Contributor II
Thank you for the postings, that is a trip I will make someday, LORD willing. Blessings!
Alaska
- Thread starter The Deputy
- Start date
My only advice...don't wait, and make it happen while you still can. For me, plans were to do this in 2020, then covid came to America, then border closed, then a health issue, then diagnosis and treatment, then the battle to get Victoria running again/different engine and build sleeping compartment/cabinets inside...oh, and l got four years older along the way (which didn't help matters...lol)...so, if at all possible...do it tomorrow...because as we all know...the Lord is willing to do anything, at anytime.
It is a mind-blowing adventure.
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Influencer III
- 4,518
- First Name
- Brandon
- Last Name
- Eberhardt
- Member #
-
20143
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KE0JBH
- Service Branch
- Air Force 02-18
Looks amazing. I've driven the Alcan several times in the mid 2000's when I was stationed in Alaska, never camped, and never for pure pleasure (I was moving, or preping for moving) but still, some of my favorite drives and one I can't wait to do again and share with my wife and friends.
My biggest dilemma is trying to decide on when to go ie time of year, I've driven it in February, March, May, October and November... and I honestly loved February and March most... but of course camping is a no go (my hard core days are long behind me) so leaning towards early fall (to escape the mosquitos and RV's lol)
But also how to see all I want in the time I can... the distance is so vast it's hard to realize for some folks!
My biggest dilemma is trying to decide on when to go ie time of year, I've driven it in February, March, May, October and November... and I honestly loved February and March most... but of course camping is a no go (my hard core days are long behind me) so leaning towards early fall (to escape the mosquitos and RV's lol)
But also how to see all I want in the time I can... the distance is so vast it's hard to realize for some folks!
Left Talkeetna after the second day, rained hard all night. Headed back towards highway 3, stopped at the Speedway for fuel and coffee, then at Cubby's IGA market for provisions, both right at the intersection.
Headed south on #3 towards Anchorage. Skies were starting to clear, hurray!
But, after some serious thought and getting into 'rush hour' type traffic...turned east just outside of Wasilla on #1...and set my sights on Glacier View.
The views along #1 were breathtaking. This was a good decision!
Glaciers.
Simply the best of the best.
Headed south on #3 towards Anchorage. Skies were starting to clear, hurray!
But, after some serious thought and getting into 'rush hour' type traffic...turned east just outside of Wasilla on #1...and set my sights on Glacier View.
The views along #1 were breathtaking. This was a good decision!
Glaciers.
Simply the best of the best.
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Victoria taking a well deserved breather. And l needed to stretch my legs some. The seats in a 1990 vehicle leave a lot to be desired. But, she's been chugging right along.
Didn't have much windshield time in her after dropping new/used engine in. I'd driven to Alabama to get engine and put all my trust in the guy that was selling it to me. Put about five hundred miles on it before pulling out of the drive for Alaska. And three hundred of that was a two day shakedown run, after building interior.
Anyhow, back to the scenery.
Stopped at this campground, had great hills across the road for glassing for sheep.
Letting some stink out...
Letting some fresh air in...
Airing things out, been raining on and off pretty steady. Yeah, that's my designer flannel coat that l sported in Denila Park. Most looked like they walked out of GQ magazine...me...looked like l'd just came in from milking the cows. And yes, that's a vintage WWll sleeping bag. You could say...l'm not into the latest and the supposed greatest.
Man can not live on coffee and cigars alone (says my wife).
No sheep...or big bears. Small ones l'd just whip with my bare hands...lol.
All ready for tomorrows adventure.
Going to make our way down to Valdez.
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Arrived in Alaska on the 12th of Sept (right in there anyway) and did not see one mosquito and very few RV's (besides caravan, that actually had a pilot van leading the way, newbies or something?). Yes, saw some snowflakes one morning...but for the most part it was either exceptionally nice...or raining. Some businesses were closing down, on way home, one midway point that has fuel was closed and they warned you to be topped off before that stretch of the Alcan. I'm not sure if hunting season affects seeing wildlife, imagine though, but didn't see any sheep or goats. Guy posted pictures a few weeks before l arrived, along Glacier View area, where he had several large groups of rams standing on the road.
Anyway, hope you get out there soon. Unfortunately, they're paving all of the good spots...good for the truckers...but for the guy that wants an authentic Alaskan feel to things...not so much.
Go, while there are still wild areas and roads.
A little more back story about the journey...
Three months before leaving for Alaska...this was Victoria. Mind you, during the darkest days of four years leading up to this attempt to go to Alaska...l'd pretty much given up hope (explain that a few post back). The immediate plan was, drop the engine in from Alabama, get it running...and sell. There's a back story to this back story...about the reason for going to Alaska...but l'll either spare you or mention it later. Anyhow, plan is...l'm selling this rover and moving on...until...l'm talking with a fellow empolyee at work, who is retiring the month after me. He's 68 and worked 50 years straight...well, he's talking about all of the things he's going to do, etc. He's leaving for a week long vacation at his cabin up north and says..."see ya when l get back". Well, those were the last words he ever spoke to me...massive heart attack took him three days later (bringing us back to the Lord and how he works sometimes). After hearing this news...something inside me said..."you have to do this!"..."and now!"
By May, she is running again. I'm retiring July 31st...and plan on pulling out of the driveway the next day. My wife still thinks l'm selling at this time.
The build begins...l'd had everything, pretty much, for the last four years sitting in the garage. It was an empty shell, back seats were already out.
Slide out table and sleeping compartment platform.
Or put on top of storage compartment , while lid is used for back rest.
Cabinet getting mounted in place.
Shelf for coleman stove.
I'll add a rope to it, to stabilize.
Auxiliary battery, to run fridge and lighting.
Applying some stain.
Cedar for ceiling.
Start of installation.
Finished, even added some lights.
Dimmer switches, for each bank of lights.
Control panel/fuse box for extra circuits. The old defender has very little to offer in this department. This unit was pretty nifty.
Command central, even added A/C (fan...lol). The rechargeable battery operated fan was my wife's idea, yes...eventually told her about renewing my plans to go...lol. lt was a great item to have along, several days in the 90's...and very helpful at night.
Changed all fluids before l left and gave her a good looking over. I'd rebuilt axle hubs, c/v shafts, knuckles, new tires, cooling system, replaced brakes, clutch/pressure plate, etc...about four years ago.
Question is...is that enough?...for a 10,000 mile trip?...in a desolate and remote area?...for a 34 year old, foreign vehicle?...worse yet...a Land Rover?
As they say..."time will tell".
Three months before leaving for Alaska...this was Victoria. Mind you, during the darkest days of four years leading up to this attempt to go to Alaska...l'd pretty much given up hope (explain that a few post back). The immediate plan was, drop the engine in from Alabama, get it running...and sell. There's a back story to this back story...about the reason for going to Alaska...but l'll either spare you or mention it later. Anyhow, plan is...l'm selling this rover and moving on...until...l'm talking with a fellow empolyee at work, who is retiring the month after me. He's 68 and worked 50 years straight...well, he's talking about all of the things he's going to do, etc. He's leaving for a week long vacation at his cabin up north and says..."see ya when l get back". Well, those were the last words he ever spoke to me...massive heart attack took him three days later (bringing us back to the Lord and how he works sometimes). After hearing this news...something inside me said..."you have to do this!"..."and now!"
By May, she is running again. I'm retiring July 31st...and plan on pulling out of the driveway the next day. My wife still thinks l'm selling at this time.
The build begins...l'd had everything, pretty much, for the last four years sitting in the garage. It was an empty shell, back seats were already out.
Slide out table and sleeping compartment platform.
Or put on top of storage compartment , while lid is used for back rest.
Cabinet getting mounted in place.
Shelf for coleman stove.
I'll add a rope to it, to stabilize.
Auxiliary battery, to run fridge and lighting.
Applying some stain.
Cedar for ceiling.
Start of installation.
Finished, even added some lights.
Dimmer switches, for each bank of lights.
Control panel/fuse box for extra circuits. The old defender has very little to offer in this department. This unit was pretty nifty.
Command central, even added A/C (fan...lol). The rechargeable battery operated fan was my wife's idea, yes...eventually told her about renewing my plans to go...lol. lt was a great item to have along, several days in the 90's...and very helpful at night.
Changed all fluids before l left and gave her a good looking over. I'd rebuilt axle hubs, c/v shafts, knuckles, new tires, cooling system, replaced brakes, clutch/pressure plate, etc...about four years ago.
Question is...is that enough?...for a 10,000 mile trip?...in a desolate and remote area?...for a 34 year old, foreign vehicle?...worse yet...a Land Rover?
As they say..."time will tell".
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And l will add...for a guy that had a flip-phone two weeks before leaving...it was quite the transformation...smart phone with national calling plan, adding several apps (days before that...what's an app?), linked phone to a satelite garmin inreach, sirus radio, google mapping, waves mapping, online banking, and sending group texts and pictures like a rockstar. The 21st century finally landed at my house...lol.
After a quick shower and shave at campground, started towards Valdez.
Stopped in Euerka Roadhouse for fuel and coffee.
(Not my picture, googled images of roadhouse, can't get mine to load...wrong format?, and this one popped up...Defender and a 911...doesn't get better than that!)
Had this cool old snow machine.
Rivers south of Glenallen along #4 hwy.
Glacier, just after Thompson Pass.
Keystone Pass.
Looking about straight up here.
These next two pictures give you an idea of scale.
Bridal Vail Falls.
Campground.
My site.
There's me and a couple other van campers...and everyone else...and their "off grid" rigs.
View out my back door.
Does anyone else see the resemblance to the Cookie Monster?
The harbor...
This was an absolutely beautiful area. Planned on spending several days here.
Stopped in Euerka Roadhouse for fuel and coffee.
(Not my picture, googled images of roadhouse, can't get mine to load...wrong format?, and this one popped up...Defender and a 911...doesn't get better than that!)
Had this cool old snow machine.
Rivers south of Glenallen along #4 hwy.
Glacier, just after Thompson Pass.
Keystone Pass.
Looking about straight up here.
These next two pictures give you an idea of scale.
Bridal Vail Falls.
Campground.
My site.
There's me and a couple other van campers...and everyone else...and their "off grid" rigs.
View out my back door.
Does anyone else see the resemblance to the Cookie Monster?
The harbor...
This was an absolutely beautiful area. Planned on spending several days here.
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Well, as they say...the best laid plans...
Rain moved in on the second day, and third, and they were forecasting five more.
Did a couple drives around the bay to Allison's Point, to look for bears feeding on salmon, which was suppose to be the hotspot for this, but, without any luck.
Did see these Sea Lions lounging around.
But, with the predicted forecast...we packed up and headed for drier skies.
These were taken on a little gravel spur road to Nabesna. Every once in a while l just had to put some gravel under Victoria's feet.
Back on #1 hwy.
Rolled into Tok, love this town/village, just has the right-size-feel to it. Nice grocery store, outdoor/hunting equip store, gas stations, parts store, a really nice restaurant and the little airport...and everyone there was very friendly.
Made the righthand turn off of #1 onto #2 (Alcan) and Victoria made an awful sound as we accelerated, loud chripping noise! Needed fuel, so we whipped into the first gas station. Well, low and behold...there's another Defender 110 fueling. What are the odds of two LR Defender 110's being in Tok, Alaska, at the same gas station, at the same time. Not great, l would imagine. This couple was from Germany and heading through Alaska and then down to Vancouver Island...where they would transport their rover home by ship from there.
This was the second couple from Germany l'd ran into driving a Defender, first couple was at a accident scene, where we sat for 4 1/2 hours. They came in through NC and went west through the lower southern states and then back across the northern states, turned back west in Newfoundland and was making their way to Alaska, they'd already driven 18,000 miles.
Total, saw 8 - Defenders along the way.
Anyhow...after a quick chat and wishing them 'safe travels' (which seemed to be the favorite saying of all overlanders l ran into, which were several)...headed to the restaurant across the road for dinner and a beer. I'll figure out Victoria's problem later, l hope?
Grab a campsite at a different campground than the one l'd stayed at before when in Tok...this place was a 0 - Star rating...bathrooms were disgusting.
Checked a couple things on Victoria...but nothing jumped out at me. Raining pretty hard, so l didn't spend to much time looking.
There's always tomorrow!
Rain moved in on the second day, and third, and they were forecasting five more.
Did a couple drives around the bay to Allison's Point, to look for bears feeding on salmon, which was suppose to be the hotspot for this, but, without any luck.
Did see these Sea Lions lounging around.
But, with the predicted forecast...we packed up and headed for drier skies.
These were taken on a little gravel spur road to Nabesna. Every once in a while l just had to put some gravel under Victoria's feet.
Back on #1 hwy.
Rolled into Tok, love this town/village, just has the right-size-feel to it. Nice grocery store, outdoor/hunting equip store, gas stations, parts store, a really nice restaurant and the little airport...and everyone there was very friendly.
Made the righthand turn off of #1 onto #2 (Alcan) and Victoria made an awful sound as we accelerated, loud chripping noise! Needed fuel, so we whipped into the first gas station. Well, low and behold...there's another Defender 110 fueling. What are the odds of two LR Defender 110's being in Tok, Alaska, at the same gas station, at the same time. Not great, l would imagine. This couple was from Germany and heading through Alaska and then down to Vancouver Island...where they would transport their rover home by ship from there.
This was the second couple from Germany l'd ran into driving a Defender, first couple was at a accident scene, where we sat for 4 1/2 hours. They came in through NC and went west through the lower southern states and then back across the northern states, turned back west in Newfoundland and was making their way to Alaska, they'd already driven 18,000 miles.
Total, saw 8 - Defenders along the way.
Anyhow...after a quick chat and wishing them 'safe travels' (which seemed to be the favorite saying of all overlanders l ran into, which were several)...headed to the restaurant across the road for dinner and a beer. I'll figure out Victoria's problem later, l hope?
Grab a campsite at a different campground than the one l'd stayed at before when in Tok...this place was a 0 - Star rating...bathrooms were disgusting.
Checked a couple things on Victoria...but nothing jumped out at me. Raining pretty hard, so l didn't spend to much time looking.
There's always tomorrow!
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Well, after cooling down over night...the issue with Victoria became much more apparent. As soon as l fired her up, it was obvious that it had blown an exhaust gasket at manifold...and whatever bit of gasket that was in there, making the chripping sound, blew out on start up. You could see exhaust residue on the firewall, number four cylinder. Loud, but good news for the most part...it's an issue that will not need immediate repair...or hamper further travel (besides my hearing)...or us getting home.
Had been slowly making my way that direction, home, but it wasn't on my radar yet. Was planning on heading down through Jasper/Banff and then into the states. Hopefully, making it as far south as Colorado...and then turn the wheels towards home. Still had another months time alotted for the trip...so, that wasn't an issue.
But, as usual...plans were falling apart. My wife had acquired a retirement gift for me while l was gone, which initally wasn't/shouldn't affect my trip.
Meet Dalton...yes, named after the fabled Dalton hwy.
However, my mother in law started needing immediate asistance from my wife...and handling a pup and getting her mom squared away...wasn't a task she could do alone.
So...the wheels on Victoria started rolling east sooner than expected.
Crossed the border back into Canada, uneventful.
Burwash Landing area, Yukon Territory. Looks as good or better from this direction.
Destruction Bay, YT.
Silver City, YT.
Bison, between Teslin/Swift River. Can't even imagine what it must have looked like...when there were millions of these.
Camped at Watsons Lake Provincial Park again. Nice little primitive campground.
Couple days later...Dawsons Creek, again. Where the real adventure all started not that long ago.
Decided to take a little bit different route home, and drop down into Montana. Ended up going through Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan...cool little town. Picked up some souvenirs, but no pictures.
Had been slowly making my way that direction, home, but it wasn't on my radar yet. Was planning on heading down through Jasper/Banff and then into the states. Hopefully, making it as far south as Colorado...and then turn the wheels towards home. Still had another months time alotted for the trip...so, that wasn't an issue.
But, as usual...plans were falling apart. My wife had acquired a retirement gift for me while l was gone, which initally wasn't/shouldn't affect my trip.
Meet Dalton...yes, named after the fabled Dalton hwy.
However, my mother in law started needing immediate asistance from my wife...and handling a pup and getting her mom squared away...wasn't a task she could do alone.
So...the wheels on Victoria started rolling east sooner than expected.
Crossed the border back into Canada, uneventful.
Burwash Landing area, Yukon Territory. Looks as good or better from this direction.
Destruction Bay, YT.
Silver City, YT.
Bison, between Teslin/Swift River. Can't even imagine what it must have looked like...when there were millions of these.
Camped at Watsons Lake Provincial Park again. Nice little primitive campground.
Couple days later...Dawsons Creek, again. Where the real adventure all started not that long ago.
Decided to take a little bit different route home, and drop down into Montana. Ended up going through Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan...cool little town. Picked up some souvenirs, but no pictures.
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My last evening in Canada was in Fort Saskatchewan, at the Walmart parking lot. Yes, signs all over saying it wasn't allowed...but l chanced it, figure we'll just look like an employees vehicle. About 1am...can see flashing lights coming through the openings of my curtains. Oh boy, they've found me. Got dressed and pushed back the curtain for a peek...but it isn't me the flashing lights were for...they've pulled over a car. Well, l'm up and dressed now...so, l decide to break my "no driving at night rule" again...and hit the road. 15 hours later, after a delayed border crossing, because it was closed on the weekend and rerouting to another, we were in Plentywood, Montana. Well, to say l was beat...would be an understatement. Saw a nice looking motel and thought...tonight's the night for my first motel stay.
Pulled into their parking lot and backed into a spot, twisted the ignition key...killing the little diesel engine...and sat back in the seat for a moment to regain my diminished sanity and hearing. 15 hours in a Defender is equivalent to a month's driving in a modern vehicle...or maybe more. As l'm sitting there a guy walks up that is in the lot tending to his bird dogs, bird season opens the next day, he says..."Boy, you don't see to many of these around, where you from?" "Michigan." "You drove this all the way from Michigan out here to Montana!" "No, actually...l'm on my way home from Alaska." Well, the look on his face was priceless..."You drove 'THIS' Defender all the way to Alaska!!!" "Yep." "Well, that's the most bada** thing l've ever heard of." Well, at that exact moment...bada** was not how l was feeling...it was more of a dumba** sensation.
Got a room, walked down to the local restaurant for a steak dinner and a couple beers, and after the longest hot shower ever recorded...hit the rack.
Well, it was nice being back in the states...pulled out of motel quite early, after the complimentary coffees offered in the room...which, barely got the eye lids lifted...well a block down the main drag and what do l see...a 24 hour gas station all meant for me. Man, do l love America...24 hour coffee! Pulled in and got two cups of joe and a hostess pie...and we were off.
Also wanted to mention...there was a very nice looking campground as l headed east out of town on #5...and l thought it was free, community owned or something? Several campers there.
Pulled into their parking lot and backed into a spot, twisted the ignition key...killing the little diesel engine...and sat back in the seat for a moment to regain my diminished sanity and hearing. 15 hours in a Defender is equivalent to a month's driving in a modern vehicle...or maybe more. As l'm sitting there a guy walks up that is in the lot tending to his bird dogs, bird season opens the next day, he says..."Boy, you don't see to many of these around, where you from?" "Michigan." "You drove this all the way from Michigan out here to Montana!" "No, actually...l'm on my way home from Alaska." Well, the look on his face was priceless..."You drove 'THIS' Defender all the way to Alaska!!!" "Yep." "Well, that's the most bada** thing l've ever heard of." Well, at that exact moment...bada** was not how l was feeling...it was more of a dumba** sensation.
Got a room, walked down to the local restaurant for a steak dinner and a couple beers, and after the longest hot shower ever recorded...hit the rack.
Well, it was nice being back in the states...pulled out of motel quite early, after the complimentary coffees offered in the room...which, barely got the eye lids lifted...well a block down the main drag and what do l see...a 24 hour gas station all meant for me. Man, do l love America...24 hour coffee! Pulled in and got two cups of joe and a hostess pie...and we were off.
Also wanted to mention...there was a very nice looking campground as l headed east out of town on #5...and l thought it was free, community owned or something? Several campers there.
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Made good time the next couple days, stayed at a roadside rest area west of Crooksville, MN the next evening.
Then...had to roll through this town in Wisconsin on the way home.
The name does not depict anything that is going on in that town...that l could see anyway.
Long day in the saddle again put me back on familiar shores. Crossed the Mighty Mac just before dark.
Watched an amazing sunset and made my last coleman stove vittles under the bridge (insert sad face here).
The next morning was an easy four hour drive home.
And Dorthy was right..."there is no place like home."
Sunrise the next morning...
Well, after nearly five weeks and 10,000 miles and a hundred cigars...my Alaska trip was out of the bucket.
Why?
Because...
Highly recommend to anyone...do this trip!
Then...had to roll through this town in Wisconsin on the way home.
The name does not depict anything that is going on in that town...that l could see anyway.
Long day in the saddle again put me back on familiar shores. Crossed the Mighty Mac just before dark.
Watched an amazing sunset and made my last coleman stove vittles under the bridge (insert sad face here).
The next morning was an easy four hour drive home.
And Dorthy was right..."there is no place like home."
Sunrise the next morning...
Well, after nearly five weeks and 10,000 miles and a hundred cigars...my Alaska trip was out of the bucket.
Why?
Because...
Highly recommend to anyone...do this trip!
Influencer III
- 4,518
- First Name
- Brandon
- Last Name
- Eberhardt
- Member #
-
20143
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- KE0JBH
- Service Branch
- Air Force 02-18
No problem, Brandon, it's nice...kind of reliving it while posting. Hope you get out there soon.
In regards to traveling with others, saw quite a few of those hightop van conversions...and if my wife was along...it would be the only way she'd travel overland that distance (and l get it...our RTT is getting tough for me with my rheumitoid arthritis, mainly the zippers and straps, to deploy, and that's why l decided to not take it on my solo trip).
I've seen a couple nicely converted vans here on marketplace. My wife said, "You'd drive back to Alaska this soon in one of those?...you just got home?" "Yep, l'd leave tomorrow."
Also, Thank you for your service!
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Advocate III
awesome story. bucket list trip for sure. Hard to get that much time off work though. lol Retirement is not too far off, just another 6 or so more years. Hopefully I make it!
Some of the best moments were when l broke out the coleman stove...
For a roadside rest area lunch...
Or at camp...
Roadside...
Camp...
Roadside...
Yukon River...
Camp at Grand View...
Watsons Lake Camp...
Second visit to Watsons Lake...
Denila Park...
Denila Park after morning hike...
Or just pulling off in the bush and sitting in complete silence...with a freshly brewed coffee. Me and the "Duke".
This was a nice spot, don't believe a car drove by the entire time l was there. Just me and the river.
Okay, a resraurant was nice once in a while...
But, the just pulling over along the road, at a rest area or pulloff were the best.
Reminded me of earlier days, much simpler days of my youth, days when mom would take us north and lunch that day came premade or assembled, not processed or bought, from a coleman cooler...with Kool-Aid to wash everything down.
Sometimes l believe Henry David Thoreau was right...
"Simplify, simplify, simplify."
For a roadside rest area lunch...
Or at camp...
Roadside...
Camp...
Roadside...
Yukon River...
Camp at Grand View...
Watsons Lake Camp...
Second visit to Watsons Lake...
Denila Park...
Denila Park after morning hike...
Or just pulling off in the bush and sitting in complete silence...with a freshly brewed coffee. Me and the "Duke".
This was a nice spot, don't believe a car drove by the entire time l was there. Just me and the river.
Okay, a resraurant was nice once in a while...
But, the just pulling over along the road, at a rest area or pulloff were the best.
Reminded me of earlier days, much simpler days of my youth, days when mom would take us north and lunch that day came premade or assembled, not processed or bought, from a coleman cooler...with Kool-Aid to wash everything down.
Sometimes l believe Henry David Thoreau was right...
"Simplify, simplify, simplify."
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Truly hope you make it too, Eric! It was a mind-blowing trip. Pictures and words are an injustice to its vastness and beauty. Wish l would have done this four years ago...and been able to hike and explore on foot more.
