Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:07:28 -0400
Reply-To: Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Alaska trip tips
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2007041721563645@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Rob,
I echo the suggestions of obtaining a copy of "The Milepost" before the
trip. During the summer of 2005, my wife and spent almost 80 days on the
road and drove from Harrisonburg, Virginia to Dawson City and back. What a
great resource! Until you actually study "The Milepost", you can't believe
how helpful it can be.
We typically spent only one night at a place and that evening or in the
morning, I would look at "The Milepost" and decide where we might stop along
the next day's drive. Without the Milepost, I would have "never" stopped at
places like the George Johnston Museum in Teslin, southeast of Whitehourse.
I also echo Paul Guzyk's advice on visiting Altin. In fact, his posting of
pictures of his trip enticed me to make the detour (and it is a detour) to
Altin, BC. It is one beautiful place. My wife and I happened to be in town
when they were having an annual fund raiser tea for a old boat and my wife
rented period clothes at a local store/shop/something and we attended the
tea and sat at a table and had a great conversation with some fascinating
people. Whether on purpose or not, I don't remember, but it also happened
that a caravan of old restored vehicles from Anchorage were in town that
day.
While the roads were much better than I expected them to be, be prepared.
Purchase something to protect your headlights--either the covers or the
stick on protective laminate from one of the list vendors. Purchase good
tires and have a good spare. I had the Michelin Agilis and never had to
resort to a spare but I was prepared if needed. Before the trip, I had my
old pitted windshield replaced and returned from the trip with some stone
chips as a souvenir--but I expected that. I just didn't want to make that
trip with my old pitted windshield which made driving into the sun a real
adventure.
There is so much to see and do that you will never do it all in one trip.
Just go at your own speed and let your desires for the day dictate the pace.
I have never taken time to post any of my pictures. Perhaps sometime before
the month ends I can post a few.
Best of travels,
Harold
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Harold & Faye Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA
On 4/17/07, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone would care to offer some tips on traveling
> to Alaska by VW in the summer. Plan to drive.
> Tips on places to stop, things to see, VW stuff or anything else you
> think is important to be mentioned on talking about driving up to Alaska.
> FWIW I'm going to save these for now...
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Rob
> becida@comcast.net
>
> With a '91 Subaru 2.2 in an '87 Vanagon in western Washington.
>
--
Harold & Faye Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA
