North to Alaska

[LARRY-CURLY]

Scenic Route,

We are in Haines. Boondocked at Destruction Bay on the water last night. The road from Tok was 25 miles of construction with that gray mud you talked about. I didn't have time to measure, but about 30 or 40 miles of woopty-te-do's. Take it slow.

We leave Haines by ferry to Skagway on Friday. A couple of days there and its back up to the Alaska Hwy. We should be on the same schedule from that point on. We will look for you.

[new rver]

leaving anchorage heading to fairbanks. we stayed at centenhial park 25 $ a night no hook ups.dump & water. by hwy didn't bother us.left mh here for 2 nights as we took train ride no problems.loved this part of ak. seaward,whitter, spit & kenia can't beleave this part of trip is over.
safe travles bob,linda & missy

[new rver]

stayed at talkeetna camper park close to town but by train and air field.micro brews and the 5# hanburg.the best thing this morn at 10:30 am we usually leave at 9 but had to do wash made blueberry pancakes got late start.going down road to hwy 3 some one taking a picture behind us. holy cow mount McKinley full view what a site to c.
safe travles bob,linda & missy

[scenic route]

LARRY-CURLY, Hello, wish we were on the ferry with you...we'll have to go back up the Haines Hwy. and on to the construction zone, but wow, that was some drive from Haines Junction into Haines. That is my favorite drive yet. Hope the road is as smooth as it was when we drove it Wednesday...we'll leave Haines this coming Wednesday morning for Skagway. I've heard the drive into Skagway is a beautiful one as well. Still do not know where we'll stay there.

We liked Haines so much that we decided to stay a week. The bears on the Chilkoot River are active and we got REAL close (not on purpose) to a mother and her two cubs. She had just caught a large salmon and came out of some brush along side of the road where we were. Jan got a picture of her with the fish still wiggling...too close but a thrill just the same. We stay in the Jeep now. The Southeast Alaska State Fair is in town, so we'll check it out this weekend.

Hope to see you guys in Skagway, but if not, see ya down the road. Bob

P.S. Bet your drive to Skagway will be smoother than ours.
BTW, if anyone is on their way to Skagway, we stayed at the Oceanside RV park...nothing to write home about, but the view is million dollar and the people who run the place are nothing short of accommodating. It's also very close to town...walking distance to a good bakery too! Full HU's with 30 A service @ $36 a night. We checked out the others and feel we made the right choice. It is a small park so the early bird...

[Chickadee]

Jan & Bob (Scenic Route):

Ain't that Haines area a GREAT PLACE !!! ???

Just curious....wondering as to why you didn't take your rig over to Skagway from Haines on the ferry rather than than the long 300 mile + drive up to Haines Jct., and around down to Skagway?

Steve & Lynette

[new rver]

skagway or haines thought we would go to one ride ferry to other.or should drive mh to both just getting feed back about a week out as were in fairbanks.any feed back would b great.
safe travles bob,linda & missy

[LARRY-CURLY]

We took the ferry on Friday. With 30' MH, 15' toad(separate) and two adults was $194. Easy on, 1 hour beautiful ride and easy off. The fast ferry from one side to the other dosen't give you access to the surounding scenery. If you are on a time limit, you also gain (We are not).

[scenic route]

Originally Posted by Chickadee

Jan & Bob (Scenic Route):

Ain't that Haines area a GREAT PLACE !!! ???

Just curious....wondering as to why you didn't take your rig over to Skagway from Haines on the ferry rather than than the long 300 mile + drive up to Haines Jct., and around down to Skagway?

Steve & Lynette

Yes, Haines is what a visit to Alaska is all about. Bear viewing and the view from our CG is nothing short of spectacular. We even saw some whales from our picture window(RV windshield) out on Lynn Arm. Eagles soaring over the beach and stealing food from the gulls. It's our favorite place so far. We lucked out...the Southeast Alaska State Fair is in town and the pulled pork and corn on the cob were great...heard some good music as well.

We haven't left Haines yet and the drive from Haines Junction into Haines is one of my favorites(well, except for the construction zone), so I thought it would be nice to see it from a different perspective. After reading LARRY-CURLY's quote on the ferry(thank you very much), I think we better check it out...we leave for Skagway Wednesday so that may well be an option if there is still room on the boat. Thanks to both of you for the tips. Bob

[new rver]

thanks for the info about the ferry. we sure will check it out.
safe travles bob,linda & missy

[scenic route]

It's Sunday and no one is answering their phone. We've checked and it seems there is about 3 CGs in Skagway. Any recommendations?

After we eat, we will drive out to the Ferry Terminal and try to make reservations for Wednesday or Thursday...or whenever they have room. From the State Ferry website, the price is just a tad over the $200 mark - we would spend more on fuel driving around...thanks, Bob

[scenic route]

It's all set up...getting on the ferry to Skagway Thursday morning. For those planning on a visit to Haines and then ferry to Skagway(or visie versie), but were 'cost concerned'... for a 36' MH, vehicle(toad) less than 15' and two adults, the cost is right at $225.00. The trip, by road is almost 400 miles / by 7 miles to gal. = 57 gallons X $4.60 @gal. = about the same...plus a night's CG fee. It all comes out in the wash except for the experience, so we decided to go by boat. I'm getting excited...Jan not so much. I guess my comment: "It'll be just fine dear, as long as the ferry engine doesn't quit and we are smashed onto the rocks" didn't help matters. Sometimes I just can't seem to help myself...'character flaw' I suppose. Bob

[Chickadee]

Bob, Linda & Missy (new rver):

Sure can't recommend strongly enough visiting Haines for a few days or a week (or LONGER ! )... THEN... putting your rig on the ferry for the short trip across to Skagway. We stayed at the "Hitch Up" campground in Haines, and had a WONDERFUL time. Photographed moose at park just S. of Haines, fished salmon and dolly varden just N. of town, viewed eagles all over the place, and have SO many pics of the bears that our storage disk GROWLS at us , AND...spent a day with John Schnabble at his gold mining operation back West of town. We then hopped on the ferry with our 40 ft. mh and drove our tow car on separated (as required). Since the ferry came in and departed for Skagway VERY EARLY in the a.m. we had to move our rig from the campground up to the ferry terminal the night before and we spent that night lined up with others in the rig waiting for the (I think it was 4 a.m.) loading. Ofcourse we were a little concerned about gettin our rig onto and off the ferry but it was a piece of cake. Ya simply just keep your eye on the person directing you and DO what he/she says. Tow car goes on separately, propane (if any) must be turned off and they tag it as sealed before ya load.

As far as a campground over in Skagway, we got off the ferry, stopped in a marshalling area, saw a campground just on shore from the ferry terminal, swung over there, and WALLA!!..camped right there. Great place, but can't recall name. Three block walk to Main Street Skagway. Two blocks to train depot to book a train ride up and over the Whitehorse Pass (DO IT !!). Visit cemetery (Soapy Smiths grave and others). Skagway is kinda touristy, (unlike Haines which is the best kept secret in Alaska), but Skagway is fun too!!

Enjoy.

Steve & Lynette

[LARRY-CURLY]

Glad you made the fair. It opened on Thursday so we got to go.

As far as campgrounds go. Pullen Creek is walking distance to down town. First right in town off the ferry. It looks nce with water and electric only. We are staying at Garden City RV Park with full hkup., at the north end of town, and is nice. Drove by the other option and don't think you would like it.

We leave this morning for the Cassiar Hwy. Don't know how far we will get. I hear the drive out of here is so beautiful they built a RR to view it. Ha! There will probably be many stops along the way.

[new rver]

thanks for info just leaving fairbanks and heading to toke. going slow and injoying.
bob,linda & missy