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.
