CTDs to Alaska

[HBarlow]

Big Fun:



Thanks for the suggestion. I'll study the map and consider the route you suggested. I know what you mean about Seattle. It was a challenge to pull a trailer through the last time I was there, and that was many years ago.



I've never been to Whidbey Island although I've always been curious about it. I was a submariner, not an airdale. Does Whidbey Island have an RV park on base? I've got the military rV directory but it is in the trailer which is not parked at home.



Harvey

 

[DBF]

BF said: If you're really looking for adventure, head north to Port Townsend and take the Keystone Ferry to Whidbey Island. Once on the Island, you travel Hwy 20 through Oak Harbor to Deception Pass (very senic) and on to Burlington where you hit I-5 North to Bellingham. Seattle is a pain any more especially if you're pulling a rig in heavy traffic.





Hi, BF!



That's on our agenda. Can't stand driving thru Seattle. How nice is the City Park in Oak Harbor? We might want to stay there. Tx, DBF

 

[HBarlow]

DBF,



Are you going to Alaska with us? I don't remember seeing a post from you indicating you were joining the CTDs to Alaska. The more the better is the way I see it.



Harvey

 

[DBF]

Are you going to Alaska with us?

For this trip we're going up the Cassiar Highway.



Once we get off that onto the Alaska Hwy just west of Watson Lake, we'll start looking for a mess of Dodge/Cummins (and one Phord) while we're up there.



It would be nice if one of you is posting messages to this thread to indicate where you are.



Regards, DBF

 

[HBarlow]

DBF,



I'd be happy to post a daily travel log but I don't own a laptop. To be truthful, I'm a low-tech old guy who probably couldn't figure out how to use one on the road anyway.



My wife and grown daughter are usually just a yell away in the other part of the house when I'm using the computer.



Marty, our Alaska resident and volunteer tour guide, has us arriving in Dawson Creek on June 30. I think his plan is to start our journey north on July 1 taking possibly eight days seeing the sights on our way to Delta Junction. The time will also include a detour down to Haines for a day of fishing.



I hope you join us.



Harvey

 

[BigFun]

Big Fun:



Thanks for the suggestion. I'll study the map and consider the route you suggested. I know what you mean about Seattle. It was a challenge to pull a trailer through the last time I was there, and that was many years ago.



I've never been to Whidbey Island although I've always been curious about it. I was a submariner, not an airdale. Does Whidbey Island have an RV park on base? I've got the military rV directory but it is in the trailer which is not parked at home.



Harvey

Harvvey,



Whidbey has an RV Park called Clifside Park. About 15-20 water and power spots with dump site. Several more in a different location with no services. Call the Outdoor Recreation Center at NAS Whidbey Island 360-257-2434. There's a web site you can get more info: http://www.navylifepnw.com/navylife/Parks.asp



There's also City Beach Park in town http://www.oakharborchamber.org/food_lodging/index.html and Deception Pass State Park on the north end. City Beach is a pay as you go first come first served (I think). DPSP is a beautiful park with about 2 million visitors per year. Reservations recomended. Washington State Parks has a web site with more info: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Deception Pass&pageno=1



Hope this helps. You know what the plural of Yall is?



All Yall have fun on your Alaskan Adventure. We'll join in next year for sure! BF

 

[BigFun]

Hi, BF!



That's on our agenda. Can't stand driving thru Seattle. How nice is the City Park in Oak Harbor? We might want to stay there. Tx, DBF

DBF, the City Beach Park is a nice little park located in the heart of our little town. The RV parking is usually pretty busy in the summer. As I posted to Harvey a few minutes ago I believe City Beach RV is first come first served. Here's some info from the below link:



City Beach RV Park... 679-5551 56 full hook-ups (water, sewer & electric). On the waterfront. Walking trails, saltwater swimming, picnicking, playground, restrooms, showers. Dump station. 26 tent sites. Extra non-hook-up sites avail. on demand. Just off SR20 on South Beeksma Dr.



Try this link: http://www.oakharborchamber.org/food_lodging/index.html and select the map. It will give some data.



Sure wish I was going. Grandma says no way this year with two grand babies on the way for July and August deliveries. Yall have fun. We'll join in next year.



BF

 

[HBarlow]

Big Fun,



Thanks for all the helpful information. I've copied it into my "Alaska" file.



BTW, I like the line in your signature about the NAVY. I'd say the world has recently observed the capabilities of the USN as well as the capabilities of all the US Armed Forces. The world may not like it, but they can't say they haven't been warned!



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

Ft. Nelson will most likely be our second overnight on the trip. The 300 mile drive from Dawson Creek to Ft. Nelson is mostly prarie land with flats, rolling hills and and some canyon lands around the Stikine Chief river. There are some mountains right before dropping into Ft. Nelson. The route is dotted with oil and natural gas mining and processing centers. Ft. Nelson is a full service community. You may also see large fields of safflowers.

For more information on Ft. Nelson, click below:

http://www.northeasternbc.com/comm4.html

 

[HBarlow]

Marty:



Sounds good to me.



I have been working a little on a travel itinerary file to try to estimate the length of time I'll be away from home. (I'm not going to estimate the cost of the trip, don't want to know!)



I had already "penciled in" Ft. Nelson as the next stop after Dawson Creek guessing that it was a reasonable day's travel and was the first major town along the route.



I'm going to order one of those rear rock guards from Camping World next week and install the bracket so I'll have that ready. Next chore will be to pull the wheels and brake drums on my trailer to repack the bearings and adjust the brakes. Can you tell I'm getting excited about the trip?



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

and then............

Day 3, July 2nd, will end at Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park.

This is a very popular camprground and beautiful. Reservations are required and should be made now.

http://www.discovercamping.ca/

Costs are 23. 42 Canadian (about $14 US). Please make your reservations ASAP as these sites go quick.

We will only drive about 200 miles this day. However, it is a very beautiful drive. Out of Ft. Nelson we begin to climb the Rockies. Some of this route is very slow and winding. We will travel through Summit Lake area and most likely see wild sheep. We will drop into the Muncho Lake area which is incredible. Continuing along, we may see bear, elk and even bison.

The following links will tell you more about Liard. Bring you swim trunks. After a few days on the road, this will feel good.

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/liard.htm

http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/BC/NorthernBC/AlaskaHwyBC/LiardHotSpringMarsh.html

Also, here is a good site that gives more information on the entire trip.

http://www.bellsalaska.com/alaska_highway.html

Your friendly tour guide,

Marty

 

[BRUTUS]

and then...

OK Guys



Got my Liar reservation and my Speedos ready.

That stop should be my first bath on the trip...

Les

 

[HBarlow]

Marty:



I just returned home and found your post on the TDR forum.



I went immediately to the reservations website and began making my reservation as you sugggested. Several screens into the reservation process I received a message stating that each campsite is only 40' long. There is no way I can fit a Dodge Ram 3500 QC and a 32' Avion which is actually 33' long into a 40' campsite. I have to assume the BC authorities are serious or they wouldn't post that information.



Are they serious? I have no experience with BC camping.



Please advise promptly. There are only 3 campsites remaining to reserve according to the reservation screen.



Harvey

 

[BRUTUS]

Trading places...

Harvey



An option might be to park your Avion in one space and your

truck can be parked with mine on the the other half of mine.

Is it a major chore to do this?

Les

 

[mbaston]

It is my guess that that is as large as the sites get. However, I agree with Brutus. We will put your pickup in one of the sites with just a truck camper like mine. With all of us around, we can get ya unhooked and hooked in short time.



Marty

 

[HBarlow]

Marty & Brutus,



Okay, that'll work. Thanks for the offer of space Brutus.



Unhooking and hooking is only a minor chore. I've probably done it 10k times.



I'll go to the BC parks website again right now and make my reservation.



Harvey

 

[HBarlow]

Marty & Brutus,



I tried again to complete a reservation, unsuccessfully. I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling about this location. The regulations may not permit me to just disconnect and park my truck on someone else's spot.



The reservation screens make it very clear that only one vehicle is permitted on each site. According to the screens, there is an additional fee of half the daily campsite rental fee for an additional vehicle on a site. I'll hand over the additional fee to one of you but one of you would have to actually pay the fee because it would be on your space.



The layers of strict rules give me an uncomfortable feeling. What if the rules don't permit two separate vehicles, one with "accomodations" mounted, the other belonging to a second owner. That could present additional problems we won't know about until we arrive.



The only way I can complete the registration is to submit inaccurate information. If I complete the application with the actual length of my truck and trailer, the reservation process kicks my request out with the message that my vehicle/accomodation combination is too long. The system won't permit me to list the trailer length alone. If I submit false information telling the computer my truck and trailer combined length is less than 40 feet, will I face a problem when I arrive with a trailer they consider too long to fit on my space?



I think I'd better send the park an e-mail and ask questions to make sure I can do this. I don't want to arrive looking forward to a relaxing dip in the hot springs and discover I'm not even allowed through the gate.



Harvey

 

[DBF]

campsite is only 40' long.

Harv, I wouldn't get my panties in a wad over this (I'm a retired ST, so I can say this).



Assume you're going to unhitch and put the truck next to the trailer in the same spot (how wide is the spot?). Move the picnic table.



The site length refers to a motorhome type of vehicle with no options to reduce the overall length.



Regards, DBF

 

[mbaston]

It wouldn't hurt for you to make the call or send an email. (phone call might be quicker).



The problem is just the size of the space. Drop the trailer and park in my spot. Won't be a problem... we just pay the extra few bucks. When you make the reservation, just give the length of the trailer since the truck won't be there.



BC parks are nice people to deal with. They will work with us.



Marty

 

[HBarlow]

Marty,



Your comment about BC Parks staff being easy to work with makes me more optimistic. I tried calling Saturday afternoon but couldn't talk to anyone, only listened to a computer. One of the items that concerned me is the reservations website displays the bold message, "no special requests" at Liard River Hotsprings Park.



I couldn't find a provision for sending an e-mail message on the BC parks website. I'll call tomorrow and make sure they are agreeable to what we want to do.



I may be a hindrance to you and Brutus who are hauling truck campers if space restrictions are common throughout BC and Yukon Territory.



Harvey