This is the story of our 12th long trip with our Airstream trailer. Its a journey that takes us to a land of beauty, mystery and a midnight sun ... Alaska. This site offers a description of where we are and what we're doing. We hope you find it of interest. Comments are welcome.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Friday, July 29, 2016
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.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
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.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
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.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
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.
Monday, July 25, 2016
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
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 |
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.
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