SkinnyG
SkinnyG HalfDork
6/10/13 9:53 a.m.

If you're up for a drive (only road in is through the Canada side), you could go to Hyder and get Hyderized at either (or both) of the two pubs that claim they invented it. Stop at the Toaster Museum in Stewart BC while you're there, just because you can.

Lesley
Lesley PowerDork
6/10/13 10:45 a.m.

Oh man, I am so envious. I've driven through Alaska twice, both times in deep winter.

Take the Denali Park drive - you'll see Mt. McKinley, N. America's biggest mountain. We crossed the Yukon River and drove north on Dalton Highway - there are some fabulous, breathtaking views along the way, and you won't see any traffic other than big rigs heading to the oil fields. We continued on up to the Arctic Circle, then to Coldfoot Camp which is the very last stop for food or gas on the Dalton Highway until you hit Prudhoe Bay. It's a great place to stay over, very "rustic" but you can meet some really interesting people there. About 20 minutes away is the settlement of Wiseman, comprised of original log cabins. There are still a few intrepid souls living there.

If you continue, you'll go over the Atigun Pass, which is one of the most dangerous roads in the world in winter.
Deadhorse is a great place to stay once you've reached the oil fields. Although it's not fancy, I'd recommend the Deadhorse Inn over the hotel, as the food is just fantastic - but the bathrooms & showers are communal. There's some pretty cool seismic vehicles parked around and if you're lucky, you'll run into a geologist, as I did, who can tell you some pretty interesting tales about the land and its geological structure. If you actually want to see Prudhoe Bay, you have to call in advance (at least 24 hours) to get permission, otherwise forget it.

jere
jere Reader
6/10/13 10:55 a.m.

In reply to coolusername:

I would recommend finding a good spot and doing as little driving as possible to take in all in. Get some bear bells and spray and do some hiking/fishing or something else to see the woods. I stayed in Sitka for a couple weeks plants and animals like no where else I've ever been.

klb67
klb67 New Reader
6/10/13 3:23 p.m.

We did this to visit friends that were in Anchorage for a year. We traveled with them for a few days then they gave us their truck for another 4-5 days until we had to be back in Anchorage for our flight out.

Most important - Alaska is huge, with some dirt highways. We planned to be in Soldonta and Seward and also considered going to Denali until we figured out how long it would take to drive there and back. We decided going far north and far south of Anchorage in the same trip (factoring when we had to bring our friends back to Anchorage) wasn't worth it, so we saved Denali and parts farther north for the next trip. We camped and canoed near Talkeetna for a few days. Spent time hiking, etc. in Seward and Soldonta. Took a glacier/wildlife day cruise out of Whittier that was fun. Salmon fished on the Russian River and one other (not Kenai - it was closed) - I forget which. That may have been why we were near Soldonta. It was a great trip overall and we will go back.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy UltraDork
6/10/13 3:36 p.m.
SkinnyG wrote: If you're up for a drive (only road in is through the Canada side),

I lol'd...big enough tires, I think you could come in from the Siberian side.

RealMiniDriver
RealMiniDriver SuperDork
6/10/13 8:37 p.m.

I just picked my folks up from the airport, after vacationing in Alaska for a week and a half. From the brief report I got on the way back to their house, I got the impression that a lot of places don't accept credit cards - cash or check, only.

Lesley
Lesley PowerDork
6/10/13 8:40 p.m.

We used credit cards in hotels and at gas stations. Little out of the way greasy spoons, we paid cash.

Lesley
Lesley PowerDork
6/10/13 8:41 p.m.

Oh yeah... prepare to pay quite a bit more for fruit, etc. The first time I went, I got really sick of the truck stop food we were eating, and picked up fruit at the grocery store in Anchorage. A bag of apples was about $7, grapes were ridiculous and bananas were about $1 each.

SkinnyG
SkinnyG HalfDork
6/10/13 9:38 p.m.

Oh - one more thing - make sure the motorhome comes with EXTRA spare tires (more than one). Ask me how I know.

Lesley
Lesley PowerDork
6/10/13 9:43 p.m.

Yeah, this. We had a trailer with extra rims, windshields and fuel.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/10/13 9:53 p.m.

I am not a cruise ship kinda guy.. but I think the Alaskin Cruises seem pretty neat

The_Jed
The_Jed SuperDork
6/11/13 12:03 a.m.

Learn me: Hiding in someone's luggage without them noticing.

fasted58
fasted58 PowerDork
6/11/13 9:54 a.m.

Was there in '98. Bring a good camera. Talkeetna is an interesting town, has a small airport w/ flight tours around Denali. Portage Glacier boat tour was cool. Wasilla has a transportation museum.... must see for a GRMer, you won't believe how they adapted vehicles and machinery from the lower 48 to meet the needs of Alaska back in the day. Not much for me in Anchorage but food, skip the Caribou menu... it's everywhere. Hiked and camped the ridges, lotta trails.

Never made it north of Denali because our itinerary was southern. Always planned to return in an RV for a month tour.

Meet the people, they are part of the experience.

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