AK2K Trip Summary
Trip Thoughts
Barney
Would I take the trip again? Absolutely! It was wonderful and we left so many things undone or unseen. Especially in the Vancouver area and in Washington, Oregon and California.
We picked the perfect time of year to go. The traffic wasn’t bad and there was always (nearly always) space available in the RV parks. The weather was great but do understand that it can vary widely at that time of year. There were very few bugs in the late summer. This was a real plus during our camping nights.
Tok was both a good and a bad experience. The breakdown was not a complete surprise since the van had nearly 150k miles on it when we started the trip. The worst part was having a mechanic who would not communicate with much more than a few grunts. He just didn’t care about our sorry plight and he over charged us. The best things about Tok were the nice people that we met there and the fact that the breakdown forced us to slow down and look around.
The other bad thing about Tok was that the 12 days there forced us to shorten the remainder of our trip. Next time!!!!
Diane
Not enough time. Two and a half months, and still not ready to return home.
Extremely satisfied with our decision to use the van and nothing larger.
Amazed at how well our preplanning worked out.
Getting out of the heat was a blessing.
Cannot believe how many miles were driven, and how easy it seemed.
Personal Opinions
Trip best:
Barney
Glacier National Park
All of Alaska
Royal Flush
Hershel Rose’s sweet corn
Tok, Alaska experience and friends
Denali National Park
Vancouver
Redwoods in California
Doing the web pages
Diane
Glacier National Park
Banff
Denali N.P. and Mt. McKinley
Alaskan border crossing at Skagway
Redwoods National Forests
Ferry ride from Juneau to Prince Rupert
Beautiful camp sites
Sharing it all with Barney
Trip worst
Barney
Transmission problem and the related delay
Dealing with the bitch at the Alaska Ferry System office in Haines, AK
Rainy days in Tok, Juneau, and on the ferry
Heading south when we had reached our furthest north point in Circle, Alaska
Not getting to use our wilderness cabin in Alaska due to flooding
Diane
Expense for transmission
Confinement in Tok
Putting a dent in the van
Heading back south
Sad news from our families
Leaving Alaska
Knowing it was our last day
Health and Safety
We were so lucky on this trip. We didn’t even have a brush with an accident. We never crashed the car-top-carrier into a low structure. We did sustain a few cuts and scratches but nothing major. Our health was great all the way as we only suffered a few sinus problems and stomach cramps.
Things we missed but want to do next time
Arctic Circle
Arctic Ocean
Homer
Hyder, BC
Brooks Falls/McNeil River
Top of the World Highway
Wilderness Cabin
Jasper
Vancouver Island
Explore Seattle and Washington State
Explore Oregon
Explore Northern California
Spend more time in Las Vegas
Stats for the van and trip
MPG 14.65
Total Miles 15919
Total cost of fuel $1805
The highest price per gallon was $3.062 (converted Canadian to US dollars and liters to gallons) in Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada. The lowest price was $1.299 in Salem, Illinois.
Our camping nights totaled 42, we spent 19 nights in motels including 10 in Tok. Nine other nights were spent as house guests and two nights were spent on the ferry.
Stats for the web site
Total bytes = 5.5 megabytes
Number of hits = 910 to date
Number of pictures 258
Number of files = 530
Whoopsies! (besides the transmission)
bullet Left computer files at home
bullet An Alaskan tree backed into the van
bullet Gazebo turned over in the wind
bullet Squished the TV antenna by slamming it in the van door
bullet Lost the spare battery for the camera
bullet Coffee on the white blouse
bullet Blowout of the air mattress
bullet Mustard explosion
bullet Raccoons ate our last 4 marshmallows
Comments we received…
MEMO DATED 7-24-00
Hello to one and all,
Barney had a brainstorm as we were driving down the highway, and decided to create another web site to share with all of you our dream trip. I do not know how he does it, but if you are interested in following along with us, please visit: http://barneypo.freeyellow.com
We will only be able to add to it when we stay in a motel that will allow us web access, so you may have to be patient and try us from time to time. Believe it or not, this is our first night in a motel since we left JAX. We have had the most beautiful camping sites, and only stayed here tonight in order to retrieve some information that we were expecting and for him to upload the site to the Internet.
We are presently in Bismarck, ND, and have driven approximately 2500 miles.
Hope all of you are doing well.
Love,
Diane and Barney
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FROM CHARLENE 7-25-00
AWESOME!! Can’t wait to follow you two.
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MEMO 7-28-00
Got your nice note. Thanks for the great comments. Barney is the one with all the talent. Yes, we use the digital camera, then take the disk out and download it to the computer, then he uploads them to his site. He has literally done every bit of this while we are driving down the road on the laptop.
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MEMO 7-28-00
PS. Ann, please send cookout ideas, we have just about used all the ones that I know to do. Thanks.
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FROM NANCY AND MARV 7-25-00
We are enjoying your trip log SO MUCH!!!! Marv and I are
enthralled by the words and the BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!
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FROM DAVE 7-25-00
Hi: I got your E-mail and am delighted that you have the talent to pull this off. It is really fun to go through the mail and photos. Keep it up.
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FROM FRED AND ANN 7-27-00
We like the site. Spent some time on it tonight after watching Survivor. It looks good and it looks like you are seeing some great sights and meeting some real characters along the way.
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FROM KINZEY 7-29-00
Read your up-date this morning, and enjoyed the pictures. My appreciation, and envy, of your “journal” doesn’t stop.
I can visualize, and enjoy Di’s holding up the road Atlas for the benefit of the passing trucker. He probably thought you were providing him highway information. You bet!!!!!!
Have fun and stay safe.
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FROM JIM AND PAT 7-30-00
WE ARE REALLY ENJOYING OUR TRIP WITH YOU. NOW WE WILL NOT HAVE TO GO OURSELVES.
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FROM CARL 7-30-00
The web site is entertaining and i have enjoyed the pictures.sounds as if you two are really enjoying the trip. Keep the pictures and comments coming.
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FROM CHEREE 7-30-00
I didn’t get to look at everything just yet, but WOW! You guys have got this thing down to a science! It warms my heart to see these pictures. You both look so happy!
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FROM MARILYN 7-31-00
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU’RE HAVING A TERRIFIC TIME! I REMEMBER BEING AT YELLOWSTONE WITH THE FOLKS ON A TRIP TO SEATTLE. DIANE, MOM & DAD MUST LOVE IT THAT YOU ARE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY ALL THE SIGHTS THAT THEY SAW.
LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE OF YOUR JOURNAL!! HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE!!
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FROM MARILYN 8-3-00
I REALLY AM ENJOYING YOUR JOURNAL AND ESPECIALLY YOUR MOST RECENT PICTURES OF BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE. I REMEMBER THE BEAUTY OF THAT HUGE HOTEL IN BANFF AND THE INCREDIBLE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU LOOK AT LAKE LOUISE WITH THAT ENORMOUS GLACIER. STAY SAFE AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE TRIP.
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MEMO 8-3-00
Great Note from you, thanks. I did not realize that you had been to Yellowstone with Mom and Dad. I thought that you had gone with them to Banff and Lake Louise which we were just in this past week. We have seen the most incredible scenery. What a beautiful area. It was a strange feeling to know that Mom and Dad were there long ago.
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MEMO 8-11-00
Hello to all,
We have had so many nice responses from many of you regarding the web site covering our Alaskan adventure, that we wanted to let you know how much we appreciate them.
Some of you have written saying that you had lost the address, so we are sending it again. Also, some have asked if it is all right to share it with other friends, and the answer is “of course” share it with anyone that you would like. We are honored if you do.
The web site was updated as of Friday, August 11, in Anchorage AK, so it is current as of today.
Hope you are enjoying it, and we look forward to seeing all of you in about a month or so.
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FROM STAN 8-11-00
I have been enjoying your trip log since Day 1. Your photos have been
fantastic. I especially enjoyed the pictures of the icebergs and the fjord.
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FROM MARILYN 8-11-00
I WAS GLAD TO READ THE NEW ENTRIES TODAY. I WAS GETTING A LITTLE CONCERNED. I BROUGHT GARY INTO THE OFFICE OVER THE WEEKEND SO HE COULD READ ABOUT YOUR TRIP AND SEE THE PICTURES. KEEP THE NEWS COMING!!! TAKE CARE…WE LOVE YOU!
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FROM FRED AND ANN 8-9-00
Do you have any idea when you will stop by here? I have three trips to plan and don’t want to conflict. Japan(solo), Ohio(w/family), UK and Germany(w/Ann) all before Nov.
We are enjoying the site. Take care and wear you undershirt!
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FROM JANET AND RAY 8-12-00
We too have been following your trip with much excitement and enthusiasm for all the beautiful scenery, and adventures. Have our map out and can hardly wait for each update to see where you have been and where you are going!
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FROM KINZEY AND BETTY 8-12-00
Good Morning. Betty and I finished your update and added the journal of Blair Rasmussen to our morning reading. Very interesting. Another typical day here….. Alaska is better.
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FROM RUBY AND DOUG 8-15-00
You are making us all very envious of your Alaska trek. Doug and I
remember how beautiful and overwhelming the scenery is. It’s very hot
and humid here and I get a cool feeling when I read your email just
knowing where you are.
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FROM MARILYN 8-22-00
I DUNNO…..BEING STRANDED WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION IN TOK SEEMS A LITTLE SCARY…
THE REST OF YOUR TRIP HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT BUT, I MUST ADMIT, I WILL BE GREATLY RELIEVED TO READ THAT YOU ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
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FROM BECKY 8-22-00
Sorry that you had to camp in Tok. I’ve never been there, but I think that you have to live there to like it very much.
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FROM NANCY AND MARV 8-26-00
We just finished reading your Aug. 24th log and it’s like a soap
opera—-tune in Mon. We can hardly wait to find out if you are going
to have to spend the winter in Tok. We have really enjoyed your
misadventures—which we find very funny but we’re sure haven’t been
too funny for you. We were rolling off the couch with your stories of
downtown Tok and your friend Willard! Hope you are now on your way
south.
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FROM SHERRI 8-23-00
Mr. Poston: Thank you for putting my granddad, Herschel Rose on your website. He’s got the best sweet corn in Illinois on that farm. It’s neat to see someone you know on the net. I hope you have a safe and happy trip to Alaska.
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MEMO 8-25-00
Hello Sherri,
We were absolutely delighted to hear from you and to read your comments about seeing your grandfather on our site. We have talked about him many times during our trip and have also shared our pleasant experience of meeting him with others.
Many of our friends and family that are following along on our trip, have written to us and told us how much they enjoyed the article about how we found him, and the fact that he would not sell us just a half a dozen ears, but gave them to us instead. That was so nice of him.
We would love to hear what his reaction was when he saw himself on the Internet. The fact that he wanted the picture of his children shown along with him was so charming. You are very lucky to have such a sweet and loving man for your Grandpa.
Please tell him for us that we send our very best, and if we are ever in the neighborhood again, will certainly try to look him up. You are so right, his corn was positively DELICIOUS!
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FROM CAROL AND ROGER 8-27-00
As we head south from Edmonton this Sunday morning, I wonder where you’re going to church this day. Please say it’s not Tok, that Willard came through for you and you’re well on your way.
Saw a neat license plate holder in the R.V. park last night: “Have fun — this ain’t no rehearsal.”
Keep that in mind.
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MEMO 8-28-00
Yep, we are still in Tok!
We do not feel that we are any further along with the repair than we were the first of last week, and it is becoming depressing. Every day we wake up hoping that there will be some good news, and every day we go to bed disappointed.
We walk every day somewhere even if there is no where to go. We have met a number of people here, and some now call us by name when they see us. A distinction I would rather have never experienced, however, they are nice folks and feel sorry for our predicament.
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FROM MAGGIE 8-29-00
I am sorry to hear that you are still here…..
I can really feel for you, this is a major layback.
If there is anything we can do for you, please just let us know.
If you would like to use my car just to get out of town for a while, we
could arrange something 🙂
Hope to see ya soon.
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FROM SANDY 9-7-00
Ellen gave me your web address. What a great idea. Alaska is a place I want to go someday, so this will help me learn more about it first hand.
Have a wonderful and safe trip.
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FROM LINDA 9-10-00
So glad to hear that we are going to get to see you!! Looking forward to
whenever you can stop….as Stan wrote, we’ll work around your schedule.
I’ve just been catching up on your log…..brrrrrrrrrrr, it sounds SO cold.
We were in Alaska in June both times and didn’t have to deal with the
September weather. Awfully pretty though…
And yes, Willard looks like a real thug, nor is the police record any
surprise. Of all the places in the world to break down, it certainly could
have been worse but also certainly have been better.
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FROM STAN AND LINDA 9-17-00
I guess that you’ll have to swing by this way again when you make that next trip to spend more time in Vancouver and Seattle. Thank you for taking the time to stop by here to visit with us. We enjoyed very much meeting both of you. Have a safe trip home.
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FROM SHARON AND LARRY 9-1-00
I just want to tell you both how much I’m enjoying your trip. Really,
you both write very well and share a lot of info with us, your readers. I
know that we aren’t supposed to envy, but I am very envious! I’ve shared
your site with several of our friends. I am so impressed!
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FROM LANA 10-4-00
Great summary. Looking forward to seeing and talking to you about trip.
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FROM BLAIR RASMUSSEN (BIKING JOURNAL) 10-2-00
It is great to hear from you again. Small moments like our sharing wine and stories at the picnic table are what really made the trip for me. Glad to hear you arrived safe. (Though a tad poorer by the sounds of it) Yes, remember, it could have been much worse!
Yes, I finished! The Dempster was truly spectacular – the scenery, the solitude – I truly “felt” the beauty of the Yukon up there. A mid-Dempster snow storm (I was at a lodge at the time) only added to the experience. The weather of the last four days was truly spectacular, brilliant sun and not a cloud in the sky. I felt truly fortunate, as some bikers had turned back the previous week due to heavy rains turning the road into a mud bowl.
I assume you are already planning your next adventure! If it brings you through Calgary, Alberta you’ve got a place to stay!
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FROM BUB 10-2-00
gLAD TO HEAR YOU HAVE ARRIVEDback in the good old U Sof A.Glad to hear you had a good time except the transmission.Could haveBrought that Mech. back to work on everyones vehicle except mine but whenyou are in Rome you do as the Romans doand there is not a damed thing youcan do about it.
Didnt writemuch while you were gone per instruction.Enjoyed the pictures and all theComentary? Someone in your van had an education besides you.Good job. BUB
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FROM JIM AND PAT 10-4-00
WE RETURNED MONDAY FROM TWO WEEKS IN KY,WVA,VA,NC. WE HAVE ENJOYED YOUR ENTIRE TRIP. IT’S LIKE WE WERE TRAVELING WITH YOU ALL THE WAY. WE COULD CERTAINLY SYMPATHISE WITH YOUR AUTO PROBLEMS. BUT WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR MORE OF YOUR “BLOUSLESS DRIVING”. THAT MAY START A NEW TREND.
WELCOME HOME.
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FROM MARILYN 10-6-00
JUST READ YOUR SUMMARY. I REALLY HATE NOT HAVING YOUR NEWS TO LOOK FORWARD TO! DON’T YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO PACK UP AND LEAVE ON A NEW ADVENTURE? I CAN JUST PICTURE GARY AND ME WRITING A HEALTH SUMMARY TO A TRIP LIKE THAT…….RAN OUT OF PILLS AT TOK… BACK SO SORE IN THE A.M. THAT GARY HAD TO ROLL ME OFF THE AIR MATTRESS ONTO THE GROUND…..HEART
PALPITATING BECAUSE MY POTASSIUM PILLS WERE EATEN BY THE BULL MOOSE THAT BARNEY NEVER SAW……GARY PISSY BECAUSE THE RACCOONS ATE ALL THE SUGAR FREE SNACKS….
TALK TO YOU SOON! OUR LOVE TO YOU BOTH!
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FROM GAYLE 10-13-00
This is great, thanks for sharing with me. I’m going to have to play catchup to get through it all, but you can beleive I will. The pictures are great. Again, thanks,
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MEMO 10-6-00
How nice of you to say that you will miss our log. We rather feel the same way, in no longer having it to update. There is one thing that we would still like to do, and that is to compile a summary of some of the remarks that folks have sent to us regarding our journey. We probably get more comments about the blouseless driving experience than anything else, and your comments about you and Gary are hilarious as well.
We are very close to doing just what you suggested, and that is to head out again and go somewhere. Where is not important, we just love being on the go and seeing all there is to enjoy in the world.
You will be on the mailing list for sure, when we fire up the engines.
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FROM PAT AND DEAN 10-7-00
Have been following your Alaskan adventure and envy you and Barney. Sounds as though you had a wonderful trip. It’s those unexpected things (like the Tok incident) that helps make a vacation memorable. Thanks for sending us the Web address so we could travel with you and do a little dreaming of our own.
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FROM BOBBIE LOU 10-9-00
The pictures were great. I had seen most of the ones you had of our portion of the trip. I was glad to see that the picture you took of us in Steilacoom came out so well. That was a good time. Thanks again for the dinner. Sounds like the rest of your trip turned out well. I enjoyed reading about it all.
Time out! As I’m sitting here at the computer, a doe and her 2 fawns are walking across the yard by my roses. I know they’d love to get in there….. They’ve gone on into the next yard. I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love to watch them, and get mad as hell when they eat my flowers and fruit. Ah well.
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FROM RUE 10-13-00
Have enjoyed Alaska thru you—wonderful!
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MEMO 10-14-00
You must be our number one fan with this web site. Just keep it up, we are honored.
We are finally getting back into some kind of normalcy down here. We still have this strong desire to go out and brush our teeth at the back of the van. I can’t tell you how often we have forgotten to take our pills, and drink our metamucil on a regular basis. I guess we are truly getting to be “old folks”.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
WHAT A RIDE IT WAS!
GLAD YOU WENT ALONG WITH US!