Moving to Soldotna (Seward, Haines: home, buy, prices)

[desflurane]

Hi All-
Accepted a job at a local hospital in Soldotna AK. Can anyone tell me a dependable vehicle shipping company? I am comng from Virginia, so I am wondering if I should drive my car to WA and ship from there or perhaps just ship from here. I will be moving mid July. Thanks for any input

[warptman]

Just drive up! Megensmom just drove up from the states. Take a look at her thread. It took her about 4 days to drive up from the east coast. Once you do this drive, you have bragging rights over your friends.

Read through this thread.

Given a home in Central,AK planning on moving there

[desflurane]

Really? Drive it? Never even considered it, figured it would be torture. hmmmmmm. I will have to rethink this. I figured it would take a week or 2. Anybody else driven from the east coast? What do you think? I am pretty adventurous or trust me I would not be doing this with my 13 y/o son and dog. Sure is worth a thought. Thanks for a quick response.

Also, I have been talking with moving companies so far the best is U-move it found on this forum, thanks for all the input! Great site.

[warptman]

Read up on Megensmom. She made it up from the east coast a few days ago. Took her way under a week to get all the way up here. The roads will be better by then, too. Its worth the drive.

[desflurane]

I just read the post! She kicked butt! I am definitely going to rethink shipping my car and driving with my son and dog...All I need is Courage....And some time to process everything. Should would solve alot of problems though.

[snkalaska]

Another option is to take the Ak State ferry and drive part of the way. There are two ferry systems, north and south and they used to be separate but recently there has been trips linking them. I think you can get on in Washington or Prince Rupert and go to Haines and drive the rest of the way, or if they are linking with the northern route you can go to Seward which is only a couple hours from Soldotna. Alaska Marine Highway System :: Alaska DOT&PF (http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html - broken link)
The thing is July is visitor season so space on the ferry might be all booked up by now. It would be an awesome trip though.

[warptman]

Why drive all that way just to get onto a ferry? Might as well drive all the way and see some of the most scenic country that the highway takes you through.

[rotorhead]

I'd say that if your car is mechanically sound and dependable, go for it! It'll be a road trip to remember. If it was with toddlers or little kids it'd be torture, but a thirteen year old is fair game. Heck, he might even just like it, no matter what he claims. I've made the drive twice now (from the SW) and both times it was worth it.

Read up on some of the huge log of "driving the Alaska highway" posts to get an overview of the issues and by all means buy a "Milepost" book from this season, it's invaluable for planning and maps. If you're a AAA member, they do the "triptic" thing which is very useful, might even be worth the cost of joining for a year to get all the maps and such, not to mention the roadside assistance program.

The ferry system is gonna be VERY tight in mid July, especially this year as they're down to one weekly boat from WA due to political idiocy, budget problems, and mechanical issues. It's a neat way to travel, but getting pretty pricey and it's probably already too late to score both car space and a cabin for that timeslot.

ALSO, you're gonna need passports for both of you, so if you don't have 'em get on it now, the lead times are getting longer and longer.

[DannyL]

if you're gonna take the ferry, you better call now. vehicle space will be sold out by may. you may luck out if you wait, but with the schedule cutbacks ( bellingham ---> north has been cut in half ) I doubt it.
walk-ons are never an issue, it's the vehicle space that's a premium.

[RAMFEB31]

I vote w/the rest of the group. Even w/sky high fuel prices, U cannot beat the drive. For the 1st timer, the scenery is unbeatable and plus, for U and your son, the bragging rights. Be sure you have good tires and a spare as well as the suggested reliable vehicle. I've been driving up there every year since the late 90s and every year have been an adventure. As long as you stay on the main road, U should have no problems. The natives are extra friendly both in Canada as well as Alaska. As I've mentioned a number of times here, bring your computer if U do Email. Bring a home made sign or some momento to tack up in the "famous City of Signs" as U enter the Yukon Terr. to the 1st little town of Watson Lake. If U do have a sign, be sure it is something that will last for a few years. And, of course, drop in at the Watson Lake Garage, right across from the City of Signs. If U need fuel or repairs or just to park there, that is a good place. Tell them U've heard it from a guy name Wong. U may also wish to fill up before entering Canadian soil. If U think the US fuel prices are high, U may puke when you see the Canadian prices. Also, U may wish to exchange some Yankee dollars into Canadian greenbacks though they accept our dollars but at a discount. As you may know, the American dollar is now slight lower in value than the Canadian dollar. Only as a suggestion and ONLY if U have a reliable vehicle and have some spare time, do a slight detour to Dawson City. (Dawson Creek is way south and the beginning of the Alaska Hiway). This town is the equivalent of the Ca. 'Forty Niners'. Then you can take the breathtaking 'Hiway in the Sky' after crossing the Yukon River on the free ferry. ( If U do go Dawson City, get to the ferry early, like before 8am. Sooner is better. Otherwise, U could spend hours in line.) The roads are lousy on the Canadian side and worse on the US side but serviceable. If all those big diesel pushers with their fancy cars behind them can make it, so can U. Just don't follow too close to any vehicles. Oh yes, bring your swim suit and stop in at the Liard natural hot spring. It is about 100 miles below Watson Lake. Good luck on your travels. Depending on my finances, I may see U on the road up there.