vision
Ohio
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Did the trip in a 36' MH in 2004. No problems until return to US. The answer to no problems, I think, was preperation. I had all components of the MH checked before leaving. Covered all underside-wheelwells- with duct tape. Towed Saturn with homemade protector that fit on hitch. Traveled total 11897 miles in a little over 3 months. Stopped when we wanted to see museums on the Yellow Head highway and many,many for pictures. Went to the Artic Circle and traveled most of the highways in Alaska. No dust, no damaged windshields, and no paint damage to unit or toad. Follow speed limits or below. Total cost for entire trip was less than expected and we stayed in campgrounds every night.
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Rosher
Tyler, Texas
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Reading this post as a Texan and as one who has made two trips to AK (1998 and 2005), it reminded me of the time we ran into a couple on the Mall in Washington, D.C. who planned to visit all the Smithsonian Museums in one day!!!
Sometimes if you do not have or do not take the time to do something right, it's best not to do it at all.
On both of our trips we spent 4+ months and had no problems to speak of. Our cracked windshield occurred in Wyoming no less.
Yes, some scenery in Montana is spectacular as is some scenery in Northern British Columbia if you will only slow down enough to see it.
Allegro 32 BA
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CoastieSCPO
Monterey, Tn
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The day Doctor J posted, I wrote a response that ended up being quite long and the more I wrote, the more critical my comments were, so I just deleted my post. After reading the comments over what is now, five pages, my only thought is simple. Why doesn;t Doctor J respond to some of the very valid comments, critiques, both pro and con? Or he just "funnin us" as one of the previous posters said? Inquiring minds want to know! Personally, I enjoyed reading his comprehensive report, believable or not. We went to Alaska this year and it took 10 weeks which was really not enough time.
Bob
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oldgreybull
Glade Valley, NC
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Common guys, are you really going to hang in there and say you can't drive from TX to AK and back in less than 10 weeks? Nothing he said hasn't been done or experience as many other posters have confirmed. Why should he respond; he said what he thinks, why isn't that valid commentary? I hear criticism of why he didn't enjoy the experience, but several natives have confirmed that what he experienced is not unusual. So what's the beef?
06 Dodge Ram SLT 2500 QC SB 4x4 SRW 5.9L CTD Big Horn,Firestone airbags,Rancho 9000XL shocks,Hellwig sway bar,Rickson 19.5 wheels,Hankook DH01 tires,Line-X,front&rear cargo racks.
07 S&S 9' Bitteroot TC,Polar Cub A/C,FFan,Torklift/Fastguns,2Honda 2000i.
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jlawless
Kerala, India
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Joined: 07/23/2007
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I just got back from our fifth summer (and 1 winter) volunteering in Alaska driving the Alaska Highway each time. I'm sure this post is a parody for several reasons but since I meet the people being parodied here I will offer a few tips to those considering the trip.
1) if you are driving through remote Yukon and Alaska and require Fox News and instant Michael Jackson coverage - think about going to Disney World instead.
2) If you absolutely refuse to go without full hook-ups, think about staying home. To enjoy Alaska you need to experience the wildness of the place. I realize some of the bigger rigs just can't get into the best camp spots, but their are plenty of great places they do fit. If you need to be parked in a row fussing over tire sensors consider staying at that RV Park in Texas.
2) if you think customs agents want to hear your jokes - stay in the U.S. and save yourself the aggravation. Just answer their questions. That goes for any border crossing.
3) if you won't get out of your vehicle and go for a hike consider staying home. If you absolutely refuse to hike then consider spending MORE on flight tours to Katmai, flight tours to see Mt. McKinley or native villages, or boat rides (including river trips) to see more of Alaska.
4) If you have a plan that involves driving every day consider going someplace else. Alaska (outside of Anchorage) should be easy to savor slowly and the people are generally friendly and love to talk about Alaska, life in general, and even Sarah Palin.
5). If you won't stop long enough to enjoy Liard Hot Springs then consider flying or taking the ferry. Liard Hot Springs is a great place to break up the drive in the most beautiful and wildlife rich area of the Alaska highway. Stop and soak, then have lunch or dinner, and soak again. Warning, you probably won't get Fox News here.
6) If you don't see bison, stone sheep, caribou, moose, fox, and black bears between Fort Nelson and Watson Lake you are doing something wrong. Throw in an occasional Grizzly bear or Great Grey Owl and the density of wildlife in the Muskwa-Ketchika Management area far surpasses any in the lower 48.
7) If you think you need a GPS on the Alaska Highway or on the normal RV loop in Alaska then stay home - there just aren't enough roads to get lost.
I do think this was a parody, but I have met those people that refused to stop and enjoy the beauty right in front of them. But of course wildlife sightings are a little skill with some chance and luck. Driving constantly will decrease your chances not increase them. Being with large tour groups will decrease your chances not increase them. I met a nice lady who showed us wonderful high quality lynx pictures this year. She camped next to a professional photographer at Teklanika. He would go out every day and return disappointed he couldn't find a lynx. One day while the photographer was gone she stayed at the campground exploring and relaxing. Well, a lynx came right into the photgraphers camp and sat there for so long she got tired of taking photographs and finally left it alone. Of course, it was long gone by the time the professional photographer returned.
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
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oldgreybull
Glade Valley, NC
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jlawless wrote:I just got back from our fifth summer (and 1 winter) volunteering in Alaska driving the Alaska Highway each time. I'm sure this post is a parody for several reasons but since I meet the people being parodied here I will offer a few tips to those considering the trip.
1) if you are driving through remote Yukon and Alaska and require Fox News and instant Michael Jackson coverage - think about going to Disney World instead.
2) If you absolutely refuse to go without full hook-ups, think about staying home. To enjoy Alaska you need to experience the wildness of the place. I realize some of the bigger rigs just can't get into the best camp spots, but their are plenty of great places they do fit. If you need to be parked in a row fussing over tire sensors consider staying at that RV Park in Texas.
2) if you think customs agents want to hear your jokes - stay in the U.S. and save yourself the aggravation. Just answer their questions. That goes for any border crossing.
3) if you won't get out of your vehicle and go for a hike consider staying home. If you absolutely refuse to hike then consider spending MORE on flight tours to Katmai, flight tours to see Mt. McKinley or native villages, or boat rides (including river trips) to see more of Alaska.
4) If you have a plan that involves driving every day consider going someplace else. Alaska (outside of Anchorage) should be easy to savor slowly and the people are generally friendly and love to talk about Alaska, life in general, and even Sarah Palin.
5). If you won't stop long enough to enjoy Liard Hot Springs then consider flying or taking the ferry. Liard Hot Springs is a great place to break up the drive in the most beautiful and wildlife rich area of the Alaska highway. Stop and soak, then have lunch or dinner, and soak again. Warning, you probably won't get Fox News here.
6) If you don't see bison, stone sheep, caribou, moose, fox, and black bears between Fort Nelson and Watson Lake you are doing something wrong. Throw in an occasional Grizzly bear or Great Grey Owl and the density of wildlife in the Muskwa-Ketchika Management area far surpasses any in the lower 48.
7) If you think you need a GPS on the Alaska Highway or on the normal RV loop in Alaska then stay home - there just aren't enough roads to get lost.
I do think this was a parody, but I have met those people that refused to stop and enjoy the beauty right in front of them. But of course wildlife sightings are a little skill with some chance and luck. Driving constantly will decrease your chances not increase them. Being with large tour groups will decrease your chances not increase them. I met a nice lady who showed us wonderful high quality lynx pictures this year. She camped next to a professional photographer at Teklanika. He would go out every day and return disappointed he couldn't find a lynx. One day while the photographer was gone she stayed at the campground exploring and relaxing. Well, a lynx came right into the photgraphers camp and sat there for so long she got tired of taking photographs and finally left it alone. Of course, it was long gone by the time the professional photographer returned.
I enjoyed your posting, interesting and nicely written. Why, though, do insist things have to be "my way or the highway"? Do this and that or stay home? Fortunately we live in a free country and can disregard intolerance. I admire your willingness to do volunteer work; I'm sure you were helping others and not imposing yourself on them.
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jlawless
Kerala, India
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Joined: 07/23/2007
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OldGreyBull wrote:Fortunately we live in a free country
I agree!
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Rosher wrote:
Sometimes if you do not have or do not take the time to do something right, it's best not to do it at all.
Naturally, I disagree. And I suspect the proprietors of Alaskan and Canadian lodging and RV establishments, especially in this economy, disagree also??
Is my life ruined because we didn't have time to see Hyder or Whittier or the Arctic Sea?? I hope not.
What I DID see impacted my life immensely. Made me fall in love with western Canada and Alaska. Made me want to go back some day. Makes me want to make sure my kids see it too - because I truly believe you can't appreciate it until you've been there. Even if it's only for a brief period of time.
Deb
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CoastieSCPO
Monterey, Tn
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Well, one thing is certain; this thread certainly got folks to think about Alaska and their own personal experiences. And that's a good thing!
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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Rosher wrote:Sometimes if you do not have or do not take the time to do something right, it's best not to do it at all.
And "right" is the way you like to do it?? Sometimes I only have time for a quick look, to see what interests me the most for when I do have the time and $$,$$$ to do it "properly". There's a whole lot of world out there. The reason we take cruise ships more and more (and have put the purchase of a 34-foot Class A on hold) is because that's the easiest and cheapest way to see the highlights - others find quick RV trips the best. The reason I've been living in Whitehorse for the past 20 years is that I fell in love with the place on a whirlwind trip with my Cessna back in 1985. Not the "right" way to experience the place but it's all I had time for - and it's all it took to change my life.
Murray
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