Hello All! The planning is progressing....I'm posting our entire ITINERARY here, for your information...I've now added a possible visit to the Fish Creek sanctuary by the Tongass Natl Forest near Hyder in Southeast Alaska to our plans, for when we are in Wrangell or Petersburg, whichever turns out to be closer to the bear-visiting place....thanks for the suggestions, one and all! I know some of you have said not to write off Fairbanks, but other friends of ours said Fairbanks was "just another city, and not a very interesting one at that"...so I do think we are going to eliminate the time and distance of driving there and going into Denali. For those of you who don't live in some of the world's most gorgeous mountains, going into Denali NP is surely something very special...but we live in one of the world's most beautiful places and are in/near many 14'ers all the time. So....
One of you asked what the $$ damages are for all of our ferrying with the RV from Whittier back across to Juneau, and then Ferry-hopping with the RV throughout Southeast Alaska....total cost $3,634. On only one of those trips (from Whittier to Juneau---nearly 2 days) did I reserve a cabin...I got us a 4-person cabin so we would have extra beds on which to poe cases & clothes, plus an in-cabin bathroom (per advice from friends who RV'ed to Alaska in summer, 2011). There's one additional ferry cost that I don't have at my fingertips right now...that is from Prince Rupert BC to Port Hardy BC....will give that to you later on. It's very reasonable, however....and I didn't get us a cabin for that rip of 15 hrs....the BC Ferries agent suggested a first-class lounge seat, instead...less expensive, more comfortable than economy class, and lots of cabin-like conveniences without the cost of a cabin. So that's what I did for that leg.
All told, considering the enormous amount of driving time, miles on the road, and fuel cost savings, I think the ferry is very cost effective for us! Would be much less so, of course, if we had a coach of 30-36 feet or more. But that's really the joy of having our 25 footer-er. Easy in lots of ways.
Here's our itinerary so far:
ALASKA ITINERARY:
May 29 RAWLINS WY (2 hrs/125 mi)
--RV World CG (no cable tv, okay, clean, but road noise) 307-328-1091
--Rawlins KOA CG (unfriendly, it?s okay, but not great) 307-328-2021
May 30 LANDER WY 2.75 hrs/ 160 mi)
--Sleeping Bear RV Park (best of anything available, immaculate facilities, great showers, very quiet!) 307-332-5159
May 31 JACKSON WY?2 nts (2.25 hrs/95 mi)
June 1 --Virginian Lodge RV Park (best available but not fabulous, expensive, has tv and wifi, clean) 800-262-4999
June 2 YELLOWSTONE NP?3 nts (2.25 hrs/95 mi)
June 3 --Yellowstone Park KOA, West Yellowstone MT 406-646-7606, 6 mi fr
June 4 west park entrance; $60/nt x 3 = 180
June 5 BUTTE MT (3.5 hrs/193 mi)
--there?s a crummy KOA in Butte, best place is Fairmont RV Park & CG, Fairmont MT, 15 mi west of Butte 406-797-3505
June 6 MISSOULA MT (2 hrs/120mi)
--definitely stay at Jim & Mary?s RV Park!! Abso the best around! Has TV. Very clean. Great facilities. Get spot farthest from train noise. 406-549-4416
June 7 GLACIER NP?4 nts (Whitefish 2.5 hrs/136 mi, Glacier is another .75 hr/126 mi)
--In Whitefish, MT, Stock up on some frozen veggies & frozen fruit for Canada travel?eggs? Milk? (NO WINE, FRESH FRUIT OR VEGGIES!)
--stay at North American RV Park & Yurt Village, Located only 5 miles west of Glacier National Park's West entrance between Mile Markers 147 & 148 (rec?d by rvforum buddy) Coram MT Good Sam. full hooks $35/nt 800-704-4266
--OR if going to the east side of the park, stay at Johnson?s CG & RV Park in Browning MT. 406-732-4207. Excellent place. $42/nt. Good Sam. Fabulous views.
June 8
June 9
June 10
June 11 BROWNING MT (1 hr/68 mi)/ ST. MARY MT (0.5 hr/29 mi)/ WATERTON PROVINCIAL PARK AB CANADA (0.75 hr/41 mi)
--FILL UP WITH GAS in Browning?30-40 cents cheaper!
--EAT for sure at the Park Place Caf? in Browning?everything homemade. Out of this world.
--FUEL UP in Browning or St. Mary, ABSO before crossing into Canada!!! (Gas is cheapest in Browning!)
--Get $250 Canadian cash right after we cross into Canada.
--Buy a Canadian USB Modem Card (TELUS?? Card) right away ?.
--Townsite CG (Parks Canada) in the town of Waterton has full hookups, nice place according to reviews. 403-859-5133
June 12 CARDSTON AB CANADA (0.5 hr/28 mi)/ BANFF AB CANADA (3.75 hrs/226 mi)
--stay in Cardston overnight if necessary, at a city park rt downtown called Cardston Lee Creek CG (city park, very nice according to rvforum guy)
--Banff has Tunnel Mtn CG (a public park) with Full HUs, only a mile from downtown Banff, $38.20/nt 403-762-1550
--a private RV park close to Banff is Spring Creek RV CG in Canmore, 14 mi from Banff $37-$40 403-678-5111
June 13 LAKE LOUISE AB CANADA (1 hr/36 mi) / JASPER AB CANADA (3.5 hrs/145 mi)
--Just West of Lake Louise, off Hwy 1/93, beyond the turnoff of Hwy 1 to the west, is Yoho Natl Park, home of the famous Burgess Shale, the finest paleontological deposit of soft invertebrates in North America?would be well worth going to!!
--Hinton/Jasper KOA, 1.5 mi west of Hinton 780-865-5061 $36.65
June 14 PRINCE GEORGE BC CANADA (4.5 hrs/233 mi)
--Bee Lazee RV Park & CG, $28 for full HUs, 250-963-7263
--stop in Prince George for a COUPON BOOK! Good visitor center..in old part of town. Interesting city?
--stay in Southland RV Park (South Park RV Park??) south of Prince George on Hwy 97?nice place?Sarge
June 15 CHETWYND BC CANADA (3.5 hrs/190 mi) / FORT ST. JOHN BC CANADA (2.25 hours/108 mi)
--Our LONGEST DAY?5.75 hrs!!
--Ross H Maclean Rotary RV Park, at Charlie Lake just north of Fort St. John. Good Sam park. $33-38 for full HU. 250-785-1700
--IF we go to Dawson Creek (interesting town, nice place?), sty at Northern Lights CG, has good restrooms! Says Sarge?does he mean Dawson City???
--June 9-10 in Chetwynd is the Intl Chainsaw Championship!
June 16 FORT NELSON BC CANADA (4.5 hrs/237 mi)
--Bluebell Inn & RV Park, old, mud & puddles, behind a gas station and motel w a convenience store; $27 for full HU. 250-774-6961 a dump!
--OR Triple G Hideaway, $37 full HUs. Best available. 250-774-2340
--Sarge says none of the RV parks in Ft Nelson is very good?he stayed at Triple G Hideaway CG, 130 sites.
--FUEL UP ABSO in Fort Nelson, before leaving!!!
--FILL UP WITH WATER FOR MUNCHO LAKE!!!
June 17 MUNCHO LAKE BC CANADA (3.5 hrs/150 mi)?2 nts
--Muncho Lake PP / Macdonalds CG NO hookups but gorgeous fabulous dry-camping!! Everybody loves this place! 250-776-7000 $16
--Northern rockies Lodge RV Park, private CG, at Mile 462 on Alaska Hwy, $42-50/nt 800-663-5269
June 18 --Sarge says to definitely FILL UP on gas in Contact Creek, on the way to Watson Lake!!
June 19 WATSON LAKE YT CANADA (3.25 hrs/170 mi)
--Baby Nugget RV Park, abt 15 mi west of Watson Lake just before the Cassiar Hwy turnoff. Fairly decent?best available. $36 for full HU. Has an RV wash. Restaurant is expensive/overpriced, but some ppl liked it.
--Sarge says all the RV parks in/near Watson Lake are icky?he stayed in Downtown RV Park
--Is KLUNE LAKE somewhere nearby?? Cottonwood RV Park?rec?d by rvforum guy?best of the worst.
June 20 WHITEHORSE YT CANADA --Summer Solstice!!! (5 hrs/272 mi)
--Hi Country RV Park $35 for full HU. Lots of shade trees, best available park. Clean facilities and good laundry room. Has tv. 867-667-7445
--Sarge says OK to stay at Pioneer RV Park?he stayed there.
--Caribou RV Park is OK, 30 amp + water, nice laundry & bathrooms! (rvforum)
--Sarge says to definitely go to The Frantic Follies in Whitehorse?hilarious! In the Westmont Hotel in downtown Whitehorse?really fun! (doesn?t perform on Mondays?this is a Thurs!)
--Sarge says there?s a fabulous restaurant in Whitehorse, ?BarbBQ and Salmon? is the name, also good is the Klondike Rib & Salmon restaurant.
--visit the Beringia Museim in Whitehorse?fun, & the caf? there is good!
--the 2-hour boat ride on the Yukon River is really a good trip!!
--Guffeys loved Whitehorse?a really neat place!!
--Guffeys say to SKIP Destruction Bay?BUT that it?s well worth considering driving north & west from Whitehorse to Dawson City, then to Chicken, THEN to TOK?.that?s really the best route!!!
June 21 DESTRUCTION BAY YT CANADA (4 hrs/162 mi)
--Sarge says Destruction Bay is the pits?a yucky place?no good RV Parks there! HOWEVER, halfway betyween Tok and Whitehorse is White River?White River RV Park is a nice place with excellent views!! Better to drive on to White River, he says!
--Cottonwood RV Park, fabulous views! Unparalleled! Only 15 amp power tho, from a generator. No tv. $32 for full HU. 867-841-4066
--Destruction Bay Lodge & RV Park, no tv, $33 for full HU 867-841-5332
--about halfway between Destruction Bay and Tok is Deadman?s Lake Campground. Free?boondocking, no hookups. 1.2 mi off the Alaska Hwy.
June 22 TOK AK / CHICKEN AK (4.75 hrs/225 mi)?2 nts
--Stay at Sourdough Campground in Tok!! RESERVE AHEAD if you want full HUs!!!
--Three Bears RV Park & Campground is ok?rvforum guy?$26/nt for full HUs, wanted to stay at Sourdough but there were no full HUs available. Sourdough is the preferred spot!
--Sarge says Tok RV Village is nice, $45/nt full HUs, has shade with pine trees.
--Gary & Eileen Guffy loved Chicken?a 75-mi drive away, but I think it?s a gravel road?town is related to the book Tisha?interesting place. Sarge liked it too?Sarge says the drive on Taylor Hwy up to Eagle is just gorgeous.
June 23 ?? Moveable day!! Extra day in Tok to drive to Chicken?? or go on to Glennallen??
--From Tok, drive south to Paxson, then go west on Denali Hwy (gravel) across to Cantwell, then south toward Anchorage?fabulous views, great wildflowers, very little traffic (almost no oncoming traffic!), outstanding wildlife!
--If we go to Gakona, the Gakona RV Park on the Copper River is really nice, says Sarge. $28/nt
June 24 GLENNALLEN AK (3 hrs/179 mi)
--Possibly stay 1-2 nights at Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge at Glennallen??
--rvforum guy said Northern Lights campground is fine?$38 CASH for E+W?LOTS of mosquitoes!!!
--Between Glennallen and Palmer, the Glacier View RV Park is just beautiful!!! It?s 60 mi from Anchorage. (Be SURE to go to Palmer?Guffeys just loved it. The musk ox farm in Palmer was so great, they spent a whole day there!!)
June 25 PAXSON to CANTWELL VIA DENALI HIGHWAY (1.25 hrs/74 mi)
--stay at the CG along the Denali Hwy!!...Sarge says the McLaren River Lodge is the GREAT place to stop along the Denali Hwy!! Do they have RV sites??
--Frommers says Denali Hwy drive is one of the best in the state!
June 26 TALKEETNA AK (2 hrs/127 mi)
--Gary & Eileen Guffy: Be sure to go to Talkeetna?took a flightseeing tour from Talkeetna to Mt McKinley / Denali?that?s definitely the BEST way to see the mountain and the area around it!
--Sarge says he had the BEST sourdough pancakes for lunch he?d ever eaten, in Talkeetna
****ARE WE GOING TO VISIT VALDEZ??? 2 ppl on rvforum said Valdez was one of their favorite 3 places in all of Alaska?Marge & Tim adored Valdez. Bear Paw II RV Park. LuLuBelle cruise was great. Eat at Totem Inn in Valdez?wonderful. Sea Otter Campground is also OK. Best prices for salmon & halibut in all Alaska are across street from Sea Otter CG at the cannery?go upstairs!****
June 27 ANCHORAGE AK (2 hrs/112 mi)?4 nts
--RESERVE at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood AK for 1-2 nights??? (3/4 hr/38 mi fr Anchorage)
--Sarge says the Golden Nugget RV Park in Anchorage is OK, not great?MUST RESERVE AHEAD!!!
--or at the Hotel Alyeska in Anchorage?
--Another place that?s interesting is Hotel Captain Cook!!
--Guffys loved Anchorage, especially the MUSEUM there?
--might want to take a flightseeing trip to Denali from here???best way to see the park & mtn
--Check out the Anchorage Theater & music scene while we?re there?
--Sarge & wife liked the Snow Goose restaurant, and the Sleeping Lady Brewery in Anchorage
--the drive from Anchorage to Seward is absolutely gorgeous, but a real WHITE-KNUCKLE DRIVE!
--Be SURE to drive to Palmer, near Anchorage?go to the Musk Ox Farm at Palmer?Guffeys just loved the musk ox farm! Spent a whole day there!
June 28
June 29
June 30
July 1 HOPE AK (1.5 hrs/88 mi)
--Guffys: Be SURE to go to HOPE AK, just off the road that leads to Whittier?Hope is a really interesting town.
July 2 SOLDOTNA AK
--The road between Soldotna & Anchorage is really crowded abt July 15 when the red salmon run starts?
--There?s a big Fred Meyer store in Soldotna!
July 3 KENAI AK (2 hrs/104 mi from Hope)?4 nts
--***RESERVE RV PARK ABSO!!!!
-- MOOSE PASS AK??
NIKISKI AK??
ANCHOR POINT AK??
SELDOVIA AK??
YAKUTAT AK??
--Guffeys: Be SURE to go to the WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER near Kenai?off the Seward Hwy?lots of great wildlife there, a fascinating place!!
--The fishing trips for salmon & Halibut from Kenai are great
July 4
July 5
July 6
July 7 HOMER AK (1.5 hrs/82 mi) ?4 nts
--RESERVE at Heritage RV Park, way out on Homer Spit!! Site #82 is fabulous! $60/nt: Sarge
--Also really nice is the Oceanview RV Park in Homer, on the bluff..full hookups, really great: Sarge
--If you want to boondock on the Homer Spit, go to City Park Beach and park for 2 days!! Sarge
Guffeys: Very very scenic place, several great little towns along the way. This is the place to get a boat tour if you want one.
--Eat at the Broadway Inn on the Homer Spit..great fish & chips! Sarge
July 8
July 9
July 10
July 11 SEWARD AK (3.5 hrs/168 mi)?3 nts
--Waterfront (City) Park (RV Park), good hookups! says Sarge
--Guffys: Seward is really worth going to, for the scenery and the history
-- Try to stay in Seward 2-3 days at least, and drive the Scenic Glenn Hwy to Valdez?along the way, stop & hike the Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords Natl Park
--Frommers P 7 says Exit Glacier is one of the best in Alaska?short gravel path (chapt 7)
--SEWARD HWY between Anchorage and Seward, through the Chugach Mtns, is the most beautiful drive in Alaska, says Frommers (pg 7)
July 12
July 13
July 14 WHITTIER AK (2 hrs/88 mi)
--Stay in Whittier only 1 afternoon, not much to see there.
--Gary Guffy?Whittier is a really neat city, very unique.
July 15 WHITTIER AK?Ferry to Juneau, departs 11:45 pm
--Be there be 8:45 pm ABSO!! PICK UP ALL TICKETS AT OFFICE FOR ALL FERRY TRIPS!!
--Ferry trip is 1 day/13 hr/ 15min
--we have a 4-berth cabin!!!
--CORDOVA AK?.does Whittier ferry stop here?? If so, what time? We would enjoy seeing Cordova, I think!!
July 16 all day on FERRY to Juneau!
June 17 JUNEAU AK?arrives 1 pm in Juneau (terminal is at Auke Bay!)
--Can we park near or at the ferry dock when we arrive, to catch the ferry the next morning?have to be at the ferry by 6 am??? (terminal # is 907-789-0066)
--RESERVE ahead at Auke Village CG, only 1.75 mi north of the ferry dock?vault toilets and running water only!! Only 11 sites tho! $10/nt.
--terminal is 14 mi from downtown Juneau?
--Shuttles operate from the ferry dock to downtown Juneau, but times are changeable. Ask at ferry dock, or call visitor center 888-581-2201
--Eat at Hot Bite, located at the Auke Bay boat harbor?a locals? secret?fabulous halibut burgers & shakes!!
--DEFINITELY eat at the Red Dog Saloon, at 278 South Franklin St?rec?d by Jim Strain!! Really famous, lots of great memorabilia from the heyday of the old mining days! Good fish, salmon wraps, burgers!
--
Tracy's King Crab Shack
265 Reviews
Juneau, AK
Sandpiper Cafe
84 Reviews
Juneau, AK
Sand Bar and Grill
27 Reviews
Juneau, AK
The Rookery Cafe
22 Reviews
Juneau, AK
July 18 FERRY to SKAGWAY AK...3 nts (Ferry departs 8 AM-be there by 7A)
--RESERVE AHEAD!!! Pullen Creek RV Park www.pullencreekrv.com 907-983-2768 is near the small boat harbor, right on the water?s edge, coin-op showers, sites have E & W $38/nt. (HINT: Park facing the docks!)
--Get a Skagway Trail Map at the visitor center?town has good hikes?(Frommers Pg 207)
--eat at Skagway Fish Co?good fresh fish and beer.
--eat at The Stowaway Caf?..in a right blue bldg. overlooking the boat harbor?best rest in town.
--with a population of only 900, there?s not much here! The Canadian border is 14 mi north at the top of the pass?one of the MOST spectacular drives anywhere in Alaska! Do it in clear weather only?in cloudy weather, you?ll see nothing.
--Skagway is a great place to walk everywhere, or to bike?Sockeye Cycle, 5th Ave off Broadway.
--Go see the Days of ?98 Show?$22/person, good show abt the history of the town. Has been running since 1927.
--SMART bus is $2/ride, around town or also out to the Klondike Gold Dredge?$5 all-day pass.
--The Whitehorse Yukon train trip is really fun, one person said.
--Drive to Dyea, find the Chilkoot Trail that the miners took, and hike part of it! A hoot!
July 19
July 20
July 21 FERRY to HAINES AK?3 nts (Ferry departs 3 PM?be there @ 2 PM)
--Go the Haines Visitor Center!!
--Oceanside RV Park is rec?d by rvforum folks
--there?s a campground in Haines ? mi from the center of town, with GREAT views!...Guffeys stayed at the RV Park in Haines that?s right ON the bay close to the ferry dock?it?s just GREAT, Gary said! Overlooks the water, u can watch all the ships and ferries coming & going.
--The Lighthouse restaurant right near the campground is great!
--Guffys: We went to Resurrection Bay from Haines, where we watched dozens of grizzlies feeding on salmon during the run. We were on a walkway, and safe, but were actually very close to the bears. It was the experience of a lifetime?I?d go back there in the blink of an eye!
--Frommers see Pg 189 etc.
--Fort Wm Seward is here, and Alaska Indian Arts Native Cultural Center.
--Eagles are everywhere in Haines!!
--Along Haines Hwy is the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Viewing esp good from Miles 18-21!! Spectacular alpine terrain!
--visit the American Bald Eagle Foundation site?rvforum folks said it is wonderful!
--rvforum folks LOVED watching the salmon and the eagles at the FISH LADDER in town!
--Worth driving to Klokwan from Haines??
--Take the train from Haines to the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Park?quite fun!
--Might be a good place to bike?Sockeye Cycle, $35 for 8 hrs, just uphill fr Port Chilkoot Dock at 24 Portage St in the Ft Wm Seward area 877-292-4154
--Haines is a good place to hike, too?Battery Pt Trail is 2 mi along a beach, starts at the end of Beach Rd. Seduction Pt Trail 7 mi long, starts at Chilkat State Park at the end of Mud Bay Rd, south of town?goes thru forest and along beaches to end of Chilkat Peninsula?great views of Rainbow Glacier. Check the tides!!!
--Eat at The Bamboo Room?famous for its halibut fish & chips!
July 22
July 23
July 24 Ferry to JUNEAU?2 nts?Ferry departs 5 PM (Be there @ 4 PM)
--trip is 4 hr 30 min
----RESERVED RV CG AHEAD!! DONE!! Spruce Meadow RV Park, 10200 Mendenhall Loop Rd 907-789-1990 is best..$37 for full HU. Wooded and open sites in forested area near the glacier. Cable TV and wifi. Also on the city bus line!! Don?t take the RV into the city of Juneau?it?s tight! www.juneaurv.com SENT RESERVATION FORM IN 11/16/12?talked to owner twice, all arranged!!! We can leave the RV there, with electric for a partial fee, while we go to Gustavus!! We can get a taxi from there to the airport on the 26th?
--((ALTERNATIVE place wd be Auke Village CG, only 1.75 mi north of the ferry dock?vault toilets and running water only!! Only 11 sites tho! $10/nt. ))
--Only abt 1 mi from the ferry docks, the Auke Village Recr Area, northwest of the city on Glacier Hwy, is great for picnics and beach walks?only about 1 mile from the ferry docks.
--24 miles out the Glacier Hwy (rd turns to gravel) past Auke Bay is Pt Bridget State Pk, which has a beautiful 3.5 mi flat path thru forest, meadow and marsh to the shore?sea lions, humpback whales, eagles.
--Eat at Hot Bite, located at the Auke Bay boat harbor?a locals? secret?fabulous halibut burgers & shakes.
July 25
July 26 Fly to GUSTAVUS AK ?2 nts Air Excursions flight @ 11:30 AM
--RESERVED/CONFIRMED at Gustavus Inn for 2 nights, all meals included, incl lunch the day we leave. (See Frommers Pg 188)
--Do we want to take the all-day boat tour from Gustavus to see Glacier Bay Natl Park? Frommers says the Grand Pacific Glacier is the most beautiful in Alaska (Chapt 5) YES!!! I arranged this already with
Dave Lesh at the Gustavus Inn!!! Jim Strain said the glacier is by far the most amazing, beautiful in all of Alaska..no other even compares to it.
July 27
July 28 Fly to JUNEAU AK?3 nts Air Excursions flight @ 2:25 PM
--RESERVE RV CG AHEAD!!! DONE!!! Spruce Meadow RV Park, 10200 Mendenhall Loop Rd 907-789-1990 is best..$37 for full HU. Wooded and open sites in forested area near the glacier. Cable TV and wifi. Also on the city bus line!! Don?t take the RV into the city of Juneau?it?s tight! www.juneaurv.com SENT RESERVATION FORM IN 11/16/12?talked to owner twice, all arranged!!! We can leave the RV there, with electric for a partial fee, while we go to Gustavus!!
--Otherwise, Mendenhall Glacier CG, public but very good, 9 full HUs, +9 partials with E & W. $28 907-586-8800 Frommers calls this place the best public CG in the entire state of Alaska!!!
--Check out POSSIBLE HIGH WINDS in Juneau?esp at RV park close to harbor?winds often go to 100 mph! Is RV safe while we?re gone??
--Go to Angoon and Pack Creek from Juneau?they?re neat places! Pack Creek is fabulous for bear viewing, but it?s on Admiralty Island and costs $600/person to get there in a 5.5 hr tour by plane?reserve ahead if we want it. 907-790-2120
--Excellent bear viewing at the edge of the parking lot at Mendenhall Glacier, which is Juneau?s best attraction. Drive north out of Juneau to the head of the valley?good trail leads to the edge of Mendenhall Lake?bears are within a few yards of the viewing platforms near the visitor center. Try the East Glacier Loop Trail, 3.5 mi RT with a few steep parts, but relatively easy?thru a forest to a waterfall high above, the glacier?s face is quite close.
--The Auke Village Recr Area, northwest of the city on Glacier Hwy, is great for picnics and beach walks?only about 1 mile from the ferry docks.
--24 miles out the Glacier Hwy (rd turns to gravel) past Auke Bay is Pt Bridget State Pk, which has a beautiful 3.5 mi flat path thru forest, meadow and marsh to the shore?sea lions, humpback whales, eagles.
--Bald eagles are everywhere in Juneau! Most common on the shorelines?esp at the hatchery.
--Perseverance Trail goes up the valley behind Juneau (city) into the old mining district?4 mi of easy walking on the mtnside above Gold Creek. Trailhead is 1.5 mi from town on Basin Rd.
--Whale watching is reliable from Juneau?many small boats are available for tours
--Tracy Arm is as gorgeous as Glacier Bay and easier / cheaper to get to?$150/person for Harv & Marv?s Outback Alaska Tours?long, narrow twisting passageway into the coastal mtns with mile-high peaks rising straight out of the water, big waterfalls, and several big glaciers at its head. Whales and other wildlife along the way. Jim Strain did this trip and said it?s OK but not nearly as good as Glacier Bay cruise!
--Alaska State Museum at 395 Whittier St. is good?
--Eat at Hot Bite, located at the Auke Bay boat harbor?a locals? secret?fabulous halibut burgers & shakes.
--IF a clear day, take the Mt Roberts Tramway at 490 S Franklin St., 6 min ride to 1760 ft high?can hike the 2.5 mi back to town. $27/person RT
July 29
July 30 --Late afternoon of the 30th, should we drive to the ferry docks and park there to sleep? We have to be at the ferry docks at 3:15 AM!! NO NEED TO, says the owner of the Spruce Meadow RV Park?only about a 15 minute drive to the ferry!
July 31 Ferry to SITKA AK?3 nts Ferry departs 8:30 AM (Be there @ 7:30AM)
--Ferry trip is 9 hr 30 min
--Sitka Sportsman?s Assoc RV Park, adjacent to the ferry dock 7 mi from town, has E & W HUs?907-747-4712?under $22..heated bathrooms, showers RESERVE AHEAD!!
--Alternate RV Park is Sealing Cove RV Park, abt ? mi walk to town, adjacent to marina. E & W only. Under $25. 907-747-3439
--Take a boat tour to Punchbowl Cove in Misty Fjords, south of Ketchikan?fabulously high cliffs, gorgeous! Allen Marine 877-686-8100 $159 each for 4.5 hr trip?boats are fast, quiet (Frommers p 110)
--St Lazaria Island off the coast of Sitka sounds really interesting, too!!
--Sitka is great for hiking?a dozen good trails from town
--Eat at Ludvig?s Bistro (Meditteranean) first-rate food, 256 Katlian St?.Margi and kent Klute just loved this place?ate there 3 times in 3 days.
Aug 1
Aug 2
Aug 3 Ferry to PETERSBURG AK?2 nts Ferry departs 7:45AM, be there @ 6:45 AM
--Ferry trip is 12 hr 45 min
--We have a 4-berth cabin on this trip
--Trip from Petersburg to Wrangell is one of the MOST beautiful in all of Alaska!!
--Ferry terminal has a big lawn, & is really nice! About a mile from the town center. Petersburg is on Mitkof Island
--For fresh take-out fish, go to the counter at Coastal Cold Storage?fried halibut & chowders!
--RESERVE AHEAD!! Twin Creek RV Park is 7.5 mi out of town on Mitkof Hwy, $30/nt for full HUs. Has a laundry and showers. 907-772-3244
--Definitely go to Fish Creek, next to Tongass Natl Forest, near Hyder?. Fish creek is located in near Hyder, Alaska, the only mainland accessible town along Alaska?s southern portion of the panhandle. It is a tiny place and accessed from the Cassiar Highway in British Columbia, Canada. Fish creek is a popular destination for bears who come in search of the salmon that lay in its clear waters. The Tongass National Forest borders the area and it was in classical form during my short visit, which was misty, rain filled clouds that would come and go through the mountains. ?highly rec?d by RVforum folks!!
Aug 4
Aug 5 Ferry to WRANGELL AK?4 nts Ferry departs 3:15 PM, be there @ 1:15 PM
--Ferry trip is 3 hr 15 min
--Ferry terminal in Wrangell is downtown.
--STAY AT Shoemaker Bay Recreation Area, ABSO!!! Has 16 RV sites w electric HUs, no water. 5 mi south of town by the road overlooking the boat harbor. Just pick any spot, hook up, and pay at the office or put check in the little box!!! $25/nt, fee includes use of the town swimming pool (indoor) and its showers. No advance reservations, hardly EVER full! Swimming pool is ? mi south of the ferry docks/harbor?Operated by Wrangell Rec & Parks Dept 907-874-2444
(**DO NOT STAY at Alaska Waters RV Park?reviews say it?s a dump!)
--Eat at Alaskan Sourdough Lodge family style, no menu (reservations required for non-guests), great food. 907-874-3613
--Great halibut & chips at the Stikine Inn at 107 Stikine Ave.
--Diamond C Caf? is good, incl fresh halibut, as is Zak?s Caf?, with lots of fresh fish! Both on Front St.
Aug 6
Aug 7 4 PM ABSO!!! Call Alaska Vistas at 907-874-3006 to get a pickup tomorrow morning at 8:30 for the Wildlife Observatory trip!!! Sylvia is the owner with her husband John?she?s Great!!
Aug 8 --Alaska Vistas trip 9 AM to Anan Wildlife Observatory!!! 9am to 4-4:30 pm?RESERVED and confirmed! $251.45/person. 907-874-3006 Located @ 106 Front St, at City Dock. Reservation includes 50% deposit, pay rest when at office. Cancel 30 days before to get full refund of deposit!
--Anan Wildlife Observatory is great for bear-viewing?peak of salmon run is July 15-Aug 20?Alaska Waters & Alaska Vistas offers boat tours, $210 to $265/person for 1-hr ride out and a few hrs with the bears. (Frommers Pg 122) --A MUST-SEE near Wrangell, according to Margi Klute, is the Anan Wildlife Observatory?MUST RESERVE FAR AHEAD!!!!...take abt a 1-hr boat ride, 6 people at a time only, then go with 2 guides (each armed with a rifle) along viewing platforms that re only a few yards away from the bears feeding on spawning fish?incredible!!! She said they were there for 4 hrs and it felt as if the time passed in 20 minutes, it was so fantastic!!
Aug 9 Ferry to KETCHIKAN AK?2 nts Ferry departs 10:00 AM, be there at 8: 00 AM
--Ferry trip is 5 hr 45 min?arrival at 4 pm
--RESERVE AHEAD!!! at Clover Pass Resort & RV Park?get TourSaver coupon, 1 FREE night!!! This is the only full svc RV Park in the area, 15 mi north of Ketchikan, 35 sites, full HUs incl tv, $34/nt. Laundry. Has a shuttle to town!! (see email from owner!)
--Take a boat or ferry to visit METLAKATLA AK on Annette Island south of Ketchikan for a day??? Guffys said it is fabulous! It is the ONLY Indian reservation in the state of Alaska?Tsimshian Tribe, but with lots of other tribes represented as well.
--Can we drive to Hyder AK from Ketchikan? The bear viewing there, near Stewart BC, is incredible, says Sarge
Aug 10
Aug 11 Ferry to PRINCE RUPERT BC CANADA?Ferry departs 7:30 AM, be there at 6:30 AM ABSO!!!!
--Ferry trip is 7 hr 30 min
--Kinnikinnick RV Park is a 5-min walk from Port Edward in Prince Rupert?only has 15 amp power tho?do NOT do laundry here!!
--visit the Northern Pacific Cannery Historic Park?10 minutes outside of Port Edward?has a great little caf? with fabulous seafood chowder! Nearby is a great hiking trail that goes down to the rapids?abt 6 mi RT.
--I checked with the AMHS abt a ferry on the 12th instead of the 11th, but there isn?t one!
Aug 12
Aug 13 Ferry to PORT HARDY BC CANADA?BC Ferry departs 7:30 AM, be there @ 5:30 AM ABSO!!
--Ferry trip is 16+ hrs?arrival Port Hardy is 11:30 PM
--We have reserved seats (recliners) in the 1st Class Aurora Lounge for that trip (take books, extra jackets, overshirts, small blankets!)
--RESERVE AHEAD!!...stay at Port Hardy RV Resort, 8080 Goodspeed Road, Port Hardy?250-949-8111?1.2 mile N of Bear Cove Junction where the ferry docks are located?Resort is just off Hwy 19
Aug 14 drive south on Vancouver Island? 50 minutes, 33 mi to Telegraph Cove
--Take ferry to ALERT BAY BC CANADA to see Christine?? Alert Bay has the tallest totem poles in the world!
--Stay at Alder Bay Resort?Telegraph Cove BC 250-956-4117 reserved/confirmed for 1 night, Space #39, Full HU, 30 amp, pull thru, $32 + tax no TV 30-day cancellation policy. (Near Port McNeill BC)
--from Alder Bay Resort, be sure to drive into nearby Telegraph Cove, a rustic place where with really interesting history and a great little restaurant!
Aug 15 drive south on Vancouver Island?2 hrs 13 min, 109 mi to Browns Bay Resort
--Stay at Browns Bay Resort/Ripple Rock RV Resort, 12 mi N of Campbell River, BC. Emailed on 12/6/12 requesting 1 nt, $35-40/nt for Full HU. 250-286-3135
Aug 16 drive south on Vancouver Island?1 hr 32 min, 76 mi to Resort
--RESERVED for 2 NIGHTS at Qualicum Bay Resort, 1 hr N of Naniamo/2 hrs N of Victoria?Conf # 1-201300297, RV full HU w TV $34/nt; 250-757-2003; from Hwy 19 headed south, exit 75, to Hwy 19A, turn left go 0.6 mi to resort, just beyond Big Qualicum River bridge.
Aug 17 @ Qualicum Bay Resort
Aug 18 Lv 7 am to arrive in VICTORIA BC CANADA by 9 or so? 2 hrs 14 min, 83 miles?requires FERRY SERVICE!!! (Going directly to the Ferry Dock in downtown Victoria from Qualicum Resort is 2 hrs 14 min, 101 miles?no ferry)
--go to Butchart Gardens in Victoria @ 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay BC?to ferry docks fr Burchart is 15 mi, 40 min
Ferry to PORT ANGELES WA?Black Ball Ferry departs @ 3PM, be there @ 1PM
--Ferry trip is 90 min
Aug 19 PORT ANGELES WA?go immediately to the Port Angeles Visitor Center for trail maps in Olympic Natl Park?there?s a great trail 25 mi west of the visitor center?get its location!
--Where is Hyder BC?? Close to Stewart WA?? Great bear viewing there, supposedly
Aug 20 OLYMPIC NP?3 nts...camping with Al & Susan
Aug 21
Aug 22
Aug 23 Astoria WA
Aug 24-26 drive down OR coast RESERVE RV PARKS???
--Canyonville OR, Seven Feathers RV Resort, really great?rec?d by RVforum person
--Yachats OR Sea Perch RV Park?rt on the ocean..rec?d by Sarge?terraced, so don?t pay highest price for oceanfront!
--Stay in Bandon 1 night?
Aug 27 BROOKINGS OR?4 nts
Aug 28
Aug 29
Aug 30
Aug 31 KLAMATH FALLS OR
Sept 1 WINNEMUCCA NV
Sept 2 SALT LAKE CITY UT
Sept 3 RAWLINS WY
Sept 4 HOME!!!