The Adventure Begins.

[sliider55]

I wanted to say the adventure is just beginning but after 8 days in Banff and Jasper National Parks the adventure just continues.
I will update more when I can.

[Flame]

Please give more details!! The wife and I have thought about driving to Alaska. Long ways from East Texas but what a trip it would be. Just talking about it yesterday again with relatives and wondering how much trouble it is to get in and out of Canada?? Do we need a passport? Our other option was to drive to the west coast and get on a Alaska cruise ship. What say you??

[Scott]

Slider, have fun! Sounds like you're off to awesome start. I'm envious

wondering how much trouble it is to get in and out of Canada?? Do we need a passport?

Hi Flame, I know you were asking slider, but in my experience everyone aboard will need a passport. Whenever I've been in a car, I've slipped right through. But in the RV, I typically get a much more thorough screening. I've heard it's because they have problems with people in RVs going up there to live off grid. Check out the rules and regulations online. There are lists of things you can't bring.

[sliider55]

I came from Austin and yes you have to have a passport. If you do not have one they're very easy to get. I crossed the border in Sweetgrass Montana. It was very easy very uneventful. I even looked at running the Alaskan Marine Highway. But that's a $10,000 trip. You're better off just flying to Alaska and rent an RV or car. Also I wasn't searched at the border. But when I went to the Hoover Dam they searched me 100%.

[Skillet]

Yes, keep us updated! I've heard a few things about driving up from other RV'rs: during the drive you're guaranteed a cracked windshield from the big rigs going past flinging up rocks, the road in places can be terrible, and the gas stations are far apart. It's a bucket list trip for me but I want to know how a Chinook fares.

[Flame]

Slider, we were in a dodge caravan last year at Hoover dam and we got searched too!! I'm a honest person but it still scares the crap out of me!!

[sliider55]

Skillet,
Yes, I think a busted windshield is almost a guarantee. I brought basic stuff to repair it and I will just wait and have it replaced in the US. You have to figure that into your budget.
Gas? Everything I have read and already talked to people heading this same way is I'll be fine. My Chinook is a gas hog. I can go about 260-270 miles on a tank. If you know the stations are far apart you will fill up when you can and don 't get close to empty. They say you can get gas every 200 miles. It may not be cheap but there is gas. I'll let you know if that's true. I'm carrying no extra gas.

Flame,
I'm with you. I'm honest person and want to do what's right. At the Hoover Dam they searched everything. Even found the hidden safe and made me open it. At the border crossing I was nervous. As I'm driving though Idaho and Montana I started to eat everything so I cross with no meat, vegetables, dairy or fruit. Thinking they would make me throw it all out. I had water, Gatorade and a six pack of Corona's. And I thought they might take the beer.
And the crossing was nothing. They ask me how long will I be in Canada, did I have any weapons or mace or bear spray and if I had ever been in Canada before. "Thank you enjoy your trip." I probably gain 5 pounds before I got there.

Next stop is 58.825869, -125.1325569 This is the same place where Gonewiththewynns stayed. I'll be a couple of days to clean the coach and double check everything before moving on.


Andy

[Xatlatc]

Hey 55, why don’t you move this to the ‘ Trip in Progress ‘ section just above the ‘ Trip Talk ‘ if possible. I’ll be watching.

[sliider55]

Let me see what I can do.

[chin_k]

Don't you Texans need a passport to come to USA?

Seriously, we went to Alaska a few years ago, and got a rental car (it was before we have the Chinook, and we did not have the luxury of time to drive up there), and paid extra for the windshield insurance. We did not end up with any chip or crack, but I think the chance is 10% based on the statistic I see.

When we were crossing the border, they just ask where we came from, and where we are going. They are only concern about bring fruits and vegetables that has pest. Luckily, we ate all the fresh fruit the night before, so they did not have to follow up with additional question/action.