Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 20:59:51 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Info needed for road trip to Alaska 2004???
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Lived in Alaska for 30 years. Last drove the Alaska Highway southbound
in August of '96. Road was paved most of the way, with a few spots under
construction or a few miles, but nothing significant. The paving and
upgrading is an ongoind thing and it will do nothing but get better over
the years.
Plenty of gas stops along the highway so needing to carry extra fuel was
not a problem. I did carry some extra water in the for of bottled water
for convenience. My van then was a 85 GL. It was loaded, and I traveled
with the rear seat down folded into the bed configuration. I had two egg
crate rubber pads for added comfort. I kept the right side by the
sliding door clear for sleeping. I used Mosquito netting with stick-on
velcro for bug protection. Got some cheap curtains from Wall World for
privacy. To close off the front of the van I simply bought an extendable
curtain rod, put a piece of aircraft safet wire in a loop on each end
and hung it over the front coat hangers on the door posts. Made it cozy.
I slept at campgrounds along the way. I liked the showers.
You can have frost as late as mid June and as early as mid August around
Watson Lake, in the Yukon, and during the month of June many of the
lakes along the highway will still be frozen. Coming South I was at
Watson Lake on August 18, and the temp was 28 degrees that one night. My
next night was further south and it was considerably warmer. In the high
country the Birch, Aspens, and Willow will already be turning yellow by
mid august.
Mosquitoes are viscious, carry plent of bug repellant. Once you are in
Anchorage look up Mountain View Sporting Goos and buy a can or two of
Buhach. Just follow the instructions. You will glad you did. It is the
finest mosquito repellant ever and has been used in Alaska forever. It
is the pure pyrethreum flower ground to a fine powder.
I didn't cook along the way, but did keep some snacks on hand in the
event I had a break down.
I had found early in the game that protection from mechanical problems
on my van required a strengint maintenance regimen on my part on the
vehicle. It also required that I be well versed with the various systems
on my van. I made it a point to study the Bentley and I had it under the
front seat in the event I needed it during my trip. I covered 4,500
miles in seven days, had three stops for mechanical's, and did not have
a single event that could not be dealt with efficiently, as I was able
to coach the mechanic due to my familiarity with the vehicle. He knew
the mechanic trade, I knew my van, and between us we got it done in
short order. Sixty miles from my final destination - Birmingham, AL -
the water pump blew, and I had the beast towed the rest of the way.
Termination Dust:
In mid to late August the weather systems that will move through Alaska
will obscure the surround mountain peaks with clouds. When the weather
moves out, new fallen show can be seen where there was not before. This
is know as Termination Dust. It it when the Turons terminate their stay
in Alaska and start bak down the Alaska Highway, so as not to be caught
by an early snow in the interior along the Alaska Highway. As the
weather continues to cool with the changin season, the Termination Dust
will slowly march down the mountains with each successive weather
passage, until there is a snow fall in the valley. With that, Winter has
arrived.
If you prepare your rig well, get it well serviced, you should have no
problems on the trip. There is a VW dealership in Anchorage, as well as
several VW shops. Just be sure you have your Bentleys with you.
Good luck and enjoy your journey
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Chelsea, AL
Hermann the German wrote:
> Friends -
>
> browsed through my Milepost 2002 copy yesterday and decided to get a
> head start on the family trip to Denali in July and August 2004.
> Alaska and Westy veterans, here are some of my early questions :
>
> - Which vehicle should I take? 87 Westy Eurospec conversion (fast,
> sleeps all four of us,premium gas, not every shop likes to work on
> conversions) or 89 Syncro van (slow, regular unleaded, only sleeps
> three, I would have to tent camp , rugged, good ground clearance).
>
> -What should I do to prepare the van? New springs, shocks, lift kit?
>
> - Where to store extra gas cans and 2nd spare wheel?
>
> - Any must-see-sights besides what is mentioned in the Milepost ?
> Anything I should stay away from. First hand info would be most
> appreciated.
>
> - Any VW mechanics along the Alaskan HWY?
>
> TIA. Cheers,
>
> Hermann de Boer
>
> Kansas City,Missouri 87 Westy "Eurospec" 89 Syncro GL "...even if you
> win the rat race, you are still a rat..."
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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