ALASKA TRIP

[akav8r]

Well here's the deal, I'll be heading to AK early spring 09'. The
trip will Start in Mid Georgia and end in Fairbanks or Anchorage
area. I will be leaving mid April and shoot to arrive in mid May. I
have driven part of the ALCAN in AK and the Yukon, also driven
other "back" roads in AK and BC, however not in "the Bird". I am
aware of several various road condition web sites etc. What I am
looking for is someone who has done this before to give me some
common sense advice. Like do I need chains, when do I use them etc.
and other things that I don't know enough to ask. I have had the
Bird for a little over a year now and am pretty comfortable driving
it. I grew up on a farm and am a Flight instructor and commercial
pilot so I'm used to the oversized heavy equpment thing. However
lets remember the I grew in the HOT flat south where one snow flake
can send a whole county into panic. Being a pilot I want to know as
much about a trip before I leave and I want a backdoor at all times.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience or good advice.

THANKS in advance.
Wendel
82FCSB
"Change of Venue"

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

Wendel:
We drove to AK in 1983..took the Cassiar hwy all the way.....drove
TOP of the World hwy too......It was not open yet at the time but the
Road closed sign was down......I almost went over a cliff with the
rushing/thawing water comming from the mountain...it was very scary
at the time......5 MPH for a scary 1/2 mile to the other
side.....when I got to the USA entrance, the Ranger asked me if I
knew the HWY was not open yet due to the THAW.....I would have shot
the guy who took down the "ROAD CLOSED sign had I found him!!
Bottom line..do not go up to AK too early..I went late May and should
have waited a month...... another thing.....watch out where u buy
diesel...ask around.......watch out for "bargains"....I learned the
hard way........take at least five(5) Racor fuel filters plus the
normal fuel filters........not many motorhomes when we went up in
1983, only saw two or three the entire trip......Mosqiutoes at
Fairbanks were large enough to BBQ...well maybe not that big.....they
had a late spring at denali so when we stayed there, the grizzlies
were comming into the campground..a bit scary...highlite of the
entire trip was staying at HOMER SPIT for a month.....ate enough
DONGENISH CRABS to last a lifetime..also HALIBUT.......
Those were the days...enjoy your trip...sorry this is so long....
regards,
Hank Hannigan & Naty
90SP36 stored in Vegas






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "akav8r" wrote:
>
> Well here's the deal, I'll be heading to AK early spring 09'. The
> trip will Start in Mid Georgia and end in Fairbanks or Anchorage
> area. I will be leaving mid April and shoot to arrive in mid May.
I
> have driven part of the ALCAN in AK and the Yukon, also driven
> other "back" roads in AK and BC, however not in "the Bird". I am
> aware of several various road condition web sites etc. What I am
> looking for is someone who has done this before to give me some
> common sense advice. Like do I need chains, when do I use them
etc.
> and other things that I don't know enough to ask. I have had the
> Bird for a little over a year now and am pretty comfortable driving
> it. I grew up on a farm and am a Flight instructor and commercial
> pilot so I'm used to the oversized heavy equpment thing. However
> lets remember the I grew in the HOT flat south where one snow flake
> can send a whole county into panic. Being a pilot I want to know
as
> much about a trip before I leave and I want a backdoor at all
times.
> I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience or good
advice.
>
> THANKS in advance.
> Wendel
> 82FCSB
> "Change of Venue"
>

[erniecarpet@...]

Wendel, make sure your chassis heaters work.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40 Wanderlodge
Weatherford, Texas

---

Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now.

[Juergen]

--- Hi Wendel
We drove our Bird to Alska in 1997. Heck, that was 11 years ago. How
time flies. Anyway, we towed a jeep wrangler, a1995 model, and I used
only small pieces of bubblewrap to cover the coach headlights. The
roads today are almost all paved, there might be a few spots of gravel
here and there, construction is a big thing there sort of like the PA
Turnpike, always some part to fix. Course, alaskan's have a reason,
very cold winters, except in Sitka. (maybe a lot of hot air in
Wasilla, (he, he,just don't read bad books.)
We also drove the Cassiar Highway, the Top of the World Highway, the
Dalton highway and countless others. I did NOT use any special
protection for the coach or jeep. Only the cover for the headlights.
We always carried a normal (make that a 2 week grocery supply) with us
and never even broke a single egg in the fridge.
My tow bar on the jeep was installed half-ass and wrong, (thank you
Detroit) and the jeep tried to pass me on the Cassiar. As soon as I
stopped, another RV'r was already behind me stopped, with his work
gloves on ready to help. You will NEVER be alone up there.
Some roads require a slower speed, don't plan on 75 -90, but do enjoy
the scenery at your leisure pace. Truckers are very friendly and
helpfull if needed. I am a retired airline pilot (USAir 757/767) so I
too like to know whats there.
May is the time when Alaska wakes up, late October it goes back to
sleep. Buy a copy of the MILE POST and go and have fun. Enjoy.
Juergen in PA
1991 WLSP 36
>

[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Hi there.
Although I do not live in Alaska, I live very close to it. We get the same kind of weather etc, and our roads are typical of theirs.
If you decide to take the Cassiar Hwy, please give me a call. We are one hours drive from the turnoff.

Phone 250 635 4321

Remember, costs up here are much higher than the south. We still are paying about $3.60 per gallon for fuel.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

---

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!