Caravaneer
California
New Member
Joined: 05/06/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
We're in the initial stages of planning a trip to Alaska. We want to go up via the Marine Highway from Bellingham and back via the Alaska Highway. One issue I see is our dog.
Dogs are not allowed out of their RV's except every eight hours on the ferry. We want to stop often at the towns along the inland water way anyhow but the leg from Bellingham to the first stop is quite a ways.
Evidently one can get in Denali NP only by bus and the trip to Wonder Lake for instance is about 11 hours round trip or longer if you stop as of course everyone would want to do.
Has anyone encountered any problems with his or her dog on the ferry to Alaska? Are there kennels for short term use that serve visitors to Denali? Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
Caravaneer
|
ktnhog
Ketchikan
New Member
Joined: 10/31/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I don't have any information on Denali.
For the ferry from Bellingham, they make announcements over the PA about every 8 hours on the BLI-KTN run so that you can go down to the car deck and let your dog out. You have to clean up after them, so paper towels, etc. The run is about 36 hours.
My wife and I have always thought this was too much to ask of our dog (even though others do it). Whenever we travel with the pets, we drive to Rupert for the ferry to Ketchikan, about 6 hours.
Dan
Ruth & Dan
'08 Winnebago Outlook 31C/Workhorse
|
HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2004
View Profile
|
Another factor to consider in making your decision is that most of the glacier tours are by boat and take the best part of the day.
Harry
With wife Carole 10 yrs fulltiming
Retired U.S. Army
2002 Carriage LS 37' 5er; 2006 Lance 1181
2008 F-450 King Ranch 4x4 fully loaded
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
SKP # 54751
Geocacher "DosTortugas"
Harry's BLOG
|
jrtgirls
Garner, NC USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/04/2003
View Profile
|
We did the Alaska Marine Hwy in 2005 with two Jack Russells. They were not thrilled with having to go potty on cement but they adjusted.
We also went to Denali--but our traveling buddies took the dogs out for us.
We travelled 12,000 miles and did not have any problems having the dogs with us.
Happy Trails.
jrtgirls
|
SuperDave178
Tacoma, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I recommend that you NOT take a dog for a variety of reasons. Yes, I've made the same trip. I wrote out my reasoning twice but the site wasn't functioning properly. I'll retype my thoughts if you'd like.
Dave
Live every day as though it were your last; someday you'll be right.
|
|
|
Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2004
View Profile
|
That's the reason we drove both ways - not sure about leaving our dogs for such extended periods?? Didn't want to risk kidney/bladder infections since they will NOT potty in the house until they're about to die.... but other people seem to make it work for them.
Many RV Campgrounds offer dog-walking services - check ahead?
We took a 7 hr boat tour - and exercised the dogs HARD before we left. They were still asleep when we returned...LOL!!
Deb
|
SuperDave178
Tacoma, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I still believe that the trip is for YOUR enjoyment not the dogs'.
They'd be happier at home with a "sitter". Once underway you've lost that option and Alaska is/BC a BIG place.
Dave
|
TRAV-DOG
Lake Anna, Virginia
New Member
Joined: 11/16/2007
View Profile
|
We took this trip this pass summer, except that we left from Prince Rupert, BC to avoid the long fery ride from Bellingham. We broke the Ferry ride into 5 segments, starting at Prince Rupert with stops at Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau and finally Skagway. We stayed between 2 to 4 nights at each port depending on the next available ferry. The longest ride was about 13 hours (Petersburg to Sitka) but there was a stop at Kake where we could walk the pup. We were traveling with a not quite 2 year old 70 pound Bouvier de Flanders who looks much larger. She did great. The trip was wonderful. What a great introduction to Alaska. Glacers and rain forest within a few miles of each other. Back on the mainland, we went halibut fishing in Homer, took glacier tours out of Sewart, and air tours to Mt McKinley from Talkeetna. In each case they were approx half day tours (6 hrs), and we camped adjacent to the docks and walked to the boat, so the RV (with dog) stayed parked in the campground. (In Talkeetan the air service sent a van to pick us up. The RV stayed parked under shade trees.) In Denali, the trip to Wonder Lake is at least 12+ hours. Since we felt this was to long to leave our dog alone in a RV parked in a parking lot, My wife who was really looking forward to the trip went alone and I stayed within the 15 or so miles that you are allowed in private transportation and took a few short circuit hikes. The dog was fine for the short time she was left alone. By the way my wife had a grand time and saw lots of wildlife. I enjoyed my hikeing and did not have to endure 12+ hours on a "school bus". I highly recommend the Marine Highway. In my opinion it is a not to be missed section of Alaska.
|
