Page 1 of 2

Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 2:57 pm
by S. Heisley
I came across this website, which has a lot of information on visiting the western side of Canada as well as Alaska; so, I thought it would be good to share. While the title is North to Alaska, it covers the drive from the USA to Alaska, which is inclusive with Canada, the Canadian highways, and points of interest along the way, and has many tips to help you plan your trip. (If you're driving to Alaska, you'll be covering a lot more Canadian ground than you will Alaskan ground!) :

http://www.northtoalaska.com/planning.aspx

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:02 pm
by S. Heisley
By the way, the distance between Anchorage and Seattle is 2435 Miles /3920 km.
...Just something to put things in perspective before you start planning.....
That's sort of like a wet finger in the air to see how the wind is blowing. :lol:

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:15 pm
by Verna
Thanks for the link. I'll hopefully make the trip in 2015.

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 11:34 am
by Martiangod
If you come between Nov and April, you won't encounter crowded campgrounds and you'll enjoy Free camping at many places.
The herds of bison, elk, Mountain goats, fox, wolf, bear and great big pussy cats will welcome you at many points along the way. :lol:

http://albertascampgrounds.com/random-camping-alberta/

http://freecampsites.net/#!Alberta&query=region

http://www.albertacampgroundguide.ca/

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:39 pm
by Vedette
Chris left out a few things that you will experience if you come between Nov. & Apr.
Cold, snow, wind, freezing rain, snow, slippery roads, snow, white outs, road closures, snow, closed campgrounds, dangerous driving conditions, snow, ice,
no running water in campgrounds, snow, locked washrooms,.........oh and did I mention snow! :? Especially if you travel thru Alberta. :thumbdown:
Come in July & August to ensure a good experience, just remember the further you go north the more mosquitos and black flies you will encounter.
And Sharon & Vena I have lost your e-mail addresses.
Please PM me your e-mail and I will send you a wonderful video I received a week or so ago of what you can expect in the Summer.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 12:48 pm
by Vedette
Oh! And as the Chapter Director for the B.C. Chapter of the Tear Jerkers, Sandi and I are planning a "Canadian Gathering" here at our farm for July 2014.
We are waiting for confirmation of the IRG dates so we can co-ordinate our event to allow us tour south together to the Redwoods following the event.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:13 pm
by Martiangod
Darn Brian, ya had to mention the snow huh....

But he is right, sept is still nice, but October swings very fast into -40 weather, the odd year not, but mostly it does.
end of august they all seam to put there RV's away here, early summer forget about provincial parks, unless its during the week. Depending on route, most do travel through Alberta, once north of edmonton, it lightens up alot, you will find plenty of pull overs and soratic free camping, North of Grande Prairie it really opens up. I havn't made it past Dawson Creek though, sometime though.
When its summer think of one statistic here, 1 in 8 Albertans own an RV :shock:

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 12:39 am
by Vedette
Was feeling bad about the Alberta warning posted earlier.
Until I saw the noon news........Calgary Mayor urged people to stay home and off the roads today.
Schools, Businesses, and many Roads were closed.
Did I mention "SNOW"
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:23 pm
by Greg M
Yeah, it's nasty right now. I flew into Cranbrook yesterday and then drove to Fernie. First there was the 3 1/2 hour weather delay while they waited for the snow to slow enough to clear the runway, then the hour drive to Fernie took almost two because of the packed snow and ice on the highway. Hard to believe this region only got the edge of the storm that hit Calgary.

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:35 am
by Vedette
If you are still there Greg........now there is some serious cold weather coming your way!
Bundle up man and think summer!! :R
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:00 pm
by Greg M
Hit -25 this morning, brr. Of course I had to go out and fix an outdoor camera :(. Head home Friday. Merely freezing is going to be downright balmy ;)

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:24 pm
by GuitarPhotog
Greg M wrote:Hit -25 this morning, brr. Of course I had to go out and fix an outdoor camera :(. Head home Friday. Merely freezing is going to be downright balmy ;)


I hope that's -25C, but even at -13F, that's too cold for this California guy.

<Chas>
:beer:

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:39 pm
by Vedette
Yes, we all wish we were in California this time of year! 8)
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:33 pm
by S. Heisley
Hey, Canada people! This was supposed to be a positive thread to entice people to visit. Your winter talk is gonna scare people away!
How about saying something about how wonderful it is in the summer?

Re: Help for planning a trip to Canada or Alaska

PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:27 am
by Vedette
Thanks Sharon
You are right! :roll:
Here in the Okanagan Valley our average temperatures for July and August are between 30 & 40 degrees( or 85 to 100 degrees on your scale) 8)
We will have to have the kiddie pool set up for us to cool our feet in as we enjoy a cold beverage or two to while relaxing in the sun! :beer:
Sure hope the dates work out, so as many of our new camping friends can join us here on the farm.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi