Casey&Mary to Alaska ... by land.

C

Casey

New member
Well, we were planning to spend the summer exploring the Trent Severn & Rideau Canals in Ontario.

Yesterday we had lunch with some friends who are taking their RoadTrek (19' Class B) to Alaska. The "Alaska Fire" was already smoldering, but it quickly got hotter ... pretty fast. By Happy Hour we had done a major change of direction - and will leave Dessert 1st here in Florida while we head North.

As with the trip to the Maritime Provinces (and Colorado) last summer, we plan to "truck camp" most of the time. We may make more liberal use of motels and commercial campgrounds this time, but having our bunks in the back of the truck is Very convenient.

From my perspective the only really weak spot in last summer's Aventure was that the A.R.E. (Model Z) cap was a little too low for me. So far I have priced ARE Model TW cap and the LEER Model 122 cap. This is my third ARE cap, an it has been pretty good. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INSIGHTS ON LEER vs ARE caps, please let me know.... I'll probably order something in the next two weeks.

We had discounted doing another truck camping trip ... then when I least expected it Mary blew me away when she said "...maybe we should go back up to AK." I didn't need to be asked twice!

If you want to see what we've done to the back of the F150, checkout Mary's YouTube video at: https://Youtu.be/Rniq7h4oLva

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
'Tis good to be flexible! :thup There may be some "stand up to put your pants on" envy if you travel with the RoadTrek folks. :wink: We'll be looking forward to your updates!

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Casey and Mary, Congrats on being flexible and decisive :wink: It's a good combo. What a trip. Enjoy.

Tried the U-Tube link and got this:

This video is unavailable.

Sorry about that.
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Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Casey":3loomdvj said:
(Doubled post)
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Casey,

I think it has something to do with using the "Back Button" <- up in the top left corner (Windows 7) or the browser back step, instead of using the "top of page", "back to the top", or "submit" or one of the other activity steps. (Sorry I don't know all the right language for those.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Casey & Mary, changing to Alaska sure sounds like a good adaptive plan to me. I would only suggest if times allows or even make it a priority to include the more northern parts of of the Yukon & to venture up the Dempster Highway into the Northwest Territory. It, in the past dead ended at Inuvik, but sometime toward the end of this summer, will be opened all the way to Tuktoyaktuk, which is directly on the Arctic Ocean. We plan on a Pickup Camper trip to there in 2018, after a couple months on the ocean out of Skagway. We will leave the boat at Skagway & pick it up back up on the way south again. We love the wilds of Alaska, but other than SE Alaska have found tourist in the interior wanted only for the money they might leave behind, where as the Yukon & Northwest Territories a place where for the most part the people just plain friendly, whether money was to be had or not.

I checked out your video on the camper shell & see you have made it about as good as can be done & with the possible new higher model even better. The draw back for interior Alaska & the Canadian Territories, I mentioned is at times the mosquitoes are in such numbers, that without a very quick opening & closing access door they can be more than just a nuisance, as I imagine you well know. I have made many extended trips in both camper shells & a large truck camper & now personally prefer the very small pop up variety, though we still now have a large heavy truck camper & camper shell like yours.

My preference for this summer would be back to Alaska too, but I've put off Newfoundland since retirement & so this summer our plan is doing similar to what you two did last year there.

We're looking forward to hearing about another trip from you two, as you sure know how to make the best of it.

Jay & Jo-Lee
 
(Jay) Yea, mosquitoes (and noseeum's in some places) are definitely a concern. I'm trying to think of ways to mitigate that - but haven't come up with a viable solution yet. I don't think we'll be getting too far out into the 'boonies (like you and JoLee) but will tend to stay on paved roads, etc.

What we encountered last year was the exposure between moving(running) from the cab back to the cap sleeping area. In some places just opening the cap&tailgate was enough to really suck-in hoards of the little bastards. (We may wish that we (also) had a RoadTrek!) ...heck, even a Chevy Suburban would permit access to the bunks w/o going outside. Stay tuned, it should be an interesting situation.

I'm trying to think about inventive bug solutions. Maybe "bug jackets"? Maybe a drop down bug screen attached to the bottom of the cap door? Maybe a bigass foggier I can spray from the cab? Maybe a mosquito a "coil" or bug strip in the cap (cough, cough...). Maybe rethink this whole silly Idea? On the other hand, since we'll be going to lots of pickleball venues for Mary's Pickleball Challenge (another story in itself) maybe we won't even get to mosquito territory? I wonder if anyone's ever driven to Alaska without ever getting out of their truck? Stay tuned!

We'll be going over to the Hontoon CBGT on Wednesday, maybe some of the folks there will have read this and have some Ideas.

Ideas encouraged!

Best,
C&M
 
Casey":15icp42x said:
(Jay) Yea, mosquitoes (and noseeum's in some places) are definitely a concern. I'm trying to think of ways to mitigate that - but haven't come up with a viable solution yet.
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Mosquitoes are no match for the Thermacell http://www.thermacell.com

I even have one in my ditch bag.

Hope you have a pleasant trip, I'll PM my contact info for if you make it to Anchorage.
 
Casey-
We drove up the Dempster Highway years ago in our Alaska pop-up camper on a Ford F-250 -- a fine trip. Watch for the wildlife en route. We saw wolves at the den, musk oxen, and Arctic foxes. Many northern birds including Goshawks and Snowy Owls.

We then took a small boat ride from Inuvik over to Tuktoyaktuk and it was well worth the trip. The birds and other wildlife ( we saw polar bears) on the Arctic coast are marvelous. If you can take the road to Tuk, we would advise that.

For bugs in the camper shell, we had little head net 'tents' that fit over our heads in the sleeping bag and they worked fine. Had to snatch the few 'innies' that got in while putting it up. Think we got the nets at REI.

It's a fine trip North and we sure recommend it.

We also took an Adventure Canada small ice-hardened boat trip from the Alaska north coast to Greenland last year -- through the NW Passage through the Canadian Arctic Islands. The famous Passage that killed many an English explorer (including most of John Franklin's crew). Fabulous trip if you want an amazing High Arctic Adventure.
Take your time and enjoy your trip North. It's a good one.
 
Funny, Bugs. I drove to Homer several years ago, and don't even remember bugs. Left Salt Lake mid March, and came back to UT first of May. No Bugs, but I do remember my milk freezing in the cab. :shock: :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon


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breausaw":1qe87vg8 said:
Casey":1qe87vg8 said:
(Jay) Yea, mosquitoes (and noseeum's in some places) are definitely a concern. I'm trying to think of ways to mitigate that - but haven't come up with a viable solution yet.
Click to expand...

Mosquitoes are no match for the Thermacell http://www.thermacell.com

I even have one in my ditch bag.

Hope you have a pleasant trip, I'll PM my contact info for if you make it to Anchorage.
Click to expand...
Whether on the boat or truck camper we carry two of these. One, the regular & the other the lantern type. They definitely work on mosquitoes, but on the SE Alaska noseeums, I saw very little if any effect.

Jay
 
We have a Thermacell, and will definitely take it. As I recall it is not to be used in an enclosed space (i.e. covered truck bed) because it would be toxic (not to mention smelly).

Idea. I wonder if a piece of cloth, liberally sprayed with good bug spray (deet), cling anti-static, or some other substance, and hung in the back while we're driving might create a micro-climate mosquitoes dislike. We could refresh it occasionally to keep it activated. (Note to Self: Remember to use a bug repellant, NOT an attractant!)

I'm thinking ... I'm thinking.

We ordered a new top for the F150 yesterday. The A.R.E. (TW Model) will at least permit me to swat mosquitoes while sitting (more) upright.

Question: Does ADF&G have a season or 'limit on mosquitoes? Will we need hunting licenses?????

Received my new copy of the "Milepost" yesterday. Fun planning!

Best,
C&M
 
Casey said,

"Idea. I wonder if a piece of cloth, liberally sprayed with good bug spray (deet), cling anti-static, or some other substance, and hung in the back while we're driving might create a micro-climate mosquitoes dislike. We could refresh it occasionally to keep it activated. (Note to Self: Remember to use a bug repellant, NOT an attractant!)

I'm thinking ... I'm thinking."
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Casey, I had really good results with an insect repellent "Picaridin" from REI. It worked all day in really hot sticky, sweaty conditions, (Dominican Republic) when I was there last Nov. Good stuff, and it does not damage your shirts or nylon packs or webbing.

I didn't try this for mosquitoes, but it works well for bees, yellow jackets and wasps: Bounce dryer sheets. I have also covered around on the trailer to discourage mice from entering the boat and I'm pretty sure it worked, No traces of the ratty little critters.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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El and Bill":j4s7ijyv said:
The famous Passage that killed many an English explorer (including most of John Franklin's crew)
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El and Bill, incredible story as you are probably aware. At our last Power Squadron Christmas party we had the pleasure of hearing the story of the discovery of the HMS EREBUS AND HMS TERROR. The account and slide show was presented by Professor Robert Park. He is from the Dept. of Anthropology - University of Waterloo(Ontario). He was one of the 3 credited with the find and worked with the search team from 2008 until the second ship was found last year. Interesting stuff!

Casey and Mary, sorry we won't see you up on The Trent this year but your new plans sound amazing - ENJOY!

Regards, Rob
 
Bob -
El and I have been watching the University of Waterloo videos of Prof. Park's story of the discovery of the Erebus, the John Franklin ship from the doomed NW Passage excursion. Wow! What a great summary of the exploration of the NW Passage. Thank you for mentioning his name.

Yes, our cruise through the Passage was historic and exciting. The western entrance into the Passage from the Beaufort Sea opened the day before we arrived. Ice was pouring out of the Strait on the falling moon tide and we were able to navigate in, late in the day. We slid and turned in the Passage thru the Canadian Arctic Islands, coming ashore in small rubber tenders that allowed us to visit the grave sites of some of the Franklin men and those of some of the searchers for John Franklin. We saw polar bears, musk oxen, and wonderful Arctic birds and marine life.
At the eastern end of the Passage we slipped out into Baffin Bay late in the afternoon, as a north wind rose and sealed off the Passage with drift ice (closed it for the winter). If we were a few hours later, we would have been frozen into the Passage and required an emergency evacuation. We continued north in Baffin Bay, to Grise Fiord, northernmost Inuit village in Canada and then, just before ice closed the harbor exit, farther north up Baffin Bay to the northernmost village in nw Greenland. Then south down the west coast of Greenland, into and out of those incredible fiords that slice that wild and beautiful coast.

An incredible experience with history and the present climate change opportunity to see a part of the Arctic seen by so few (and only seen before by those who later perished in the north).
 
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