Well, I have read every post on this thread with excitement. My wife and I were set to leave the first week of July and return to NC sometime late September. However, we just retired last June (07) and I just couldn't get my wife excited about the three month trip.
We took off and did the Maine, Canada, Niagara Falls trip this August to get her ready for the Alaska trip in '09.
We(I) are/am already getting set for ALASKA '09. When we get the '09 thread started, I will be on board.
I am so glad everyone ejoyed their time on the road and got home safely. For those still traveling, take care.
Everyone, fall is lovely here. Today we drove from Cooper Landing to Anchorage for some service on the RV. It was a beautiful drive. The the golds, greens and reds were so vivid in contrast to the snow on the tops of the mountains and patch fog. I didn't want the drive to end,but we soon found ourselves in Anchorage. WE are taking some down time in Anchorage for shopping for the upcoming winter at Cooper Landing.
Everyone, fall is lovely here. Today we drove from Cooper Landing to Anchorage for some service on the RV. It was a beautiful drive. The the golds, greens and reds were so vivid in contrast to the snow on the tops of the mountains and patch fog. I didn't want the drive to end,but we soon found ourselves in Anchorage. WE are taking some down time in Anchorage for shopping for the upcoming winter at Cooper Landing.
Who is coming back next year?
I think a get together in AK would be a great idea! We had so much fun this summer that we have been thinking very seriously about going back next year. However, we spent almost double more than the budget I had set up for this trip, and if the economic situation doesn't lessen next year, we might stick around home instead. Not only fuel prices, but the cost of living in Canada and Alaska is much higher than the rest of the lower 48. The only thing we found cheaper up there were the rv park prices.....most of those were on par with those down here or maybe even a little cheaper. Food, fuel, and miscellaneous spending is difficult to contend with.
Fullmoon... where are you getting your rv work done in Anchorage? I can recommend "Karens RV" whole heartedly as she did some excellent work on our Simba this summer and was able to squeeze us in her cramped schedule due to our limited time in town. She even did all of our warranty work with a smile. We first went to the rv dealer on 5th st (ave?) and he not only would NOT fit us in, was also not very nice about it....but did recommend Karen to us.
We are now in Boise, heading for SLC before going back home. Been a fantastic trip!!!
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35
86 Toy 4x4 P/U for Toad.
Tow Bar: Sterling
Brakes: Unified
Toys:
Yamaha 660R Raptor (mine)
Honda 350ES Rancher (hers)
64 Fairlane w/351c - 4sp
Both Fed CS Retirees
Hobbies:
DW's: Quilting
Mine: DW
We have to go to Simmonds RV due to warranty situation with the hitch. We have heard that Karen's is good and we also liked A & M. I think Simmonds will work out nicely because they have been so very accommodating to us for the work.
I am sure people here who travel to AK will appreciate knowing who to turn to for service in the area. We also had good service at Wingfoot Tires in Anchorage. We had to purchase a tire and found it no more expensive than in Albany, NY. In fact the tire itself was less expensive, the service just about the same.
Things are more expensive here, but since we were hosts at a campground, we had little milage on the MH, and the car gets >30 mpg, so we didn't feel too bad there. In mid summer, if we shopped carefully (and accepted kind gifts of fish) we didn't do too badly for food. WE did dine out a lot, but found the senior center for a HUGE, very good lunch at $6/meal (we joined). Then ate snacks and salad, etc later in the day.
We find that we feel Alaska is another "home" for us now. We love it here and may decide to stay. We will travel south like many who do live here and come back in the summer.
If you get up here, look us up at the boat launch in Cooper Landing. WE will be staying in the host cabin for the winter and hopefully the summer too.
FMOS,
Simmons is good people - we bought our fifth wheel from them and they have taken care of us since. We had some small issues with our fiver here in Fairbanks and Simmons called up a dealer here in town and told them to take care of us and they did.
I can recommend Simmons for your work. For parts and supplies, A&M on 5th Ave is about the best in town. There isn't a whole lot to choose from in RV accessories in Alaska...you just have to shop around. And if it's something not really really common, you'll have to go to CW to get it.
Sounds like you got bit by the Alaska bug big-time! Don't feel bad, it happens to a lot of folks. One thing about this country...you either love it and can't live anywhere else, or you hate it and can't get out of Alaska fast enough!
"There's no such thing as too much tow vehicle!"
Wes, Linda, & kids
"Tow Twuck" - 2008 Ford F350 DRW CC LB 6.4 Powerstroke
"Cougar" - 2006 Keystone Cougar 289EFS Fifth Wheel Our Website
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