dgreen Loc: Payson, Arizona

Shot with Nikon DX3300 - Costco special after my Samsung dropped dead (arrrgh).

Fellow passenger on the Malaspina


Salmon fishing on the Russian River, Kenai Peninsula


Calving glacier - Kenai Fjords

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

Great shots. I visited both places where you took shots 2 and 3. I'm betting it is the same glacier taken from the boat tour deep into the fjord. Didn't see nearly as much Salmon fishing in 2013 as I did in 2009.

Alaska should be on everyone's bucket list. My first time in Alaska was with friends on their honeymoon via a cruise ship. Then I drove up for the summer in 2009 and again in 2013. This year I hope to drive up in mid July and stay later into the fall.

Alaska is very friendly to small RVs. As long as you don't need campgrounds and hook-ups, you can spend the nights free at most pullouts along side the roads.

dgreen Loc: Payson, Arizona

Definitely a bucket list destination. Driving is best!

We found we could go about four days without dumping tanks and taking on fresh water - provided a great deal of freedom and flexibility, but we didn't feel comfortable staying on pullouts. State and Federal campgrounds were great.

BabyNurse Loc: North Carolina

Beautiful. I've always wanted to visit Alaska.

dgreen Loc: Payson, Arizona

Do it if you can - you won't regret it.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I agree with your first two points but found just the opposite on the last. While we found some most are posted with "No Camping" signs. It was incredibly annoying as where I live we can camp anywhere in the National Forest.

I use a pickup camper and don't need hookups.

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

Sorry to hear about the restrictions you found. I was referring to the pull-offs on the side of the road. Alaska has more of these than I've seen in other states. Relatively few of these were posted as no overnight parking.

It sounds like the Alaskan's are more open to giving us a free place to spend the night than the Federal Government. Like you, I don't need hook-ups and would rather be surrounded by nature than people.

Your right, in the lower 48 BLM land is pretty much open to parking anywhere. National Parks aren't. Glad to hear that National Forest are. Strange how our government is set-up with so many different bureaus making rules for public land. But, we are blessed to have so much of it.

MtnMan Loc: ID

We'll need to be more observant next time. We did find pullouts along the Alaska highway in BC. Even though we had to pay $12 we really like the Yukon campgrounds because they give you free firewood.

The Campgrounds in Alaska were fine and we mostly had no issues getting a space (Russian River the only exception). And we get the 50% discount on Federal ones.

We're thinking next time not even going to Alaska. We really loved northern BC and the Yukon and might spend our time there. Maybe even do the Dempster (sp?).

We'll likely take the camper on the Ferry from Haines to Prince something (Not sure if it is Rupert or George...the one where you can catch the road north of Vancouver) one way next time...probably on the way back...and stop and spend some time with it in Petersburg and maybe Juneau. It doesn't cost any more to go point to point. My son sent a summer in Petersburg working for the Forest Service so has all the local knowledge.

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

I agree that a wonderful vacation could be in BC and the Yukon without going to Alaska. But for me, once I've put in the miles, I might as well go all the way. I was sorry to see the pull-offs in the Yukon marked "No Overnight Parking". A lady at the Visitor's Center in Whitehorse said to ignore the signs.

The Dempster Highway is a "must do". Most people that go to Dawson continue across the 'Top of the World Highway" to Alaska and then down to Tok. But once you cross into Alaska the highway becomes old and pretty bad. It is safe but slow until you get to Chicken. Your RV would not have any problem with it.

My favorite spot in the Yukon is three or four miles east of Whitehorse on the Yukon river. At that spot, the river is only about 30 feet wide with about 30 foot cliffs on each side. Many hiking trails on both sides of the river, connected by a good solid foot bridge across the river. Beautiful area. Those pictures aren't on this computer or I'd show it to you.

You mentioned taking the Alaska Ferry. Prince Rupert would be the southern ferry terminal. From there you would drive to Prince George and then south to Vancouver. That would be a long drive, but beautiful. If you "island hopped" along the ferry route you wouldn't need a cabin on the ferry, so it would be cheaper than going straight through. I'd also like to do that sometime, but it is expensive. I travel cheap but often.

If you do do that, go the extra miles up BC's Highway 37 and 37a to Hyder, AK. Great bear watching in a very very small Federal Park that consists of nothing but a long board walk from which you can watch bears feasting on salmon. I talked to several people that regularly take their vacations there and claim to know the bears by name. Check first to be sure the bears and salmon are there. The northern end of that highway is near Watson Lake and the south end meets Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Also, if your board the ferry in Haines, check to see if the eagles are at the preserve just north of there. I understand they come by the thousands in the early fall.

I'm planning to return to Alaska this summer and stay into the fall. I made a bad mistake of coming home too soon from the last trip so have to go back. It will be the third time by RV. My first trip was on a cruise ship with friends on their honeymoon. I turn 80 this Tuesday so I'd better do it while I still can.

Hope to see you on the road up north some time.