Alaskans -- any last-minute advice?
 

My BF and I are almost on the way to Alaska! We leave NYC early Wednesday morning and arrive in ANC at 1 p.m. Wednesday for 10 days of RV'ing in Kenai Peninsula (Homer & Seward) and Denali. We are so excited we keep looking at each other and grinning and saying, "We are almost in Alaska!"

So -- Any last-minute advice? Weather? I've looked at noaa.gov, and it seems like the next few days will be cloudy and in the 60s. Is that accurate?

We're going to hike Exit Glacier one day and kayak Aialik Bay the next, and then do 2 1/2 days of hiking in Denali, hopefully at least one as a Discovery Hike. We're packing our hiking rain gear, and all sorts of fleece and wicking hiking socks. We also have the motion-sickness patches for behind the ear, just in case the boat ride out there is a bit rough; I've read some travel reports that got me a bit nervous.

I also looked at the Anchorage newspaper's web site and read about the tragedy of the two teenagers killed on Seward Highway this week. After emailing it to my BF he has finally agreed to stop the first night in Girdwood.

We've done a lot of research -- have our Fodors and Milepost and topo maps for Denali -- and will be packing this weekend and going to the store for supplies/snacks for the RV.

Any thoughts? Things we shouldn't forget?
Thanks!

I'm not an Alaskan, but I've made at least 6-8 trips there in recent years, plus two to Denali.

In Denali, you <u>may</u> encounter <u>heavy swarms</u> of mosquitos. An inexpensive insurance policy is a mosquito head net, found at many sporting goods stores. I found mine at an Anchorage Wal-Mart for under $3.

Anyone else? We're leaving in less than 48 hours ...

If you stop in Girdwood (which is a good idea)and are looking for something to do, have lunch at the hole-in-the-wall The Bake Shop -- all-you-can-eat soup, sometimes exotic, such as "African ground nut." Then take the tram to the mountaintop at the Alyeska Resort.

The Seward Highway has a bad, and apparently deserved, reputation for accidents. It's mostly single lane, and people who are tired and in a hurry are always trying to pass. Thus, the tragedy of head-ons. There's still plenty of daylight, so you can limit your travel in the dark.

Have fun.

hikrchick-this may sound obvious, but if you haven't already done so, you should look at the older Alaska posts here. There's lots of good information available.

Since you're hiking, pick up some Band-Aid Friction Block to prevent blisters. It works very well.

Second the mosquito head net mentioned above.

You will very likely encounter bears. Be sure that you know how to respond appropriately.

Stop for gas before you need it. Plan stops ahead using your milepost. And watch out for people who stop suddenly to look at wildlife along the road.

Look at the tops of the trees. The "golf balls" are actually bald eagles.

Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Enjoy your trip!

Landing at 1, then getting your RV sorted out, you probably won't get to Girdwood until 4 or 5, so not the best for the bake shop. The Double Musky is a little pricey, but reliably great food, and on a Wednesday there probably won't be much of a wait for a table. Don't mention ex-Sen. Ted Stevens - the owners allegedly were implicated in his illicit activities. http://www.adn.com/ted-stevens/story/568654.html

Be prepared for a <b>lot</b> of people in Seward as this week is the Silver Salmon Derby. Depending on your precise dates getting an RV spot in Seward might be tough because of all the fisherfolk coming down from Anchorage. If this coincides with your plans, you might want to line up someplace before you blast off. http://www.sewardak.org/news-events/...almonderby.htm

It's also Halibut Derby time in Homer, but I'd be less concerned about crowds down there. However, if you want to camp on the Homer Spit you might want to book ahead.

Thanks everyone! I've read tons of postings here but I was more looking for things that are happening this week that I should be prepared for, such as weather -- or the fishing derbies, good to know that stuff! I think that would make for some excellent photos!

We made all our campground reservations in January -- Homer for 2 nights, the 13th and 14th at Great Alaska RV Park on the Spit; then Seward for 3 nights, the 15th, 16th, and 17th at Stoney Creek RV Park; and then Denali for 3 nights, the 18th, 19th and 20th at Savage River Campground in the park, and Talkeetna for the last, the 21st. The only place we will have to wing it is tomorrow night, the 12th, in Girdwood.

We are experienced hikers -- not professional, but not newbies. Along with the topo maps, we have compasses, purifying drops for the water in case we have to drink streams, bear bells and spray, matchless fire starter, heat-saving blanket, and a pretty scary-looking knife that my BF knows how to use. We're also bringing our own "gorp" -- trail snacks -- and 3 nalgene water bottles and a camelback.

We are going to be very very VERY careful driving the RV. I would rather be slow and alive than fast and dead.

Well, I'm going to work now and then off to my BF's parents' house and then Alaska in the morning! See you when we get back!

I'm Alaskan. Have Fun! FYI, we have a five car rule in Alaska. Meaning: if more than five cars are following, you must pull over at one of the numerous pull-over spots to allow vehicles to pass you safely.

Don't be afraid to stop at the Mom & Pop restaurants for a meal, they are usually the best.

Be safe and have fun!