http://www.blogger.com/html?blogID=4316350785635987648 Cave Dwellings: ALASKA’S INTERIOR… DRIVE IT TO REALLY SEE IT!
Cave Dwellings

Buckhorn Creek, Lake O' The Pines, Jefferson, TX

Saturday, February 5, 2011

ALASKA’S INTERIOR… DRIVE IT TO REALLY SEE IT!

  A few of you expressed some interest in our trip to Alaska we took in 2002.  It’s hard to believe it was almost 10 years ago that we had that adventure.  It all started with a crazy dream of driving our pick up all the way to  Prudhoe Bay and see our most Northern state.  We discussed it, looked at the map, did some thinking, looked at the map again, wondered if we could do it…and looked at the map yet again!! When Dennis turned 60 years young that spring, we made the decision to throw all doubts and caution to the winds and “JUST DO IT, DAMMIT!!”

I have included some links for those of you who are interested in possibly making the trip…or making it AGAIN..

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The wildlife was everywhere….and the roads drove through such “mountain majesty”…

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Salmon bake out of an RV, in Soldotna …Middle pic is The Hutch , our B&B at Cooper Landing ,where we had a room on the top floor…Yes, you are correct in thinking there were NO elevators.  McGuyver  and I hauled our luggage AND the all important cooler clear up to the top….Right photo is Dennis watching float planes land on the Kenai River from outside our room. WHAT VIEWS!!

 

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..Obviously, I was in 7th Heaven…In the right side photo, we were stopped along the “Haul Road” (Dalton Hwy), getting a pop out of the cooler. Our entire “on the road life” was in the back of that truck..and notice the road ahead of us way in the distance, with the pipeline snaking along beside it on the right, seeming to go on forever…

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The cabin on the right was the office/gift shop at Carlo Creek Lodge,  in Healy, where we stayed in a log cabin, using it as a base camp to tour Denali.

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Left is The Lynn Canal in Haines, Alaska…and right …a few homesteads tucked into the trees at Haines…Haines is basically like a misty fiord.  The humidity is usually high and there are low clouds over the canal, as you can see.  Cruise ships stop there, but not so much as Skagway. Skagway is much more tourist driven than quiet Haines.  Haines was home to the first permanent Army post, Ft. Seward, in 1902…. and some of the old buildings are still there.

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SHOPS ALONG Resurrection Bay  IN SEWARD, WHERE WE TOOK A WHALE WATCHING CRUISE…

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DIDN’T SEE A WHALE, BUT WE DID SEE A LAZY SEA OTTER AND SOME STELLAR SEA LIONS, LOUNGING IN THE SUN.

   Hey you peeps out there with Kindles, Brindles, Nooks, Snooks, Hooks , (can you tell I don’t have one?) and all the other named e-book readers….If you haven’t read the book, Alaska by James Michener, and you love history, READ IT!! It delves deeply into Alaskan history and especially the all important roll that the “Bush” pilots have played…Speaking of bush pilots….

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McGuyver and I happened upon small business called “Coyote Air”,( as you can read over the door on their little office.)  We were headed North on the “Haul Road”, on our way to Prudhoe Bay, and found it on a little side road adjacent to Coldfoot, (which is in the middle of NOWHERE!! ) This pilot and his family lived in a trailer behind the cabin/office, and operated his flying business just North of Coldfoot,  which is North of the Arctic Circle..I couldn’t resist googling this place to see if it is still there…YES IT IS!!!!..Click the link and read about it…Still there after almost 10 years!!

YOU JUST CAN’T GET THIS STUFF FROM THE DECK OF A CRUISE SHIP!!!

OK, I could fill up 10 blogs with Alaska photos, and I ‘m pretty sure many of you have been there…But to those who have not,  and have the time and the “ITCH’ to see some pristine wilderness…..make sure to scratch that itch before you can’t reach it anymore.  The only things you need is: some time, a reliable vehicle, and an unflappable spirit of wanderlust…( of course a little cash wouldn’t hurt)….In the words of a very stubborn, crazy person with a “devil may care” attitude (that would be ME)..….. JUST DO IT , DAMMIT!!!

13 comments:

  1. I take it from the pictures you didn't RV on this trip, Would you take your 5th wheel up there on another trip, ,I think if we went I would rather go with another experienced couple, you know two couple of what's. just wondering , still don't know what my bride would say, but I will go anywhere north in the summer months. Be safe out there, Sam & Donna.

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  2. I agree that you can't see this stuff from a cruise ship. I have been planning a trip to Alaska for at least 20 years, I did not want to take a one week cruise, and the opportunity never came up to be able to take a month or more off of work. I am still planning to do the drive, but don't want to do it alone...so I am looking for someone to go with me. I am trying to make 2012 the year to do this.

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  3. Thank you for the wonderful pictures and narration. What an adventure. I am thinking 2012 might just be the year we'll do it.

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  4. Sent a two pics via email the other day, did they arrive?


    the hermit

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  5. I drove a beat up Ford Probe up the Cassia Highway many years ago and loved every second of it! Alaska is really such an amazing place! Everyone should experience it at least once if possible! Heidi and I will make a trip up there maybe next summer of the one after in the Roadtrek. That should be a bit more comfy than the probe was :) Loved your pictures as always!

    -Mike
    97 Roadtrek 170P "Taj Ma Trek"
    HTTP:WWW.VanTramps.Com

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  6. Great trip and we want to make it, but still have not decided on taking the motorhome on the journey.

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  7. Yes, Mr. the Hermit..I did get your email..and thanks again for fixing Uncle Jr.'s photos....

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  8. I agree. You can't savor the 'Alaska' experience from the deck of a cruise ship. And you could fill ten blogs with pictures. Linda & I went in 2007 in a Lance truck camper, it's the way to go. Camp at the foot of a glacier or waterfall or some other soul stirring location. "Alasaka is the bomb." Would I go back again? In a NY minute! Love the pics and as always your humor is a hoot.

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  9. I am just doing the math and realized that your beloved, Dennis is 70??..wow..he looks darn good for 70!!..love your decision..just do it damm it!!!..great photos..is this something you will do again with the hitchhiker???

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  10. Dang! Now you've got me thinking again about a return trip! How about a blogger caravan in 2012? :)

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  11. Donna, thanks so much for the great photos of your Alaska trip. It looked absolutely fantastic. I happen to be one of those folks who has no particular desire to visit Alaska and I sincerely doubt I ever will. But, I do enjoy hearing about other peoples visits there.

    I did read Michener's book Alaska and really enjoyed it and, as usual, learned a lot of history from his writing.

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  12. Well, I can't believe your timing! Yesterday, while ambling south to the California coast, Mo and I decided that this would be our year. We are doing the Alaska trip starting June 15th. Your blog post is my first research stop! Mo did the trip in 1963 or something so I would imagine it's a bit different now.

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