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Trip Summary

Whew!  The next time we go to the store we better take a map. Here’s a summary of what happened on the way.

About Alaska

We had some impressions and expectations of Alaska when we started out on this journey. They came from many sources, current and dated. It’s safe to say nearly all were wrong.

We made intentional stops at Tok, Chicken, Fairbanks, Denali Park, Anchorage, Kenai, Homer, Ninilchik, Seward, Glacier View and Valdez. None were alike. They varied from old to new, small to large, mountainous to seacoast, remote to bustling.

The highways in Alaska are in very good condition. They rival some of the best highways we’ve seen in the lower 48. Highway construction and maintenance is well managed and on par with the rest of the country. The horror stories we heard about the highways must have been about the Alcan Highway in Canada ... it wasn’t as bad there as we heard, but close.

There’s so much to take in up here: the geography, terrain, wildlife, weather, Russian cultural influence, First Nation heritage, economy, extended daylight, and the lifestyle. I hope we observed with reverence and didn’t offend.

We went as far north as Fairbanks and as far west and south as possible by car.

Travel Trivia

We drove 12,036 miles (10,886 miles towing) and got 14.6 mpg on this trip.

The total for the past 9 years is 92,054 miles driven (76,445 miles of towing) and 360 trailer set-ups.

The Dodge Durango (V-6) got better gas mileage than on any trip with the Chevy Trailblazer (V-8) and had absolutely no problem with mountain towing.

Expectations

We experienced something quite unexpected when we came out of Canada … we call it WWS (Wilderness Withdrawal Syndrome). We felt like we were leaving a serene retreat and being jolted by a raucous world. Guess that means we really enjoyed our journey to the Last Frontier.

Special Sights & Experiences

* Driving through a snowstorm between Ft. St. John and Ft. Nelson, BC

* Crossing Summit Pass on the Alcan

* Denali National Park

* Lake Hood float plane base in Anchorage

* Columbia Glacier and Wildlife cruise out of Valdez

* The hike to Montgomery Glacier

* The Cassiar Highway

* Seeing totem poles in Teslin, YT and Hazelton, BC

* Fraser Canyon north of Hope, BC

* Etc., etc., etc.

Useful Things

The Milepost (it’s useful in AK, AB, BC, YT and NT)

Mosquito repellent (though we only used it a few times)

Useless Things

Bear spray

Northern Lights Coupon Book

Disappointments

* We missed the midnight baseball game in Fairbanks.

* We should have taken the 12 hour Kantishna Experience Tour at Denali.

Problems

* TPMS monitor stopped displaying trailer tire pressures.

* Fresh water tank developed a slow leak.

* Rear Fantastic Fan frame leaked during heavy rain.

* A/C ran, but wouldn’t cool.

* Replaced a few internal rivets.

* Replaced a fuse in the rear Fantastic Fan.

* A few small stone chips on the car hood

Our Next Trip

We may go somewhere later this year or early next. No decision yet.

Day 74 – Marshall, MI to Columbus, OH

We started preparing for real life as we made our way home.

The Route

The 238 mile route home included some country views as we snaked our way from I-69 in Michigan to US-33 in Ohio.

We began by taking I-69 south to Ft. Wayne, I-469 around Ft. Wayne, and US-30 to Lima. Then we followed OH-117 into the country and to US-33 at Huntsville. US-33 took us through Marysville to US-270S and we went around to Roberts Rd. and to our storage lot.

About the Day

This was a very different day. It started nicely with temperatures in the low 70’s and sunny skies. It became hazy, and then overcast as the day wore on. The temperature made it into the mid 80’s. Dark clouds rolled in late in the day and the heaviest downpour we’ve seen on the trip arrived.

Along the Way

This was not a picture-taking day.

We listened to the end of an audio book and talked about the past, present and future. What were the highlights of the trip? What do we need to do when we get home? Where will we go next? There was no definitive answer to question #3.

Arriving home …

We got to the storage lot at about 3:30pm.

Then, the reality of how much we had stuffed into our little home became apparent. It took multiple trips to return the stuff to its usual resting place.

We were greeted by a back yard that had become a rain forest. Yikes!

Rain arrived in the form of a torrential downpour as we got home with our second load (mostly hanging clothes). We went out to eat and waited for the storm to pass. There was no street parking when we got home from dinner and the back entrance was blocked by very tall, wet weeds. It was 8:30pm, so we just left everything in the car and parked in the garage.

Tomorrow

We’ll continue adjusting to real life.

Day 73 – St. Ignace, MI to Marshall, MI

The smell of the hay overcame the call of the road. We picked the shortest route home.

The Route

We took US-2 a short distance east to I-75, crossed Mackinac Bridge on I-75 and continued south to US-127 south of Grayling, then followed US-127 to Lansing and I-69 to Marshall. It was a 282 mile trip on some pretty bumpy highways.

About the Day

We had intermittent rain showers during the night and woke to overcast skies, cool temperatures and high humidity. The day cleared to mostly sunny and warmed to 88°.

Along the Way

This day had two highlights for us … crossing Big Mac and arriving at the night’s campground.  The scenes along Michigan’s highways didn’t change much.

From the UP …

This sign was an eye catcher.
A pastie is a large to medium sized round
battered pie common to Northern Ireland.

Big Mac …

Highway scenes …

This is pretty much what we saw.

Turkeyville …

Two street names caught our attention when we exited I-69 at Marshall.

·         N Drive North

·         15 ½ Mile Road

Neither was creative and the ½ really upset our GPS’ voice direction.

Turkeyville sponsors lots of community activities. There was a motorcycle rally and an outdoor concert tonight. There were lots of people and it was lots of fun.

Turkeyville has a restaurant (all meals include turkey), an ice cream parlor, a gift shop and fun attractions.

 

Turkeys roam the grounds.

The Campground

We’re camped at Camp Turkeyville RV Resort. It’s beautifully designed, well managed and part of the Cornwell Turkeyville organization.

Approaching the campground

Fishing pond

Office & General Store

Site #39

Tomorrow

We should get home.

Day 72 – Michigamme, MI to St. Ignace, MI

We spent the day traveling across the Upper Peninsula.

The Route

Today’s 190 mile journey touched a number of routes. We started out on MI-28/US-41 and followed them past Marquette to Harvey where we continued on US-41 to US-2 at Rapid River. US-2 took us along the Lake Michigan shore to St. Ignace.

About the Day

Today was another sunny day. The temperature reached a high of 84°. We were up early and on the road by 9:30.

Along the Way

Lake Superior near Marquette

MI-28/US-41

A reminder from Christmas, MI

It’s a great travel day.

Lake Michigan scenes …

Campground scenes …

Mackinac Bridge

The Campground

We’re camped at Lakeshore Park Campground on the shore of Lake Michigan and within sight of Mackinac Bridge. The view and breezes are delightful. The facility is nice.

Site #307

Tomorrow

Cross the Straits of Mackinac to the Lower Peninsula.

Day 71 – Brainerd, MN to Michigamme, MI

This was a really long travel day.

The Route

We took MN-371 north from Crow Wing Lake Campground to MN-210, MN-210 east to I-35, I-35 north to US-53 in Duluth, then US-2 through Wisconsin into Michigan, and MI-28 to Michigamme. It was a 345 mile journey.

About the Day

Today was another sunny day. The temperature reached a high of 81°. We were up early and on the road by 9:30.

Along the Way

Our highway fortunes changed quite a bit today. Most of our travel was on two-lane roads. MN-210 and US-2 were pretty rough in spots.

MN-210

I-35 approaching Duluth

US-2

Duluth is an impressive port city and is, by far, the largest city we passed today.

 

Travel Trivia

Camp Ripley is a training facility operated by the Minnesota National Guard. It’s near Crow Wing Lake Campground. We learned about it late last night … when they conducted tank artillery exercises. Boom, boom, boom!

The Campground

We’re staying at Michigamme Shores Campground. Our site is large, attractive and peaceful. There’s probably something funny we could say about the name “Michigamme”, but we’ll leave it alone because they allowed two Buckeyes to camp here.

Site #11

Tomorrow

We’re heading for Sault Ste. Marie.

Day 70 – Jamestown, ND to Brainerd, MN

The landscape gets greener as we continue eastward. It’s getting more humid, too.

The Route

We took I-94 to Fargo, US-10 to Brainerd, and then MN-371 south to the campground. It was a 250 mile travel day.

 About the Day

We awoke to sunshine, clear skies and 64°. There were variable winds through the day and the temperature reached a high of 81°.

Along the Way

Jamestown’s Frontier Village highlights …

We saw the World’s Largest Holstein Cow yesterday. Today we got to see Dakota Thunder, the World’s Largest Buffalo at Jamestown’s Frontier Village. Could the World’s Largest Cinnamon Roll be next?

 

There's a buffalo herd and a buffalo museum at the Village.

White Cloud is the only recorded
true albino bison in the world.

National Buffalo Museum 

There are two pygmy goats named Ted & Fred.

We learned that Louis L’Amour (yes, the author) was born in Jamestown. He's honored at the Village.

The Pioneer Village presents many other restored buildings, artifacts and activities.

Louis L'Amour Lane

But, I'm innocent!

Stagecoach rides 

This Daylily brightened the day.

Highway scenes …

Entering Minnesota

Our first lake sighting – 9,999 to go.

Approaching Brainerd

Travel Trivia

We stayed at Crow Wing Lake Campground on July 24, 2010 during our Northwest Trip. We picked it on purpose this time.

We use the terms buffalo and bison interchangeably in the U.S. Yet, no buffalo have ever lived in North America. We’ll probably never change because it sounds odd to yearn for a home where the bison roam.

The Campground

We’re staying at Crow Wing Lake Campground. The campground is located 9 miles south of Brainerd. It has new ownership since our last visit and they’ve made very nice improvements. Our site is large and level. They offer many services. The sites are raked before each guest arrives … very classy. The daily rate is the highest we've seen.

Site #41

Boat docks

Lakefront

Tomorrow

We may make it to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.