On the Trip of a Lifetime
Dear Julie, See what you started when you asked about your 2012 trip to Alaska as newbies. We received comments galore to our rv.net blog posted November 1, filled with good advice. In case you or any other readers are planning a first-time trek to Alaska, I suggest you check out all the comments, but let’s revisit some of the advice given by fellow travelers.
I think the most important guidance mentioned by many is to spend as much time as possible testing your RV before taking off on an 8,000-mile or more journey. These castles on wheels have come a long way for dependability in the past 20 years, but there are so many systems and so many chances for human error in construction, it’s best to go on the road to check that everything is working – and for the arduous Alaska trip, you want to start out confident that everything is working right.
The second most mentioned suggestion is to see the Canadian Rockies. Commenter John recommended following the Rockies up from Las Vegas, New Mexico. When we make our return visit, we might try that.
I’ll cover informational resources in a minute, but there are two items that came up worth further discussion. One is the Alaskan ferry system along the Pacific coastline and among the islands. We haven’t experienced it, but I’m sure it’s spectacular. What I believe are the two major problems with that are, 1) it’s pricey, and 2) you’ll miss the driving adventure.
On the other hand, if the thought of being miles from civilization and often miles from the next RV on two-lane roads with “frost heaves” scares you, maybe the ferry is the best choice for you.
The other point I want to make is about caravanning. The idea of being regimented and herded along with a group is repulsive to many of us – it was to us until we sat down with a caravan leader (a wagonmaster) and asked numerous questions. We didn’t feel comfortable with what he said, but we contacted a caravanning company and got more information. I suggest for first-time Alaska adventurers you do the same.
Yes, it adds to the expense, but for most itineraries, you’ll go on cruises and visit attractions you would probably pass up because of cost. And there’s added security involved. Plus, if you’re partial to full-service campgrounds, you’ll have that luxury.
Ask any Alaskan Traveler About the Fireweed -- It's a Journey Highlight
Several commenters mentioned informational resources worth checking out. I recommended “Milepost” Alaska Trip Planner in the November 1 blog, which was echoed in the comments.
Other suggestions were:
1) Barbara is an instructor at the RV Owner’s Lifestyle Seminar at Okanagan College in Kelowna, B.C., June 22-25. She describes it an introduction to living in your RV and all aspects of RV life.
2) John has posted three videos about how to travel by RV to Alaska with a free 30-minutes seminar at www.rvadventurevideos.com
3) Two folks mentioned Mike and Teri Church’s ‘Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping.”
4) And don’t forget about the Rv.net Alaska Forum.
We can’t attest to the value of any of these; however, I trust our readers for good recommendations.
Click on the Preparing for Alaska blog again [http://blog.rv.net/2011/11/are-you-thinking-about-alaska/] and look at the comments for more complete information. There were 21 comments at last count, many of which will help prepare you for your “TRIP OF A LIFETIME,” as many of us call the Alaskan adventure.
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
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Mona Liza Lowe
We started full timing in April 2012 and our first big destination trip is Alaska. We are currently in Fairbanks and we are loving every minute of it. Of course the frost heaves and the dips were there to give us some moments but that tribulations is surpassed by the natural beauty and wilderness we have seen from Canada to Alaska.
Check out our blog at http://lowestravels.com to get an idea if you are planning your trip of a lifetime…Alaska!
Jack
We’re Jack and Chris Kane, Brits who live in France. Last March we crossed back into the USA after a 14 month trip to Panama and back. We’ve briefly visited Ontario and BC all in our little 28′ A Class. This March will see us back in Florida to pick up the rig and TOAD. We aim to enter Canada anytime after mid-May and Alaska anytime after early June….weather dependent and would like to hear from other RVers who might be interested in this little drive….one day at a time. [email protected]
Mike
I’m wondering why everyone is talking about safety in their comments.?
Are there Hiway robbers on the roads to Alaska or are we just concerned about wild animals?
Also to the gentleman who spent close to $13,000. I do see where you could spend $5,000. on fuel if your only getting 4 or 5mpg ,however I do get 9 or 10mpg diesel, and I’m not sure what the cost of diesel is in Canada now. and you say you spent $2,500 on the ferry system. so other than that you spent over $6,000. on WHAT ?
RV parks can’t be that much up there now.? So you must have done alot of excursions, hey?
Harold Howell
We’ve made the trip 5 times in our Class A. 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010. Fuel prices ran from 2.80 – 4.75. Found the price in 08 at 5.25 for one fill up at the AK – Canadian border. My advise, take all the time you can. Don’t try it if you have to rush.There is to much to see and do. You’ll need a lot of time to see the country from the southern Canadian border up through Jasper & Banff NP, plus all of Alaska that you can drive to. My trips ran from crossing the AK state line by the first of June and back to the lower 48 by mid Sept. Don’t put it off it’s really a trip that should be on your bucket list.
Stan the Man
Our 1st trip to Alaska was by cruise, we took a lot of excusions, however, time is of the essence & you wished for more time in various places. Our next trip was in 2008…… end of May to end of July. Went there with friends along the top of the Yukon, Top of the world, Chicken, Fairbanks, Homer & a lot of places in between. Our friends had to rush home due to family urgency. My wife & I continued the trip in a leisurely way. We also had to return home due to a family event. Alaska is a beautiful State, we did not see enough of it in the time we were there & will go back, despite frost heaves on the highways & the higher cost of fuel. Every turn on the road has its beauty, wild animals along highways, bears fishing for salmon, eagles galore, halibut fishing, glacier viewing. We never took any ferry, there are enough highways. There are plenty of National Parks & RV parks where on can stay a day , a week or whatever is required; we chose to stay in city owned parks, normally without hookup but a lot of folk did the same & the safety was there because we wer in groups as in RV Parks. We have travelled in a caravan & also alone, if you travel during the day & find a place to stay before darkness, your safety is similar to the lower States or Canada. GO FOR IT.
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Barry Z,
YOU THE MAN!!! The only person who can plan and make the decision is the one
going, but they can rely on the advice from people who have gone before.. Some folks are just naturally extra-cautious and are not in the DIY category, but need a
companion just for comfort; go in a group or caravan.. Or if you don’t feel safe or rather not drive load it on the ferry and then live in your own’house’ while in big AK..
My brother left his Airstream trailer in Seattle and wished he’d taken it after he got to Alaska; they could have done so much more!!
Good advice, Barry!!!
Ron
As an edit, I noticed a typo in my message above. I indicated we spent up to $5.00 a gallon.. that should have read $6.00 a gallon. Sorry..
Ron
In our 2008 trip, we left home around mid May and arrived back home around the first of October. If you remember, 2008 experienced the huge increase in fuel prices and we can attest to that as we spent up to $5.00 a gal in numerous places. I don’t know what the prices up there are now, but I imagine they are close to that. Overall, we spent close to $13,000 with $2500 going for the ferry system and over $5000 for fuel alone. My point is: it is expensive, so make sure you’re aware of the higher costs and have budgeted for it. Adding another $7000 for a caravan (minus the cost’s included in the caravan prices), can burden any body’s budget.
In spite of the costs, it will be a trip and an adventure you’ll never forget.