Alaska - Post Trip Review

This has been an interesting summer. We crossed into Canada on June first, already having had the first minor catastrophe. Three days before we crossed, we had to replace our slide-in camper because of "wind damage". Less than half way through the trip our traveling companions had lost four trailer tires. And, before we got back into the lower 48 I had hit a bear and killed my bumper (probably the bear too).

The trip had more good than bad. I could have hit a moose rather than a bear, then I might be telling this tale while in traction. We saw amazing scenery, both in Canada and in Alaska. The Canadian Rockies are awesome and if you arrange your route to take advantage of them you can be awed for days. We saw a lot of wild life, more in Canada than Alaska. Although I had expected to see even more wildlife, the only thing I missed out on was a wolf. Waterfalls, glaciers, ice fields, and views of the mountains from high and low were plentiful.

We did a lot. Went fishing for king salmon, got skunked. Went shopping for souvenirs, got broke. Went looking for cheap restaurants, got stymied. That's three strikes and I'm out. However, went hiking for views, found them. Wanted to see animals in their habitat, saw them. Looked for the remnants of the gold rush days and found them all over (gold already removed).

Here are a few travel facts/tips for you:

While driving through Canada, do not let you American mind interpret the speed limit signs. Canada is posted in kilometers per hour,not MPH. 100 Km/H is approximately 60 MPH.

You'll hear about the terrible roads. Not so, the highways in Canada and Alaska were good. Not great and you better keep you eyes open for pot holes, frost heave, and road work (endless), but very drivable (at 45 to 60 mph). Between excellent marking
by the road crews and knowing what to be on the watch for, there is little excuse for bad road troubles (if you plan a trip, talk with people who've made the drive).

Fuels costs in Alaska were about the same as in the lower 48. Fuel costs in Canada are steep. Converting liters to gallons and adjusting for the exchange rate ($.95 to even while we were there) diesel prices ranged from $just under $4.00 per gallon to as high as $6.00 in more remote spots. Gas was comparable.

There are plenty of fuel stops along all the paved highways we traveled. Same goes for food and campgrounds (or spots for overnight stopping).

Canada is expensive. Prices for everything in were high, not on a par with the states at all. Beef was reasonable, but chicken sold at steak prices. Cheese was twice the price of the states (even for the same brands). WalMart only pretends to be a discount store in Canada. Restaurants are 25% to 50% higher.