Alaska - Summer 2007 (2200 miles in the Last Frontier)

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I am working on the itinerary. I hope to finish booking flight tickets in a couple of days & will start the next stage planning then.
I am looking into activities from RMA, but trying to see if I can do things on uor own. Let's see.
I did find some interesting(& decently priced) places to stay. I just hope it is not too good to be true.

Interesting find so far: There is a road, hwy 10 that goes to the Artic Ocean.

Will be back soon.

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[Mark Sedenquist]

... but any help is appreciated.

I just finished this year's review of the Milepost 2007 guidebook. It is as great as ever.

Mark

[PNW Judy]

Sounds like an excellent service. I've got it bookmarked. Hope I can use it someday soon.

[PNW Judy]

Interesting find so far: There is a road, hwy 10 that goes to the Artic Ocean.

The Dalton Highway goes to the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay. It's 864 miles one way from Anchorage so I'm not sure this fits into your time-frame. It sounds like not all rental car agencies will let you drive their cars on this road. There's lots of information out there on it like this.

However, if someone is really adventurous and in great shape, I ran across this guided bicycle trip to Prudhoe Bay called the Ride of Pain. How apt! Oops, it's been discontinued. Why am I not surprised?

[greg in ak]

Also a problem with the road to the Artic Ocean is that is doesn't go all the way to the sea. it stops a few miles short. you need to take a guided tour to go to the water since the land is oil company property. I don't think that changed.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Also a problem with the road to the Artic Ocean is that is doesn't go all the way to the sea. it stops a few miles short. you need to take a guided tour to go to the water since the land is oil company property. I don't think that changed.

In fact, post-911, I doubt anyone will be able sweet talk their way in like in the past... bummer.

Mark

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I did find out yesterday about the unpaved Dalton highway, but the fact that a road does exist makes me awe.
I also think that we might be taking the guided road trip to the Artic circle. I doubt if we have time(& money) to take the 3 day trip to Artic Ocean, though.

I did pick up an old copy of Milepost from the local library. If I do not find the new copy, I might end up buying it(after reading Mark's reviews). I will not need anything else.

I am reading & are in the beginning stages of being 'okay' in bear country :-)

Btw, we've extended the trip to 2 weeks. Husband will let me know if he got his days off, today. So, crossing my fingers.

Will get back!

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[cool]

Okay. I am done with flight reservations. Reaching ANC Sun, June 10th midnight, picking up rental car & hopefully drive down into town. If it is not possible, we might stay back at the airport, refresh & get going in the morning.

Leaving Anchorage Mon June 25th early morning 12.30 am.

Will update the itinerary soon!

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[lhuff]

You sure do move fast. It sounds like quite an adventure and I can't wait to hear all about it as it progresses.

Laura

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I need some help in filling the days with activities.

Day 1 & 2- Drive to Seward; Kenai Fjords Cruise, Exit Glacier, some local hikes & Alaska Sealife center
Day 3- Homer, rent a bicycle into the spit.
Day 4-Drive N to Girdwood. Infinite stops for photography.
Day 5- Portage Lake, Prince William Sound cruise(half a day); Night halt:Talkeetna
Day 6-Probably a train ride to hurricane ridge & back to Talkeetna via raft(still looking into it)[or Denali National Park-depending on weather]
Day 7-Denali National Park
Day 8-Fairbanks, University, Botanical garden
Day 9-Arctic circle drive tour(from Fairbanks)
Day 10-Drive to Tok (Can I get close to Canadian border?)
Day 11-Wrangell-St.Elias National Park(I am not very very if we will take the unpaved road to McCarthy. Options for a night halt?)
Day12-Valdez(anything interesting to see?) Night halt?
Day 13- Anchorage
Day 14-Anchorage;
Day 15-Early morn flight

I am really confused about 'day 12'. Where can fit an extra day?
I am looking out for rafting/kayaking/canoeing options near glaciers too. Any suggestions?
I doubt if we could do some off roading. We will have a mid size rental car.
Have I missed out on any must-sees?

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