Driving the Alcan in late December w/no snow experience (Haines: price, license)

[vpcats]

Gee thanks guys. I didn't know my neck of the woods held such warm memories in your hearts.

You're right about the drivers. It is insane here. I hate it too. Can't wait to retire and move somewhere easier but I must have warmth and palm trees.

[AADAD]

That might be a challenge. Maybe an island somewhere. Maui has some sheltered places.

[RedJacket]

Originally Posted by vpcats

Gee thanks guys. I didn't know my neck of the woods held such warm memories in your hearts.

You're right about the drivers. It is insane here. I hate it too. Can't wait to retire and move somewhere easier but I must have warmth and palm trees.

When I was four yrs old my family moved to Atlantic Beach, FL. Around that age, you ordinarily don't remember much. But I do recall the oppressive heat, insects, bugs, snakes, storms, and in one instance, a spider the size of a small dog on the ceiling just above me. I was in the upper bunk.

I screamed like hell and my dad came in and killed the beast with a shotgun.

At this point and time, I can think of nothing that would get me to move to FL. Not even the prospect of dating Tiger's ex.

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by think first

When I was four yrs old my family moved to Atlantic Beach, FL. Around that age, you ordinarily don't remember much. But I do recall the oppressive heat, insects, bugs, snakes, storms, and in one instance, a spider the size of a small dog on the ceiling just above me. I was in the upper bunk.

I screamed like hell and my dad came in and killed the beast with a shotgun.

At this point and time, I can think of nothing that would get me to move to FL. Not even the prospect of dating Tiger's ex.

I grew up in NYC (that's a lot of years in NYC) and Florida was really a paradise every time I came down (my parents lived here). Fourteen years ago I made the switch and became a permanent resident of Florida, Miami specifically. Used to love it. Can't say I still feel the same but I have to stick it out a few more years. Also, my 81 y.o. mother will not leave.
Gotta make the best of it any which way.

A trip to Alaska in June or July one of these years, keeps me going.

[Lakester]

[Qanuk]

that's funny..

[warptman]

You will want to keep the vent directly in front of the windshield clear of snow, this is where the fresh air intake is for the heat system. Snow covering the vent will cause moisture to be sucked in and it'll fog up the windows inside.

[nwcountrygal]

Also kick your mud flap area. Make sure ice isn't gonna damper ur turning or wheel radius. Even in Oct had to do often and truck covered in frozen ice.

[mysticpoet]

hi think good before you leave . i came to anchorage last year we arrived here the 22 nd of dec . we spent three weeks coming from hinesville ga . we came up the route through largo north dakota to the alcan and the land is flat and there is not gas stations open ffor business oin alot of the places . check the route on line and please e-mail the places you plan to stop to arrange fuel and beds . the roads were very icy and we had a accident slid into another car .it was a 3000.00 dollar bill for half of the repairs they patched us to be able to finish the trip . yes the scenery was truly awesome . but if you break down or run out of gas , that means no heat for any one in that car. the cell phone said we had international plan but charged us 1800 for service in canada. the ride is long and very hard on loved ones exspecially a child . my son was in the army and we did a ditty move but he has said we will not leave here until summer and we will shipp out and take the ferry . but the ferry alone is a week and 5000.00 just to get from wash. state to close to anchorage and the trailer cost more . please check all posobblities first and what ever you decide please be extra careful remember cananda is not the usa haa haa a pack of smokes in us is say 5.00 but canada is 15.00 and gas is more than three dollars and in liters not gallions . take care and if you military try to set it up so you can come up this spring ,.

[warptman]

There are plenty of places to fuel up in the winter. Top off in Fort St. John, this is the last bigger city on the Alcan going north. You can top off in Buckinghorse Lodge, it's open year round. From there you will get to Fort Nelson on the remainder of the tank. Call ahead to Buckinghorse to make sure they have fuel. Next stop is Fort Nelson, top off here that night or in the morning. Once again, don't drive at night from here north. It's about two hours to Toad River, good food here and there is also gas, top off if you wish. Next fuel stop is at Liard River Hot Springs, it's open year round as well. Depending on how much you burned in the climbs and descends in the Rockies, gas up here. About 20 miles south of Watson Lake is a place called Contact Creek, it claims to have fuel cheaper than Watson. Watson Lake has a couple hotels, I prefer to stay at the Air Force Lodge, great place. Top off here. Next place to fuel up is at the Continental Divide Lodge, also open year round. Next place to fuel up is in Teslin, Yukon. From there the next place to fuel up is Jake's Corner, also open year round. There you can get to Whitehorse, numerous places to fuel and lots of hotels. From there it's north to Haines Junction, can also fuel here or wait until you get to Destruction Bay. Gas at the Talbot Arms. Last place to fuel in Canada north is at Beaver Creek. You can gas here, too. Then it's a very long and boring ride to Tok. Welcome to Alaska.


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