2024 Alaska Summer Adventure: September 25, 2024

Welcome

Ramblers Blog North to Alaska Road Trip Redux #5! Hudson, OH to Anchorage, AK 2024, May 25 to June 6.

Why Blog?

It has been our goal in recent years’ lengthier travels to record for posterity a diary of travel stats,
pictures, and personal reflections. When we can no longer indulge in long distance trips we may
relive fond memories. We invite friends and family to ride shotgun through these personal writings.
risking exposure to bad puns and grammatical/spelling errors.

Alaska ALCAN Travel History and 2024 Travelog

We have driven to Anchorage via RV/trailer, camping along the way, in 1984, 2011, and 2013;
crossing westward over northern states, then following the ALCAN Highway and or alternative
route of the Cassiar Highway.

1984 We flew to Ohio for a visit with the kids. We drove a new Suburban SUV purchased in Ohio
along with a purchased 18 foot pull trailer; traveling with two Gramma’s, a preschooler and an
infant in tow. We all visited in our new home in Anchorage and the Gramma’s flew home.

2011 We drove a new Winnebago from the manufacturer in Iowa to Great Alaska RV, located in
Anchorage; a large scale sales and rental dealer. We visited with Brenna who was working at Ak
Native Tribal Heath Consortium. On the return we sailed out of Whittier, Ak on the Alaska ferry
Kennecott without a vehicle. It was the cross Alaska Gulf ferry route, Whittier to Bellingham WA.
We spent a short stay with friends the Bloombergs in Olympia, WA; flew home out of SEATAC.

2013 We drove a new Winnebago from the manufacturer in Iowa to Great Alaska RV in Anchorage.
We visited with Brenna who was still working for ANTHC. She and Zach announced their
engagement. We flew home from ANC.

2022 and 2023 We traveled by SUV, staying at hotels.

2024, as in 2023, we are driving, staying in hotels and taking the Alaska State Ferry Kennecott from
Bellingham, WA to Haines, AK. Unfortunately, the state ferry system’s staffing shortage continues
post Covid and our favored Alaska Gulf crossing route is not available. We will resume our road trip
from Haines to Anchorage, crossing the Canadian Border into Yukon Territory and British Columbia.
The Ferry Columbia has been decommissioned and we have been transitioned to the
recommissioned Ferry Kennecott. The Alaska Ferry has upgraded our reservation to a four-berth
cabin at no extra cost while guaranteeing our set itinerary. We hope our road route will not involve
blizzards like last year and the western Canadian fires have already started with lots of smoke,
same as last year. Taking the ferry helps avoid the inland fires and hope they do not spread to the
Yukon. Thankfully we are not flying. Our 2024, winter Ak trip was complicated by a door falling off
an Alaska Airline Max 9 Oregon flight. It grounded all Max 9 flights which greatly complicated
our flight home. But at least the door did not falloff our plane.

Anchorage Living

For the past 2 years we have stayed in a centrally located rented 2-bedroom apartment in
Anchorage about 3 minutes from Brenna’s house and Tastee Freeze Ice Cream. We have made it our
own, furnished with help of family, home stuff, local and family art, friends, Amazon and Thrift
Shops. Our top floor south facing balcony has room for sitting with twinkling lights, flowering plant
and American flag. Our landlord is a family friend who provides a quality, well maintained 6-plex
apartment building. Time and health have afforded these long visits, long may it last.

Summer Plans

Besides family and Dean (8, in June) and Quinn (4) time, a highlight will be taking the ferry from
Whittier, AK to Cordova, AK in Prince William Sound. A first time visit that can only be gotten there
by water or flying. It is located on the Copper River Delta, known for rich fishing, marine wildlife
and glaciers. We are staying at the Orca Adventure Lodge on the water overlooking Orca Inlet.
We will be in Alaska for the start of school, golf, Crooked Lake cabin visit, baseball games, day
trips, UMC worship, Alaska State Fair and Alaska Scottish Highland games Our home trip will be the
same route but reversed, driving and ferry, in September and the blog will be re-activated.
Onward to summer adventures!

Home Page Content

Left column: Daily travel map. Mapquest link, click on it. Back arrow to return to Home Page.

Center Column: Daily blog reflections and pictures only; previous days found in Archive right
column. NOTE: Internet access will vary, updates may be delayed. Once they appear they will be in
sequence. Some will be in archive.

Right Column: Blog archive click to access previous days’ blogs. Miscellaneous: Webcam links;
Brenna, 8200 Opal Dr, Grandparents, 7911 Jewel Lake Rd, neighborhood with Google map (zoom in
and out, will cover all of Anchorage), click on yellow walking man to see detail; and other random
items. Back arrow to return to Home Page.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

September 25, 2024

Day 12 of return trip home

September 25, 2024 Wednesday 425 miles. Started at 8AM CT into Naperville at 8PM.

Awoke to sun. Traveled out of MN and into WS. Crossed Mississippi River that is so broad it has islands. The Black River is large and blends in. There is a lot of wetlands and see some large gathering migrating birds. Fields of corn and soy beans and dairy farms. Take a short diversion into Wisconsin Dells the town. Totally dedicated to tourism, every other store is fudge, cafes, t-shirts and mementos. Population around 3000. The river walk is beautiful with some sandstone banks exposed, there is a little early leaf change. We have lunch along the river at the River Grille. A sophisticated log cabin inside and large log balconies. Good service, good food and pleasant location and surrounds. Take the boat trip up the Wisconsin river to see the famous sandstone formations. River is bounded by yellow sandstone and trees. Interesting formations and a walk into Witches Watch, a narrow boardwalk leading through narrow passages among high walls of stone. A rapid stream runs underfoot and continues to erode the space. There is a concession stand and restrooms at the end. Back in the boat we walk onto a path into the woods with huge rock formations. A dog jumps 6 feet from high rock to high rock as a show. Return to the port. Drive down the street to the Carr Valley cheese outlet. Pick out a few things to bring home. Drive to Naperville as the sun sets. We are in Illinois and the land is so flat that the setting sun looks like it’s melting into the earth. We stop at Granite Country brew pub. Very upscale with good food. Short distance to the Marriott. It’s mainstay hotel with concierge service. Room is small but comfortable. No frig or microwave. Long day today, will sleep in a bit tomorrow. 6 hours on I90 and home. We will transition to Eastern Standard Time and gain one hour. So far no rain since we left the ferry in WA.