Lucy is on the road to Alaska

[nerka3]

My husband and I camped in Denali National Park for 3 days starting July 7 and then we did 1 day in Talkeetna on our way back home to Anchorage. Even though we had blue skies, it was so hazy with smoke, we couldn’t see Denali (formerly Mount McKinley). This summer has been unseasonably warm for us here. Right now we have our Airstream in our front yard waiting for it’s epic trip to the Lower 48 for 3 months at the end of August. If you guys ever need anything or are wanting info in Anchorage, I am following your thread with great interest and just holler!

[Bigventure]

I was wondering with the roads you have encountered, have you raised your trailer? Or is it stock height?

[moosetags]

When we got up this morning in Trapper, the sky was blue and the sun was shinning. We figured that if we were going to have a shot at seeing Mount McKinley, this was it. We drove north along the Parks Highway (Alaska 3). After we got about twenty miles north of Trapper Creek, we started seeing glimpses of Denali's Peak between the trees as the road curved back and forth.

We found a small side road that had a pull-off with an unobstructed view of "Big Mac". We sat at this location for a couple of hours and watched as the clouds changed the view. As Denali's peak is only visible 20% of the time, we considered ourselves fortunate to get such a good viewing.

After we got our fill of the Mountain view, we went back to Lucy to take a break. We then returned down to Talkeetna for another round of Alaska tourist frenzy. We had a very nice dinner at the Denali Brew Pub and looked around town some more.

As we headed south from Talkeetna, we noticed a beautiful lake view with several sea planes tied up at the shore. On a bluff above the lake was parked a shined vintage Airstream. We stopped and got some really nice pictures, one of which is the last of tonight's pictures. This is one of the finest photo ops that we have ever had.

We continued back to Lucy and have settled in for the night.

Tonight's pictures include;

- Our first glimpse of Denali from the highway.
- View of the peak over the trees.
- View from the pull-off with the peak above the clouds.
- Close-up shot of Denali with our 200 mm lens.
- Large burls on the tree trunks that are the roof support posts for the campground picnic area.
- Lucy at her campsite in Trapper Creek.
- Entering Downtown Talkeetna, Alaska.
- "Once in a Blue Moose", a very appropriate saying for us.
- A nicely decorated snow plow in Talkeetna.
- The idyllic lake scene.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Bigventure

I was wondering with the roads you have encountered, have you raised your trailer? Or is it stock height?

Lucy does not have suspension changes. She is completely stock.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

That last Airstream is a 65 as that was the only year of that exterior taillight.

Thanks for this information. There is always a very knowledgable person to be found on these Forums. I'll bet that nobody at Jackson Center could come up with that tidbit.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by nerka3

My husband and I camped in Denali National Park for 3 days starting July 7 and then we did 1 day in Talkeetna on our way back home to Anchorage. Even though we had blue skies, it was so hazy with smoke, we couldn’t see Denali (formerly Mount McKinley). This summer has been unseasonably warm for us here. Right now we have our Airstream in our front yard waiting for it’s epic trip to the Lower 48 for 3 months at the end of August. If you guys ever need anything or are wanting info in Anchorage, I am following your thread with great interest and just holler!

We will be heading for Anchorage tomorrow morning. Lucy will be camped at the Creekwood Inn & RV Park at 2150 Seward Highway. Give us a call and come by and meet Lucy. My cell is: 850-830-9444 and SuEllyn's is:
850-830-9111. Our direct email is moosetags@aol.com.

Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy broke camp this morning in Trapper Creek and headed on to Anchorage where we arrived in the mid afternoon. Anchorage is an actual big city. We have been out in the hinterland so long that Lucy was a bit taken back by the rather heavy traffic but got used to it pretty quickly. We made our way to the campground which is on one of the city's major thoroughfares. It was a little unnerving, but we made it in.

We got Lucy set-up in a rather tight campsite at the Creekwood Inn & RV Park. we went to a nearby Walmart for some supplies. We stopped by Popeyes and brought some chicken back to Lucy for a big city dinner at home.We have now settled into Lucy for the night. We even have cable TV here.

Tonight's pictures include:

- A flying service outside of Anchorage with a really cool seaplane weather vane.
-The mountains are back in a haze on the way to Anchorage.
- It stayed hazy all the way to Anchorage.
- Coming into Anchorage, Alaska.
- Lillian and Lucy waiting to be assigned a campsite.
- Lucy and Lillian in their rather tight big city campsite.

Brian

[Raminc]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Lucy broke camp this morning in Trapper Creek and headed on to Anchorage where we arrived in the mid afternoon. Anchorage is an actual big city. We have been out in the hinterland so long that Lucy was a bit taken back by the rather heavy traffic but got used to it pretty quickly. We made our way to the campground which is on one of the city's major thoroughfares. It was a little unnerving, but we made it in.

We got Lucy set-up in a rather tight campsite at the Creekwood Inn & RV Park. we went to a nearby Walmart for some supplies. We stopped by Popeyes and brought some chicken back to Lucy for a big city dinner at home.We have now settled into Lucy for the night. We even have cable TV here.

Tonight's pictures include:

- A flying service outside of Anchorage with a really cool seaplane weather vane.
-The mountains are back in a haze on the way to Anchorage.
- It stayed hazy all the way to Anchorage.
- Coming into Anchorage, Alaska.
- Lillian and Lucy waiting to be assigned a campsite.
- Lucy and Lillian in their rather tight big city campsite.

Brian

Hey Brian, welcome to the south central Alaska. I've been following your journey to Alaska and watching for you on our highways. Well yesterday it happened. I passed you on the Glenn highway around Eklutna at 1:30 flashed my lights but not sure you saw me. Anyway if you need help while your around let me know. Even if it's to point you in the right direction.
Ron

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Raminc

Hey Brian, welcome to the south central Alaska. I've been following your journey to Alaska and watching for you on our highways. Well yesterday it happened. I passed you on the Glenn highway around Eklutna at 1:30 flashed my lights but not sure you saw me. Anyway if you need help while your around let me know. Even if it's to point you in the right direction.
Ron

Hi Ron. That would have been us as we had stopped at the Wasilla Post Office right at 1:00 PM to mail a package. Sorry that I missed you flash.

Brian

[moosetags]

This morning found us camped in Anchorage, Alaska. We decided to do some touring around town. One of the things that we wanted to see was the Ulu Knife Factory. The Ulu is the traditional Alaskan utility knife that has been used by the Aleut People for thousands of years. The Ulu Knife Company makes these unusual historic knives from modern materials. We watched the knives and handle being made.

Near the knife factory in Downtown Anchorage is a bridge across Ship Creek. We were able to watch a number of fishermen trying to land some Salmon. This Creek was thick with Salmon swimming against the current.

We did some more looking around Downtown Anchorage before heading to Walmart to get Lillian some DEF (Diesel exhaust fluid) which had run low on the way down from Denali. We then went over to Costco to get Lillian filled up with Diesel fuel. We also made a Fred Meyer Supermarket stop for some Boar's Head roast beef to take back to Lucy.

We had a nice dinner in Lucy as the rain started tapping on Lucy's roof.

Tonight's Pictures include:

- Coming into Downtown Anchorage.
- The 1942 Alaska Railroad Building in Downtown Anchorage.
- Downtown Anchorage skyline.
- The Ulu Knife Factory in Downtown Anchorage.
- The Salmon can be seen in the creek.
- A Salmon catch in the creek.
- Great flowers decorate 4th Avenue in Downtown Anchorage. These are in front of Police Headquarters.
- The 1941 4th Avenue Theatre in Downtown Anchorage.
- Looking down 4th Avenue in Downtown Anchorage.
- The 1946 Holy Family Cathedral in Downtown Anchorage.

Brian

[A W Warn]

If you are out for breakfast in Anchorage you might look for the Snow Goose Restaurant on 3rd St. We went there a couple time because of the fresh bread and home made fresh strawberry jam. Yum!

[judyjudy]

We love following your journey. We are doing Alaska in 2020. I’’ve Heard folks talk about a myriad of methods they used to protect the front of their Airstream when traveling in Alaska from attaching yoga mats to carpet squares, etc. Did y’all do anything special to protect either Lucy or your truck? Thanks for sharing your journey!

[Wayne&Sam]

Just for reference, Denali from my tent door at Wonder Lake, 1971. It wa about 3AM.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by judyjudy

We love following your journey. We are doing Alaska in 2020. I’’ve Heard folks talk about a myriad of methods they used to protect the front of their Airstream when traveling in Alaska from attaching yoga mats to carpet squares, etc. Did y’all do anything special to protect either Lucy or your truck? Thanks for sharing your journey!

We gave that issue a lot of thought, and decide to add some extra protective rigid mud flaps to Lillian. We got her a complete set (front and rear) of mud flap from WeatherTech. They were under $100 with shipping. They were very easy to install. Thus far they have provided Lucy with excellent protection.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

If you are out for breakfast in Anchorage you might look for the Snow Goose Restaurant on 3rd St. We went there a couple time because of the fresh bread and home made fresh strawberry jam. Yum!

Hi Alan. Thanks for the tip.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Just for reference, Denali from my tent door at Wonder Lake, 1971. It wa about 3AM.

Thank you for the Denali photograph. You got a great shot of the mountain. These arehard to come by.

Brian

[McStreamy_]

Hopefully the smoke clears up before you head down to the Kenai. I lived in Alaska for three and a half years and the section between Anchorage and Girdwood is one of my favorite drives. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by McStreamy_

Hopefully the smoke clears up before you head down to the Kenai. I lived in Alaska for three and a half years and the section between Anchorage and Girdwood is one of my favorite drives. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

Thank you for that tip. We will be driving that way tomorrow.

Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy is still camped in Anchorage. We spent the morning taking care of some maintenance items in Lucy and preparing a large Moose Tag shipment. We drove out to the US Post Office at the Anchorage Airport and got the Moose Tags on their way. While in the Area, we toured the small plane area and the Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Both of these are adjacent to the Anchorage International Airport.

The number of small aircraft in Anchorage is astounding. We have never seen so many small planes in one place in our lives. There are literally hundreds of small planes here. The small aircraft is more a part of everyday life in Alaska than anywhere else. A large number of the aircraft are set up with floats to take off and land on water. The Lake Hood Seaplane Base has its own water runways. We stayed for a while and watched some take off and landings.

We grabbed a quick lunch at Subway, a quick haircut at Great Clips, and headed across town to Potter Marsh Coastal Wildlife Refuge. We didn't see any wildlife, but it was an enjoyable afternoon.

We came back to Lucy and started making preparations for tomorrow's departure. It is still cloudy and looks like some more rain may be coming.

Tonight's pictures include:

- Small planes are everywhere in Anchorage.
- Small plane taxiways cross the road.
- Seaplanes have their own slip along the lake.
- Small plane parking lots abound.
- Large seaplane getting into the air.
- If Airstream made an airplane, this would be it.
- Larger seaplane loading up for a flightseeing tour.
- Note the 1/2 Ford pick up moving the seaplane.
- Seaplane just off the water.
- Houses in the hills on the south side of Anchorage.

Brian

[Raminc]

Originally Posted by judyjudy

We love following your journey. We are doing Alaska in 2020. I’’ve Heard folks talk about a myriad of methods they used to protect the front of their Airstream when traveling in Alaska from attaching yoga mats to carpet squares, etc. Did y’all do anything special to protect either Lucy or your truck? Thanks for sharing your journey!

Your posting made me laugh with the visual of a Airstream covered in carpet squares or yoga mats. I've lived here 25 yrs and camped all over this great state. Sometimes with a tent camper, other times with a slide in truck camper and now with a Safari Airstream. And I've never seen nor have I used any kind of protection. I mean it's just not necessary. I've gone to Canada several times which means I've ridden the Alcan several times coming and going with no damage to my tv or camper. I've driven the haul road up to the Arctic circle still no damage. Not even a flat! Now you will encounter gravel areas as road construction can only be done during the summer months, when most outsiders want to visit Alaska. But there are always signs posted for 35 mph speeds and if you don't obey or heed these signs then yes you will need more than carpet squares.