From the -48: what you wish you would have brought (and not) (Anchorage: house, maintenance)

[JasonAndJulie]

I meant to say non-stops out of SLC.....I thought about the multiple carriers thing but that scares me with dogs.

Hopefully though, anyone reading this will get some useful information, though!

[scoobagirl]

I think you are an amazing family! 5 kids, 4 dogs, a horse.... and moving to Alaska! You're a modern-day pioneer. I wish you well, and I look forward to following your journey.

[JasonAndJulie]

Thanks for those sweet words. We are looking for a better quality of life for our kids. I think that makes us normal, but if you want to call us amazing, I'll take it.

[akck]

Originally Posted by JasonAndJulie

AKCK, Thanks for the input on the shipping stuff. Also on the astroturf. That is a good point about training them to go on something. As of now, I am training them to the voice command "go potty". I don't know how they will feel about going on the concrete deck though, so you might be on to something with the astroturf. My other obstacle is trying to figure out how to keep 3 or 4 of those giant kennels in my Suburban meanwhile keeping the car seats in. It would be one thing if we could remove the 2nd and 3rd rows but we can't because we need the seats for our kids and their car seats to be buckled into. If it means adding another car, it is another $1500, or $1800, I forget. I wouldn't feel good at all about leaving my dogs (or any dogs) unsupervised in my car for 6 days, much less 4 Great Danes. Aside from the obvious things like chewing out of bordeom or not being able to hold their potty, what if they got into a tiff? They never have cross words now but being locked up for 6 days in a confined space might be a lot to ask.

I have never checked into the driving part of the trip, although I had heard it existed. I had figured my husband could drive all the way to Seattle with the dogs then take the ferry by himself and the dogs but that doesn't seem fair...until I think about flying to Anchorage by myself with 5 small kids, then it doesn't seem unfair.

All in all, I think we're back to the idea that if we can't get a direct flight out of Houston or Dallas to Anchorage on a 757 we will just drive the whole way, up through North Dakota and over. I know his company will pay for plane tickets but if the dogs are $6000 ($1500 each) plus the ferry which is $2000 if it's just him and $3000 for everyone, plus a car rental for a week to transport the dogs on the ferry, we are looking at a minimum of $8000 plus car rental. It can't cost us $8000 to drive and it will certainly be more scenic.

Normally, I'd suggest checking the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haines, which usually takes just over a day but includes several port stops where you can run your dogs. However, I just checked the schedule and IMHO, I've seen much better winter schedules. Now you're looking at 2+ days or a ferry change plus overnight stay in Juneau. Also, never consider taking the Le Conte, especially with the size of your crew. It's just a small ferry and always felt claustrophobic.

Taking the ferry will get you past one of the potentially worst sections for winter driving, plus it will give you a break in the middle of your trip. Plus, you'll see some nice scenery along the way. If you opt for the ferry, do get a cabin or two.

I'd guess about the only way you can take the dog crates is to break them down, stack them and transport them on top our your vehicle. You can use them at overnight stops if needed. If you're worried about leaving the dogs in the car, you may be able to leave them in the crates on the car deck. Walk-ons occasionally have pets and they are required to leave them on the car deck in a suitable container.

[AK-Cathy]

Take if you have them and if company is moving them: Good rugs especially area rugs. They can be had but they aren't available very often on the secondary market, those that come up are often thrashed and they are expensive new. If you plan to stay a while, family heirlooms. If this is a short tour, put them in storage. Specialty kitchen items and tools. These will be expensive to replace. If you are hard to fit, your winter and cross season wardrobe. Forget about shorts and hot weather clothes unless you are going to FAI and even then, bring only a little bit. Bed and bath linens. Can be had but best to bring them. Artwork that makes you happy. Family items like photos. Personal computers and tech items.

Leave: Non-hierloom furniture. Furniture is a dime a dozen on the secondary market here, ditto of household goods especially if you are arriving at the beginning of yard sale season. Small appliances and yard equipment. Televisions, stereos. If I think of more I'll add later.

[globetraveler]

Originally Posted by AK-Cathy

Leave: Non-hierloom furniture. Furniture is a dime a dozen on the secondary market here, ditto of household goods especially if you are arriving at the beginning of yard sale season. Small appliances and yard equipment. Televisions, stereos. If I think of more I'll add later.

If you are shipping items on your dime, I would agree.

The OP stated that the employer is paying for shipment of thier household goods. I would not leave a bunch of furniture and small applicances behind if my employer was covering the shipment. That would just require spending time and money to re-aquire these items uopn arrival in Alaska.

[JasonAndJulie]

The rug thing is exactly the type of info I was looking for. Maybe I'll go to The Dump before we come up.

[AK-Cathy]

The OP stated that the employer is paying for shipment of thier household goods.

Normally there are limitations on either load size or dollar amount even with company paid moves. Many if not most folks that have been "professionally" moved from elsewhere to AK especially via road, will have experienced furniture damage and sometimes outright loss. Our stuff was chafed, severely scratched and some stuff load crushed. I even had solid book boxes hard crushed on the corners. I cried as the pieces came off of the van and the insurance didn't begin to cover the losses. My experience was not uncommon with our long distance road moves. I always told folks coming up (and now the OP) to pick up the extra insurance if it's available. Ironically all of the moves we've done ourselves we've lost nothing, as in zero things, no glass breakage, no deep gouges, no furniture damage, no finish chafing. If there are move limits I'd stick with my list of do not bring.

[JasonAndJulie]

After 5 kids, so much of what was once nice, isn't anymore. In another 5 years, we plan on upgrading all our furniture because by then our youngest will be 6. I only have a dresser, a gentleman's chest, and formal dining plus chairs that I might cry over. I do however, have 14 million books because I homeschool. They often times update editions which then makes your $60 teachers manual useless, so I purchase for all 5 kids at once. So that means I have enough for 5 kids from PK to 5th. Last time we moved, the mover estimated we had 25,000 lbs which made me sick to my stomach. After that, I got rid of about half our belongings but not sure about weight because a lot of the books stayed.

I can not possibly stress how much I appreciate your forthcoming information for a stranger. It really does mean a lot.

[Dakster]

Good luck with your move and yes, I think you are normal to want a better life for your kids and it is amazing that you are going thru this to do so...

Did you forget to mention anything else after the horse??