Alaska suggestions

[dirko]

Hi Ho: Now that we have determined to take the toad we have a request. We have been trying for 2 years now to make the Alaska trip and still plan for this next summer. I went Halibut fishing at Larson Bay on Kodiak Island last summer and had a great time. Now we need to plan a trip for a couple of months in the motorhome.

Would those of you who have been there suggest one or two things to do or places to go that you enjoyed. That would help us at least plan a route and have things to look for.

Thanks, Dirk

[Chickadee]

Boy!..that's a tall order since there are SO many possible suggestions.

A few things......after visiting the Kenai, and most probably on your way out of Alaska as opposed to on your way into Alaska, we'd sure suggest a stay in Valdez (wonderful and great fishing), and also consider visiting the best kept secret in Alaska...a drive down to Haines (bears, moose, eagles, fishing, fabulous scenery).
On your way out, cut South at Haines Jct. for a wonderful drive into Haines, and consider taking the ferry from Haines across Lynn canal over to Skagway when ya leave Haines. It cost us about $240. for our 40 ft. MH and tow car, but was less costly than driving back up to Haines Jct., then over East to visit Skagway....and....ya don't want to miss Skagway. Then, upon departing Skagway, simply drive back up to the Alaska Hyw., and East over to Rt. 37 South (the Cassier Hwy) down to a must stop visit to Stewart/Hyder to see the Salmon Glacier (Stupendous Vista!!) as ya migrate back to the lower 48.

You're gonna LOVE IT ALL!!! Steve & Lynette

[hamguy]

Originally Posted by dirko

Would those of you who have been there suggest one or two things to do or places to go that you enjoyed. That would help us at least plan a route and have things to look for.

Thanks, Dirk

All of it and all of it. Stay as long as you can, see as much as you can. Take a big computer hard drive to hold all the pix, and take them. Neater places incude, Denali, Homer, and then every where else, not necessarily in that order.

Enjoy!

[LindaH]

My suggestion: See all you can see; drive all the roads you can drive. Take along The Milepost and Mike & Terri Church's Alaska book. Also, if you plan on doing any tours, buy The Great Alaskan Tour Saver...many two-for-one coupons for tours.

One other suggestion: Plan on longer than 2 months! The last time we went to Alaska in 2001, we crossed over the border into Canada on May 19 and didn't return to the Lower 48 until September 6...a trip of almost 4 months, and we still didn't get to see everything.

[Gary RVRoamer]

All good suggestions. Plus, if you want to see bears, up close and personal. go to Hyder (in the panhandle) when the salmon are running. There is a bear watch area a few miles outside of town that is matchless - a boardwalk right over the stream where the bears feed.

[jjr4]

dirko,
I second the recommendation of the book by Mike and Terri Church. We used the sample itinerary as the starting point for our 4 month trip in 2007 and found it invaluable.
It is hard to choose the "best" but would highly recommend the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, Denali National Park, Dawson City, fly in to Katmai National Park from Homer, Stewart/Hyder for bear watching, and the evening boat trip from Homer to Halibut Cove for dinner (great food watching bald eagles etc).
Take as much time as you can - you will not be disappointed.

[dirko]

Hi Ho: You guys are great! That is exactly the kind of suggestions I was looking for. There are things that you just discover that may not be well known. For example, as we were in the Sun Valley area a few years ago we heard about an abandoned mining town. Since we didn't have the toad we just headed out with the motorhome and what started out as a good road gradually turned into a jeep trail. What we eventually found is a beautiful place in the mountains with a really well developed mining town (about 5000 population) from somehwere around the turn of the century that looks like the people were operating it and simply walked away--everything still there. What a cool find! Looking forward to Alaska.

Thanks again for your suggestions.
Dirk

[Lincoln4]

Laird Hotsprings, Camp on the waterfront at Seward (and take a boat tour to the Kenai Fjords NP), Take the bus at Denali (not the tour bus, the old rickety school buses!), and definitely the bears at Hyder and the Salmon Glacier.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by LindaH

My suggestion: Take along The Milepost and Mike & Terri Church's Alaska book.

One other suggestion: Plan on longer than 2 months! The last time we went to Alaska in 2001, we crossed over the border into Canada on May 19 and didn't return to the Lower 48 until September 6...a trip of almost 4 months, and we still didn't get to see everything.

Hi LindaH,

We plan on leaving Southern CA for Alaska sometime early in May. We are planning to be in Eagle River before May 21st. Spending 2 months visiting my oldest son and family then motoring to Fairbanks to spend another two months with my younger son. We will be heading out of Fairbanks around the middle of September depending on weather. Maybe later if the weather won't allow us to travel right away.

I was told to definitely have the Milepost book on hand but I have not heard about the Church's Alaskan Book. What can you tell me would be the advantage of having the Church's book besides the Milepost?

Thanks for your help and giudance.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[LindaH]

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I was told to definitely have the Milepost book on hand but I have not heard about the Church's Alaskan Book. What can you tell me would be the advantage of having the Church's book besides the Milepost?

The Milepost is a great mile-by-mile description, but their ads for campgrounds and RV parks are written by the advertisers, so you have to take them with a grain of salt. Mike & Terri' book gives their view of the various RV parks and campgrounds. It's probably as close to an unbiased view as you can get.

Besides information on RV parks and campgrounds, there is a lot of other good information in their book on things to see and do. Here's the direct link to their website: http://www.rollinghomes.com

[dsbike]

My wife & I are planning on backpacking on the Alaskan Marine Highway this coming summer. Leaving Prince Rupert and ending up in Haines. Taking apprx 3 weeks. Would the Churches book be beneificial to us also.

[chiefdave]

Did not see anyone mention "Denali National Park". A great place to visit! We spent several days inside the park (26 miles) at Teklanika campground. You can catch the bus from there to access the rest of the park, another 59 miles. Would recommend you take the bus to Eielson Visitor Center. You will be amazed at the number of wildlife you will see during the bus trip to and from the campground. If you are in the mood for a hike, suggest the “Alpine Hike” at Eielson Visitor Center. You will be very happy you did when you see the great views of Mt McKinley. You do not need to travel any further inside the park. If you are driving to Alaska from the West recommend the Cassier Highway. The road was completely finished on our return to the lower 48 last year. Anyway you go, drive wisely and bring extra air filters etc.. Recommend the milepost and add more days to your trip. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. We spent 5 months and plan to return in 2011 to see the rest of the state…. Have a safe trip.

[Bill2]

The biggest thing I would suggest is if you are there when it is the rainy season, June, early July, don't take the MH with toad on the Top of the World Hwy, thru Chicken North or from the North, South thru Chicken. Our experience is that if it is raining the small rocks on the road stick to the tires on the vehicles and then are thrown up under the vehicles and onto the toad really bad. We paid dearly because of that. If it is dry then the dust is bad but that is better than the rain. Maybe you can protect the toad with covers but the undercarrage of the MH and inside of the engine compartment on the toad will be covered with the muddy rocks etc. I hope this is understandable as I ramble on. We were there on that hwy. in late June of 2005. We plan to go back in a future year.
Bill

[indiana journey]

All of the above and don't forget Valdez. We also enjoyed the Stan Stephens cruise out of Valdez. Have fun!
Indiana Journey