I too am in Anchorage. Let me know when there is a group road trip and I am in. On a side not, the Firestone Destinations aren't so good on the ice. My wifes Goodyear Silent Armors kick arse though. I may steal hers for the winter!
I just got my rig two weeks ago - been thinking about getting one since they were concept vehicles, bout time huh! And man o man, I have a jacked up K5 I have been driving - what a NICE change! Anyone want to buy a K5? ha!
I've got 4 other friends up here that have them as well. I tried to get them all together for a trip to Jim Creek last Sunday, but only two of the guys showed up and they rode in one FJ - but we got out and got dirty - my buddy even got to use his winch and pull out a dodge truck that was about to be a permanent Jim Creek fixture.
be sure and let me know if there are going to be any get togethers anytime soon - can't wait for the snow fall.
__________________ Byrdman
Last edited by Byrdman : 11-10-2007 at 01:29 PM.
Reason: type-o
hi there Alaska, i know this might be a stupid question but can u get to nome or barrow by driving??? or is it seaplane and ferry only. thank u.
Nome and Barrow are not connected to the rest of Alaska by road. Alaska Airlines offers daily service to both places and may even have more flights in the summer and during certain times of the year, weather permitting off course. It's been my experience that if AK Air can't land, no one can, at least no other jet, prop planes have different rules and requirements so sometimes it's possible to get in during crappy weather on a smaller turbo prop. Alaska Airlines uses Boeing 737's.
Neither town has ferry service either, the ferry system does not extend that far north.
Byrdman, what color is your FJ? jwbwx1, is that your FJ in your avatar?
There seem to be quite a few FJ's rolling around Anchorage lately. Last week I was on Brayton Dr. following a Voodoo Blue FJ and had a Sun Fusion pull up right next to me. Must have been a sight for everyone else, three FJ's heading north on Brayton Dr.
Location: in the campground or on the road...moving from WA to Alaska...
Posts: 334
Re: Alaska Owners?
We're hoping to be Alaskan FJ owners next summer... hubby is in the Coast Guard and we're due to transfer then. We have been dying to head to Alaska (at the expense of the govt, of course! ) and everyone we've talked to that's been there, or still is, LOVE it... we're huge outdoor enthusiasts and should find out as soon as January if we're going to Alaska or Portland, OR next.
So, for all you Alaskans, any insight/tips on the following places that we've put down for our picks?
1- Ketchikan
2- Petersburg
3- Anchorage
4- Cordova
5- Homer
__________________
~ Jenn ~
En route to our new home in Alaska!!!
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
We're hoping to be Alaskan FJ owners next summer... hubby is in the Coast Guard and we're due to transfer then. We have been dying to head to Alaska (at the expense of the govt, of course! ) and everyone we've talked to that's been there, or still is, LOVE it... we're huge outdoor enthusiasts and should find out as soon as January if we're going to Alaska or Portland, OR next.
So, for all you Alaskans, any insight/tips on the following places that we've put down for our picks?
1- Ketchikan
2- Petersburg
3- Anchorage
4- Cordova
5- Homer
I've been to all of them and currently live in Anchorage. I'm surprised Kodiak isn't on your list, it's got a pretty large USCG presence. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, Homer is on the road system and is pretty nice. Cordova, Petersburg and Ketchikan are off the road system, but have passenger/vehicle ferry access to the road system. I'm from S.E. Alaska (Sitka) and loved it, but would put Ketchikan last on my list of places to go. It rains a lot in SE, but seems to rain more in Ketchikan (12-13 feet of rainfall a year) than anywhere else.
I personally couldn't live on an Island again and prefer the options that Anchorage gives me, but if I had to choose one of the others, I would probably pick Homer, Cordova, Petersburg then Ketchikan in that order. If you do get stationed in SE Alaska or Cordova a small boat would probably get more use than your FJ.
If you enjoy the outdoors, any of the towns you listed have a lot to offer and will probably be a great adventure for you.
Location: in the campground or on the road...moving from WA to Alaska...
Posts: 334
Re: Alaska Owners?
Quote:
acruxksa previously said:
I've been to all of them and currently live in Anchorage. I'm surprised Kodiak isn't on your list, it's got a pretty large USCG presence. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, Homer is on the road system and is pretty nice. Cordova, Petersburg and Ketchikan are off the road system, but have passenger/vehicle ferry access to the road system. I'm from S.E. Alaska (Sitka) and loved it, but would put Ketchikan last on my list of places to go. It rains a lot in SE, but seems to rain more in Ketchikan (12-13 feet of rainfall a year) than anywhere else.
I personally couldn't live on an Island again and prefer the options that Anchorage gives me, but if I had to choose one of the others, I would probably pick Homer, Cordova, Petersburg then Ketchikan in that order. If you do get stationed in SE Alaska or Cordova a small boat would probably get more use than your FJ.
If you enjoy the outdoors, any of the towns you listed have a lot to offer and will probably be a great adventure for you.
Thanks!
I wanted Kodiak, but there isn't a job available for my husband there. A friend of our's was stationed there and he said not to take a new/nice vehicle there b/c the roads are horrible. His truck looked like hell when he left- tons of rock chips/scratches/etc.
A friend/previous co-worker of mine just moved to Ketchikan and she has given me a small insight as to the weather/environment/people there. However, she also has guaranteed me a job at her vet clinic if we get stationed there (she's a veterinarian and I'm a registered vet tech ). She was telling me that some of the houses there catch the rainwater off the roof and filter it into the house and use that as their 'running water'- don't know if I could get used to that. I'm used to the rain, living here in the PNW, but THAT much rain I think would drive me batty. We went down to the Hoh Rainforest to go camping back in September and it rained the entire time and that is comparable to Ketchikan. We actually put Ketchikan down as #6 or 7 (out of 8) for our picks.
I really want Homer or Anchorage, but hubby really wants Petersburg b/c of the job there and we've heard that its a really nice small town.
We have sent out for info from all the places we're interested in and have gotten a ton of pamphlets/fliers/magazines in the mail... but its not as good as getting 'real' info from people who have lived there.
__________________
~ Jenn ~
En route to our new home in Alaska!!!
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
I've got the silver 08, it's at Muffler City right now being leveled and getting new shoes - with this fresh snow I'll have my "how the KM2's handle in snow" report today.
I'd like to go on some wheelin trips up here, maybe we can get some Anchorage area trip going.
I've posted a few pic's from last Sunday at Jim's Creek - I'm not seeing my avatar, but yep, that's mine if it'll show up.....
Petersburg is a great little town, my father was born there. It's a nice community and has quite a few things to do. Most involve a boat though. The rainwater system is know as a cistern and is pretty common in Ketchikan. My only experience with it was a cabin on a tiny island outside of Sitka and a house my parents owned in Hawaii. Most towns have city water unless you are living way out of town. The islands are often solid rock which often negates the possibility of drilling a well.
You will find that your vehicle gets worked in most of Alaska because many towns are right on the water and your FJ will be subject to the salt air. Frequent washes can help stave off rust, but it's rare to see a rust free vehicle that's more the 7 or 8 years old. The rock chips are commonly from the media that they use to sand the roads with. It's less like sand than really small pieces of pea gravel.
The bonus to Petersburg or Ketchikan is that your are only a ferry ride away from Prince of Wales Island. This island has hundreds of miles of old logging roads that you can 4x4 on. The FJ would be perfect for this. You are also only a ferry ride away from Prince Rupert B.C. so if you have friends in the NW it wouldn't be too hard to visit occasionally. It's still possible up north, but usually requires a much longer ($$$$) ferry ride or more commonly a drive down the Alcan (an adventure everyone should try once)
) and everyone we've talked to that's been there, or still is, LOVE it... we're huge outdoor enthusiasts and should find out as soon as January if we're going to Alaska or Portland, OR next.
). She was telling me that some of the houses there catch the rainwater off the roof and filter it into the house and use that as their 'running water'- don't know if I could get used to that. I'm used to the rain, living here in the PNW, but THAT much rain I think would drive me batty. We went down to the Hoh Rainforest to go camping back in September and it rained the entire time and that is comparable to Ketchikan. We actually put Ketchikan down as #6 or 7 (out of 8) for our picks.
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