ALASKA EXPRESS …your way 36-Day RV Caravan


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Many of us have chosen to travel by RV because we enjoy the freedom it brings.  We can choose to turn left rather than right as we have no set agenda and we can travel where we choose.  Organized group tours may just not always be our thing.  We get that.  The Alaska Express is another ‘Your Way’ caravan designed for those of us who don’t want to travel on a tight schedule of meals, bus trips and tours.  We may not have the luxury of time to spend two months traveling in and around Alaska, but we also seek the relaxation knowing there a plan with a route and an opportunity for a real Alaskan vacation. Fantasy has selected and reserved campground sites along the iconic path to priority destinations – an important advantage for summer travel in the 49th state. At the same time, we provide an Alaska expert WagonMaster to accompany the group, offering security and information to guide us in making the most of our Alaska travel.  The rest of the time, it’s all about doing things your way.

Alaska-HighwayWe become a group and meet our fellow Alaska travelers and Fantasy Ambassadors in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, the start of the famed Alaska Highway.  We begin in this quiet town that is home to the most notable ‘Milepost 0’ that marks the Alaska (AlCan) Highway.  This time is allotted for us to enjoy a Get-Acquainted Party followed by a Welcome Dinner. We will be provided with a Parks Canada Discovery Pass that provides access to any and all of Canada’s National Parks for the year.  We also have time to check out our equipment and possible issues with our rigs before we begin the journey.

Fort-NelsonThe adventure begins as we head to Fort Nelson, home of the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum that features the monumental efforts of building this route under the most adverse weather conditions.  You’ll discover many interesting places to stop along our route. Find time to explore, knowing that your campsite is reserved and guaranteed for your arrival, so there is no need to rush your travels. Our objective is Alaska, but naturally we don’t mind the amazing drive along the way. Our next stop is Muncho Lake, where we can choose to relax in the nearby natural hot springs, explore trails, find a fishing hole, or just relax in camp. 

We cross into the Yukon Territory and spend the night in Watson Lake.  We can visit the renowned Sign Post Forest, a landmark from 1942 when a homesick soldier placed a road sign here for his hometown – Danville, Illinois.  Since then, fellow travelers have placed more than 72,000 personal and handmade signs on this spot.  Anyone can join the fun by bringing their own hometown sign or even making one on the spot.

MuktukThe highway delivers some spectacular vistas along our route to Whitehorse, where we will stop for a few nights.  There’s a lot to see and do here, and this is a stop where Fantasy has a planned excursion for us – the MukTuk Sled Dog Kennel and Training Center. Here, as many as 125 Alaskan Huskies are born, raised, trained and retired.  Owner Frank Turner is one of Yukon’s most accomplished mushers, having run the 1600 km Yukon Quest 24 times in 25 years.  Our Husky bonding time is completed with a delicious ‘Taste of Yukon’ dinner, featuring favorites like bison, salmon, elk, arctic char, assorted salads, sides and, of course, dessert.

We turn off the Alaska Highway and enter the 49th state, heading to Skagway, which was once a Gold Rush boom town.  Today, it’s a major stop for cruise ships sailing the Inside Passage.  But unlike the thousands of cruise ship passengers who disembark into this small town for a few hours each summer, we’ve got time to experience the fun and quirkiness. There is something for everyone here, whether you enjoy shopping, dining, hiking, theater, walking thru gardens, historic sites, a boat cruise or even a train ride.

Menenhall-GlacierOne of the popular activities is a cruise on the beautiful Lynn Fjord to Juneau, Alaska’s capitol city (only accessible by boat or air) – no roads lead to Juneau.  If you choose Juneau, you can visit the Mendenhall Glacier, shop the town or visit the brewery.  Of course, staying in Skagway is also a popular choice with much to see and do. Board the historic train on the White Pass/Yukon Railroad, aka the ‘Scenic Railway of the World.’  The route goes to White Pass to see the Klondike Trail, where many brave prospectors died trying to get to the riches of the land.  The nearby Chilkoot Trail head makes for an interesting hike. Book a horseback riding tour or explore Skagway’s shops and galleries. Jewell Gardens offers assorted gifts, amazing gardens, glass-blowing and a garden-fresh lunch.  An evening theater relives the local history at the Soapy Smith Vaudeville Show. Soapy was a rather shady outlaw who basically controlled Skagway during the Gold Rush.

We return to the Alaska Highway and the Yukon Territory, stopping in Destruction Bay, a small community and home to approximately 43 people.  It was originally built as a construction camp for Alaska Highway workers and sits on Kluane Lake, an ideal spot for fishing and paddling.  The town was named after a severe windstorm which occurred in the 1940s.

TokWe cross back into Alaska and spend the next night in Tok, the trade center for several native villages.  Take some time to explore the gift shops for assorted arts and crafts.  The town was also a construction camp for the highway. There are several stories as to how Tok got its name.  It may have been derived from Tokyo Camp, the road construction camp in 1943.  It may have been named after a husky pup.  But the real story can be found at the town’s Mainstreet Visitors’ Center, so be sure to check that out!

Once again, we leave the Highway and head to Valdez, located on the coastline of Prince William Sound and offering some of the most stunning scenery in Alaska.  Fantasy has left us plenty of time to enjoy it to its utmost. We can choose to cruise, hike, trek, explore or even rappel on five accessible nearby glaciers.  There’s rafting on rivers, kayaking in the Sound and cruising along 2,700 miles of coastline.  And, of course, there’s the fishing. Valdez is a premier fishing destination, with a mupg” alt=”Menenhall-Glacier” width=”300″ height=”225″>One of the popular activities is a cruise on the beautiful Lynn Fjord to Juneau, Alaska’s capitol city (only accessible by boat or air) – no roads lead to Juneau.  If you choose Juneau, you can visit the Mendenhall Glacier, shop the town or visit the brewery.  Of course, staying in Skagway is also a popular choice with much to see and do. Board the historic train on the White Pass/Yukon Railroad, aka the ‘Scenic Railway of the World.’  The route goes to White Pass to see the Klondike Trail, where many brave prospectors died trying to get to the riches of the land.  The nearby Chilkoot Trail head makes for an interesting hike. Book a horseback riding tour or explore Skagway’s shops and galleries. Jewell Gardens offers assorted gifts, amazing gardens, glass-blowing and a garden-fresh lunch.  An evening theater relives the local history at the Soapy Smith Vaudeville Show. Soapy was a rather shady outlaw who basically controlled Skagway during the Gold Rush.

We return to the Alaska Highway and the Yukon Territory, stopping in Destruction Bay, a small community and home to approximately 43 people.  It was originally built as a construction camp for Alaska Highway workers and sits on Kluane Lake, an ideal spot for fishing and paddling.  The town was named after a severe windstorm which occurred in the 1940s.

TokWe cross back into Alaska and spend the next night in Tok, the trade center for several native villages.  Take some time to explore the gift shops for assorted arts and crafts.  The town was also a construction camp for the highway. There are several stories as to how Tok got its name.  It may have been derived from Tokyo Camp, the road construction camp in 1943.  It may have been named after a husky pup.  But the real story can be found at the town’s Mainstreet Visitors’ Center, so be sure to check that out!

Once again, we leave the Highway and head to Valdez, located on the coastline of Prince William Sound and offering some of the most stunning scenery in Alaska.  Fantasy has left us plenty of time to enjoy it to its utmost. We can choose to cruise, hike, trek, explore or even rappel on five accessible nearby glaciers.  There’s rafting on rivers, kayaking in the Sound and cruising along 2,700 miles of coastline.  And, of course, there’s the fishing. Valdez is a premier fishing destination, with a multitude of salmon and halibut swimming in its waters.

Our next stop is Palmer, the heart of the Matsanuka Valley.  Palmer is known for its giant vegetables, resulting from long days of sunlight and extremely fertile soil.  There’s time here to visit a reindeer farm, musk ox farm, the Palmer Visitor Center and Colony House.  And sample those delicious vegetables! 

Exit-GlacierThe city of Seward is named after President Lincoln’s Secretary of State, William Seward, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska in 1867 – which by now we have to agree was a really good move!  We spend a couple nights in this charming fishing town and travel the Kenai Peninsula. You may choose to visit the Alaska Sea Life Center to meet some adorable puffins, take a Kenai Dinner Cruise or explore the gradual melting path of Exit Glacier.  Airplanes, seaplanes, ski-planes and helicopters offer flightseeing tours of the spectacular scenery of Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park and the Chugach National Forest.  Opt for a glacier landing or drop-off for an up-close and personal look at a glacier.  And there’s still plenty of time to arrange a charter fishing trips.

Halibut-FishingIf we’re still looking to catch some fish, opportunities abound at our next stop, Homer, which claims to be the ‘Halibut Fishing Capital of the World.’  We camp right on the shores of the Homer Spit, where our campground features a private lagoon (rumored to have excellent salmon fishing).  There are multiple charter fishing boats available for the opportunity to catch even more halibut, hopefully enough to share with fellow Fantasy travelers.  And if you’re not into all that fishing, there’s plenty more to do. Take a water taxi across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park to wander through tidal pools and hike in the lush forest; try sea kayaking in the bay or even canoe the Swanson River.  There’s wildlife and glacier cruising and plenty of shops and art galleries to explore in this charming town. We can also just sit outside the rig and soak in the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings.

Our next stop is Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage. Although it’s quite metropolitan (at least by Alaska standards), there are still salmon fishing spots in town and the occasional metro-moose that may wander through the city.  Worth a visit is the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays art, history and crafts from the eleven different cultures which inhabit this area.

Denali-Bears

We’ve seen and experienced some amazing scenery and wildlife viewing during our Alaska travels, but it’s hard to compare any of these to Denali National Park.  Denali, at a towering 20,310 feet, looms above, and we’ve plenty of time to view and experience the many attractions the park has to offer.  Because this is perhaps the most iconic feature of all things Alaska, Fantasy has booked a National Park bus tour for this caravan that takes us into the six-million-acre park.  More activities in the Denali area include rafting trips (nature float or whitewater excursion) on the Nenana River, hiking into the Park, wildlife viewing, fishing and more.  Denali is definitely big enough to find your own special appeal.

Salmon-BakeFairbanks is the northern most stop of our trip, and we’ve got almost 22 hours of daylight each day to see all the sights.  Fantasy has arranged a delicious Alaskan Salmon Bake, but the rest of the time is up to us.  Opportunities abound here. Cruise the Chena River on an authentic sternwheeler riverboat, learn from native