take you fishing.

 

[Tal Erickson]

Awesome Photos Dave and a really fun trip to watch! It was fun hanging out with you here in Anchorage and at the lodge. Hopefully you can show me some cool spots around where you live this winter.

 

[Dave Barras]

Awesome Photos Dave and a really fun trip to watch! It was fun hanging out with you here in Anchorage and at the lodge. Hopefully you can show me some cool spots around where you live this winter.

Looking forward to it whenever you come. Hopefully I won't still be stuck in South Texas.

 

[aktango58]

:lol:

Looking forward to it whenever you come. Hopefully I won't still be stuck in South Texas.

at least it is not North of the Red River with the outlaws!:lol:

 

[Dave Barras]

Many of you may recognize this fellow that I bumped into and spent a little time BSing with.

Enjoyed the visit Drake and hopefully we'll run into each other again in the future.

 

[Dave Barras]

Looking for the pass! We don't see this kinda thing in Louisiana!

 

[Dave Barras]

The blue hole points the way.

 

[Dave Barras]

The other side looked great!

 

[Dave Barras]

This ain't Kansas and that ain't the yellow brick road.
Beautiful!

 

[Dave Barras]

Headed for Watson Lake. Not the best of conditions.

 

[Bill Rusk]

Dave

Awesome trip and I have really enjoyed following it. Thank you for posting. If I may offer a suggestion. When you hit the insert image cue there will be a box that says


[TABLE="class: cke_dialog_contents, width: 1"]
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[TD="class: cke_dialog_ui_vbox_child, bgcolor: transparent, align: left"][h=2]Add an Image from Url[/h]

Allowed Filetypes: jpg, jpeg, png, gif​

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URL

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Retrieve remote file and reference locally​

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Uncheck the box by that says "Retrieve remote file and reference locally" and your pictures will come out larger for us old farts that can't see so good anymore. Thanks again for posting. Looks like a Bucket list trip. Great job.

Bill

 

[Dave Barras]

Bill, I down load from "My Computer", there's no box to uncheck there. Download from URL ????

At Watson Lake there is a gazebo at the west end of the runway for airplane camping with a wood burning stove. There is also a Coleman lantern which I forgot there.