Even though the thermometer is reading -35F and the amount of daylight is still puny...the warmth and sunshine will return and all will be absolutely perfect again. My old bones don't particularly enjoy the cold any longer but my heart and soul still enjoy the peacefulness of it. The birds still flock to the feeders and the other outside creatures still pass thru the yard on their way somewhere. I think we all stay busy just surviving.
New pickup
- Thread starter oosik
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buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
I was in alaska around 1989. Visited a friend in Juneau, actually helped him move from alaska. Stayed with his friends along the mendenhall river. Hiked the mendenhall glacier trail, drove as far north and south as you can until the road just ends.
Our wives flew back, he and i drove his old car. Took the ferry , stopped in wrangell, ketchikan, and got off in prince rupert and drove rt 16. Slept first night in a koa cabin. Next day i bought a 3 man tent in Prince George, and we camped the whole way across the US. In Jasper, took rt 93 down thru Banff. Absolutely beautiful. From Calgary we came down into Montana, but not before camping near Fort Macleod when a tornado came thru close by.
We didn't have time to see yellowstone, but they had massive wildfires that yr, and you could see the smoke driving thru montana.
What a great trip, especially the ferry ride down the coast.
I still have the tent and use it occasionally.
OP
oosik
Epic Contributor
The Alaska Marine Highway System. Fantastic way to see the panhandle of AK. It's always been expensive. A lot more restful than driving the Alcan. You can disembark in Prince Rupert. I think the southern terminus is either Everett or Bellingham, now. Use to be Seattle. Northern terminus is Skaway. Get off in Haines if you are going to Fairbanks or Anchorage.
We always planned a trip to the "outside" about every five years - visit our folks. We would drive out via the Alcan - ride back in pure luxury on the ferries.
We always planned a trip to the "outside" about every five years - visit our folks. We would drive out via the Alcan - ride back in pure luxury on the ferries.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
I loved Alaska when I lived there, I still do... BUT, when I got older, I hated the cold, so after 25 years, I left...
I've been over the ALCAN many times, and two of those times, (back in the 70's) I went over it on my motorcycle... By the time I got back to Alaska, I had put 15,000 miles on that bike, I still have it. I took two major trips on that bike and even though THAT was a pretty good trip, I wouldn't want to do it again! lol
I loved living in Alaska, but with all the changes and the cold winters, I had enough and left...
SR
I've been over the ALCAN many times, and two of those times, (back in the 70's) I went over it on my motorcycle... By the time I got back to Alaska, I had put 15,000 miles on that bike, I still have it. I took two major trips on that bike and even though THAT was a pretty good trip, I wouldn't want to do it again! lol
I loved living in Alaska, but with all the changes and the cold winters, I had enough and left...
SR
OP
oosik
Epic Contributor
There were three reasons we left AK. Even in Anchorage - the looooong winters. The political climate change in Anchorage-in all of AK. We had our 80 acres down here, free & clear, waiting for us. And what an adventure this 80 has been.
We loaded up our brand new Chevy pickup & U-haul - - we were southern bound. "Brand new Chevy pickup" - - a story for another time.
We loaded up our brand new Chevy pickup & U-haul - - we were southern bound. "Brand new Chevy pickup" - - a story for another time.
Oh, come on. We have plenty of time while you wait for your "Brand new Ram pickup" to arrive. Lets hear it!
Yes, let's hear it. Inquiring minds want to know...
OP
oosik
Epic Contributor
Ok I'll make it short. Anchorage is plagued with black ice in the winter. It's really nasty.
Going home one day in my Toyota FJ40, I see a drilling operation off the side of the main road. When I look back - all I see is yellow - school bus yellow.
I happen to be passing the main Municipal school bus yard. The driver of a big bus applied his brakes - couldn't stop - slid right out onto the main road.
I was going 45 when I plowed into the side of the bus. Clear up to the windshield - which was in contact with the side of the bus.
I bent the steering wheel around until both my fists were touching the column.
I was dazed but the seat belt did its job. Chest & shoulder pains for the following three weeks. No air bags in a 1980 FJ.
Bottom line - the bus driver was in error - the school district bought me a brand new 1981 2500 series Chevy pickup. I agreed - no other claims, no court action.
Side note - - as I'm sitting there, trying to figure what in the H**L just happened - a State Trooper came up, looked at me. YELLED - "get the paramedics over here, he is still alive". That brought me to full awareness, right away. That sucker was talking about ME.
And so, when we left AK in 1982, it was with a brand new Chevy PU. Tough, really tough way to get a new vehicle. Wouldn't recommend it to anybody.
Going home one day in my Toyota FJ40, I see a drilling operation off the side of the main road. When I look back - all I see is yellow - school bus yellow.
I happen to be passing the main Municipal school bus yard. The driver of a big bus applied his brakes - couldn't stop - slid right out onto the main road.
I was going 45 when I plowed into the side of the bus. Clear up to the windshield - which was in contact with the side of the bus.
I bent the steering wheel around until both my fists were touching the column.
I was dazed but the seat belt did its job. Chest & shoulder pains for the following three weeks. No air bags in a 1980 FJ.
Bottom line - the bus driver was in error - the school district bought me a brand new 1981 2500 series Chevy pickup. I agreed - no other claims, no court action.
Side note - - as I'm sitting there, trying to figure what in the H**L just happened - a State Trooper came up, looked at me. YELLED - "get the paramedics over here, he is still alive". That brought me to full awareness, right away. That sucker was talking about ME.
And so, when we left AK in 1982, it was with a brand new Chevy PU. Tough, really tough way to get a new vehicle. Wouldn't recommend it to anybody.
OP
oosik
Epic Contributor
Hey - multi-tasking here. Norwegian, chewing gum-rubbing his tummy. I just downloaded the pdf Op Manual for the 2018 PW. 741 pages. If I want any carrying capacity in the new truck - gotta leave the Op manual at home.
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My friends are mixed...
One will always be a resident to his last breath but they winter in Carmel... but never long enough for California to tax them and California has tried many times... but he is a CPA and knows his stuff.
Others said they will need to be pried... and others gave it not even a year.
One of my friends moved their... had a great IT job... was wilderness savvy... marine core survival type stuff...
Met a local and never seen him happier... then I hear he committed suicide when his gal found someone very well to do... he did say the ratio of women to men was skewed...
Never been but would like to.
The Model A Ford Club has done several tours... my group went to Purdue Bay with special permission and was also allowed to drive all the way to the Denali lodge which I understand doesn't happen that often...
Said it was the trip of a lifetime... nine 1928-31 Fords exploring the Northwest all the way from California and I heard many time the original Model A Ford radiator stone guards earned their keep deflecting rocks... many also fashioned a plexi-glass shield to cover the windshield.
One will always be a resident to his last breath but they winter in Carmel... but never long enough for California to tax them and California has tried many times... but he is a CPA and knows his stuff.
Others said they will need to be pried... and others gave it not even a year.
One of my friends moved their... had a great IT job... was wilderness savvy... marine core survival type stuff...
Met a local and never seen him happier... then I hear he committed suicide when his gal found someone very well to do... he did say the ratio of women to men was skewed...
Never been but would like to.
The Model A Ford Club has done several tours... my group went to Purdue Bay with special permission and was also allowed to drive all the way to the Denali lodge which I understand doesn't happen that often...
Said it was the trip of a lifetime... nine 1928-31 Fords exploring the Northwest all the way from California and I heard many time the original Model A Ford radiator stone guards earned their keep deflecting rocks... many also fashioned a plexi-glass shield to cover the windshield.