alaskan-rver
Anchorage, AK
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Joined: 09/25/2005
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noahs_helper wrote:Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. I suppose we do need to scale back our plans a bit.
Hatcher Pass sounds interesting, but I'm not sure about the drive to get there. From what I've read, it sounds intimidating for an RV.
Has anyone here been to the Moose Dropping Festival in Talkeetna? This sounds like it could be fun during the day, but does it get rowdy at night? That would also have us there in mid-July; otherwise, I was thinking of the latter half of June.
Hatchers Pass is no problem in an RV--there are a few steep parts, but as long as you're not also towing a big trailer, you should have no problem. The road up from south (via Wasilla or Palmer) is paved and open year-round. The road from the west (via Willow) is a seasonal dirt road, which they typically don't open before early July. It is also very passable with a rental-sized RV (although, if you had a 45 foot class C pulling a large trailer, you might want to think twice).
As far as the Moose Dropping Festival, it's a fun time. Where else in the world can you bet on which numbered moose nugget dropped from a helicopter will land the closest to the target? Uh, define "night" in June in Alaska--the best we get is dusk! I wouldn't worry much there more than anyplace else.
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noahs_helper
Alabama
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Joined: 11/17/2005
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dsteinman wrote:We did a similar trip to the first part a couple of years ago, but not with an RV. Our daughters were 7 and 9. The kids had a great time.
On day 4 you will probably need to stay near Anchorage. You can see our trip here http://www.steinmanhome.com/Alaska0.htm
The kids had no problem with the all day bus trip in Denali. We went in early June. A little less crowded at that time. And they especially enjoyed the Jetboat River cruise in Talkeetna.
Book things early.
David
David,
Thanks for sharing your experience!
How did your girls do on the Kenai Fjords tour? Do you think the longer tour might have been better, or too much for that age?
Ben
Ben
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dsteinman
Los Alamos, NM
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Joined: 09/19/2006
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They did fine on the Kenai Fjords tour and enjoyed seeing the animals. We did the 6 hour tour starting at 11:30. Usually we try to limit how much we do with the kids so they don't get tired out.
And I was certain that doing the Denali full day bus tour, that departs at 6:30, at the end of our trip wasn't going to work very well. They still were very well behaved that day and didn't get bored. And thats with them always wanting to stay up late since it was still light outside.
So, if you have enough to keep them interested when they are bored they would probably be fine on the longer Kenai Fjords tours.
David
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mlb4966
Valdez, Alaska
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I would have to agree either head my way or down the Kenai and change your plans a little. You will have a more enjoyable vacation by not driving you self to death. Our roads are not the greatest in the country. As for the Sea Kayak. Rent drysuits. Good insurance for the kids.
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fulltime_family_RV
Alaska
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I heard the moose-dropping festival is fairly tame. How about the Girdwood forest fair? - Peter and Briana in AK.
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racinghoss
Maryland, but missing AK
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You likely wont be allowed to take the RV on the Denali Highway. Most places wont even allow you to take a rental pick-up truck on that road. Georgious, but rough in places.
If you are doing Seward, then dont spend much time in Valdez. The road down to Valdez is awesome, but not much to do. Seward has the Sea Life Center which my girls (ages 8 and 6) absolutely love to go to. Dont miss it.
The trip from Anchorage to Seward is beautiful. Opportunities for viewing wildlife galore, and all kids love animals.
Do the Denali bus ride and definately do the flight seeing out of Glenallen. Skip the Denali Hwy and dont spend much time in Valdez. Use the time saved from those to relax and enjoy the sights, weather, and family time.
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