Ordered New Scheel-Mann Seats for our Truck

[Ronin]

Ronin,

No Jessie's in Palmer.

We tried the Palmer Ale House, good selection of food as well as 44 beers on tap.

Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream for dessert.




David,

Thanks.

We still plan to try to drive home through Canada via Jasper, Banff and Glacier National Park in late September into early October depending weather and Covid restrictions. We are holding onto our return ferry reservations for now.



For anyone who is interested:

Lessons learned on the ferry

The MV Kennicott 2 berth roomettes are tiny and have no private bath. No bedding is included either. At least one of the ferry Captains likes the Ocean and he took us to Ketchikan outside the inside passage after passing between Vancouver Island and mainland BC becasue the seas were only 2-3 meters. A lot of people got seasick. No fun being seasick in a public bathroom. That was a 2 night adventure.

On the leg from Juneau to Whittier (most of this trip is across the Gulf of Alaska) we were on the MV Kennicott again for 2 nights. I upgraded us (right after the first leg - but at a premium for not being 30 days ahead of departure) to 4 berth roomettes. They have private baths, include bedding and towels and are perfect for 2 people so skip the 2 berth roomettes on the MV Kennicott.

On the leg from Ketchikan to Juneau we were on the MV Matanuska and the 2 berth roomettes on that ship come with linens and private bath. These cabins were fine for 2 people.

Every employee of the Alaska Marine Highway that we encountered was friendly, helpful and patient. I can't prise them all enough for making the voyages as pleasant as possible.

Food onboard is mostly cafeteria quality with an occasional Chef special that is quite good. The Clam chowder was consitently good although it was nearly as thick as custard but full of clams and good flavor.

Should have been more clear on Jessie's - they're a menu item on a food truck at the State Fair. Sorry about that. I'm sure you found several options to fulfill your quest for crazy food. Would like to hear more about the ferry portion of your trip. Do you have an itinerary you can share? Did you have to make reservations for each port of entry?

Thanks

 

[ckent323]

Ronin, et al,

Here is our itinerary our return is still not firm but we plan to drive back and cancel the ferry reservations:

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 2 Depart home – Drive to Wasco and drop off motor cars continue on to Stockton or Sacramento [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 3 Depart for Medford, OR[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 4 Depart Medford, OR for Portland, OR[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 5 Depart Portland, OR for Bellingham, WA[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 6 prep for ferry trip check out Bellingham, WA[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 7 Bellingham, WA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Lucnh with former SBRC colleague Jack Brooks and wife Jeannie[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Board Alaska Ferry “Kennicott” bound for Ketchikan, #1603483[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Arrive at Ferry by 3 PM, Ferry Departs for Ketchikan at 6 PM [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight on Ferry [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 8 Alaska Ferry, Cruise on Ferry all day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 9 Ketchikan, AK[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Ferry Arrives in Ketchikan at 8 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at VRBO “Hidden Hideaway” Clover Pass, #HA-XPOD9B[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 10 Ketchikan – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue Explore Ketchikan (Totem Bight State Historical Park)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at VRBO “Hidden Hideaway” Clover Pass[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 11 Ketchikan – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed Explore Ketchikan [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at VRBO “Hidden Hideaway” Clover Pass[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 12 Ketchikan – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu Explore Ketchikan [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at VRBO “Hidden Hideaway” Clover Pass[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 13 Ketchikan – Board Alaska Ferry “Matanuska” bound for Juneau [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri Arrive at Ferry by 8 AM, Ferry Departs for Juneau at 10 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 14 Ferry – hang out on Ferry all day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Ferry Arrives in Juneau at 11:15 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Juneau at Mendenhall Campground, Space [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Directions to Campground: Turn right out of Ferry Terminal parking lot. Drive 1.7 miles to DeHart’s Store above Auke Bay marinas. Take a left turn back onto Back Loop Road. Travel 2.5 miles to Montana Creek Road. Turn left onto Montana Creek Road. Drive 0.3 miles to Skater’s Cabin Road. The campground is 0.3 miles down the road. [/SIZE]



[SIZE=12pt]Aug 15 Juneau – SLEEP IN![/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Explore Juneau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Mendenhall Campground[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 16 Juneau Airport – Fly to Sitka[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Park Trucks in Long-term Parking at Airport[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Check-in at 9:40 AM, Alaska Airlines, #BAXMOH, Flight #62[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Depart Juneau at 10:40 AM, Arrive in Sitka at 11:21 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Sitka at Longliner Lodge and Suites, #2633725985, pin 1885[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 17 Sitka[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue Explore Sitka (Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Raptor Center, Baran of Castle Hill)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Longliner Lodge and Suites[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 18 Sitka Airport – Fly back to Juneau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed Check-in at 6:05 PM, Alaska Airlines, Flight # 67[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Depart Sitka at 7:05 PM, Arrive in Juneau at 7:40 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Get Trucks from Long-term Parking at Airport[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Super 8 by Wyndham Juneau, #3957.984.316, pin 6618[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 19 Juneau - Board Alaska Ferry “LeConte” for Gustavus[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu Park Trucks @ Ferry Terminal (ignore signs that say “no overnight parking”)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Check-in at 6 AM, Booking #YRBR-1624218[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Ferry Departs Juneau/Auke Bay at 7 AM, Arrive in Gustavus at 12:45 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge (199 Bartlett Cove), #3352TU and 3352TW[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 20 Gustavus - Glacier Bay Tour, all day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri Breakfast Buffet 5 AM, Board Boat at 7 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Boat Tour Departs from Bartlett Cove at 7:30 AM, Returns at appox. 3:30 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 21 Gustavus Airport – Fly back to Juneau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Breakfast Buffet 5 AM at Glacier Bay Lodge[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Check-in at 1:40 PM, Alaska Seaplanes, Flight #J5-306[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Depart Gustavus at 2:40 PM, Arrive in Juneau at 3:15 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Take Taxi back to Ferry Terminal to get Trucks[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Juneau at Mendenhall Campground, Space 002 [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 22 Juneau, AK[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Explore Juneau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Mendenhall Campground [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 23 Juneau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Explore Juneau [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Mendenhall Campground [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 24 Juneau - Board Alaska Ferry “Kennicott” bound for Whittier[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue Check-in at 10 AM, Depart Juneau at 12 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight on Ferry [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 25 Alaska Ferry - Cruise on Ferry all day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 26 Ferry Arrives in Whittier, 6 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu Travel through Whittier Tunnel[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Cars leave Whittier on the hour from 6 AM – 11 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] (Phillips Cruises 5.5 hours, $159/pp, 907-276-8023) - We stayed vernight in a Palmer RV park[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Aug 27 Palmer RV Park[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 28 Drive to McCarthy overnight at BAse Camp[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 29 Tour Kennecott, overnight at Base Camp[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 30 Drive to Valdez, Overnight at RV Park[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aug 31 Overnight at RV Park[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 1 Drive to Anchorage overnight Comfort Inn[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 2 Overnight Comfort Inn[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 3 Anchorage, AK[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri Overnight at Comfort Inn Anchorage[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Motorcar Trip Itinerary[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 4 Anchorage, AK[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Set on, Registration and Car Inspection, 9:00 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Get Acquainted Dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 320 W Fifth Ave[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Comfort Inn Anchorage[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 5 Anchorage, MP 114 to Talkeetna, MP 227 (113 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Overnight in Talkeetna at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 6 Talkeetna, MP 227 to Denali, MP 359 (132 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Overnight in Denali at Grand Denali Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 7 Denali – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue Overnight at Grand Denali Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 8 Denali – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed Denali Wilderness Tour, 6:00 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Grand Denali Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 9 Denali, MP 359 to Fairbanks, MP 470 (111 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu Overnight in Fairbanks at Springhill Suites by Marriott[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 10 Fairbanks – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri (Fountainhead, 11 – 5 every day)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight at Springhill Suites by Marriott[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 11 Fairbanks – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Overnight at Springhill Suites by Marriott[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 12 Fairbanks, MP 470 to Denali, MP 359 (111 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Overnight in Denali at Grand Denali Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 13 Denali, MP 359 to Talkeetna, MP 227 (132 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Overnight in Talkeetna at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 14 Talkeetna – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue Overnight at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge[/SIZE]



[SIZE=12pt]Sep 15 Talkeetna MP227 to Wasilla, MP 160 (67 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed Visit Steam Locomotive Restoration Project[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Dinner and Auction at the Museum of Alaskan Transportation and Industry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Wasilla at Grandview Hotel[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 16 Wasilla, MP 160 to Girdwood, MP 74 (86 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu Farewell Dinner[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Girdwood at the Hotel Alyeska Girdwood[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 17 Girdwood, MP 74 to Portage, MP 64* to Seward, MP 0 (99 miles)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri [*Includes Portage, MP 0 (Whittier Branch) – Whittier, MP 12.4 – Portage MP 0][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight in Seward at Harbor 360 Hotel[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 18 Seward – Layover Day[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat Overnight in Seward at Harbor 360 Hotel[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 19 Seward, MP 0 to Anchorage, MP 114 (114 miles) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun Overnight in Anchorage at Comfort Inn Anchorage[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 20 Anchorage, AK [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon Set-off, Load containers, etc.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 21 no firm plans yet - ad hoc trip home through Canada via top of the workld highway, Dawson City, Whitehorse, Jasper, Banff and Glacier National Park[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 22[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 23[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 24[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 25[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 26[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun[/SIZE]

We will be cancelling the following return ferry trip

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 27 Whittier, AK[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Cars enter Whittier on the half hour from 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Board Alaska Ferry “Kennicott” bound for Bellingham, #1603483[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Arrive at Ferry by 8:45 PM, Ferry Departs for Ketchikan at 6 PM [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt] Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 28 Alaska Ferry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 29 Alaska Ferry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sep 30 Alaska Ferry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 1 Alaska Ferry[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Overnight on Ferry[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 2 Ferry Arrives in Bellingham, WA at 8:00 AM[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sat [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 3[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Sun[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 4[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Mon[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 5[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Tue[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 6[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Wed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 7[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Thu[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Oct 8[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Fri[/SIZE]

 

[ckent323]

We did drive the McCarthy road and we travelled home via the Alcon higway with an extention to Japer and Banff. We are now in Montana heading East to visit family before turning and heading home to Central California.

After over 3,000 miles, with more than 125 miles of that over the badly potholed dirt road tofrom McCarthy, both Wendie and I are very happy with the Scheel-Mann seats. They were a good upgrade and the comfort and secure seating on the rough roads was worth the cost. I recommend them.