Running produce to Alaska

Oooooh, getting closer to bug season.

 

It is not just that they are big and nasty, it is that they have billions of friends close by to back them up. Beautiful pictures by the way.

 

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would want to haul freight up there in the winter.

I've been up to Dawson City Yukon and took the Top of the world highway over to Alaska, in the summer.

Wouldn't dream of it in the winter.

 

Love the pics vikingswen makes me miss my home. I moved to Alaska in the 70's and used to live in Homer. Not sure if you deliver on the Kenai Peninsula at all. I had to move to CA a few years ago for family reason but will be moving back to Alaska in 3-5 years. I still have my cabin in Homer because I knew I would be moving back up there. I used to run produce like you are doing now. I used the Cassiar Highway mostly because it saves you around 150 miles. It used to have a few spots that were not paved and not sure if it is all paved now or not. Less hills to climb also only a couple of 8% grades and your home free. When I was running it there were no passing lanes and no center line and narrow in a few places but not a big deal because the road is not traveled as much as the Alcan. Not sure if you run for a company or on your own but it's a nice drive if you can use it. Watch out for the logging trucks in the summer those guys are crazy and in a hurry all the time. The road seems to have more wildlife on it also. If you do use it make sure you have plenty of fuel as stops are fewer and price are higher then the Alcan (in the summer tourist season they can be almost double).

Like I said I not sure if you run for a company or on your own but sounds like you are a company driver. Freight out of Alaska, like you said is scarce, I used to run ads in local newspapers and haul peoples household goods that were moving back to the lower 48. Not sure if that is an option for you or not but can make some decent money doing it and saves running empty back down. Not sure how much help I can be on showers and fuel stops as things have probably changed since I've been there but I'll see if I can find my list. In the winter time a few of the KOA camp grounds used to stay open and you could park just outside of the campground and get a free shower. In the summer they are way to busy but is a nice break in the winter time.

 

You probably have no time for tv Sven, but there is a mini-series on this winter called the Vikings. Some of them live in a place called "Katte Gat" (loose translation, Cat Street). They launch raids on England. You'd probably get a kick out of it. This is an excellent thread, thanks for all the pictures, and commentary.