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Posted
1 hour ago, Chewbacca said:

What got fucked?  Couldn't stop in Canada for fuel?

Alaska closed all things at that point.  We would have had to spend the 2 weeks in a hotel room and not leave it for their quarantine rules at that time.

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Posted
53 minutes ago, Doc Holliday said:

Alaska closed all things at that point.  We would have had to spend the 2 weeks in a hotel room and not leave it for their quarantine rules at that time.

Really?  Huh.  I was up there in August and they were fully open for everything.  

Posted
On 4/21/2021 at 4:09 PM, Chewbacca said:

That looks awesome.  I'm heading to this place with my son in August.  It's been a couple years since I was there and we're out of fish.  Can't wait.  The nice part is that Sitka has a runway that can handle 737s, so from Denver it's just one connection through Seattle and you land 5 minutes from the lodge.  But there is only one road on the island (I think it's less than 20 miles long).

https://www.kainsfishingadventures.com/

This looks pretty awesome, how did it go and would you recommend them?

Posted
Just now, hornbri said:

This looks pretty awesome, how did it go and would you recommend them?

Nevermind, now i see that was the trip that got fucked up. Fucking year old post got me. 

Posted
Just now, hornbri said:

This looks pretty awesome, how did it go and would you recommend them?

I've been to them 3 times, including this August.  It's always amazing.  They put you on a ton of fish and by the end of 3 days of fishing, you've got ~100# of fish per person to bring home.  Sometimes more, sometimes less, but it's always been right around there for me.  Salmon, halibut and rockfish.  Sometimes you'll get a lingcod or black cod, but that's pretty rare.

 

Just gotta make sure you fly Alaska Air because they're the only ones that fly 737s up there and the smaller planes can have weight issues with all the fish coming home.

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Posted

Feeling a weird excitement about going. Can't explain it. I've traveled alot but to be going to Alaska has me feeling a certain way. I would have never dreamed this as a kid

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Posted
8 hours ago, Zepol87 said:

Feeling a weird excitement about going. Can't explain it. I've traveled alot but to be going to Alaska has me feeling a certain way. I would have never dreamed this as a kid

I was born and raised there and we are headed up for two weeks at Christmas.  Dudes (it’s never ladies) have been known to fall in love with the place and never return down south. Hope you have a great time up there, but Anchorage still sucks.  It’s the Houston of Alaska. 

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Posted
Didn't do shit but chill with her family but it was cool and the scenery is nuts. Saw a big fucking moose in the backyard.
 
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The scale of Alaska is something you have to experience to appreciate. It's like nowhere else I've been.
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Posted
1 hour ago, CooterBrown said:

Have you admitted to yourself you’re moving to Alaska?

Pussy always wins.

Nah she has no interest in moving back at all. We are looking at Colorado Springs though, some shit opened up for work in the area. 

Posted
1 hour ago, Zepol87 said:

Didn't do shit but chill with her family but it was cool and the scenery is nuts. Saw a big fucking moose in the backyard.

 

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The Aurora forecast is moderate tonight.  Maybe you'll see them in Anchorage.

I live about 5 hours North in the Denali Borough.  The Lights have been incredible so far this year.  The best time to see them is when it is dark and cold.  We'll hit 30 below tonight easy.  it's already 25 below and the sky is clear.

If you get a wild hair and want to drive up, let me know.  Hotels are available in Healy.  It's the Winter, so no worries about getting a room.  There is no one here.  The only restaurant open in Healy is the Totem.  Very mediocre.  About 30 miles North is the Clear Sky Lodge, also very mediocre.

My wife and I live old school...log cabin, no electricity, no indoor plumbing.  If shit like that interests you, we can show you how to survive the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Enjoy your stay.

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Posted (edited)

Holy shit username definitely checks out. Here for 17 days so we have time 

Nvm the "pussy" responded to that message and said Healy? Wtf no 

Edited by Zepol87
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Posted
Nah she has no interest in moving back at all. We are looking at Colorado Springs though, some shit opened up for work in the area. 

You don’t pass up that location. I’d be packing up already.
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Posted

Moose's tooth 11/10 would recommend again. Had a fun time there and the bartender grew up in East Dallas and to Mesquite High so we had a random connection and got pretty hammered while eating badass pizza. Hit up Raspberry Roots dispensary for some goodies and I'm high as hell right now. My gf's dad gave me a coat he used to wear on the slope with wolf around the hoo (is that PC to say?) it's pretty badass and works amazing because it feels like -2 right now and I was warm as hell outside. Tomorrow's menu is jalapeno caribou sausage, halibut, moose and bear. No idea how bad I might tear up some bathrooms. 

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Posted (edited)

Last few days my gf had to work so we didn't do much. We went upper Rabbit Creek area last night smoking and chilling because I wanted to see the houses up there and I thought I saw 2 big ass dogs or coyotes and today her dad got an email from some neighboring HOA about wolves that killed a few dogs roaming around. I'm easily impressed and thought it was badass. Had some halibut ceviche today and it was very good. 49th state brewing is a cool spot and has a great view of Mt. McKinley.

Post Thanksgiving plans are to hit firewood for some tubing and visit the Alaska wildlife conservation center.

 

 

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Edited by Zepol87
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Posted (edited)

One of her cousins flew out a few days ago and sent the last pic. Forgot to send but pretty badass. Hoping to see it before I leave 

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Edited by Zepol87
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Posted

In the starting stages of planning a 10 day trip with extended family in june/july. 10 people - from 3 yo to 73 yo. 

thinking will rv this up (2 rvs) - never done that so should be a challenge.

That or  12/15-passenger van + airbnb(s). 
 

going to stick to kenai peninsula for most part. Might go to denali for 2 days. Not sure if worth it. 

 

alaska is damn expensive. The tourism industry needs to extract all tourist money in 3-4 months only. 

Posted
On 11/23/2021 at 6:31 PM, Zepol87 said:

Last few days my gf had to work so we didn't do much. We went upper Rabbit Creek area last night smoking and chilling because I wanted to see the houses up there and I thought I saw 2 big ass dogs or coyotes and today her dad got an email from some neighboring HOA about wolves that killed a few dogs roaming around. I'm easily impressed and thought it was badass. Had some halibut ceviche today and it was very good. 49th state brewing is a cool spot and has a great view of Mt. McKinley.

Post Thanksgiving plans are to hit firewood for some tubing and visit the Alaska wildlife conservation center.

49th state brewing was awesome when I went. Cold as fuck outside, huge fire pit inside, and the most perfect soft pretzel with beer.

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Posted

Last few days got some snow..shoveling the driveway sucked ass. I'm over this cold shit. Today we went to midnight sun brewing but they had a rule of only 36 oz per customer. Evidently it is a state law but not many enforce it or some shit. Dispensaries are awesome and sledding is fun. Doing girdwood tomorrow 

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Posted
On 11/25/2021 at 10:06 PM, remoh said:

In the starting stages of planning a 10 day trip with extended family in june/july. 10 people - from 3 yo to 73 yo. 

thinking will rv this up (2 rvs) - never done that so should be a challenge.

That or  12/15-passenger van + airbnb(s). 
 

going to stick to kenai peninsula for most part. Might go to denali for 2 days. Not sure if worth it. 

 

alaska is damn expensive. The tourism industry needs to extract all tourist money in 3-4 months only. 

Are you talking about renting an RV or van once you get there or driving some somewhere in the lower 48?   Because it's a fucking beating to drive.   Absolutely beautiful scenery once you get into Canada and then Alaska but it's a beating.   From Houston/Dallas/Austin, you're looking at 60+ hours of driving.   Even if you pull off 12 or even 14 hours days, you're still going to spend 5 days on the road each way.   You won't be blazing through northern British Columbia, the Yukon then Alaska at 65 or 70 miles an hour either.   More like 45 or 50 for long stretches and that is if there isn't a lot of road construction and in July there most likely will.   And that doesn't account for getting into Canada and back into the US in Alaska.  

So I hope you're planning on flying.

Posted
6 hours ago, Macanudo said:

Are you talking about renting an RV or van once you get there or driving some somewhere in the lower 48?   Because it's a fucking beating to drive.   Absolutely beautiful scenery once you get into Canada and then Alaska but it's a beating.   From Houston/Dallas/Austin, you're looking at 60+ hours of driving.   Even if you pull off 12 or even 14 hours days, you're still going to spend 5 days on the road each way.   You won't be blazing through northern British Columbia, the Yukon then Alaska at 65 or 70 miles an hour either.   More like 45 or 50 for long stretches and that is if there isn't a lot of road construction and in July there most likely will.   And that doesn't account for getting into Canada and back into the US in Alaska.  

So I hope you're planning on flying.

Haha. Yeah. Sorry. Renting RV there. 
 

Though that plan has already been vetoed.  Wouldn't be comfortable for some in the traveling party. Lol. 

 

So now we flying in. Renting a ford transit 12p van and driving around and spread over 3 airbnbs. 
 

1st 2 nights - talkeetna

next 3 - coopers landing

last 3 - homer

 

We just booked tickets and got airbnbs. 
 

now hoping this omicron strain doesnt escalate. 

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Posted

I asked the locals and they said your trip sounds like a badass idea. Update the thread when you do it. 

It has been snowing like a bitch for 2 days. Went sledding at the bluff, it was a blast but fuck that walk back up the hill. Hitting Arctic valley on Saturday. Xalos at 100th at C st is solid ass burritos and tortas if you want that. 907 Alehouse food isn't great but a good spot to watch football, midnight sun brewery is the only place I have been that enforces the 36oz cut off for alcohol. Had no idea that was a law.

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Posted

Is the 36 oz a brewery/brew pub law or something recent?   Because I definitely had way more than 3 beers at Moose's Tooth on more than one occasion back in the day.

 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
On 12/2/2021 at 7:38 AM, Macanudo said:

Is the 36 oz a brewery/brew pub law or something recent?   Because I definitely had way more than 3 beers at Moose's Tooth on more than one occasion back in the day.

 

So evidently it's been a thing but only the small places have it  because they pay a cheaper liquor license. That's what I was told at least 

Flying ho home tomorrow. Been a fun ass 3 weeks but the weather fucked up the girdwood trips. Webt to arctic valley last weekend that was pretty badass. Last meal is at Humpy's. I'll be back in the summer and the an is to do a fuck ton of fishing with her dad's upper slope connects. I'm fucking snowed out though. 

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Posted

Took a Whale watching cruise and saw a dozen whales bubble feeding.  That was pretty damn awesome.  Followed them for a bit and then went back.  On the way, we saw a few orcas.  Great experience.   

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Posted (edited)

We flew into Juneau yesterday to stay at our new place for the first time. It’s a crazy snowy white Christmas with a high of 25* and about 18” on the ground. The house is amazing and will be on the VRBO market shortly if anybody’s looking for a place to stay that doesn’t suck.  

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Edited by USCATX
  • 5 months later...
Posted
We flew into Juneau yesterday to stay at our new place for the first time. It’s a crazy snowy white Christmas with a high of 25* and about 18” on the ground. The house is amazing and will be on the VRBO market shortly if anybody’s looking for a place to stay that doesn’t suck.  
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Do i get to use the boat? I want to use the boat.
Posted
On 6/13/2022 at 11:45 PM, Chewbacca said:
On 12/22/2021 at 1:28 PM, USCATX said:
We flew into Juneau yesterday to stay at our new place for the first time. It’s a crazy snowy white Christmas with a high of 25* and about 18” on the ground. The house is amazing and will be on the VRBO market shortly if anybody’s looking for a place to stay that doesn’t suck.  
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Do i get to use the boat? I want to use the boat.

I’ll leave it gassed up and ready at any dock in southeast, $105k.  Maybe that will inspire me to get a new one on order. 

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  • 2 years later...
Posted

My son is a geophysics major at UT's Jackson School and just got an internship up in Alaska for the summer.  He will be leading tours out on the Matanuska Glacier glacier and helping with some research.  Should be an interesting experience.  He will have food taken care of, but is going to have to bring his own tent to live in.  I'll probably buy him a Kodiac canvas tent to help make it more bearable, and he can probably get later use out of it if he has to do field work. 

I'm taking the rest of the family up there in mid July for a week to see him and explore.  Thinking we will spend 2 nights around , maybe a night at Denali and a 1-2 nights at Seward with a night coming and going from Anchorage.  Let me know if anyone has any update recommendations. 

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Posted

Humpy's is a cool bar in Anchorage and they have good fish and chips and burgers.  I would definitely go to Denali.  It is stunning.  You will want to probably stay overnight in one of the lodges there because between getting there and touring the park, it will be a very full day.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Also, what is the best way to ship supplies to Alaska? Say I want to ship a 150 pound box with a tent and other supplies? Is there a reasonably cost effective way to get that done?

Posted
4 hours ago, HookEm said:

Also, what is the best way to ship supplies to Alaska? Say I want to ship a 150 pound box with a tent and other supplies? Is there a reasonably cost effective way to get that done?

@JGrayDBU is likely a good resource for this question.

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Posted
On 5/9/2025 at 9:43 AM, HookEm said:

Also, what is the best way to ship supplies to Alaska? Say I want to ship a 150 pound box with a tent and other supplies? Is there a reasonably cost effective way to get that done?

Probably cheapest to pay Alaska airlines oversized/overweight baggage fees and then pack it into a plastic tote and zip tie it shut.   It’s how we do it up there.  Everything goes air freight anyway so it’s hard to beat the price and convenience of baggage.  Ideally you become an AK Air MVP and fly two bags for free. 

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Posted
22 hours ago, royiv said:

@JGrayDBU is likely a good resource for this question.

USCATX  nailed it, at least in my experience.  I was told even before I left Texas that it was a must to become a member of the club.  You will almost certainly be flying Alaska Air anyway.  I became an expert at bringing 2 50 pound totes full of groceries as luggage, all the way from Texas, every time, because you didn't want to get caught coming close to running out of groceries.

 I would wear 4 to 5 layers of clothing, coming from Texas.  It was hot but worth it.    I also had the two carryons for regular luggage as well, so that is how I traveled and saved possibly thousands of dollars or more.  

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Posted

I looked into shipping with Alaska Air, but they charge $200 in fees to be a known shipper.  Not sure we would make that back with a single summer up there.

Posted
3 hours ago, HookEm said:

I looked into shipping with Alaska Air, but they charge $200 in fees to be a known shipper.  Not sure we would make that back with a single summer up there.

There is shipping with Alaska Air, and there is the thing I used, which was simply putting everything necessary in luggage, and because I was a member of the club, the first two pieces of luggage up to 50 pounds were free. 

One summer I did utilize the special price Alaska Air shipping was holding within the state, and it was available to everybody who was a club member.  It was advertised in the Seattle and Anchorage airports.  It was not the most efficient process, however.  The people running Alaska Air shipping were almost non-responsive, compared to the wonderful Alaska Airlines customer service representatives.  I got what I paid for.  I paid a very low price to get the groceries from Anchorage to Selawik, but it took about two weeks for the groceries to get there.  I was a super daredevil, choosing to not throw away any of those groceries, even though there was a strong possibility some of the frozen groceries had thawed out.

Even though you specify you have frozen groceries in your tote, that doesn't mean Alaska Air shipping folks would jump up and down to take care of your stuff.   During the two weeks my tote was hanging out there, I seriously researched and called several people and got the usual Alaska response, to paraphrase, "We will keep an eye out for it, but don't expect much"

This was probably the summer of 2023, and I have a cast iron stomach to this day.  Cast iron stomach should honestly be a prereq. to teach in rural Alaska, as it comes in very handy.  There were occasions when someone would give away fish and I never said no, in part because of my cast iron stomach, but also because Alaska is a natural refrigerator, good example being one year I arrived back in Selawik in late July to 45 degrees, high winds and rain.  

Ironic I was with some church people this evening playing pickleball in SA, and somebody brought up Alaska and I flashed back to many of the really weird things that happened up there. 

I got to tell people that the one thing I wanted to do but did not was to ride the Alaska state railroad, all of the way from Fairbanks down to south of Anchorage.  Southeast Alaska is much prettier than north Alaska, imo, and the idea of being on a train for a long time really appeals to me.  

 

 

 

Posted

Thanks for the tip.  Looks like the "49 Club" is for Alaska residents, but they apparently make an exception for temporary workers.  I'll give it a shot.  

Posted
On 4/28/2025 at 1:04 PM, kevwun said:

Humpy's is a cool bar in Anchorage and they have good fish and chips and burgers.  I would definitely go to Denali.  It is stunning.  You will want to probably stay overnight in one of the lodges there because between getting there and touring the park, it will be a very full day.

I need to visit this place.

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