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Alaska.

chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
edited December 2007 in All Encompassing Trip
Alaska is a place I have never been.
I can leave for Alaska in a few days if I want to.
A dude I know owns a few trucks. (as in 18 wheeler, tractor/trailer)
He has been on me for a few years to drive to/from Alaska for him.
In a few days he'll pay me cash to ride along and drive a bit.
For some reason I am getting a bad feeling about this trip,
yet it is balls to the walls exciting.

Alaska/northern Canada in December can't be a pleasure cruise.
I am told their might be a few hundred miles between towns, or even between houses.
Someone please tell me about Alaskan roadways,routes,towns.
I know he hauls alot of seafood out of Alaska.
for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • AmentsChickAmentsChick Posts: 6,969
    If you go be sure to utter these words:

    "I"m off now...into the wild".
    This is the greatest band in the world -- Ben Harper

  • MattCameronKicksButtMattCameronKicksButt Posts: 4,317
    I don't have any facts. :( You'd have to really look after yourself but it may be a chance in a lifetime. I'm sure you know that though.
  • ajedigeckoajedigecko \m/deplorable af \m/ Posts: 2,430
    sounds like a great time......i wish i had the opportunity.
    live and let live...unless it violates the pearligious doctrine.
  • EarthgirlEarthgirl Posts: 695
    I've been and spent quite a bit of time and it's worth it, you need to go. Be free, enjoy the rugged beauty and laid back people.Which route are you driving? If you are taking the 100 Mile House route, there are towns along the way.. and that is probably the way you are going.. that's the way I've been. I wouldn't worry too much about there not being too many towns inbetween here and there.. we're used to that here in Canada and I would enjoy that if I were you. :) It's such a beautiful drive, even in the winter. have fun!
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    Earthgirl wrote:
    I've been and spent quite a bit of time and it's worth it, you need to go. Be free, enjoy the rugged beauty and laid back people.

    I know, i hear ya.
    It'll be christmas in a truck,
    rollin down some lost icey highway.
    Destruction Bay is -5f right now says my buddy
    who has the trucks.
    Him and I are team driving up and back.
    Haulin up food products.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    chadwick wrote:
    I know, i hear ya.
    It'll be christmas in a truck,
    rollin down some lost icey highway.
    Destruction Bay is -5f right now says my buddy
    who has the trucks.
    Him and I are team driving up and back.
    Haulin up food products.

    At least you won't die of hunger if you have to live in the truck for a few weeks.
    NERDS!
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    South of Seattle wrote:
    At least you won't die of hunger if you have to live in the truck for a few weeks.


    Glen has cases of food just for such an event.
    Propane cookin thingy.
    Portable propane heaters incase truck engine goes kerput.
    Survival gear up the whazoo.
    All except me, i have zero hard core winter clothing.
    Carharts, that's it.
    -50f i'll freeze my balls off.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • gabersgabers Posts: 2,787
    I did some work in Nome a few years back for about three weeks. Every road that leads out of Nome dead ends within 30 miles or so. Everything is either flown in or brought in by boat. Such a crazy existence. I was there from mid-September through early October. By the first day of fall (September 21?) it had started to snow. The daylight hours shrunk by about an hour in the short time I was there. I was told by the locals that it gets bitter cold in the winter (like average highs around 10 F or so in January) and the daylight hours shrink to just three or four per day. Also, since it is on the water, ice pack moves in and it's one of those one days that it's open water one day, the next you have ice pack. Such a different world, I know I could never make my home in a place like that. Out of a population of around 2,000, about half leave to warmer weather in the winter. Most of what's left is the old people and the Inuits. You see a lot of the Inuit men stumbling around town most evenings. A lot of them have serious drinking problems. Anyway, here are a few pics from my trip to Alaska. I enjoyed myself. But it's not for everyone. It was actually hard finding volunteers to go do this field work up there, but I jumped at the chance to go.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/9888336@N03/sets/72157603475056298/
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    gabers wrote:
    I did some work in Nome a few years back for about three weeks. Every road that leads out of Nome dead ends within 30 miles or so. Everything is either flown in or brought in by boat. Such a crazy existence. I was there from mid-September through early October. By the first day of fall (September 21?) it had started to snow. The daylight hours shrunk by about an hour in the short time I was there. I was told by the locals that it gets bitter cold in the winter (like average highs around 10 F or so in January) and the daylight hours shrink to just three or four per day. Also, since it is on the water, ice pack moves in and it's one of those one days that it's open water one day, the next you have ice pack. Such a different world, I know I could never make my home in a place like that. Out of a population of around 2,000, about half leave to warmer weather in the winter. Most of what's left is the old people and the Inuits. You see a lot of the Inuit men stumbling around town most evenings. A lot of them have serious drinking problems. Anyway, here are a few pics from my trip to Alaska. I enjoyed myself. But it's not for everyone. It was actually hard finding volunteers to go do this field work up there, but I jumped at the chance to go.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/9888336@N03/sets/72157603475056298/


    great pictures man.
    thanks.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 3,965
    I have been to Alaska more times than I can count. We love it, plus my mother-in-law lives in Homer. We love it in the winter. I've never driven the Al-Can highway in the winter, but it's the only road, so I think you'll be ok. I would definitely get you some good snow boots though. ;) As far as other winter clothing, just layer. :)
    "I'd rather be with an animal." "Those that can be trusted can change their mind." "The in between is mine." "If I don't lose control, explore and not explode, a preternatural other plane with the power to maintain." "Yeh this is living." "Life is what you make it."
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,410
    chadwick, if you have the chance, you should go. :)
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • geniegenie Posts: 2,222
    chadwick wrote:
    Alaska is a place I have never been.
    I can leave for Alaska in a few days if I want to.
    A dude I know owns a few trucks. (as in 18 wheeler, tractor/trailer)
    He has been on me for a few years to drive to/from Alaska for him.
    In a few days he'll pay me cash to ride along and drive a bit.
    For some reason I am getting a bad feeling about this trip,
    yet it is balls to the walls exciting.

    Alaska/northern Canada in December can't be a pleasure cruise.
    I am told their might be a few hundred miles between towns, or even between houses.
    Someone please tell me about Alaskan roadways,routes,towns.
    I know he hauls alot of seafood out of Alaska.

    yep, don't forget that "Into the wild" story.
    And did i understand you correctly, you are getting paid to go on Alaskan trip with someone???!!!!

    what an amazing offer, shit i wish things like this would happen to me, cause i deserve it!
  • blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    chadwick wrote:
    Glen has cases of food just for such an event.
    Propane cookin thingy.
    Portable propane heaters incase truck engine goes kerput.
    Survival gear up the whazoo.
    All except me, i have zero hard core winter clothing.
    Carharts, that's it.
    -50f i'll freeze my balls off.



    Layers my friend... lol... Get yourself a good set of thermal underwear and start layering until you look like Ralphie's little brother on "A Christmas Story" :)

    Seriously, I would go... you never know when you could get another chance.

    But... does he ever make the trip in the summer? :)
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • surfanddestroysurfanddestroy Posts: 2,786
    Have you seen 30 days of night?

    Do it!!!!!!
    Astoria 20/04/06, Leeds 25/08/06, Prague 22/09/06, Wembley 18/06/07,
    Dusseldorf 21/06/07, Manchester 17/08/09, London 18/08/09, LA 06/10/09, LA 07/10/09.

    Ain't gonna be any middle anymore.
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    i've driven most of alaska/yukon in the summer ... roads are good then and it definitely can be sparse - i am guessing the roads aren't gonna be fantastic this time of year but it really is a different world up there ... the next time i go up there it's gonna be in the winter ...

    if you plan it properly - you can take out some of the stress of not knowing when the next stop is ...
  • decides2dreamdecides2dream Posts: 14,977
    justam wrote:
    chadwick, if you have the chance, you should go. :)



    exactly. :)


    granted, the one and only time i've been to alaska was in june, and a pampering cruise :p.....but i adored every minute of it and would definitely go back if i had the chance!


    go for it!
    Stay with me...
    Let's just breathe...


    I am myself like you somehow


  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    genie wrote:
    yep, don't forget that "Into the wild" story.
    And did i understand you correctly, you are getting paid to go on Alaskan trip with someone???!!!!

    what an amazing offer, shit i wish things like this would happen to me, cause i deserve it!


    Yeah I drive trucks and get paid to do so.
    Believe me it is amazing and sucks major balls all @ the same time.
    It's like a drug, truck driving is.
    Love it, hate it.
    I am stepping out of it a bit.
    I'll drive part time while I finish school.
    I can't write the way I want to and work 70-100 hrs a week.
    Those are truck hours.
    Been at it for almost 10 years.
    Fuck it, I am done.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    blackredyellow wrote:
    Layers my friend... lol... Get yourself a good set of thermal underwear and start layering until you look like Ralphie's little brother on "A Christmas Story" :)

    Seriously, I would go... you never know when you could get another chance.

    But... does he ever make the trip in the summer? :)

    He runs to and from there all year around.
    Pay better in the winter months because
    fewer drivers haul stuff in/out of Alaska.
    Load fee's are thru the ceiling right now.
    He's hauling up food, 53 foot trailer.
    He's gettin at least 20 grand, so his wife says.
    Has he told me those numbers, no.
    His wife talks alot. (smilies)

    20 grand a week, yeah that's good money.
    He'll prolly burn 2 grand in fuel easy.
    Road tax, insurance, maintence on truck, food, fun money, pay me.
    Trucks are big money, but costs so much to keep em goin.
    Also the little guy gets squeezed out.
    You have to be a robot to make a profit.
    No off time, goooo.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • BridgeBitchBridgeBitch Posts: 87
    Grew up in Alaska and I've done the drive downt he Al-Can at least 4 times.

    It is a great chance, particularly if someone is offering to pay you to do it. It will be cold, snowy and frosty but there is a beauty in the Alaskan winter that just can't be matched.
    "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

    10/21/06 & 10/22/06 (Bridge Shows)
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    BridgeBitch wrote:
    Grew up in Alaska and I've done the drive downt he Al-Can at least 4 times.

    It is a great chance, particularly if someone is offering to pay you to do it. It will be cold, snowy and frosty but there is a beauty in the Alaskan winter that just can't be matched.

    Yes I agree from pictures, and tv i have seen of Alaska.
    Yeah I am goin.
    See you folks next go 'round.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 3,965
    chadwick wrote:
    Yes I agree from pictures, and tv i have seen of Alaska.
    Yeah I am goin.
    See you folks next go 'round.
    Cool! Have a great time, take pics and share when you return. :)
    "I'd rather be with an animal." "Those that can be trusted can change their mind." "The in between is mine." "If I don't lose control, explore and not explode, a preternatural other plane with the power to maintain." "Yeh this is living." "Life is what you make it."
  • vital5vital5 Posts: 5,486
    chadwick wrote:
    Glen has cases of food just for such an event.
    Propane cookin thingy.
    Portable propane heaters incase truck engine goes kerput.
    Survival gear up the whazoo.
    All except me, i have zero hard core winter clothing.
    Carharts, that's it.
    -50f i'll freeze my balls off.
    But does he have Propane Accesssories?!
  • geniegenie Posts: 2,222
    chadwick wrote:
    Yes I agree from pictures, and tv i have seen of Alaska.
    Yeah I am goin.
    See you folks next go 'round.

    cool!! have fun :)
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    Destruction Bay, Yukon Canada.
    @ some restaurant on a very frozen lake.
    We didn't take the Al/Can highway till we got way up here.
    This is insane.
    But way beautiful.
    I officially now have a set of balls on me.
    Flippin nuts out here.

    Talk later, our lil caravan is ready to head out.
    Bye.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • pearljamjenpearljamjen Posts: 13,578
    I would love to go to Alaska! Good luck and take lots of pictures! :D
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    Anchorage, Ak.. Been here since Saturday.
    Leavin today @ noon-ish I hope.
    We took the Cassiar hwy up thru Canada.
    Kinda nuts drivin up here.
    Our air regulator thingy broke somewhere in the Yukon.
    The other truck dude with us replaced the air regulator.
    (their was an extra one in our truck)
    It was -20f or -30f my toes and fingers were quite frozen.
    Beautiful place all thru here.
    Drivin these roads tho is freaky.
    Seen my first 10-12 moose on/near the highway.
    Seen my first Caribou.
    These truck use moose lights.(few million candle watt spot lights)
    Moose bumper steel thingys on front of trucks.
    Merry Christmas everyone.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    This is cool shit...
    I loved it when I went and I wanna go again...

    crazy shit flying like a bat out of hell down a ice highway dodging moose.
    moose aren't in this video but this is how it is up there.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo7X2zSTSBk

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmmq4X64iKM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5g9zqpzE9k

    i really like this lil video
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhcwhdeSuvg

    guns & roses
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHGilOejoYo

    just like this, one wrong move....life is over with
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqXb7pJMoSQ
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."
    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
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