Alaska - Milepost
 

Am I only one who doesn't feel that Milepost is "the must" when traveling in Alaska? I found that too much advertisment distroyed for me any usefulness of it. This is my personal opinion <BR>I used Fodor's and Frommer's guidebooks and they are much more convenient to carry with me than a huge Milepost. I am getting ready for my second trip. Any other guidebooks for Kenai Peninsula would you recommend? <BR>So many posters here recommend it but is there anyone who feels like me?

Angela, I agree with you in part. The Milepost does have an excessive amount of advertising. But, at the same time, it also carries the most detailed travel log of any book of the sort. And, sometimes the advertising pays off with discounts for the traveler. <BR><BR>The downside to all of these ads is that they are expensive and many merchants that might want to be placed in the Milepost really can't fit it into their budget. <BR><BR>There are several visitor guides that might offer supplemental information to what exists in the Milepost. These can be found through the local CVBs, and Chambers. There is also one produced by Linda Weld called Companion Travel Guides. She offers three such guides for the state which can be found at www.myalaskanvacation.com/store

Yes, Angela, I also wondered about Milepost. Everyone seems to recommend it, but it's so large compared to other guide books. We have all our lodgings arranged, so won't have to think about that. Also as I looked through it, I thought, "I think I'd rather just take in the scenery rather than reading a description of it to myself and husband."<BR><BR>Anyone have ideas of why it's a "must have?"

I feel the same way and although I bought it last year but did not dare to take this heavy thing with us. We are going back this summer and, believe it or not, I forgot to use it when planning our visit. There are so many wonderful sources with less advertisement. I found Frommers guidebook and this forum the most helpful <BR><BR>PS Hi Clousie

I'll stick with Milepost. No way is any other guidebook going to tell you all the details that this one does; that's why it's so big. It'll tell you the exact mile marker to find gasoline and phones (VERY important in Alaska), where you might get stuck in gravel, and when the road begins a steep ascent or descent.<BR><BR>There's no question there's a lot of ads. Feel free to ignore them and just read the mile markers descriptions. Fodors MIGHT tell you "there are campgrounds along this highway;" MP will tell you "Campground at Mile 108.3 with showers, flush toilets, and emergency phone." When driving Alaska roads, it's important to know whether the next motel is 10 miles or 100 miles down the road!<BR><BR>If you're just visting the major cities of Alaska and have reservations at each one, any guide book will do. If you're getting away from the cities and really driving the roads without a set plan, the MP is sufficient and necessary.

When mu husband and I did our fly/drive trip to Alaska ih the summer of 2000 we didn't use Milepost. What I did have and used was Bell's Guide Alaska. It has the milemaker info re: gas, places to stay, see, eat, etc. Also warning about the types of roads in different areas. I found it especially helpful that it also told you near what mile marker you'd find something scenic or interesting to see. It's only a little bigger than a AAA state tour book so it was easy to take along. It may not be as comprehensive as Milepost, but at least it's small enough you won't mind taking it along.<BR><BR>Frances

It is nice for change to see that people with such different opinions are able to exchange information. I used the Milepost but would never think about taking it with me. I agree it is too large and to heavy but I found it helpful.

Tom, that is exactly how I use the MP. The same way I use forums. To plot and plan and get ideas. Once on the road, I just refer to my notes. For those purposes, the Milepost is great. And, if you were planning to drive the Alcan, it can ride along with you just fine.

your right, i thought it was a great reference for planning my trip<BR>(i also ignored all adds)<BR><BR>i don't know if it is worth the price, but they had a couple copies at my local library

Alaska tourist offices send you so much good information, when asked, that we only used the Milepost from the library. I took it to a copy machine and made copies of a number of pages that I thought would be helpful as we drove 2000 miles in the Homer-Anchorage-Valdez-Fairbanks regions. If you were searching for campgrounds at the last minute--Milepost would be helpful. We stayed at hotels, motels, and B&B which were already booked in most cases. This was not difficult in early September.

Jean, it is true that local visitors centers will send out "free information" but to be sure, the "information" gathered is from their members. And, more often than not, the big glossy ads get the most responses. Yet, those same companies rarely represent anything even remotely Alaskan.