Alaska 2025

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

On edit: Look what I just read. I'm going to stock up on Clove gum! "Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke..."

Yep, I have used some 'organic' stuff I bought that included a number of those scent oils, and it did work in situations when there weren't too many of the bloodsuckers. It had to be reapplied every 2-3 hours, though, as it wore off more quickly than Deet or picaridin. I definitely preferred the nice smelling stuff.


In June 2022 I parked my trailer in a grassy clearing in Manistee NF north of Ludington MI, and the abundant evening mosquitos did not have any respect whatsoever for the two citronella candles or the organic stuff, and they were making a nuisance of themselves even when I put on Picaridin. Disliking Deet, I simply gave up and went inside.

[Donna D.]

This was just posted and probably one of the best blogs about Alaska that I've read and I read a LOT. Those that are planning on going to Alaska, it will be worth your time to read this: Airstreaming to Alaska – Final Chapter: Lessons Learned

[Donna D.]

Ordered myself a shirt today. It will probably be all worn out and tired looking by time this trip happens and that's okay because I plan on buying more shirts and sweatshirts once I get there!

[splitting_lanes]

It should say “Alaska 2025”. That’d mess with people for a couple years, heh.

[Donna D.]

Your handy guide to understanding what all the locals are talking about.

[Iowa Dave]

The ooaik is sometimes carved for decoration like scrimshaw. In the lower 48 people save the penis bone from raccoons and guys who drink and eat too much sharpen that bone and use it for a toothpick. The trophy oddity is a bone that’s been broken and healed crooked especially more than one time from an older boar coon. In Michigan some guys use the penis bone from a black bear for a toothpick. Other uses for the walrus bone are as knife handle ivory or as a back scratcher. It takes all kinds to make the world go round. Do not ask me how I know all this. The answer is “I’ve been around.”
Iowa Dave

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

In the lower 48 people save the penis bone from raccoons and guys who drink and eat too much sharpen that bone and use it for a toothpick.

The fella who hosts the Taidnapam gathering in Washington every year (Possum) is a park ranger. One year at a NOG, he gave away a racoon pecker bone. The gal that won said she was going to hang it on her Christmas tree as an ornament. Yes, she knew what it was. Great conversation starter

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

In Michigan some guys use the penis bone from a black bear for a toothpick.

They must be Yoopers.

[Iowa Dave]

The guy I met at bear camp who was shining up his newest bone
was a prison guard in SE Michigan. He killed a nice big one the first day. I asked him what he killed it with and he answered simply “my seven”

I said “I’ll take that as a seven millimeter magnum. He said “yup, it’s a Ruger #1 from the first year they made them. I’ve been married four times but she ever got my seven.” The tenses didn’t sound just right to me so I asked, “She didn’t get your seven, do you mean you were married to the same woman four times?” He said “Yes I have, she took me for four cars and two houses but never got my seven and now I’m done with her for good.” You meet some interesting people over the years. His son was in camp with a buddy too. And verified some of the tales his dad told.
Iowa Dave

[Lawrence A]

Donna,

Don't know if driving "The Dalton" is on your itinerary or not, but in any case thought you and others would find this article of interest.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/i-...at-it-was-like

Lawrence

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Lawrence A

Donna,

Don't know if driving "The Dalton" is on your itinerary or not, but in any case thought you and others would find this article of interest.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/i-...at-it-was-like

Lawrence

Thanks Lawrence. Interesting article for certain. I don't know about the others, but I'm not interested in driving The Dalton. I'm looking at taking a possible tour to Coldfoot, Fly out of Fairbanks, to Coldfoot and then drive back in a van to Fairbanks. Fly/Drive from Fairbanks to Coldfoot. Arctic Circle Adventure! https://www.alaska.org/detail/northe...a-tour-company

[kavm]

You can drive it yourself in your or a pooled truck. We have driven Dalton Highway twice. I'd want a double spare tire and drive slow. Otherwise, it's quite doable in the summer - unless you are hauling double trailers loaded with tons of pipe...

[Donna D.]

I'm going to keep sharing things, because I want people to really think about going on this excursion!


Denali, partially covered, from a hundred miles away still appears massive.

[splitting_lanes]

The fly then drive excursion to Coldfoot sounds good. My only concern is clouds, if we fly and there is heavy cloud cover, it won’t be very scenic. We won’t know about cloud coverage until the forecast…. But maybe historical weather will give us an idea.

[Donna D.]

I can't help myself. I want so badly to see Denali. I know we'll need to leave Denali National Park to get the full pic of Denali. This was taken from the Denali Highway above the Susitna River Bridge.


Swooon.



The bridge is right about here:

[richm]

Just a heads up about access to Dinali National Park:

A land slide at the mid point of the main Dinali NP road, at Pretty Rocks just before Polychrome Pass, has closed it till 2026. This leaves only half of the park accessible.

A Teklanika campground reservation will enable one to get through the Savage River bridge checkpoint. Otherwise, one needs a day pass to drive farther, or a tour bus reservation to ride through.

[brroberts]

Yeah it’s a bummer on the road because Wonder Lake is a great place to see the mountain.

[Mike G]

The mountain looks awesome. I hope everyone gets a few good peeks at that peak, in peak weather!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by richm

Otherwise, one needs a day pass to drive farther, or a tour bus reservation to ride through.

Yeah, bummer about the landslide. I'm planning on taking a tour. A hop on, hop off tour. I'm single and a solo driver. I want to VIEW something besides what I can see through the windshield . This one is on the itinerary.. among a couple of others to choose from...
https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/bus-tours.htm

[Donna D.]

One of the tours I want to take is to Halibut Cove out of Homer. While there, I want to eat at the Saltry Restaurant for lunch.

The Danny J boat:



12:00 Noon Gull Island Tour

TRIP DURATION 12:00 TO 5:00 P.M

Starting from the picturesque Kenai Peninsula town of Homer, the cruise aboard the Kachemak Bay Ferry, the Danny J, sails through some of the most scenic and vibrant waters anywhere.

Ferry fare and Gull Island Tour is $70 plus tax. We offer a $10 discount for kids ages 3 to 13. Children under 3 are no charge. Meals are paid for separately at The Saltry.

One of the highlights of the cruise to Halibut Cove is a visit to Gull Island, a bird sanctuary, a short twenty minutes from Homer.

Gull Island is home to nine nesting species of birds. Many, many other species may be found here during migration, and before and after nesting. Binoculars and camera gear are a must! In addition to the fabulous birds on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay is teeming with sea life - sea otters, seals, whales, porpoise and more!

After dining at The Saltry Restaurant, you will have time to explore Halibut Cove. The Homestead island has a few short trails and spectacular views. There are opportunities for breathtaking photographs. There is 1/2 mile of handicap-accessible boardwalk owned by the Tillions. Make sure to stop in at The Experience Art Gallery! At 4:00 pm, it's time to head back to Homer!

The Saltry Restaurant.



Check out the menu here: https://thesaltryrestaurant.com/menu-1