Just arrived in Tok today. Survived the drive north fine.
Roads were bare and dry. Some areas had snow on the ground, but none on the road. Only had one night below freezing. (Not a problem for us. We don't run the furnace, but we do travel with a down comforter for the bed.)
Only about 1/3rd of the businesses are open. None of the government campgrounds (other than Liard Hot Springs). But, plenty of fuel stops.
Sourdough Biscuits wrote: Just arrived in Tok today. Survived the drive north fine.
Roads were bare and dry. Some areas had snow on the ground, but none on the road. Only had one night below freezing. (Not a problem for us. We don't run the furnace, but we do travel with a down comforter for the bed.)
Only about 1/3rd of the businesses are open. None of the government campgrounds (other than Liard Hot Springs). But, plenty of fuel stops.
Happy travels.
Bob
Been 50 years in July that I road it on my Honda, but we made it, no one sould have a problem today.
* This post was
edited 05/02/12 09:53am by Supercharged *
2005 Chev 5.3 Supercharged 395HP 425 T hp. Two wheels on front, 2 on back. one seat, tint windows. front and rear bumpers, headlights, windows. Door on each side. Heater, floor mats, 6 Reese candy bars, junk behind seats, some dirt. Pulls so hard.
Bob, I saw you got mentioned in the June copy of Motorhome magazine, on the publisher's page for your musical talents.
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
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Alaska Trip 2011 posted
Colo-Utah-Ariz 2012 trip posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".
Bob,
When I did my Alaska trip back on '06, I kept a daily journal. Here's my entry when I arrived in Tok.
"I did some shopping today at the grocery/appliance/hardware/drug/bakery/RV supply/bank. Two gallon jugs of water and a box of Wheaties was only $10.23. Nice to be back in a country where the prices are reasonable."
From the writeup in the Milepost and talking to folks along the way, I really expected Tok to be somewhat bigger. I had even read that Tok was the inspiration for the town in the TV series "Northern Exposure".
As I continued my month long visit to Alaska, I discovered that most towns only contained businesses that the local population could support. Certainly Anchorage and Fairbanks are urban areas, and Homer and Seward are big tourist draws, but there aren't many towns that can support a grocery store bigger than a 7-11.
Alaska was the trip of a lifetime for me, and going back to read my journal from time to time brings all the memories back.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.
Joe - I just went out to Barnes and Noble today to buy a copy of MotorHome Magazine just for Bob Livingston's editorial. :-) I received an email a day or two ago from someone else who told me that I was mentioned there.
Jamming with Bob was one of the highlights of the rally for me.
Jim - Several communities claim to be the inspriration for Northern Exposure. I always thought Talkeetna was the town, but who knows! Tok groceries have always been reasonable, but the one that's ALWAYS a pleasant surprise is Delta Junction. I've bought produce there for less than Anchorage or Fairbanks. (And, better quality.) Gas is only a penny or two different from Fairbanks. (We're taking the "long way home" to Anchorage... through Fairbanks.)
BobBeen 50 years in July that I road it on my Honda, but we made it, no one sould have a problem today.
Wish I'd known you then! At about the same time as your trip to Alaska, and after taking a term off from college to tour Mexico with two friends in an old VW van, tried to get one of them to ride to Alaska with me on our bikes - mine a 250cc Yamaha. Never happened and I've thought of the lost opportunity many times since. Soon married and went from two bikes, one English sports car, one go-cart, and one hydroplane to a wife, daughter and one Chevrolet. Those were the days!
Gary & Liesel
Cocoa, our Chocolate Lab companion
2013 Tiffin 30 GA
2004 Honda Element Toad
Snow flurries here on May 1, and hit around 18 F overnight on May 2...coldest days the area has seen since late March.
The month of April was very warm as the coldest day of the month was April 30 this year.
Just for reference for those heading into Fairbanks, they currently have the northbound divided lanes closed on the Richardson Hwy. as phase 1 started on the 6 mile stretch of resurfacing from Eielson AFB to the Chena Flood Control Bridge...all the pavement is removed as well as the guardrails.
It will be no passing construction zone with two lane traffic thru that stretch the majority of this summer.
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2000 Fleetwood Angler 8ft Cabover
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Sourdough Biscuits wrote: Tok groceries have always been reasonable, but the one that's ALWAYS a pleasant surprise is Delta Junction. I've bought produce there for less than Anchorage or Fairbanks.
The grocery store in Delta Junction is the best we visited in Alaska! After a couple of weeks of shopping in other stores, I felt I had entered an oasis! Wonderful spot!
Even got to see some fresh meat in the parking lot, although I'm pretty sure the hunter (the woman pictured) wasn't wanting to share her catch!
We'll be passing through Dawson Creek late this week. Can you provide any information on road conditions on The Highway? I'm particularly interested in that perennially bad stretch between Destruction Bay and Beaver Creek.
Thank you,
Jim
Jim & Bona
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