Alaska Bound

[Boudicca908]

On 7/4/2023 at 12:23 PM, Galway Girl said:

Cheap yoga mats from Amazon.

We cut out templates out of paper grocery bags, then cut mats to fit.

we used 3m no-residue duct tape on edges.

Items are listed on the Amazon Oliver’s Outfitter Guide here:

Is this to protect from rocks and mud?

[SeaDawg]

2 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

At Denali, I highly recommend the End of the Road bus tour with the guide -- it was one of the highlights of my 3 weeks in Alaska (sans Oliver)... 

 

The best bus tour, if camping, required camping in the furthest out campground (teklanika). Limited facilities,  but great camping, and great tour. 

That tour road is a bit scary, in a big bus, but most of our drivers (hop on/hop off) had been doing it for years. But, lots of wildlife viewing. (The drive out to the cg is quite tame, and very slow.) No private vehicles allowed, so it's just the buses.

Sidebar: My cousin used to walk to work in Denali from outside Cantwell, as a kid. Her dad owned some additional property "way out there," as did  one of his friends .  She told me about driving the scary road home, through the upper park, with her dad, at 17.  In the dark. Those blind curves! And dropoffs.!

 

 

[Galway Girl]

2 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

On 7/4/2023 at 8:23 AM, Galway Girl said:

 

Is this to protect from rocks and mud?

Yes

[Galway Girl]

Made it to Denali NP and Riley Creek CG.

Happy surprise at out AT&T connection speed in the campsite B77.

Two site sizes here when reserving.

A - sites for longer trailers up to 40’

B -sites for <30’ and many double width so truck and trailer are side by side.

Really wide site and quite deep beyond rage rear curb stops.
Setup the clam on the tent pad. 

 

[SNY SD UP]

We are up here too. 
had to go to Whitehorse for some repairs. Depending on how things go we either adjust routes or head home. We will know more in a couple of days. 

[ScubaRx]

Great Idea using the tent pad for your clam.

[HDRider]

I love following you on this trip @Galway Girl

[Galway Girl]

Denali Tundra Tour Pix

[Galway Girl]

On way south from Denali NP today, the “Great One”made a rare clear skies appearance.  Just WOW!

 

[SeaDawg]

Awesome! I'm so happy for you!

[Boudicca908]

2 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

the “Great One”made a rare clear skies appearance.  Just WOW!

That sums it up! Congrats -- I'm very happy that you were able to see it -- it's glorious and mesmerizing. 

Thank you also for the updated photos of your Oliver and the yoga mat method. Did you do anything for the front of your TV, in similar fashion? 

[SeaDawg]

From my cousin's cabin, outside Cantwell,  on good days, we can see Denali. 

I'm so very happy for you. Your photos show a very (unusual) clear sky.

[Galway Girl]

Homer and Seward checked off.

 

[dewdev]

1 hour ago, Galway Girl said:

Homer and Seward checked off.

 

These are great pictures. I am guessing they are from a camera. What kind-type?

What do you have taped to the front of the Ollie? Are they a rock guard of some sort?

[Shawna and Scott]

On 7/17/2023 at 11:34 PM, SNY SD UP said:

We are up here too. 
had to go to Whitehorse for some repairs. Depending on how things go we either adjust routes or head home. We will know more in a couple of days. 

Looks like you brought your Ollie with you to Tuk. How was the roads any concerns towing the Oliver?

Its on our list but wasnt sure about taking the Oliver all the way there or dropping it off in Dawson somewhere.

[Galway Girl]

On 7/27/2023 at 1:00 PM, dewdev said:

These are great pictures. I am guessing they are from a camera. What kind-type?

What do you have taped to the front of the Ollie? Are they a rock guard of some sort?

Cameras in use are iPhone 14pro and Fuji XH2.

Front covered using yoga mats and 3m no residue tape (from Amazon)  works great to keep rocks from chipping front.

 

 

[Galway Girl]

Roads between Destruction Bay YT and Tok AK are under construction.  Gravel stretches aren’t bad as they are graded. 
worst are long vertical ruts that catch steering Tires.  Need to slow down and plan for a longer drive day.

 

just did the 6  hour  Kenai Fiords NP cruise.  Well worth the prices.

We saw over 20 humpbacks.  One pod of 12 we’re doing bubble feeding where two whales chase the herring into a ball, then three other whales blow bubbles to surround the prey, and then whales come straight up through the bubble pen from the bottom with their mouths wide open , gobbling up everything in their path.  

[Galway Girl]

Made it home from the Alaska trip.

The yoga mat's worked really well keeping away rock chips. (Thanks for the ideas from previous owners).

The 3M no-residue tape was also a godsend...it peeled off without any issues.

We saw 3 other Oliver's out on this trip.  All of them had some type of front covering.
One person used very flexible linoleum flooring they picked up in Whitehorse YT.

 

Dirty trailer and beat up yoga mats upon arrival home:

After stripping off yoga mats and a quick wash:

[Shawna and Scott]

Thanks for taking us along on your trip!! The pictures are wonderful but probably not as good as the memories you made!!

[John Dorrer]

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your blog post down the road.