CTDs to Alaska

[mbaston]

I am bald headed to. The headnet is more if you are out fishing or something. The bugs can get really bad and the repellent doesn't always work.

Atlin is nice and would be a good side trip.

 

[DBF]

That moose DBF, is scrawny.

Mbaston, yes that poor moose was hungry (2001, about May 20th, right at the turnoff into the valley to view the glacier). It didn't even move as we slowly went past it, just tracked us with its eyes. Too busy eating.



Regarding Atlin, if anyone goes there, have a look at the museum in the old one-room school. Also, walk thru the cemetery and read the headstones; those folks led a hard (and very often, short) life. The road down from the hwy is good.



DBF

 

[AKDrifter]

If any of you folks are comming to Haines, give me a buzz. I'll be working on and off this summer and my off times will be spent fishing mostly. If the time is right I'll take you out fishing, or a couple beers or something. I'm at 907. 767. 5404.



The trip from Haines Junction to Haines ( 140 mi. ) is a must see and the road is in great shape ( U. S. funded ). Enjoy your trip and keep this thread posted on when the TDR gang is commin' through. Paul

 

[Jack fr MO]

Wow this sounds like fun to me

And I'm his wife. LOL Wish we could go this year but probably won't be able to. I went and looked at the pictures and they are lovely. I've always wanted to go to Alaska and last year when we were in MT we visited with several that were heading up there. Makes me have the urge all over again to hear you all talking about it. I just ask Jack if he wanted to go to Alaska and he said that would be the way to go, so who knows...

 

[HBarlow]

AKDrifter:



Thanks for the invitation. When the dates are set by Marty "MBaston" and the plan discussed here is firm please let us know if you'll be home and if the invitation is still open.



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

yes, Haines is a beautiful side trip. The fishing part sounds great to me!!!!!

I am getting closer to a time. Things have changed a bit.

One choice would meet June 30 in Dawson. I know one person said there could be a conflict with this due to possible mid July committment.

Another choice would be to meet August 9th.

Input?

 

[HBarlow]

Marty,



As far as I know right now, I can do either of your proposed dates. My first choice would be June but the alternate date will be okay if that becomes the plan.



I am retired USN and mostly free to travel thanks to a tolerant wife but I own rental property which can occasionally "change my plans" at unexpected times. Right now I have no scheduled turnovers this summer and am looking forward to "CTDs to Alaska.



Harvey

 

[BigFun]

Sounds like it's going to be a great trip regardless of the total turnout. We had planned a trip to Alaska this year, and this trip sounds right up our alley. However our plans have been delayed until 2004 with the announcement of two granddaughters arrival in July and August. Grandma has put the kibosh on leaving home this year. I hope yours is grand.



Another reason I'm posting is notice for those believers in the right to bare and carry firearms. Our great neighbors to the North don't share the same freedoms we do with firearms. Handguns are an absolute No No! Rifles and shotguns are difficult at best. Canada has no tolerance for firearms violators. This little tidbit of information can make the difference between a great and awful trip. Try this link for some pretty good information: http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/all+of+canada



I'll keep watching the thread as we'll join up next year. Have a great trip!



BF - Whidbey Island WA

 

[Jack fr MO]

Grandbabies

Grandbabies take precedent over trips to Alaska

 

[HBarlow]

Yes, I'm aware of the serious restriction on carrying a weapon in Canada. Canadian customs officials go somewhat berserk when they see a Texas license plate approaching. They apparently assume that everyone in Texas carries a handgun.



Several years ago my wife and I visited Vancouver, BC. I was aware of the issue so in the last town in WA, Bellingham ??, I stopped and asked and on the advice of locals, turned the pistol I was carrying over to, I think, a Tru-Value hardware store for safe keeping.



When we approached the Canadian customs station I was asked the question. I truthfully answered that I sometimes carried a pistol but explained that I had left the weapon in storage in whatever town it was and whatever place. I showed the officer the receipt which was dated that day.



He was very rude and made us stand beside the truck while he searched the entire truck and trailer. Of course he found nothing and we went on our way, but not in a good mood.



I definitely won't take one on the CTD to Alaska trip.



Harvey

 

[Jack fr MO]

Same happened to us going into Canada

This was in 2001 and we didn't have a gun, but they made us stand out in front of the truck while they went through everything and what made me mad was they didn't put it back. They even went through my Bible that was in a carrying case. I was a little upset but Jack said it was their job and not to let it bother me. When we came back into the states we expected more of the same and the guy wanted to know all about our truck as he was thinking about buying a CTD and so we gave him info on TDR too. LOL

Patsy

 

[BRUTUS]

Border stuff

The new security dictates will probably make things even more inconvenient and frustrating for a while. We'll just have to roll with the punches and keep smiling...



BTW, any problems with having a bottle of spirits or a case of beer in the camper during these checks?

We want to keep our tour guide happy...

 

[Casey Balvert]

You are allowed one litre of wine or hard liquor or a case of beer duty free for each person of drinking age.



By the way, customs officers on the Canadian side have become more user friendly than they were a couple of years ago. We travel back and forth all the time and have found that if you treat them with respect and courtesy you will get the same back. Seldom have problems either way. Of course you may always get the odd one having a bad day. Just keep your cool and cooperate with the agent. Don't let it spoil the whole trip.



Casey

 

[mbaston]

When I first moved to Alaska, my truck was searched. Even my wife's purse was searched. I declared I had a rifle. At this time it was no biggie. They too left everything in a pile.



However, they were not rude at all. They had a job to do and they did it. I have found that Canadian Customs, and the Canadian people, are very friendly and helpful. Especially the people I have met in the Yukon. The rudest Customs agents I have seen are the US customs at the Alaska/Canadian border. Most are great. . however several are not. But consider the job they have now... the responsibility.



Alaska law requires a firearm be carried in a private plane. When Canada passed their new license laws, it created issues for pilots who often flew through Canada. Alaska changed their law making the firearm not required when the flight is going to take you thorugh Canada.



If you want to carry a rifle or shotgun through Canada now, you just need to get a license. It is 50 dollars a year I believe. Information can be here:



http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/en/default.asp



Anymore input on the dates?



Marty

 

[mbaston]

It is looking like June 30 or 31. Is this date going to prevent anyone from being able to make the trip?

Marty

 

[BRUTUS]

Thanks Casey.

Come to think of it, the Canadian stuff is better and less expensive than our home grown. So I'll buy some when we get up there.



Marty

Those dates are OK with me.

Have you decided yet where to meet?

 

[mbaston]

Meeting Place

We decided to Meet at Dawson Creek, mile one of the highway. This will allow those coming from different locations a central meeting place.



I am assuming that the June date is good for everybody. I have not heard anything to the contrary.



Marty

 

[mbaston]

DATE

Not hearing any of any problems, lets set the date for June 31. We will meet in Dawson Creek, BC. I have to be home by July 18 so we should have plenty of time.

Who is still in?

Marty

 

[BRUTUS]

Why not?

Yo Marty



How about changing that departure date to Jun the 30th or July 1

just to make it more convenient for us...



I plan on being there with or without my wife, 'cause she is vacillating about coming along, like the other ladies. I think women like to keep us guessing like that.



A few general housekeeping questions:

I'll be bringing an old laptop. Are there any internet cafes along the way?

Do cell phones work on our proposed route?

Should we bring along a CB, FRS, or VHS radio for whatever situations they might come in handy?

Do service stations or campgrounds have block or cube ice available for cooler use?

Will there be propane fill stations on our route or just tank exchange facilities?

Is anybody going on this trip who has hair on their head? I'm bald too. Oh well.

 

[mbaston]

date change is ok with me.

Not much in internet cafes except possibly in Whitehorse as well as Anchorage and Faribanks.

Cell phones will work around Ft. St John, Ft. Nelson, Whitehorse, Tok, Glennallen, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Wasilla and Palmer.

I will have a CB and a 2 meter/440 Ham Radio

Lots of places for ice and propane fill.

Don't know about hair.....