Thursday, April 26, 2007

Our 7th Roadtrip To The North

Even tho we have traveled the Alaska highway 6 times in the last 10 years, it's good to do some research each time before beginning a trip. Every other time we have bought 'The Milepost'...the bible of the north...and have found that it's a very good resource, altho it doesn't change much year to year. So...this year we bought 'Alaska for Dummies' and 'Alaska Highway' (similar to the writing in 'Dummies'...very informative and funny...and, easy reading). We may still buy 'The Milepost'...hate not to since we have one for every year we've gone. We also bought 'The Great Alaskan TourSaver' ($99.99)...coupons (2 for 1) for a variety of uses: travel...lodging...cruises...rail...flightseeing...museums...and free things. And, of course, there is 'the net'.
With only 6 weeks left before leaving (minus 8 days due to Vancouver, WA and Memorial weekend trips), we don't have much time to sit around. Will finish washing and waxing the camper this weekend, then will clean the inside and start loading non-perishables. We plan on using it over Memorial Day...a way to determine if it needs anything done to it before leaving June 6th.
Another couple, very good friends who we have known for years, are driving separately to Alaska with us. They need to be in Anchorage by June 15th to meet their son and his family who are flying in that day for a week. We haven't discussed at length our route, but have a little while to decide. I'm thinking we should go to Dawson City...not much farther than staying on the Alaska highway...provided it isn't going to rain so we can take the Top Of The World highway west of DC after crossing the Yukon on the ferry. This will be their first trip up so want them to see as much as possible. Of course, we will stop for a couple nights at Liard Hot Springs in northern BC...an awesome place...beautiful camping sites in a provincial park (no hook-ups) and the hot springs are very clean with some development, but that kept to a minimum.