alaskan highway podcasts

Ultimate Guide to an Alaskan Road Trip!

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 33:35

It was so great to have Chad and Eileen back on the podcast to give us a very detailed overview of their six week trip to Alaska. Even better, they are planning on returning for an entire season so they let us know what they are doing differently to prepare for their next journey. Price It's no secret that Alaska is expensive. They share how even though they anticipated to spend a little more here, they still underestimated it. Internet If you want to have some sort of internet connection while you make the drive to Alaksa, Starlink is your best bet. They mentioned how they had very poor service, and even if they didn't need to use it, knowing they could fire up Starlink if they needed to gave them peace of mind. Things to Do From boat rides, plane rides, and hiking, they stayed very busy. They admit they didn't do a ton of excursions, but since Alaksa is such beautiful place to be, they really didn't need to. We discussed a few things they are looking forward to doing next time as well. 3, 2, 1 Countdown 3 Things to Bring to Alaska · Bug spray, fly swatter, bug net · Blackout curtains, eye mask · Binoculars 2 Things to Be Prepared For · Bugs and mosquitoes · Bears 1 Thing You Can't Leave Alaska Without Doing · The plane ride or jumping in a lake Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 How much time did you spend in Alaska and what did you cover? 02:00 How much time should someone spend in Alaska and when should they go? 04:00 How was it bringing your dog with you to Alaska? 07:15 Sightseeing plane ride in Alaska 09:30 How did you get to Alaska with your van? 13:00 Favorite camping spots? 14:45 How expensive is it in Alaska? 15:15 What activities did you do in Alaska? 18:30 What is there to do at night in Alaska? 20:15 How long did it take to adjust to it not getting dark? 23:30 How was the food scene in Alaska? 24:30 How are you preparing differently for your next trip to Alaska? 26:00 What are three things people should bring to Alaska? 27:45 What are two things people should prepare for before they visit Alaska? 30:15 How are the roads in Alaska? 32:00 What can't you leave Alaska with out doing? Chad and Eileen on Social: · Miles Van Life: https://www.instagram.com/themilesvanlife/ · Eileen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileenrosemiles/ · Eileen's Website: https://www.eileenrose.me/ · Eileen's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-inward-journey/id1666397129 · Chad's IG: https://www.instagram.com/chadmmiles/ · Chad's Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2228949/share Locations · Fairbanks: https://www.explorefairbanks.com/ · Denali National Park: https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm · Hatche Pass: https://www.alaska.org/detail/hatcher-pass · Anchorage: https://www.anchorage.net/ · Kenai Peninsula: https://www.travelalaska.com/Destinations/Regions/Southcentral/Kenai-Peninsula · Whittier: https://www.alaska.org/destination/whittier · Hope: https://www.alaska.org/destination/hope To Do: · Boat Trip to Juneau: https://alaskafjordlines.com/ · Plane Ride: https://www.katair.com/ · Katmai Bear Viewing Tours: https://katmaiair.com/ Restaurants · Karstens Public House: https://www.westmarkhotels.com/denali-food/ · Anchorage Breweries: https://www.anchorage.net/restaurants/breweries/ Camping · Dyea Flats: https://www.alaska.org/detail/dyea-campground Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/gently-comes-tomorrow License code: JNNG98EA42W634JP *All content from atravelpath.com, including but not limited to The Travel Path Podcast and social media platforms, is designed to share general information. We are not experts and the information is not designed to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. Always do your own research and due diligence before making a decision. Transcript Host: All right, Chad and Eileen, welcome back to the Travel Path Podcast. Guest: Hi, we're happy to be back. So, in case you missed the first episode, we talked about all their van life adventures, and we took a pretty deep dive into some of the finances and a lot of the things that people don't think about with van life, including routines or lack of routines, getting kind of out of the routines you're used to living at home, and transitioning to van life. So, if you haven't listened, give it a listen. For part two, travel tips, we're talking about one destination. So, Chad and Eileen, what destination are we talking about today? Guest: We're going to talk about Alaska. Host: All right. Guest: Our favorite place in the world for sure. Host: So, I guess that's what made you decide to share about Alaska today, is just how much you love it? Guest: Yeah, and I think last summer, we made our first trip up to Alaska, and we spent about six weeks there. And it was such an overwhelming experience trying to figure out and plan for all the things that we might need to go there, and so maybe we can make it a little bit simpler for people by sharing today. Host: Awesome. How much time did you guys spend in Alaska, and what did you actually cover when you were there? Guest: So, we spent a total of about six weeks in Alaska. That doesn't include the drive up or the drive back, but our six weeks in Alaska, we covered quite a bit. So, we went up the more northern route. We started in Fairbanks, and then we made our way south from there. So, we hit Denali National Park, we went to Hatcher Pass, we went to Anchorage, down to the Kenai Peninsula, and then on our way out of Alaska, we went down to Skagway and took a boat trip to Juneau as well. So, we covered quite a bit of it. Host: Yeah, you certainly did. So, would you say for someone who is living this van life journey or taking a cross-country trip, how much do you think six weeks is a really good time for them to experience Alaska? Or would you say plan more or you could plan less? Guest: We are going back for the entire summer, but I know that's not realistic for everyone, but you probably will fall in love with it as well and want to go back for longer. But we do feel anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks is enough time to get the most out of it and see, you know, the Denali National Park, which is our favorite place, and then the Kenai Peninsula for sure. So, four to six weeks would be good. Host: Yeah, good. So obviously, you know, if you're going to really enjoy the national parks and probably have a great time, you want to go in the summertime when it's not the dead of winter. What are some of those seasonal highlights for you guys, at least when you were there? Guest: Well, yes, you 100% need to see Alaska in the summer because in the winter, it is, I think, it's four or six hours of daylight, and the rest is all dark. And so in the summer, you get 20 hours of daylight. So, you have longer days in the summer. It's actually wild how long they are. We tried to see the Northern Lights, and it never got dark enough. So, that's what's great, though, about the summertime is the days are long, and you can start a hike at 4 p.m., for example. It's beautiful. There's a lot of fish out in the rivers that you can catch and enjoy fresh. There's beautiful flowers, and everything is just beautiful in the summer. So, there's lots of wildlife that are out in the summer. So, you're looking, if you're planning on going up to Alaska, your window to be there is about mid-June through September 1st. Outside of that, you're going to run into some colder temperatures. But when we were there, we were there mid-July through about September 1st, and I mean, it was beautiful, 60, 70-degree days. We had a lot of sunshine while we were there, so the weather is definitely a highlight if you're there in the summertime. Host: Yeah, sure. And then you're traveling with Sadie, your dog. So, do you feel like she was able to go on all these hikes with you? Were there any restrictions that you kind of got snagged on? Guest: She couldn't enjoy the Denali National Park hikes with us. But Hatcher Pass, for example, is a hidden gem south of Denali, is that right? Okay. And it's beautiful, and it honestly reminded me of Switzerland, even though I've never been to Switzerland. I've only seen photos, but it's just beautiful, stunning mountain ranges, super green, and she could hike with us there. So, we figured out a lot of places where she could adventure. And I mean, Alaska in itself is beautiful no matter where you go outside of the park. So, she could be everywhere with us. And they do say traveling with a dog or traveling in a pack does spook the bears away and animals away too. I don't know, we never had that encounter, thank goodness, with a bear. But it's good. They actually, it's good to travel with your pets and hike with them. Host: So perfect, now diving just a little bit deeper into some of the things and places that you guys actually went to in Alaska. Do you have any highlights or spots that you think maybe you should spend a little more time or a little less time in that you went to? Guest: I think the area that we'd like to spend more time in would be the Kenai Peninsula. It's an incredible place because you've got some beautiful mountains and you're right on the ocean, so you've got the mix of both. The climate's really interesting, and some of the little towns are fascinating. The little town of Whittier and the little town of Hope were these unbelievable places that it's hard to imagine exist. So, that area has got so much natural beauty, there's national parks down there, so the Kenai Peninsula is definitely an area that we spent a fair amount of time. We were there for maybe a week or so, but we definitely would like to go back and spend some more time. And Denali National Park is just an incredible place. You get to go see Mount Denali, which is an unbelievable sight, as long as you can see it, which you need to have a clear day in order to be able to see it. But that was an area—I actually have family in that area—so we hung around there for probably about two weeks and just really enjoyed it. And if you want a really unique experience while you're there, we would definitely recommend flying. So, we went for a flight in a small six-person plane, and it just gave you this incredible view of all the natural beauty that's out there and a really unique perspective. Host: I remember seeing that Reel, it looked awesome. Guest: It was, I still dream of it to this day. And when we go back, we're running to that small plane and going for another flight. I do want to say, though, I think, nothing against Fairbanks, but it's just another typical town. That's something that we wouldn't really recommend you don't need to go. We think that, yeah, spend more time down in Denali area, Hatcher Pass, Kenai Peninsula, and you'll be golden. Host: Awesome. Now, speaking of that plane ride, because if anybody goes and looks at your Instagram and sees what that looks like, it's going to absolutely be on their bucket list. What do you remember, cost-wise, to do something like that? Like, what should someone prepare for? Guest: So this is where it's not going to be very helpful because my cousin is a pilot, and so, shout out to Greg, he lives out there, and so he operates an air taxi service and operates a lodge within Denali National Park, so we got to fly for free. However, if you are looking to fly, you're looking to pay probably about $250 per person for like an hour sightseeing flight. So, it's not necessarily cheap, and it is absolutely worth it because the things that you will see are unbelievable. So, would still recommend, but I know that's not a super helpful answer. I will say, too, the Denali National Park, there's a road closure right now, and it will be closed for a couple more years. And so it's just the best way to see more of the park because, sadly, you can only drive in. It's still gorgeous, of course, but you can only drive in to a certain point, and then they make you turn around because it's not safe. The, I don't know how to explain it, but the road kind of just collapsed on itself, I guess. So, yeah, you definitely want to take that plane ride. And I'm someone who was really fearful of flying, and it was so peaceful once you just get distracted by how beautiful it is. And it's really, really beautiful, and you just can't think about how scared you are. So, it's worth it. Host: Perfect. And you said Greg operates a company that'll actually take people out to do this, right? Guest: Yeah, so his company is Kantishna Air Taxi, and so they offer private sightseeing flights, and he's a great pilot. Host: Awesome. We'll put his information in the show notes, and then tell him Chad sent them. Guest: That'd be great. Host: So, as far as transportation to actually get there, obviously, you can fly in. There's tons of ways. But you guys are taking yourself converted van. So, what was that process like for you to actually drive into Alaska, and what did you need to prepare before? Guest: So, there's two primary routes that you can take if you're going to drive to Alaska. One of them is the Alaskan Highway that starts in Dawson Creek, Alberta, and takes you through Northern Alberta into the Yukon Territory and then over into Alaska. That route is a little bit more commercialized. It's the most popular route to take. And so, there's just some more options for food or more options for lodging and more stops for gas along that route. We came that way back from Alaska down through Canada. The other route that you can take is the Cassiar Highway, which runs along the western part of Canada and takes you up through British Columbia. That route, in our opinion, is more naturally beautiful. It is also very remote. There was a period of three or four days as we were driving. This was during the work week, so we were driving maybe three to four hours per day, but there was a three to four day period where we did not have cell phone service one time. So, it is very remote. There's not a ton of options for lodging or for gas. So, you definitely would need to be in a van or an RV if you want to go that route so that you can find random spots to stay. And you need to have some pretty off-grid capable. But if that is the case, that was the route that we enjoyed the most. Going through the mountains of British Columbia was unbelievable. It was really, really nice, and that's probably the route that we will end up going back when we head back there this summer. Host: Very good. I guess that's why in episode one that you guys did, you talked about getting the Starlink, and you're glad you had it going into Alaska, right? Guest: 100%. Yeah, we talked to a couple of people that had gone to Alaska before, so that's a great tip too, you know? If you're thinking about going to Alaska, reach out to us for sure, and we can tell you all our tips and tricks. But someone said, "No, you for sure need a Starlink because there's just complete dead zones." And, yeah, anytime you pass a gas station, fill up no matter where you're at. And yeah, it's quite the adventure. As far as what else we'd recommend planning, I mean, if you have something like Starlink, then of course you can get access to the internet everywhere, and that gave us a little bit of peace of mind so that if something were to go wrong as we were traveling and we were in more remote places, you know that you could hop on the internet and you could get in contact with whoever you needed to. Otherwise, I would say just plan for the fact that gas is really expensive, especially in that part of Canada and in Canada in general. So, the cost of gas is going to be very high. That's something to plan for. And then as far as like your food and what you're bringing with you and some of your rations with water, you'll just want to be a little bit more intentional about some of those things because it is more sparse and it's more remote. And so, have a plan for food, pack a lot more dry food that you can have access to as you're traveling just in case you go longer spells without having access to a grocery store. But those are some of the things that I think would be a good idea to think about. Host: Yeah, very good. Good tips. I like that. And then as far as once you got into Alaska, I assume you probably stayed the majority of the time in your van. Maybe you stayed with your family a little bit. But did you guys have any spots that were like these amazing spots you need to go find them to park your van at for the night? Or were there any campgrounds that you stayed at? Guest: Oh, my goodness. There's so many spots that we loved. On our way up there, there's a spot in the Yukon that was really sketchy to drive down to, but we loved it. And the other thing, if you're going to caravan with people, definitely have walkie-talkies because that just makes it so much more fun when you see a black bear or see a moose. That's also something, definitely have walkie-talkies. And we used that when we were driving down this sketchy road to this beautiful spot in the Yukon. And then in Alaska itself, I mean, there's just... we... you can stay at Hatcher Pass, you can stay in... there's a place in Seward where we loved, and it's super flat, so there's a ton of different vans and Airstreams and all sorts of campers there too. We didn't stay in any campgrounds, though. I don't think we did. There's a spot called the Dyea Flats, which is if you go to Skagway, a really, really beautiful place, one of our maybe favorite camp spots that we had. So, we did a lot of... I mean, the nice thing about driving to Alaska is that there's tons of options of places to stay because you can stay pretty much anywhere. So, when you think of BLM or Forestry Service land out west as you're going through British Columbia and the Yukon and when you're in Alaska, that's a majority of what's out there. There's not many people, so you can just go to little pull-offs or if you find a place where you can fit your rig, for the most part, you can probably stay there. So, you can kind of get off the beaten path and find some really unique places to sleep and stay for a night or stay for a few days. Host: Yeah, very cool. So it sounds like as far as finding a spot to sleep, you don't have to worry about shelling out a ton of money for that. Gas is a little bit expensive, but as far as other costs in Alaska, what do you guys feel like? Were you spending way more on food or do you feel like it was pretty comparable to other places you've been? Guest: We were spending a lot more on food for sure. We went to this one small grocery store, I remember, and I felt like they had things shipped in from Costco but then jacked up the prices. So definitely, food is expensive because the grocery stores are really far away from each other. And those will definitely be the two biggest things to plan for: food and gas. Your typical food and gas budget for a month, I would multiply them by probably one and a half and expect that that's probably about what you'll pay for as you're traveling to Alaska and back. And then, of course, it's just kind of discretionary from there. But if you want to eat out, if you want to do activities, things are definitely a bit more expensive as you're going through those different areas. So those would be good things to plan for from a budgeting standpoint. Host: Yeah, sure. Besides the plane, were there any other activities that you guys did indulge in while you were there? Guest: No, yes, there wasn't. Frankly, we were on a budget on our trip last summer, and you know, some of that was because we didn't know or realize how expensive gas would be, how expensive food would be. So we didn't really necessarily plan for that, which meant we had less money to spend doing things. But there's tons of activities that you could do if you wanted to. Go whitewater rafting, or if you wanted to go on a boat ride, or if you wanted to go fishing, there are a lot of things that you could do up there. I was going to say, our boat ride, that's why I said no, yes. We did do a boat ride from Skagway to Juno through the Inside Passage. Oh my gosh, it was beautiful. And thanks to my mother-in-law, Chad's mom, that was our birthday gift, I believe, or Christmas... yeah, birthday gift. So yeah, we had some... we were definitely budgeting, and there was... we had a couple of friends that did the plane ride to Katmai, I think it's called, and we would love to do that this summer because that's a place where you can go fly another small plane, beautiful experience. And then there's tons of grizzly bears that are enjoying salmon right in the river, and it's all... there's electric fences, I believe, to just kind of keep you safe. I mean, the grizzlies are super focused on the fish, so everyone's pretty much safe, but it's a beautiful, really cool experience. And honestly, the only way I think I'd want to see a grizzly, but so yeah, there's that trip that people can look forward to. And then I would love to do the whitewater rafting, but so maybe this summer we'll be able to do that. But yeah, all we did last time was the plane ride and the boat trip. I highly recommend that. Host: For sure, that's awesome. And I mean, you're in Alaska, so especially in the summer, like, put your hiking boots on and start walking. Guest: Like, that's an adventure in itself. And I think that's the thing, is that you don't necessarily... all of those things are options. I'm sure we didn't get to do many of them, but they would be incredible experiences. And every day, you can just walk out of your van door or whatever your rig is, and there's just natural beauty all around you. And there's tons of free activities and places to explore, so we never found ourselves running out of things to do. Host: Very cool. Now, obviously, you were there in the summer, so you have a little bit more sunlight than we might be used to, but what was there to do at night? Guest: Stay outside, because it's light out. One of my favorite memories is we were in Alaska with DJ and Garen, and we were all sitting around a campfire, and Chad was basically falling asleep in his chair. He's like, "I'm ready to go to bed." And I said, "Why?" And it was because it was almost midnight, but it was super light out. So, I mean, at night, you just... you stay outside and hang out, or try to catch the Northern Lights. I mean, those are a huge thing up there, but it honestly didn't get dark enough where we were, so to the point where you could start a four-hour hike at 6 p.m. and you would still finish it with daylight, and you would be fine. So, the answer to what you can do at night is pretty much everything that you could do during the day, which is a very unique experience. Host: I love that. Normally, we ask, where is a good sunrise or sunset spot? But I mean, those happen so quickly and all together. Probably that... did you even see a real sunrise or sunset when you were there? Guest: That's a good point. I'm trying to think... I mean, we may... well, we may have seen a couple, but the thing about the daylight, so it is like 20 hours of daylight. So, technically, that means that for four hours, the sun has gone below the horizon. However, it doesn't ever get fully dark. So, I think, like Eileen might have mentioned at one point or maybe in the past episode, there was one night where we tried to see the Northern Lights. We stayed up till about 2:30 a.m. and went to bed realizing that it was never going to get dark enough that wasn't going to be possible. So, um, yeah, starting to get brighter. Host: That's got to be a weird thing to get used to. How long did it take you to just get used to it being bright all the time? And at what point did it start getting dark? Guest: It's a very weird thing to get used to. Your internal clock just gets very thrown off. So, I would say for the first probably two or three weeks, it took us a long time to acclimate to it. And your body doesn't feel tired. It'll be 10:00 and it's still very bright out. And so, your body's like, "Well, I don't think it's time to go to bed." So, back to trying to force yourself into some semblance of a routine, we found that that helped, trying to go to bed at 10:30 or 11 o'clock every night. We would definitely recommend having blackout curtains or magnetic shades that you can put on your van or your rig or using something like an eye mask or an eye pillow so that you need to create darkness because it won't be there like you're used to. It's weird. Host: That's good tips, though, because I mean, everyone knows that in the summer, Alaska's bright, but actually hearing from someone who stayed there for an extended time, like, yeah, no, it really is bright, and you need to bring that eye mask or something. I think that's a really good tip and just something to be prepared for. Guest: Yeah. And I remember even driving at 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., right, and the sun was still in your eye. So, 100% bring sunglasses, um, because it's just wild. It's always out, which is beautiful, but it's really... it's weird, for sure. And so then what's kind of odd is, since there's such a huge swing going from 20 hours of daylight in the summer and then 20 hours of darkness in the winter, around late August and September, you start experiencing the difference, and it starts changing. And if you're from the lower 48, you're used to maybe the sunset changes two, three minutes per day, and up in Alaska, it was changing as much as like 8 to 9 minutes per day. So, all of a sudden, a week goes by and it's getting dark an hour earlier. So, when we left in September, I think it was getting dark by like 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. So, it is amazing how it starts to swing. But if you're going there in June, July, early August, it's still going to be pretty bright up. Host: Wow, that's fascinating. Yeah, and I can't even imagine going there in the wintertime when it's the exact opposite. It would drive you crazy. Guest: We did meet a couple of those people that can handle it. Actually, his cousin Greg who lives there, he leaves in the winter because yeah, it's just... it's too dark. And we talked to a couple of folks that do stay the whole year, and they say that they never go anywhere without their headlamp. And some of them try to convince us that it's beautiful, which I'm sure it is in its own way, but that would be so hard, I think. Host: Yeah, yeah. I don't know how it could be beautiful if it's pitch black the whole time. Guest: The moonlight's... well, the Northern Lights. Host: Yeah, you can probably see the Northern Lights all day, right? Guest: Basically. That's funny. Host: So transitioning now into food, did you guys stop at grocery stores, cook in your van a lot? Just cost-wise, were there any spots that you stopped or found along the way that were great? Guest: We definitely cooked in our van a lot. For periods of that trip, our meals in the van became very simple things like ramen or things like cereal or whatever it may be that didn't involve a lot of cooking or things that could stay fresh for a long period of time. So, we relied on a lot more boxed things or canned goods just because sometimes we didn't know when we were going to have availability to a grocery store. So, we did a lot of camping or a lot of cooking in our van. There was one restaurant in particular that was outside of Denali National Park called Carston's Public House that we really liked, and we recommend that people go check that out. And there's another brewery that we went to in Anchorage, but I'm drawing a blank on the name of it. Host: So, Anchorage is actually home to quite a few breweries and distilleries, so if craft brews are your thing, you might want to check it out. I'll put a link in the show notes for more. Host: I know we talked about quite a bit of things. Are there any things you're doing differently to prepare yourself for this next trip now that you've already been there for six weeks? Guest: That's a good question. Relaxing, yes, relaxing. I was freaked out about the bear situation, truly. And it's not as bad as you would think. People say you have to be more afraid of moose. But I pictured in my mind that there would be bears everywhere you look, and there wasn't. So, relaxing, that's a good answer. Yeah, I mean, just relaxing from the standpoint of knowing that it's not going to be as intense or as extreme as we thought it was going to be. Relaxing and knowing that when you get there, a city like Anchorage is a very big city. It's going to have all of the big box stores that you're used to. It has all the things that you're used to in the lower 48. So, you're not traveling to like a third world country or something like that. You can find the things that you are used to. If you need to get packages or we navigated all of those things while we were in Alaska. And so, relaxing, I think we'll just approach the whole thing with a little more ease, and that'll feel really good. Awesome, that's a good point. Yeah, just kind of relaxing, taking it easy, and then also budgeting. You've been there once. You're preparing more to spend one and a half times what somebody might expect to have to pay if they hadn't gone before. Host: So great, we can transition to the 3-2-1 Countdown, the final three questions of the podcast. We might have brought up a few things here, but what are three things people are bringing when they're going to Alaska? Guest: Bug spray or bug protectant as a whole is what we want to recommend. So, bug spray, fly swatter, and bug nets. We're actually getting some of those soon because there are a lot of mosquitoes, and they're huge. Yeah, we'll say it again, the blackout curtains and eye mask. You've got to have some kind of plan for making your rig dark. So, whatever that's going to look like for you, you'll want to think about that, or else you're going to have a really difficult time sleeping, and that will be a challenge. And then, our last thing is binoculars, which the cool people in Alaska call them "binos." And that's so you can see hopefully some wildlife from afar and at a safe distance, right? So, binoculars for sure. Host: Cool. Did you get to see it all your last time out? I mean, the big... the grizzly bears, the moose, the wolves? Guest: Yeah, we did not see a grizzly bear in Alaska, which was disappointing. We did see one on our trip back, actually once we got back into the US, in Montana. But otherwise, we saw tons of black bears, we saw quite a bit of moose, we did see wolves. So, we saw a good mix of things but not a grizzly when we were in Alaska. So, hopefully this summer will be different. Really? I don't know, we don't have to hope, a grizzly, maybe from afar through the electric fence, right? Through the binos. Host: What are two complaints or things people wish they had prepared more for when venturing to Alaska? Guest: We probably talked about a few of them. Yeah, so we're going to go back to the bugs. That is something that you want to be aware of. They are everywhere. There's nowhere that you can go that you're going to be able to get away from them. The mosquitoes are huge, they are nasty, they are persistent. And so, having tons and tons of bug spray on you, having solutions to try to keep them out of the van is very helpful. But that's just, I think, one of the most common complaints. And if you go on any social media and just look up videos of the mosquitoes in Alaska, you'll see some pretty crazy stuff. But that is something that you are going to want to be aware of. It's worth it, though. I mean, and I think there were days or locations where they were worse or if it was windy, I feel like they weren't out as much. But I remember, I was cutting his hair in the middle of nowhere, and I was getting eaten alive, and thankfully, the haircut wasn't too bad, but the mosquitoes are really distracting and annoying. But bug spray does work, so definitely just bring a lot of that bug spray. And then the second thing is bears, again, for sure. Definitely just think about safety and peace of mind. So, having something like bear spray was something that we had with us at all times. Anytime, you know, if you're parked off the road somewhere and if you've got animals around or dogs, since you do have food in your van that you can't always keep airtight, you just want to always be bear-conscious and animal-conscious in general. So, that's something that I guess could be a sort of complaint or something that at least you'll want to think a lot about and be very conscious of. Hiking in groups is really great, and just talking a lot is good too. Those were some of the tips. So, we would always just say "hi bear" or talk or sing, and that was in the beginning when we were really anxious, I'm talking about myself, I just always talking. But just doing those things helps. And then having the bear spray just helps you feel a little more safe. Host: How are the roads? I had heard people, they've said if you go to Alaska, have a spare tire, and if you have room, bring a second spare tire. But there's... you said there were two main roads to kind of get through. Were they rough or how did you maneuver that? Guest: They're not great. So, a spare tire would definitely be a good idea. Also, plan for your windshield taking some pretty serious dents from rocks. We probably picked up ten different dents in our windshield of all different sizes, and one of them led to a pretty big crack in our windshield. So, yes, having a spare tire is a great idea. And not that there's a whole lot that you can do about your windshield, but that's something to just think about and probably going to be a reality as well. So, the roads are not great, especially... there are sections of them that are very, I'm going to call them bouncy. I mean, there's like really big hills. It's a roller coaster, to the point where there's moments where our van was like two wheels would go off the ground, and then you'd slam back down. So, yeah, the roads are not great, so that's something to just be aware of. You will need to at points drive slow, even though you're in the middle of nowhere and there's nothing around. But spare tires are definitely a good idea. Host: Do you have 4x4? Guest: No, we don't, and we were fine. I mean, you have to know some of your limitations with that, but there weren't any roads... the main roads getting to and from Alaska, you don't need four-wheel drive. After everything we just mentioned, it's like... you have to know that it's stunning, right? There are bears, there are mosquitoes, there's all this stuff, the roads are terrible. But it goes to show you how epic it is. So, it's worth it. Host: Yeah, no, there's bears, mosquitoes, the roads, but yet not only did you guys do that, you're going back for another three, four months. Clearly, it's worth it. All right, guys, one last question: what is one thing you cannot leave Alaska without doing? Guest: The plane ride, for sure. You have to get up in the air and see Denali National Park from a plane. It's stunning. You will not believe your eyes, and highly, highly recommend it. The other thing I'm going to say is go jump in a lake or a river. I think you've got to go out and just experience the nature, and I mean, those are some of the lakes and rivers are about as fresh as it gets up there. So, go jump in one. It's a great experience. Host: Nice, awesome. And we'll have to have you guys back on after you guys do your six-month or your summer adventure up there, and we'll talk about what you guys did that time. So, yeah, well, great. Guys, thanks again for coming on. One last question, where can our audience find out more about you? Guest: We are @TheMilesVanLife on Instagram, and I'm @EileenRoseMiles. That's my personal Instagram. And then I am ChadMMiles on Instagram, and I have a podcast that is called "A Level Deeper." Host: All right, sweet. Everybody go check them out. Chad and Eileen, thanks again. Guest: Thanks, guys. Host: Thank you. Guest: Appreciate you both.

The Highway Chronicles: The Evolution of American Roads

Changing Roads Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 62:08 Transcription Available

Ever wondered how the sprawling highways and charming roadside attractions across America came to be? Join Brad and and Ranger as we cruise down memory lane with car aficionado and history buff, James Wilder. Their trek takes us from the early days of horse-drawn carriages to the present, where every mile of road tells a story of progress and the resilience of the human spirit. They share anecdotes and insights that highlight the profound impact of our nation's roadways on culture and personal experience, uncovering the roots of our modern highways. Discussing everything from the ingenuity behind the ever-evolving accommodations for travelers to the iconic neon signs that beckon from the roadside. From the building of the Alaskan Highway, to the historic upheaval of the Kentucky Cave Wars, to drilling I-70 through the Rocky Mountains, to the simple joys of unplanned detours, Their discussion reveals how the highways and byways reflect the ongoing narrative of America's love affair with the open road.As if their chat couldn't get any livelier, Ranger surprises us all by offering his own take, proving that our four-legged friends have a sense of adventure too. This heartwarming conversation with James Wilder leaves us with a newfound appreciation for the journeys that connect us—not just to destinations, but to each other.Website:www.changingroads.comEmail:changingroadspodcast@gmail.comInsta:@changingroadspodcast@rangerlovestravelFacebook:#changingroads

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169. Helene Waldeck's Alaskan Adventures, Bears, Moose, The Alaskan Highway, and Facing the Big Question: What Comes Next?

Seemingly Ordinary

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 101:21

Helene Waldeck has an adventurous spirit. We discuss her time in Alaska, bears, moose, the wild people up north, driving the Alaskan Highway and taking a 5,000 mile roadtrip through deserted lands, and--now--Helene faces the Big Question: What Comes Next?

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ON THE CALL - JAN FRANCE

ON THE CALL

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 46:18

JAN FRANCE: who was born in Chicago, to a mother who was an RN, a father who served in World War II, and a grandfather who served in World War I, has devoted much of her life to helping others. In 1976, Jan rode the 1400 mile Bi-Centennial, Valley Forge, PA on horseback, then in 1983, she organized the Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train, which covered 3,228 miles within the state, driving a classic 1915 Chicago freight wagon. She was its Founder, executive director, strategic planner, coordinator, promoter and fund-raiser of three million dollars in sponsorships. She opened a thrift shop and in 2002, she founded and created the Nation-wide, Non-Profit Organization America's Disaster Relief, to provide assistance to various disaster-affected areas across the United States. Then she created a food truck which upgraded to a Mobile Kitchen. Despite being diagnosed with kidney disease, Jan continued to volunteer and fundraise for several years, but in 2023 due to her health issues, she decided to sell the Mobile Kitchen and cancel all events and remotely volunteer and fundraise. Her tireless efforts over the years have been an inspiration to many. Jan attended in her early days, New York Institute of Interior Design – New York, New York, Barbizon School of Modeling after which she became a Showroom & Runway model with the Ford Agency before heading off to Saint Petersburg College / University of South Florida. She was an equestrian, riding instructor, endurance and cross country rider and drove a team. She did ranch work: branding cattle, showmanship horses, also did team penning. She holds certifications as: Certified Radio Marketing Consultant – RAB – Dallas, Texas, Marketing and Promotions Event Professional as well as Licensed Real Estate Agent – Texas In the television/radio/film industry, she was: Radio Director of Promotions/Marketing, designed sales packages & promotions; copywriter and handled press releases. She was a live, remote air personality, air voice, co-host of talk shows. She was a Motivational speaker at seminars, Teacher of marketing classes, Co-writer and co-director of commercials (Ford, 7-Eleven, Coca-Cola); Technical advisor for the movie Lone Star– selected sites, arranged/approved props and costumes, advised on angle and method with film crew/director. Jan was also consultant to: State of Alaska, 50-year celebration of Alaskan Highway, State of Oklahoma, commemoration of the Oklahoma Land Rush; State of South Dakota, state-wide centennial celebration; State of Wyoming-state centennial; Residential General Contractor & Home Design – building 5000 homes in Florida & Texas. Jan has a STAR on the Western Heritage Walk of Fame, Ft Worth, Texas (below the STAR of Roy Rodgers & Dale Evans) and holds numerous awards and citations from Oklahoma, Wyoming, South Dakota, Missouri, Florida, and Alaska. She holds honors from: State of Florida – State Representative Nations Bi-Centennial – Valley Forge, PA; Prestigious Texas Woman, Texas House of Representative; Outstanding Texas Woman, Texas Senate; Pioneer Woman Award, Marshall, Texas; Reserve Grand Champion Team Driving National Horse & Mule Association Finals 1987; National Cowgirl Hall of Fame - Heritage Division;Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train Museum – Ft Worth Stockyards Exchange Building; and was featured in Five Books, two by Donna Neal-Stepp in 1987, one of which is Sulphur Spring to Cowtown; and in October 2011 by Arcadia Publishing Images of America Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train By J'Nell Pate. Follow her at: https://www.facebook.com/jan.france.10 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ozzie-stewart/support

Ep - 21 - Alaskan Hwy Murders

Hell No: A True Crime Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 43:42

23 year old Lucas Fowler and 24 year old Chynna Deese set out on a Canadian road trip on the Alaskan Highway in July 2019. Around the same time A 64 year old man they had never met before named Leonard Dyck was also setting out for a solo camping trip on the Alaskan highway but what they didn't know is that they would be a huge part in Canadas most prolific man hunt in history. Source info 'Truly irreplaceable': University lecturer killed in Northern B.C. dedicated career to studying plant life | CBC News The Road Trip of Death | The Case of Kam Mcleod and Bryer Schmegelsky - YouTube What to Know About the Canada Highway Murders of Chynna Deese, Lucas Fowler and Leonard Dyck | Inside Edition The world knows Chynna Deese because of how she died. Now her family wants to make sure we remember how she lived. - Axios Charlotte Couple killed in northern B.C. were shot, RCMP seek man for questioning | CBC News Manhunt, Manitoba: Two fugitives and the Cree trapper who helped close the case - YouTube 3 victims, 2 suspects dead: What we know about the northern B.C. cases | CBC News

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Ep.2: U.S. Army Off Road Land Train

What Makes Us Human

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 22:10

How do you haul 500 tons to equipment to point 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle? You need an Off Road Land Train. View the Sno-Buggy on the side of an Alaskan Highway on Google Maps: https://bit.ly/32yS5k4 Connect with us! @WMUHPodcast on social media WMUHPodcast@gmail.com Music: "Lanky" by Blue Dot Sessions freemusicarchive.org

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AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE by Alan R. Adaschik

This Week in America with Ric Bratton

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 19:25

AN ALASKAN ADVENTURE: A TRAVELOGUE AND ENVIRONMENTAL TREATISE by Alan R. Adaschik Alan Adaschik’s lifelong dream was to visit Alaska; America’s last frontier and a place that abounds with wildlife and unspoiled wilderness. Upon retiring, Al and his wife, Gayle, sold everything and bought a motorhome to make his dream a reality. An Alaskan Adventure, is a narrative about Al and Gayle’s trip which highlights the places they visited and the wonderful things they experienced along the way. The adventure begins in Indiana. After negotiating the traffic jams of Chicago, Al and Gayle traveled I-94 across the Northern Great Plains visiting Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana along the way. Heading North, they toured Glacier National Park and continued on to visit Yoho, Banff, and Jasper national parks in Canada. Afterwards, Al & Gayle picked up the Alaskan Highway which took them to the realization of Al’s dream. The remainder of the book is about Al & Gayle’s travels around the Great Alaskan Triangle, a circuit of 900 miles defined by the cities of Tok, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. While negotiating this triangle, Al and Gayle’s primary goal was to find gold in one of the many streams they crossed. However, they also hoped to find a Wooly Mammoth frozen in a glacier. Toward these ends, they took side trips to the White Mountains National Recreation Area, Denali National Park, the Top of the World Highway, and the towns of Homer and Chicken. An Alaskan Adventure is not just a book about touring Alaska. Al is an environmentalist. This being the case, a theme evident throughout the book is that the beauty we find around us is fleeting and if we, as a species, continue to over-populate our world, what we see and value so highly is sure to go away. https://www.stratton-press.com/books/an-alaskan-adventure-a-travelogue-and-environmental-treatise/ http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/aradaschik2.mp3

Why every RVer needs a Bucket List

RV Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2019 57:06

This week on the RV Podcast we meet a couple who tell us why every RVer should have a bucket list and how to make it come true. Ari and Jessi Adler, collectively known as the Trekers.org, tell us how, even with 9 to 5 jobs, they are making their amazingly ambitious bucket list come true. I think you’ll find them very inspiring. Also this week, RV news of the week including stories about: a very real murder mystery on the Alaskan Highway, more bad news for Roadtrek and how the tariff war is taking its toll on the RV industry. Plus tips, your RV Lifestyle questions and an off the Beaten Path report. So… thanks for putting us in your ears this week. Show Notes for Episode #252 July 24, 2019 of The RV Podcast; WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We’re back from Nashville, TN and a great family vacation. We have some RV projects we’ll be doing over the next couple weeks to tweak and upgrade some components and Internet systems on our RV. We’re also having a ladder installed on the back. We’re working on or travel season for the rest of the year. We have trips planned to Ohio, Florida and Georgia (to take in some of our grandson’s high school football games). Plus in September we’ll be at the Hershey RV Show in Hershey, PA. In Ocober we’ll be in Elkhart, IN at RV Open House and later that month out to California where we’ll be attending the California RV Show in Pomona. It’s time to give a shout out to our podcast reviewer of the week…Rickg5555 gave us a wonderful five star review and this wonderful five-star review on iTunes: “Been listening for a long time. I have searched and tried all the other RV podcasts and this one is the only one I listen to every week. Mike and Jennifer cover a lot of topics for all types of RVers and campers with a focus on real world boondocking. Mike has a knack for the latest tech stuff to help inform his listeners on how to stay connected to the internet while cruising the country. One of the best parts of the podcast is his traveling reporters - they have the most creative stories from places ‘off the beaten path’.” Thank you, Rick. We so appreciated those kind words and your review. Those reviews and five star ratings really help us in getting the word out to the RV Community about the RV Podcast. And we invite you dear listener, to do the same. Please leave us a review and a rating on iTunes or Stitcher or TuneIn or Spotify of whatever app you listen to us on. We so appreciate the feedback and we read every one! RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK JENNIFER Real-life murder mystery on the Alaskan Highway In British Columbia and the Yukon, on parts of the Alaskan Highway very popular with RVers this time of year, Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigators are trying to solve the murders of a young Australian man and his American girlfriend last seen on the side of the highway next to their broken down camping van. Later, two teens on the same road were reported missing after their truck camper was found burning at a highway turnoff. A man’s body was later found nearby. No word yet on how that still unidentified man died, though the Mounties say he was murdered, too. But after first declaring the missing teens may have also met with foul play, the RCMP announced that the teens are now considered suspects in the murder of the couple. As you’d expect, the murders are causing lots of jitters among the RV community and tourists traveling the highway. MIKE About 2,000 Roadtreks issued recall notices by U.S. and Canadian agencies over second row seat safety concerns About 2,000 Erwin Hymer Group of North America Roadtreks, some dating as far back as 2013, are being recalled for safety concerns tied to the second row captain seat chair restrains, according to a Canadian story out last week. The four models affected are the CS Adventurous, RS Adventurous and E-Trek built between 2013-2019, and TS Adventurous built between 2013-2016.

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Routes to War, Victory and Freedom

Addressing Alaskans – Alaska Public Media

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2017

KSKA: Tuesday, November 14, at 2:00 p.m. As part of Alaska Public Media’s observance of Veterans Day, we’re taking a look at how Alaska became involved in World War 2. We will hear three separate stories, the first of which comes from a navy pilot who flew in the Battle of Midway. We’ll then learn about the hard work and sacrifices made by the black soldiers that helped build the Alaskan Highway. We’ll finish the program learning about the Lend Lease program that sent American planes to Russia. LISTEN HERE

Bulldozer Butter & C-Rations: The Food that Built the Alaskan Highway

The Feast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2016 31:30

Moose milk. Powdered eggs. Coffee a la Yukon. This week, The Feast is heading to the Canadian wilderness- where 10,000 US soldiers helped to build the Alaskan Highway in 1942. But how do you feed an army in the middle of nowhere? We'll look at how these soldiers survived arctic winters & mosquito-plagued summers with the latest in military food technology, including dehydrated foods and the rise of the dreaded C-Ration, the meal for the soldier on the go. With nothing but powdered milk and tinned food to eat for up to six months at a time, soldiers got creative with the local wildlife. Bear steak, anyone? Written & Produced by Laura Carlson Technical Direction by Mike Portt Find out more about food on the Alaskan Highway here. Find on iTunes | Other Players Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep059 Tales from the Alaska Highway

Living Heritage Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2016 30:00

Kathy was raised in a remote village on the Alaska Highway in northern BC, but wanderlust has taken her far from her roots. She's always loved telling tales. One day she stumbled upon the world of traditional storytelling, and she was hooked! Since then, Kathy's performed original stories and world folktales in schools, libraries, concerts and festivals across Canada and internationally. Highlights include the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, a Nordic storytelling conference in Iceland, and most recently- sharing tales with school children in South Africa. Her stories have been published in various venues, and included on several CD anthologies. In this podcast, we discuss growing up on the Alaskan Highway, Kathy's family's roots in the area, her father memories and work on the Alaskan Highway, and we focus on her upcoming storytelling show the “Alaskan Highway Road Show” celebrating the 75th anniversary of the highway.

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Building The Alaska Highway

Public Access America

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2016 37:38

The Alaska Highway (also known as the Alaskan Highway, Alaska-Canadian Highway, or ALCAN Highway) was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous United States to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1942 at a length of approximately 1,700 miles (2,700 km), as of 2012 it is 1,387 mi (2,232 km) long. The difference in distance is due to constant reconstruction of the highway, which has rerouted and straightened out numerous sections. The highway was opened to the public in 1948. Legendary over many decades for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway is now paved over its entire length. An informal system of historic mileposts developed over the years to denote major stopping points; Delta Junction, at the end of the highway, makes reference to its location at "Historic Milepost 1422." It is at this point that the Alaska Highway meets the Richardson Highway, which continues 96 mi (155 km) to the city of Fairbanks. This is often regarded, though unofficially, as the northern portion of the Alaska Highway, with Fairbanks at Historic Milepost 1520. Mileposts on this stretch of highway are measured from Valdez, rather than the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway is popularly (but unofficially) considered part of the Pan-American Highway, which extends south (despite its discontinuity in Panama) to Argentina. Source Link https://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.23086 Copyright Link https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ Department of Defense PIN 23086 1944 CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1,500 MILES OF THE ALASKAN HIGHWAY.. Producer Department of Defense Credits Uploaded by Public.Resource.Org Edited for podcast by Jarcodes Productions

RT34 Roadtreking RV Podcast: How to Cut RV Costs Without Sacrificing Experience

RV Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2015 74:23

In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, we learn from an expert how RV travel does not have to break the bank. They don't call Marianne Edwards the Frugal RVer for nothing - after all, she's been out on her latest trip since January and has only spent about $150 on camping fees over the past five months. Most nights, she camps free. That doesn't include other things like gas, supplies, food, etc., but still, it's pretty impressive and besides... Marianne, of the Frugal RV Travel and Boondockers Welcome blog and websites, has some great ideas about cutting costs on all of those things, too! And so will you after listening to this episode, as Marianne guides us toward finding affordable adventure and fun and the wide open spaces that most RVers miss. Among other things, Mike and Marianne talk about: What's more economical - long trips or short trips? What is boondocking? What do you really need to boondock? What is the boondocking RV lifestyle and why is it so appealing to so many?" Who would NOT be suited to boondocking? How do you find boondocking spots?" What is the best way to save money while traveling in an RV? How to boondock safely What is a "Shunpiker" and why you should be one? Also in this episode we have news and info about Walmart parking lot safety, composting toilets, Alaskan travel and advice for traveling with pets. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for episode 34 of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast: First Things First: It's a Dog's (RV) Life - How We Travel With Our Dog, Tai Roadtreking reader Lee asks how we manage our dog Tai when traveling. Jennifer shares how we help Tai deal with some of his doggie anxieties and other accommodations made to keep the 11-year-old Norweigian Elkhound happy while RVing. We also talk about dog-unfriendly parks and how we keep tabs on Tai when he's in the RV and we are out to dinner or touring a museum. Listener Question: What Do I Need to Know About RVing to Alaska? Click on this pic for Roadtreking's Alaska travel tips! Roadtreking reader Cristian from Seattle is headed to Alaska and wants information about proper preparation for the trip, especially when it comes to tires. Also, he wants info on a center screen door for his RV. Mike notes that the Alaskan Highway is in excellent shape and no special tires are needed for summer travel. He and Jennifer share their Alaska travel experience and this link - Alaska Highway info http://blog.alaskatravel.com/tips-for-driving-the-alaska-highway. For anyone planning on driving to or through Alaska we recommend that your first step is to purchase The Milepost. Also, check out Roadtreking's Alaska RV tips (Read more) Questions: Roadtreking Fan from South Africa Asks About Propane, Composting Toilets A Roadtreking Travel Blog fan named Peter from South Africa asks about two things: our choice of propane and composting toilets. Regarding the composting toilets, Mike has one main thought: forget about it because they are not not nearly as convenient as makers claim. He cites lots of reasons why composting toilets are not for the average RVer. After only two weeks, for example, the contents of the vault will still smell a fair amount like human waste. And sometimes there are "glitches" in the system. The toilet may smell, or you won't get a full two weeks out of the vault. That's on top of even more issues, such as the impact of humidity on the system, ease (or lack thereof) of installation, high costs, and more. Questions: Should My Tires Be Wearing Out This Way? A Roadtreking reader wonders why the tires on his ERA RV are wearing down on their edges, and if it's a common problem. Mike offers up some tips on how to handle the situation, starting with finding another repair shop to work with. [spp-player] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of ...

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