2024
We made it to Alaska!
Dickson, TN
Driving back to Ohio from the Crater of Diamond State Park we spent New Years eve at a rest stop. Had a nice nights stay/celebration before heading out the next morning.
Cuyahoga Valley
With the van remodel almost complete decided to spend the afternoon of May 4th walking around Cuyahoga National Park. It has been a couple years since we were here and made sure to take at least one picture this time. All in all it is a nice park with plenty of walking/hiking trails and place we will stop by again when we are in the area.
Badlands
We have been heading west for a few days, arrived in Wall late on June 26th and stayed in the Wall Drug parking lot. But tonight we are staying on some BLM land just outside of the Badlands National Park, and it has a great view!
Mount Rainer
We drove through here on June 30th and did stop for a bit to get the pic shown here along with some others, it was too foggy when we were higher up to get any good pictures of the mountains. Unfortunately we could not stay as long as we planned due to no cell signal and too much tree coverage for Starlink, so we had to move on in order to work the next day. Outside of that it has gorgeous views and will have to come back when work is not an issue.
Kalaoch S Bch Campground
Ended up stopping here on the night of June 30th, and working during July 1st. Decided to stay a couple more night after a drive up to Port Angeles. This is a first come first serve campground in Olympic National Park for $20 a night ($10 with an Annual Pass), has bathrooms with running water, dumpsters, no dump station or water fill. Check in at the bulletin board and pay by QR code or credit card, no cash.
Olympic
I will definitely need to come back here when I have a week to just hike, unfortunately I am still working this week before heading north for the next month.
North Cascades
We spent July 4th here, were not able to hike the dog friendly trail but did get to see some amazing views. There is a water fill and dump station by the exit of the visitor center and a campground by there too. All the campgrounds were filled which makes since being a holiday weekend so we headed north towards the boarder for the night.
Alaska Highway
We made it to Dawson Creek on July 6th and stayed for the night. Early on the 7th we started the Alcan which ends in Tok, Alaska. Made a stop in Prince George for a much needed shower, do some laundry and fill up on gas.
Liard Hotsprings
We stayed just about 4 minutes way from the hotspings on the night of the 7th. First thing on the 8th was a trip to the hotsprings to soak for about 30 minutes before driving on. The hotsprings were great, not many people there that morning and it was refreshing after the drive.
Sign Post Forest
If you stop by here looks for the small Adventures with Bryce sign! right next door is a rec center that will cost $6 for a shower, and there is also a small dispaly section with gift shop and free book rack.
Tok, Alaska
Made it to Tok on July 10th, took 2 days to drive the Alcan and 5 after crossing the boarder.
Wrangell-St. Elais
Made it here on July 11th with a quick stop to the visitors center, then started to head to McCarthy until I got to a long single lane wood bridge that I really didn't want to cross and probably lower on gas than I should have been. May try again on my way out of Alaska.
Denali
We stoped by Denali twice, on the way it it was very cloudy with on and off rain and could not see anything. On they way back we did not get a perfect view, but did get a view worth seeing!
Dalton Highway
The seed limit on the Dalton Highway is 50 MPH you will not see it post more than once, and trucks have the right of way! Started this drive on July 14th and the road is rough!
Artic Circle
On the way to Coldfoot is the Artic Circle Crossing, which we stayed at a campground a 1/2 mile down the road on the way up and back down. Camping was $13 a night and a preety nice place to stay.
Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay
The evening of July 15th we made it to Prudhoe Bay! When here at this time of year there is 24 hours of daylight, this years header picutre is where we stayed the night here and shows how muddy the van got driving here.
Kenai Fjords
While we did have a nice hike here on July 20th we did not go on the longer one due not feeling too good. Stayed the prior night prior in Seward at a city campgroud which was just a big gravel area, first come first serve, no amenities beside a dumpster for $45 a night.