Another ALASKA adventure starting...

[AlFischer]

We too are heading 'north to Alaska' this summer. Actually this week. Got plenty of time and am planning 2 months or more. Driving my 2001 and pulling 28' ultra-light TT. (6k) Planning on some RV parks but mostly public campgrounds without hookups. (Somewhat remote with wildlife and photo heaven available. ) Planning on going up the Caspiar with frequent side trips and back through Calgary. We always look for the unusual and prefer visiting places that are off the beaten path!



Have read all there is on this site and several others. Great advice. Thanks.



3 questions for some of you experienced travelers:



1. Any places that we should avoid due to security? (theft/vandalism)



2. Is it permissible to overnight other than in campgrounds? ie WallyWorld, casinos, rest areas?



3. What is the best solution for money exchange?

 

[Grizzly]

We too are heading 'north to Alaska' this summer. Actually this week. Got plenty of time and am planning 2 months or more. Driving my 2001 and pulling 28' ultra-light TT. (6k) Planning on some RV parks but mostly public campgrounds without hookups. (Somewhat remote with wildlife and photo heaven available. ) Planning on going up the Caspiar with frequent side trips and back through Calgary. We always look for the unusual and prefer visiting places that are off the beaten path!



Have read all there is on this site and several others. Great advice. Thanks.



3 questions for some of you experienced travelers:



1. Any places that we should avoid due to security? (theft/vandalism)



2. Is it permissible to overnight other than in campgrounds? ie WallyWorld, casinos, rest areas?



3. What is the best solution for money exchange?

We made the trip last year and in 95.



1. We never saw any place to avoid due to security, theft and vandalism. We still kept our camper door and windows as well as the truck locked at all times.



2. You can park overnight anywhere you see a pull out, unless you see a "No Overnight Parking" sign. You can park overnight at Wal-Mart and Fred Meyers with permission from the manager. In the larger cities, like Fairbanks, Anchorage and Soldotna, I recommend Fred Meyers, or if you need hook ups there are plenty of paid campgrounds. Along the Cassier and Alcan it's pretty much where you find a pull out. Stay away from pull outs with 18 wheelers, They leave their engine running all night. When you stop for the night in a pull out, park where you can get out in case you need to. Often times you wake up to find RV's and 18 Wheelers all around you.



2. The get the best rate of exchange, use your Visa Card or any other major card as much as you can. We did convert some money at a bank to eat and incidental items. We used the Visa for fuel, fees and other major expenses.



If I can tell you more, I'd be happy to.

 

[lschleif]

I am headed North too, but not til the end of July. One slight drawback to using the credit cards in Canada is that they charge 3% for out of country transactions. I'm still looking for an alternative. One additional question I have is: Has anyone been hassled in Canada for a Jerry can? I read somewhere that they only allow what is in the fuel tank of the vehicle. Al, if you want a free place to stay on your way through in Mt. Shasta Pm me and I'll give you directions. I would also like to hear how your trip went when you get back. Thanks for the info.

Larry

 

[DFranks]

You can carry as many Jerry cans as you like in Canada, as long as they are CSA or ULC approved. IE don't show up with bleach bottles at the gas station expecting to fill them up. Too many fires and or explosions.



Have a good trip and drive safe

 

[Tractorat]

Is that 3% charge against a credit card in Canada charged by the credit card company ? Or do the Canadians charge an extra 3% ?

 

[lschleif]

The 3% is what your credit cards charge you for you using the card in a foreign country. The up side is that you get the current exchange rate. But I want my cake and eat it too. Not sure what we will do when the time comes.

 

[Grizzly]

I am headed North too, but not til the end of July. One slight drawback to using the credit cards in Canada is that they charge 3% for out of country transactions. I'm still looking for an alternative. One additional question I have is: Has anyone been hassled in Canada for a Jerry can? I read somewhere that they only allow what is in the fuel tank of the vehicle. Al, if you want a free place to stay on your way through in Mt. Shasta Pm me and I'll give you directions. I would also like to hear how your trip went when you get back. Thanks for the info.

Larry

Then the next best thing to do is to exchange US for Canadian currency at a bank. Banks are only open Monday Thru Friday. On your way back into the US don't forget to exchange back to US currency what you have left, or spend it all on diesel. It's difficult to exchange it in the US. Also the US banks won't exchange Canadian coins. You also pay a fee to exchange. I will still do both, Visa and Canadian Currency. Don't ever use US currency in Canada.

 

[AlFischer]

Thanks for the replies.



I just checked and it appears most of the Credit Card companies charge for foreign transactions. So much for the 'cashless society'. Look like their goal is to leave us all cashless. No real way to avoid this abuse. Grrrrr!



Does the overnight parking apply in Canada as well as Alaska?



Here in California I am leary of rest stops. Heard of a few bad happenings. And can't pack a glock in Canada! Have used WalllyWorld several times with absolutely no problems. Very convenient for a quick stopover. Also don't even have to brew coffee in the AM. Just hit Mickey Dee's!



Thanks for the Shasta offer, but we will be driving through early going north. Stopping at daughters place near Sacramento to let Grandma harrass Grandson and then hit the road the next morning early. May contact you on return.

 

[Tractorat]

Im headed for Alaska too around May 31st. Right after I read this post, I called my credit card company to ask about the charge. Evidently the Wamu Visa only charges 1%, so I guess at least thats better than 3%. But, I think I will take your advise and stock up on Canadian $ as soon as I find a bank. Thats only a buck for every $100, but every dollar adds up.

 

[Tractorat]

While we're on the subject of plastic cards in Canada. Do you know of any problem with American ATM cards working in Canada ?

 

[maxburk]

We are planning another trip to Alaska in July. This is our fourth trip since 2001. We have a similar camping style. If people from the lower 48 are in the campground we are in the wrong place. We do the back country. Lots of good ideas above. I just have a couple to add. Alaska has a lot of gravel pits along the highways that are abanded after the roads are built. These are great places to camp. They are usually very private and a great palce to see wildlife. Since we boondock so much we have a hightech inverter generator for power and carry an ultraviolet water purifier in case we need additional water in our travels. Potible water is sometimes very hard to find. One last thing... ... We are trying to figure out why we take an airconditioner and TV all that way and never use them.

Good luck!!

 

[Grizzly]

We are planning another trip to Alaska in July. This is our fourth trip since 2001. We have a similar camping style. If people from the lower 48 are in the campground we are in the wrong place. We do the back country. Lots of good ideas above. I just have a couple to add. Alaska has a lot of gravel pits along the highways that are abanded after the roads are built. These are great places to camp. They are usually very private and a great palce to see wildlife. Since we boondock so much we have a hightech inverter generator for power and carry an ultraviolet water purifier in case we need additional water in our travels. Potible water is sometimes very hard to find. One last thing... ... We are trying to figure out why we take an airconditioner and TV all that way and never use them.

Good luck!!

We always take the 13" TV/DVD combo to watch an occasional movie. The few times we stayed at a campground with hook-ups in the larger cities, we would watch TV. Got to catch up with the news once in a while.

 

[RRiffe]

I posted this on an earlier thread also. I make this round trip a couple times a year from Anchorage to Washington/Montana. I use the "FasGas" stations as they are dependable year around stations. They have a rebate card where you will get money back at the end of your trip when you turn it back in. You can get cash or the amount taken off your fill up. Enjoy the trip.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

We just made our 58th trip over the Alaska Hyw. last week. We are getting pretty familiar with it.

Use the Milepost guide but know that many lodges along the way are either closed permanently or for the winter. They don't open until all the tourists start heading north and close as they pass south in the fall. Makes winter travel interesting. Fuel/gas always available at least every 300 miles even in the winter. Not always the best prices but it is there. The FasGas suggestion is a good one. Diesel approaching $4/gal(converted to US) in places.

Have a good trip.

 

[AlFischer]

Any problem finding 'dump stations' along major routes?

 

[Grizzly]

Any problem finding 'dump stations' along major routes?

Yes, that's why it's a good idea to have the latest version of the Mile Post. It will tell you where the dump stations are. I have seen people dumping at pull outs. Not a good idea and if you get caught, I believe the fines are steep.

 

[AlFischer]

Credit Card fees

I just called the customer assist number on the back of the two cards I use.



DISCOVER charges no fee for foreign currency transactions.

(and their cash back program gives 5% for fuel and 1% for everything else)



CITI charges 3%



Guess we know which card I will be using!!

 

[maxburk]

We did not find it to be a problem finding dump stations. When you get a chance dump. Both the Milepost and Alaskan Camping cover areas where you can dump.

 

[AlFischer]

Well, we are on our way! Curremtly in Stewart. Dumping not a problem. Most towns even have a sign pointing to a 'sanidump'. Free.



The Discover Card is almost unknown, Visa and MC is the norm. Friendliest folks I have ever met here in Canada. Roads great and driving a pleasure. No 6 lane freeways with 12 lanes of aggressive drivers! Loving the trip! Doing Hyder this morning but the Glacier is inaccessible due to snow and the bears are not here yet. Tomorrow back to the Casiar. Highest fuel I have seen was 107. 9/L. ($3. 68 US/gal) Currently 100. 9/L in Stewart.

 

[AlFischer]

Well, we got back from 76 days of Alaskan/Canadian Adventure!!



Many thanks to those who gave tips. You were very helpful.



My conclusions:



Driving in Canada/Alaska is not a problem. Yes, there are gravel roads and frost heave to deal with. All that is necessary is to SLOW DOWN. Actually, aside from the mud and dust from gravel roads, some are actually better than paved. The roads were for the most part better than I find here in the US, but of course there were no 6 lane freeways (and ugly traffic). The absolutely worst road we found was Hwy 80 from Reno NV to about Auburn Calif. I prefer frost heave or gravel to the right lane of Hwy 80 at 40mph! And big rigs at excessive speeds made it worse. The surface is rutted and uneven to the point of physical discomfort.



Fuel is expensive especially in northern Canada. It ran as high as just over $5US/GalUS to around $3 in Alaska. Out of the way prices wer higher and cities just like here. Availability of diesel was never a problem.



FOOD is expensive. Good steak a $20lb in Canada and milk as high as $6. 99/gal in Alaska. Peaches at $3. 79/lb. (supermakket prices) Restaurant meals were overall 20 to 30 percent higher than here in California. Also found food quality in restaurants less than expected. Salad bars are none existant.



The driving was a sheer pleasure. EXTREMELY courteous drivers overall (of course there were a few idiots). Biggest hazard was rental RVs driven by inexperienced octagenarians from the US going 'safely' down the road 20MPH slower thatn the limit with a half mile of backup. Having to re-learn 'Aggressive Driving 101' now that we are back in Calif!



Discover Card is not hardly accepted in Canada. Many places in Alaska it was not accepted.



Wireless access in RV parks is a sham. Many advertising it but 'they have been working on it for two weeks' was a common story. Also many advertise WiFi and there is one home-grade router trying to service 200 users. Boils down to false advertising.



Hyder was fascinating. Neat folks there. Loved Liard Hot Springs. The Artic Cirle trip was lots of fun. The Kokanees in Canada are gorgeous. If it weren't for the snow and frigid temps I would move uo north.



On our trip I took about 5,000 pictures. Also created a website with a day by day rundown and many pictures. If you would liketo see it here's the link.



Welcome to Al and Elena



Next year we are planning on seeing the Eastern Seaboard from Main to Florida and the southern route back to Calif.



Again, thanks for the tips, youse guys are A-OK!