Thanks for the good wishes and tips. I'm checked into the Riley Campground for 3 days and have already booked the Eielson bus for Friday. Hope I can hold out for 8 hours.
Weather here right now is beautiful and sunny with some wispy (tech term) clouds. Hoping to see Denali while I'm here, but if not plenty else to see.
Had a great 3 night stay in Denali National Park. Beautiful, sunny weather for days 1 and 3 and cloudy for day 2. Got to see Mt. McKinley on day 1 from about mile 10 on the internal park hwy, thereby qualifying for the "30% Club" (bought my T-shirt). Took the bus 66 miles into the park on day 2, but it was cloudy, so no mountain view. However, saw quite a bit of wildlife, mostly caribou. Also, 2 moose, 3 dall sheep, 1 grizzly up close and a momma bear with 2 cubs far away. Frankly, I expected to see more, but at least saw some. Some incredible scenery as you get deep into the park.
Saturday I back tracked 50 miles to go to a bluegrass music festival in Anderson, AK. Had a good time and heard some good music. Had to seek out shade on Saturday afternoon, it was so sunny.
Now I'm working my way towards Anchorage and on to the Kenai Peninsula. Want to get to the Kenai before the weekend rush from Anchorage.
FYI, I've updated my website through the bluegrass festival.
Currently in Seward, AK, after a couple of stops at USFS campgrounds between here and Anchorage. Pretty much passed through Anchorage w/o checking anything out, except for lunch and gas.
Rainy day as I drove along Turnagain Arm (S of Anchorage) and I had to work to keep my rig in my lane due to the wind.
Enjoyed the visit to the USFS Visitor Center at Portage Valley. Nice exhibits and film. Gloomy day, though.
A lot of the reason I travel is for the scenery and the Kenai has sure been supplying it. Between Portage and Seward is really impressive. And I'm only getting started.
Got a nice campsite in one of the Seward city "pack 'em in" campgrounds with a full view of the bay. Being an ex-boater, it's fun to watch the boats go in and out of the harbor. Friday was mostly sunny (yea), but looks like it's back to the rain starting today (boo).
I'll stay here a 2nd night to visit the SeaLife Center today then start working my way W to Homer. Current plans are to be on the Kenai for about 3 weeks.
Pics below are the view out my camper window at Seward and a nice catch I saw on the local dock.
I've updated my website through Thursday night, which doesn't include here at Seward. Will probably include that this evening.
Hey Ralph,
We are in soldotna right now after our quick vacation north. We have to go to Homer by 830 pm tomorrow to catch the ferry home to Kodiak.
If you get a chance, take the Denali Highway. It is over 100 miles of gravel road, but some of the most beautiful scenery in Alaska. We have been around AK a lot, and that drive was Incredible! Most of the time it was 30 mph or less, but there was a few times we got up to 45 mph. Just be prepared for a very dirty truck nd camper if it is raining... I'll try to post some of our rig before and after later!
We spent Wednesday night in Tangle Lakes BLM camp ground, very nice and clean, but just the normal pit toilets. But the only gasoline from Cantwell to delta jctn or Glennallen was in Tangle Lakes lodge for $4.65/gal, and we didnt see diesel at all...
If you are in Homer tomorrow evening, we'll be in the ferry line, and you can't miss the Avion TC...
Garry K
Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper
Thanks for the Denali Hwy tip. I passed the Cantwell junction a week or so ago coming S. Maybe I'll try it on the way home. Have had other people suggest it, also.
Hope the ferry ride was good. Won't be in Homer until several days from now.
Garry, is the Paxson Lodge not selling fuel? In 2011, they had both unleaded and diesel, according to their ad in the Milepost. I didn't stop last summer for fuel at Paxson Lodge, as I can easily run from Glennallen to Delta on one tank.
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Chevy 3500 DRW Dmax CC - Rockwood 8281 SS 5th Whl & 2008 Lance 845 TC www.pajbcooper.com web site
Alaska Trip 2011 posted
Colo-Utah-Ariz 2012 trip posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".
joe b. wrote: Garry, is the Paxson Lodge not selling fuel? In 2011, they had both unleaded and diesel, according to their ad in the Milepost. I didn't stop last summer for fuel at Paxson Lodge, as I can easily run from Glennallen to Delta on one tank.
Hi Joe,
The Paxson Lodge allowed their state permitting to lapse. Now under new management, the state is not in any hurry to come reinspect...
We fought terrible headwinds from Delta Junction, so we were down to half a tank by the time we got to Paxson... But we got fueled up at Tangle Lakes, so we were not worried about the crossing. We made it all the way over and Down to the turnoff to Talkeetna before we needed to fuel again.
Garry
PS
I only have a single 28 gallon tank... So even at 11 to 15 mpg, I don't have a real long range. Some day I'll spring for one of those custom made large under bed tanks, but that will have to wait till we move back to the lower 48, since the shipping would be the same asthe tank.
Garry
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