Seward Day Trip

 

I drove over two hundred miles yesterday on a spontaneous road trip to Seward. They told me its usually windy there, but I lucked out. The calmness was underscored by the brewing storm. I guess the trail gods were spoiling me.

 

Walking along behind the Holiday Inn, I could see various boats and ships. I glanced into the large picture windows and saw an interesting photo op.

Its not everyday you can capture two photos with the click of a button.

 

Any oxymoron? Little Junior was probably one of the biggest, baddest boats on location. I walked along the pier, enjoying numerous jelly fish swimming in the cold water.

 

The road trip back was gorgeous. A bike path goes along this highway for quite a while, too. I also took a side trip into Hope, drove to the end of the road facing Turnagain arm, seeing the Porcupine campground. Gorgeous, cold, and free this time of year.

Dusk Brings Porcupine Encounter in Alaska

 

A friend and I went hiking up behind the day lodge here at Alyeska. Because of work, we couldn't hit the trail until later in the evening. The weather was perfect, the skies blue, a rare thing. We  had to take advantage of it. 

 

The paths here are steep. Seems most are labeled for bikers. If you choose to hike one of these narrow, 25% grades, keep an ear out for a mountain bike roaring up behind you. Or, maybe silently racing downward at over 30 mph.

Hiking poles are sweet.

 

The intersection of several trails are marked here, on a very tall sign. Soon, snow will cover that base. Its already beginning to snow in the higher elevations. Cheers go up to the heavens! At least its not raining.

 

A last parting shot before heading down. As we turned a corner, a huge ball of beast came from the dewy brush. I stopped, held out my arm, waited until the porcupine eased up ahead. "A porcupine," I exclaimed. He had wondered why I had paused. He smiled. No one wants a face, or leg, full of quivers.

 

Quickly we descended the trail, thankful that we got to see some wild life. I forgot about my camera at that moment. It was fairly dark and probably wouldn't have done the creature justice.

The Alcan Route-Idaho to Alaska

While there are several possible routes through Canada, I can recommend this one because of the ease of travel, frequent camps or RV parks, pull overs for rest stops and gas stations.  

Start north on I-84, continue to I-82, total of 237 miles. Then,get onto US 395, take that until to hit Washington 17, total miles on trip ometer is 300.

Take 17 until US 97, which will go into Canada. You'll stay on 97 until it merges with 97c. It will merge with HWY 5 in 65 miles. Take that until Hwy 97 shows up again, the Trans Canada Hwy, towards Cache Creek and Prince George.

In 45 miles, you turn right onto Hwy 97, the Caribou Hwy. Stay on that, towards Prince George, Hwy 97. Follow that until Hwy 16, where you take a left. After nearly 300 miles, you turn right onto Hwy 37. If you're using the data from Milepost, it was accurate.

Watch for signs telling you how far to the next gas. While you can't count on all resorts being open in the fall, I only saw a few closed. Once my tank was on half, I got gas, unless I knew I would be going through a big town like Prince George. Still, I watched for gas before that specific town, in case my road bypassed it and I'd have to detour into the main drag of a busy town. Kamloops was such a town. The rout actually turned (Hwy 5) just before you get to town. If I'd needed gas bad, I'd have to go there, out of the way by a few miles.


  Back to the route. Follow 3, the Stewart-Cassiar highway for about 450 miles. Then, turn left onto Alaska 1. Its at a T intersection, so you can't miss it. You'll stay on that until you cross the border where the name changes to Hwy 2....no worries, it does change back to Alaska 1 in Tok.

That's where you decide to go to Fairbanks or Anchorage.

No one seemed to worry about who was sleeping in their cars or parked along the highway pull offs. I think the motels are very pricey for what they looked like on the outside, so I never stayed in one. I only spent three nights in Canada.

I didn't use any credit cards while in Canada, but had several with me, just in case. Bring small bills to avoid carrying around a lot of Canadian coins. Everything below a $5 bill is in coin.

Video of Alaska Road Trip

I actually divided the footage for the road trip into three parts. It was fun taking the film. Hope you enjoy it.

Idaho to Alaska on $350

 

I kept track of my expenses for this 2,800 mile journey, beginning near Boise, Idaho. I left on a Thursday morning, visited family near Pasco Washington, then headed out on Friday for the border. The passenger seat was slid all the way back, and put in full reclining position, enabling me to pull over and sleep at any time.

I kept my cell phone (and recharger) road altas, Milepost 2013, and yahoo driving directions, with a pen in that seat while traveling.

 

Upon reaching the Canadian border, I pulled out my passport and driver's license. She asked me if I had any fire arms. No, I replied. How about mace or bear spray. Again, I admitted no. She looked at me a moment and asked, "so you have nothing for self defense." No.....humm, not a good feeling. Later I remembered the hatchet behind the seat, for camping purposes.

Because I hadn't been in Canada for "so long" according to the agent, I was asked to park and come inside. There another agent took my passport and asked me all the places I've lived. I gave him a long list because I'm a seasonal worker. He said, wait on the bench, I'll be right back.

I took a seat, calm. I know if you're ever going to run for President of the United States, or go through Canada, you have to live a clean life.

 

Finally on my way, approved and eager, I headed up 97 North, immediately figuring out, 80 km per hour was about 60 mph. I'm glad I set my tripometer at zero and kept it there the whole time. Now, turn offs noted on my driving directions matched my car and the kilometers were just a math lesson.

 

I'll write more on my http://brawnyview.blogspot.com , a video of the trip at youtube (brawny 03) and add some here in the following days.

 

I arrived home after spending the night in Anchorage with a good friend. Now, its all about unpacking!

Possible Bear Encounters

 

This photo was taken up in the Monte Bell Four Pass Trail. My friend Flo, on the right flew in from Alabama, so she couldn't carry bear spray. Spray has saved hikers from serious bear attacks even in Yellowstone National Park. You can see I carry mine on a hip belt loop, prepared for instant access.

 

Even when I drop the pack, checking out a map detail, my spray is ready. Flo took this shot unexpectedly, and posted it to Facebook, where I snagged it, with her permission to use as needed. Thanks Flo.

This ramp is found on the Blueberry Trail in Alyeska Resort, near Girdwood Alaska. Upon finishing this hike, we exited the forest and saw a marvelous black bear ambling across the half pipe meadow. Of course, as the trail gods would have it, I didn't have my camera at the time. Today I went down, re-hiked the trail alone, and did a film on it.

Hope you enjoy the footage.

Driving the Alaskan Highway

Its been booked, its been decided, its now underway!

In one week I shall fly back to Idaho, get my little car and drive it back up here.

Bottom line, I miss my car, my freedom of spontaneous combustion: able to haul what I please or at a moments notice, jump in the little Blue Rocket and drive to places unseen.

Its true. Last summer I abused her. Took her up steep mountain grades, hauled a mountain bike nearly her size clamped onto the trunk, busted up the muffler a little, added about 6,000 miles of backcountry adventure to her wheels.

But, me and My Geo are on good terms. She's never let me down. So, mid September, I'm bringing the Geo to Alaska via 3,000 miles of mapquested roadways: Idaho, to Oregon, to Washington, to Canada...more Canada, backcountry Canada, then heading into Alaska via Highway 1.

There are lots of folks working with me in Alyeska who have done that drive. They say, no worries, you can do it. So, stay tuned. I'll record my findings here and at my other blog
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com