New pickup

[ultrarunner]

All the Alaska discussion has me living vicariously...

No real experience in cold weather except for a passing front in the Alps... it was very cold for few days... reaching -10F and everything pretty much came to a stop...even the elephants in the zoo had their feet frozen to the ground... they came out of it but it made the world news then...

I don't know anyone there that doesn't have a garage or covered parking for their car...

 

[oosik]

Living in Alaska is like riding a motorcycle. "If I have to explain, you will never understand". You don't just LIVE in Alaska - you EXPERIENCE Alaska. Its a different country, its a different frame of mindset, its a totally different way of living & life. Many learn to take it in and it becomes a part of them that they will never lose. Many learn to hate it and can't wait to leave.

Unfortunately, as Alaska comes into the 21st century - most of that is being lost. Every time I consider a return trip, I end up crying. "My Alaska" will never be there again. It is gone, gone with the wind, gone with time and a return trip will only bring sadness.

So I live on and live vicariously thru my memories of a good time, no a GREAT time. I will never lose my memories of Alaska.

I sure hope my new pickup gets here pretty soon............

 

[Jstpssng]

I sure hope my new pickup gets here pretty soon............

Carly Simon - Anticipation - YouTube

 

[oosik]

Thanks Jstpssng.

 

[Doofy]

Carly Simon - Anticipation - YouTube

Hahahaha Good one! You are Quick!

 

[Ford850]

Not sure whem battery chargers were invented. But am sure it was wayyyyyy before 1965.

Yes I think it was closer to 1865, not 1965. Although I'm pretty sure they weren't automatic, didn't offer desulfation, and didn't have the nice clamp or plug options we have today.

 

[check]

Thanks Jstpssng.

Gheez, oosik, with this buildup we are all going to be more excited than you are when it finally arrives!

 

[dnw64]

Living in Alaska is like riding a motorcycle. "If I have to explain, you will never understand". You don't just LIVE in Alaska - you EXPERIENCE Alaska. Its a different country, its a different frame of mindset, its a totally different way of living & life. Many learn to take it in and it becomes a part of them that they will never lose. Many learn to hate it and can't wait to leave.

I visited the Fairbanks area for two weeks 10 years ago and think I know what you mean. It was a bit of a shock at first, but I liked it. Not sure how I'd like the endless nights in winter but I could see myself living there.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Gheez, oosik, with this buildup we are all going to be more excited than you are when it finally arrives!

Yeaaa, makes me want to run out and get tacos for lunch today!! lol

SR

 

[oosik]

Too all - I truly hope those who want to see Alaska can go one day. Alaska is not Anchorage, it's not Fairbanks. You might find it in Ketchikan, you might catch a glimpse of it on a side street in Juneau. Petersburg, Wrangle, Sitka, Skagway - you could find it there if you look hard. Palmer, Willow & Talkeetna - on your way to Fairbanks, a quick look - it's there. Doofy has found it, it's a part of him - perhaps even the best part. Doofy may leave Alaska, the good memories will be his for the rest of his life.

Well - I've seen pictures & the big, splashy decals. None say TACO - but that could change -:laughing: :dance1:

 

[Doofy]

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.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Too all - I truly hope those who want to see Alaska can go one day. Alaska is not Anchorage, it's not Fairbanks. You might find it in Ketchikan, you might catch a glimpse of it on a side street in Juneau. Petersburg, Wrangle, Sitka, Skagway - you could find it there if you look hard. Palmer, Willow & Talkeetna - on your way to Fairbanks, a quick look - it's there. Doofy has found it, it's a part of him - perhaps even the best part. Doofy may leave Alaska, the good memories will be his for the rest of his life.

Well - I've seen pictures & the big, splashy decals. None say TACO - but that could change -:laughing: :dance1:

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.

 

[oosik]

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.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

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

 

[oosik]

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.

 

[Ford850]

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.

Oh, come on. We have plenty of time while you wait for your "Brand new Ram pickup" to arrive. Lets hear it!

 

[Doofy]

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...

 

[oosik]

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.

 

[oosik]

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.