If one were to drive from VA to Alask...

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Author Message   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:02 pm:    So, I might be driving from VA to AK in April as I may be moving up there and I'm going to drive the Disco up there with the dog and cats in the car. What would be some good places to stop and check out that are in a more direct path? I figure I'll have about a week and a half to get there.   Zak Ruck (Zak) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:22 pm:    I'd recomend Devils Tower in Wyoming. Beautiful place. It's a little bit off of I90. Also, if your heading down I90, stop at Wald Drug. Fun place. Kind of like South of the Border. Maybe hit Glacier National Park if your driving through MT. Which route were you thinking of taking?   Sus (Susannah) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:25 pm:    DEFINITELY stop in Glacier (Montana). It's the most beautiful place I've ever been! I drove from NC to Washington state in 2001 and we took about that long to get there...maybe longer. We did lots of sightseeing...went to Glacier and Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, etc. I would recommend South Dakota in the Black Hills...Badlands are incredible. Montana and Wyoming of course. Cour d'elene (sp?) Idaho is amazing as well and that is all along a northern route.   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:25 pm:    Don't know.. That's why I'm asking. Figure I'd see what people come up with from their home states and then figure out where I want to go. I'm probably going to stay towards the northern half of the us..   James F. Thompson Jaime (Blueboy) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:31 pm:    yep, the NPs are great places to see. go to http://www.nps.gov/ and explore. the annual pass is a real bargin. if you head to Glacier, make sure the "Going to the Sun" road is open. Yellowstone is very cool even if it can be crowded. worked there for a couple Summers awhile back. Grand Teton; Rocky Mt. NP, Grand Cayon, they're all pretty intense. ckeck the NP site for info.. Jaime   James F. Thompson Jaime (Blueboy) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:34 pm:    oops - read your post more closely. Most of the Western NPs aren't very open in April. For sure GttS road isn't. Still, check out the NPS site. Jaime   Rans (Rans) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:36 pm:    I'd suggest going thru the Dakotas and seeing Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse then head into Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.   gp (Garrett) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:41 pm:    yeah i was going to mention Glacier, but Zak beat me to it. great place. there is a lodge there where you can rent Kaboose Cabins. old rail cars. pretty sweet place. Whitefish, MT is a nice little town too.   Zak Ruck (Zak) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 02:44 pm:    WHitefish is a very cool town, you might also want to check out Redmond, MT. Don't waste you time with Mt. Rushmore. Well, actually, if you are in teh area, you have to see it. I was a little disappointed with it. Like Devils Tower a lot better. Cook City MT, is nice as well. It's just after the Bear Mountail Pass in Mt/Wy border crossing.   James F. Thompson Jaime (Blueboy) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 03:15 pm:    here is a short piece on the Beartooth: The Beartooth Highway is one of the most spectacular National Forest routes on this continent. To many, it is known as "the most beautiful highway in America." From its beginning at the border of the Custer National Forest to its terminus near the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212) offers travelers the ultimate high-country experience as it travels through the Custer, Shoshone, and Gallatin National Forests. http://www.byways.org/travel/byway.html?CX_BYWAY=2167 Jaime   Sus (Susannah) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 03:54 pm:    Even with the snow, Montana and Glacier will be fantastic in April. We went the last week in May...Missoula is a good stopping point on the way through MT to ID, and it's got some culture! Awww, I want to go. I love it out there, but would never survive the winters!   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 04:03 pm:    Don't foget Banff if you swing more north around Montana. I think it's back tracking if you go to Glacier and then try to hit Banff. The Trans-Canada Highway is a great drive once you hit the Rockies, from what I hear. Also check out The Milepost http://www.themilepost.com/ good driving in Alaska/to Alaska info in there. pwc   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 04:05 pm:    PS, please stop in Washington and spend some money.   gp (Garrett) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 07:55 pm:    yeah i second peter too!! banff/lake louise area!! very nice. hot springs, amazing mountains and tons of wildlife.....walking through town no less!!   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 08:00 pm:    cool.... lots of things to look into.. I like it.   Rob Davison (Pokerob) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 09:56 pm:    jamie, stop and see peter in washington and tell me how my baby is doing. i think that fucker is beating her. rd   Todd Sanders (Sanderskog) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 11:22 pm:    Archer's Ale House in Bellingham, WA. Oh, you're probably looking for more of the "national" sights. If you opt to come into the Land of Latte's and Leased Rovers (WA) instead of doing the typical I-90 East to I-5 North I'd recommend a more northerly journey over the North Cascade Highway (I think it is open in April). It's a fantastic drive with incredible views. If you come in from the South part of the state take a gander at Mt. Saint Helens (or what's left of it). It is still a truly amazing thing to see. There's my Washington-centric view of the world. Sorry, I usually see the middle of the country from 30,000 feet while on business. Rob - Peter is not beating her. Based on the last pictures I saw and what I heard he may be trying to drown her though. Peter - Are you guys headed out any time soon? I'd like to provide you the opportunity to use your winch (I still have those damn stock tires on). Todd   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 11:29 pm:    Ale house.. Now your talking Seriously though, little known places that you folks think are nice is what I'm looking for. Not just the touristy spots. I would actually like to avoid the touristy type places.. Never know though, depending on how things turn out I may be driving like a mad man and only stopping to sleep, get gas, walk the pets, and eat.   Todd Sanders (Sanderskog) Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 11:42 pm:    Mental image of Eric walking with a dog and two cats on leashes.... Archer's Ale House - 5 minutes off of I-5, 30 minutes South of the US border crossing. Great beer, food, and atmosphere. All in a Cheers like atmosphere (even with the exterior entrance to the basement of an old building). NOTHING is sold there that is commercially advertised (can't even order a Coke). Todd If you cross the border in WA, take the truck crossing. It'll save you 1/2 hour to a hour at times.   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 12:11 am:    Ya, that's one of the issues that I am trying to figure out. Going across the border into Canada will be a major pain with the pets. I'm hoping that I can find an auto ferry that will take me, truck, and pets from Washington to Alaska so that I can avoid the whole pets and border issue.   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 12:35 am:    You're in luck Eric, the Alaska Ferries leave from Bellingham!! Of course, a trip to Skagway for a car will cost you $1000 with an inside sleeping berth. And there might be a height restriction. Check out http://www.ferrytravel.com/AMHS.htm for more info in general. Of course, that may seem like a lot but imagine the cost of getting parts sent to the Yukon or towing costs. Hell's Canyon in Idaho/Oregon is another nice out of the way place. Not busy at all. Grand Coulee Dam is a site to see if you're taking the Northern route across Washington. If you're into wine there's tons of places to do tasting on the east side of the sate. Lake Padden or Priest Lake in Idaho are a cool sites. Todd - probably not until next year. but we should get something together the second or thrid week in Jan. Rob - put down the beer and switched to crack I see. pwc   Rob Davison (Pokerob) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 10:46 am:    grand coulee dam... i want to see it. i hear bob dylan singing something about "from the grand coulee dam to the marti gras..." what song is that? hmm... idoit wind maybe. rd   Todd Sanders (Sanderskog) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 11:00 am:    And while you are waiting for the Alaskan Ferry you can walk up the street to Archer's!!! It's only 3 blocks away. Damn... I think I need to make a trip up there. Todd   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 11:27 am:    Actually I was just poking around the Canadian customs site and it looks like all I need is a rabies vacanation document from a vet to get the dog and cats through. I don't think that they would do very well on a ferry that leaves WA on Friday and doesn't get to Alaska till Monday. So I'll probably hit Washington and then cut through Canada.   TPH (Snowman) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 01:44 pm:    Hey Eric- Sounds like an awesome trip, good for you! Don't forget a laptop and digital camera so you can upload pics to the Dweb and make everyone jealous. S-   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 01:52 pm:    Not really a trip more like a move... But, ya, I'll take pics if thing work out (or don't work out) depending on how you want to look at it.   Rob Davison (Pokerob) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 05:21 pm:    really fell in love with it up there on your honeymoon eh eric? i need to get up there this fall rd   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 08:47 pm:    Ya, Rob, it was really nice.. You really do need to go see it. However, it's not that I'm going there cause I want to (even though I really do) it's more that I may be going there cause I have to. I have a lot of messed up crap going on that is really had me stressed out for months now and it just keeps getting worse... Not so long story you know. If I do move up there you, Kyle, Heather, Axle, Ho, and yes even you John are more then welcome to drive up and stay for a while if you want. I'd be in Juneau but, we could always branch out from there to where ever.   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 10:12 pm:    Ummmm...Eric, have you seen a map of Juneau. Do you know you can't "drive" there? As in no roads connecting it to elsewhere. Boat or plane are the two ways in. Or for true Alaska badasses, hike in. The boat from Bellingham does go to Juneau though. Note the lack of continuing roads pwc   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 10:13 pm:      Todd Sanders (Sanderskog) Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 11:02 pm:    I was thinking the same thing when I read that. I was there two years ago. Beautiful place. It just seemed REALLY odd that you couldn't drive to/from it. Part of the appeal to me... no crazy tourists on the road. Todd   Rob Davison (Pokerob) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 12:02 am:    yeah, jueno, the only stat capital you cant drive too.. hehe r d   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 05:06 am:    Last time I checked, Honolulu was a bitch to drive to also.   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:56 am:    Ya, but, I can probably get a shorter boat ride from Canada or another part of Alaska. It's some thing that I have a few people looking into for me. Don't think the ferry from Wash is going to allow dogs on a 4 day boat ride. If I can get it down to a day or a couple of hours that would be much better. That is what I meant by cutting through Canada and getting as close as I can.   Todd Sanders (Sanderskog) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 10:02 am:    With a little creativity you can drive to both. Although I think you'd run out of fuel pretty quick. Todd   Peter Carey (Pcarey) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 02:17 pm:    Eric, It looks to be about 90 miles from Skagway. That might be the way to go. I'm not sure of other spots in Canada to pick up the highway, so I'm at a loss. pwc   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 02:40 pm:    Ya, I'm thinking drive to Skagway and then from there to Juneau it's only 5 hours and 30 minutes by ferry. That my dog can handle.   James F. Thompson Jaime (Blueboy) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:06 pm:    what kind of bow-wow do you have Eric?? Jaime   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:08 pm:    Pit mix   James F. Thompson Jaime (Blueboy) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:23 pm:    yeah, I think I remember that now. should be able to handle the ride pretty well. when we traveled to P.E.I., we had the USDA health certificate that the vet filled out. that with the rabies shot cert. we breezed through customes. sounds like a cool trip. good luck Jaime   Eric N (Grnrvr) Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 03:25 pm:    Ya, just have to wait and see what happens to see if I'm going or not.