rsg@cbscc.UUCP (07/18/83)
I've done Alaska twice: 1969: the interior via the Alaska Highway, and
1981: the SE ferry system.
McKinley: Camping areas were nice, but the bugs were incredible. The
lodge might be more comfortable.
Barrow: I've investigated it and found out this: It's an exotic place,
attractive only because of its location. The natives are rumored to be
less than friendly, and there's not much to do there.
Ketchikan: Drizzles a lot. A quaint fishing village. Except for Totem
Bight, not much to the scenery. Camping about 8 miles from the air terminal.
Petersburg: Beautiful scenery. Bald eagles everywhere. Camping about
2 miles from the ferry terminal and uphill (it's an island, what did
you expect?). Platform camping due to marsh-like conditions.
Wrangell: A small stop on the ferry line. Not worth disembarking.
Sitka: Scenic, lots of history. Totem poles (all the poles in SE Alaska
are relatively new because the humidity decays all the older ones). Camping
is near the ferry terminal, but far from town.
Juneau: Well set in the mts. Plenty to do...glaciers in the area. Fly
to Glacier Bay from Juneau if you have the time.
Skagway: Goldrush town. Camping ok but n of town. One main street and
that's about it. Narrow gauge RR not running now I think.
Anchorage: Just another big city.
Fairbanks: My news is old (1969). More quaint than Anchorage, but still
basically a city.
Dawson City, YT: Well worth the visit.
Camping: Except for Ketchikan, all have nice campsites within walking
distance of the ferry terminal. Some have water, but carry it. Be prepared
for constant drizzle in SE Ak, and be overjoyed when it doesn't.
Local travel: Hitchhike. If it takes more than 5 minutes to get a ride,
you're doing something wrong. Many residents spend their time riding
up and down the same road all day picking up hitchhikers.
Want more? Use net.travel, or call directly.
...bob garmise...(614) 860-4535 in Columbus, Ohio