RoadLife wrote: I would consider flying to Alaska, renting the RV there, and spend the 21 days touring the state.
We are going up sometime in May, returning late August. Maybe we'll see y'all there.
Folks, the OP didn't mention it, but since "GAH" stands for "Great Alaskan Holidays", I suspect they are getting a deal in return for delivering a MH to Anchorage. That's how all those rental Winnebagos get to Alaska from Forest City,Iowa, where they're built.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.
Jim Shoe is correct - we are getting very favorable rates for this trip, plus the one way advantage. I have always wanted to make this trip, so I hope to enjoy the way up also. I did not want to violate any posting rules, so I have said very little about GAH. The details are on their website.
As I said, we are a few years from retirement and dream of being a fulltimer - but sensible enough to know that this experience may or may not alter that dream lol!
Oh my do I wish I could take more time for this trip. I am still employed full time as registered nurse and my hubby is still working fulltime. He has 3 more years - and I have "until I can get insurance" lol, as that is the driving force for full time employment at this stage of our life. So, I feel fortunate to be able to take a month of vacation next summer. I work on the route a couple of hours daily. I have looked at it from every angle - scenic, fastest.... and I only know that I can not do the fastest as 3-4 days of nothing but wheat fields would be unbearable. So, I think we will listen to the advice of a previous poster and cross the border at sweet grass. My dilemna tonight is do we or don't we drive through Banff and Jasper. I had scratched that from the route, but according to AAA, it really doesn't add too very much to the trip. So - still considering.
We are scheduled for our RV "class" at 8:50 on the day of departure. I think the video is 30 min. We will actually spend the night before in the RV, so we will pack/unpack etc. the night before. I am hoping to leave by 11:00 and plan to drive to Mitchell, SD area for the first night (about 250 miles). Next day we will take in a quick peek at the badlands and Mt. Rushmore and them maybe drive a little more before parking for the night. The rest is still fuzzy, but would love to reach the border by the next night with the 4th night closer to Jasper. Any comments or suggestions?
Lots of ambitious high milage driving planned here.
We did Alaska, from Maryland, this year. Our average came out at somewhere around 110 miles a day. Quite a few 3 night stops, many 2 night stops & a few 4 night stops. On a travel day a 300 mile or more was very rare.
The North is much more than stops for fuel.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
I appreciate your input. I was thinking to make the long drives until we reached the Al-can, then planned to slow it down. My thinking is that I can cut the sightseeing out of my first half of the trip, as I can very likely see Mt Rushmore another year. I will even bypass Banff/Jasper if needed as we covered Montana last year with an emphasis on Glacier Park. We are not afraid of long days initially - we drove from Gardnier, Mt to Many Glacier Lodge in one day and stopped for sights and a picnic. BUT ..that is not what I want from Dawson Creek northward. I want it slow and relaxed from that point. We plan to take a cruise on the homeward stretch, that includes Haines and Skagway, so we wont detour from the AlCan. Should rethink the 4 days of wheat fields?
I started my trip May 9, 2006. As I recall the first day or two out of Dawson Creek were not that bad. It took me five days to get from Dawson Creek to Tok, AK. I was driving a F250 pulling a heavy TT. I am sure you will want to go slower.
Reviewing my pictures of the trip, the last of those five days from Destruction Bay to Tok are numbered with “hell road” after the number, fwiw.
Buy fuel when ever you can. The Mile Post may say the next station is not that far up the road. But it may be closed or out of business. The frost heave flags on the side of the road are your friends, heed them.
If I do the trip again I would take I90 to I15. Faster and cheaper than going up to Winnipeg like I did. Many years ago I found I94 very tiring to drive.
If you haven't already traveled this route, may I suggest that rather than going straight north into Winnipeg,MB you plan to head west from Sioux Falls and cross into BC from Montana? Take advantage of one of the most beautiful, scenic roads in North America - the Icefield Parkway. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are all wonderful places to visit but the southern most portions will be long stretches of plowed fields with the afternoon sun in your face. Beautiful prairie.
However, if you cross the border from Montana on I 15 north of Great Falls head into Lethbridge, AB and travel west through Crows Nest Pass* and Pincher Creek, noting Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, you will get to something that will blow your socks off - The Icefield Parkway. While in AB, try to find some maple cookies at a grocery store. OMG
The ancient people believed Crows Nest to be the top of the Earth, the origin of life. as there are 4 rivers which flow N,S,E,W from there. It isn't an easy road, go slow and enjoy. You are renting a DP with Jakes, right? Then west to Fernie and on to the Icefield.
Go up to Prince George, then North on 97 all the way to Alaska?
Fuel prices are higher in Canada than the US and it is sold in liters. We always fuel up before crossing. We also fill up with fresh water and empty the waste tanks. You never know when you will be a few days drive to water or dump sites if you are traveling before the May Long Weekend.
May Long Weekend is one of the busiest weekends for camping in Canada, next is probably September Long Weekend. It is also when all the Provincial Parks, City RV parks and private RV parks open for business for the first time since September. After that, every weekend will be booked. Canadians love to camp.
Buy your beef here, wash, re-wrap and freeze before crossing. Not to suggest there isn't good beef in Canada but being from Omaha you will be disappointed.
If you like swiss or bleu cheese, or any mayo other than Kraft, get it at home before you leave. Stop at a WM Super Center in Montana and stock up on whatever you think you will need. I recommend stocking a supply of anything that comes in plastic bottles or wax cartons such as OJ, sodas, bottled water or beer. There are deposits and added taxes to these items. I think for 12 pack of soda, these add up to about $1.80 Canadian.
Stock TP for the entire trip, and butter. If you like anything other than Kraft salad dressing, buy it before you cross. If you like plain potato chips, get some while you can. It seems crazy, but the further north you go, the spicier the chip selection.
Buy whatever liqour, tobacco, wine you may want while in the states and just pay the duty. You may never find your favorite liquer, wine or brand in Canada.
Wait until Canada to get bread and pastries. When grocery shopping, there is a very good 'brand' that I have found to be very reliable and widely available; it is "Compliments". Fabulous par-boiled rice.
Well, I have rambled too much. Enjoy your planning.
Iris
* This post was
last
edited 12/13/11 07:19pm by StanleyandIris *
View edit history
.jpg)
Offline
