A Car, A Camera, and A Country: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Day 137 - Confirmed $400 Expenses Reimbursement Through Insurance, Ulu Factory, Checked on Car, Birthday Lunch at Denny's, Laundry Day #10, Watched "What To Expect While You're Expecting" at Budget Theatre, Slept at Walmart

Day 137 - Confirmed $400 Expenses Reimbursement Through Insurance, Ulu Factory, Checked on Car, Birthday Lunch at Denny's, Laundry Day #10, Watched "What To Expect While You're Expecting" at Budget Theatre, Slept at Walmart

Monday, July 30, 2012

Day 136 - Arctic Thunder Air Show at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Near Anchorage, Anchorage Weekend Market, Shopping Downtown, Rental Car Gets a Bath, Check Email/Blog Updates, Slept at Walmart

Day 135 - Viewpoint from Petersville Rd, $4 Shower at Gas Station Near Talkeetna, Return to Talkeetna for Arts/Crafts Show and Shopping, Catch up on Email in Wasilla, Slept at wasilla Walmart

Day 134 - Denali Viewpoint South, Talkeetna Viewpoint, Explored Downtown Talkeetna, Ate Lunch at Talkeetna Roadhouse, Talkeetna Air Taxi - Ski Plane Flight - Base Camp Tour with Glacier Landing, Drove to Petersville, Slept in Turnout on Petersville Rd

Day 134 - Denali Viewpoint South, Talkeetna Viewpoint, Explored Downtown Talkeetna, Ate Lunch at Talkeetna Roadhouse, Talkeetna Air Taxi - Ski Plane Flight - Base Camp Tour with Glacier Landing, Drove to Petersville, Slept in Turnout on Petersville Rd

Day 134 - Denali Viewpoint South, Talkeetna Viewpoint, Explored Downtown Talkeetna, Ate Lunch at Talkeetna Roadhouse, Talkeetna Air Taxi - Ski Plane Flight - Base Camp Tour with Glacier Landing, Drove to Petersville, Slept in Turnout on Petersville Rd

Day 133 - Bus to Wonder Lake - Driven by Mike - Toklat River, Eielson Visitor Center, Wonder Lake, Reflection Pool, Walk to Kantishna, Miner's House, Kantishna Airport, Kantishna Roadhouse, Camper's Bus Back to Wilderness Access Center Driven by Chuck, Slept at Rest Stop Near Byers Lake

Day 133 - Bus to Wonder Lake - Driven by Mike - Toklat River, Eielson Visitor Center, Wonder Lake, Reflection Pool, Walk to Kantishna, Miner's House, Kantishna Airport, Kantishna Roadhouse, Camper's Bus Back to Wilderness Access Center Driven by Chuck, Slept at Rest Stop Near Byers Lake

Day 132 - Drove the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle, Visited Finger Mountain, Ate Lunch at Hotspot Cafe, Stopped at Yukon River, Visited the Arctic Circle Trading Company, Stopped at Pipeline Viewpoint, Drove to Denali National Park

Day 132 - Drove the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle, Visited Finger Mountain, Ate Lunch at Hotspot Cafe, Stopped at Yukon River, Visited the Arctic Circle Trading Company, Stopped at Pipeline Viewpoint, Drove to Denali National Park

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Day 131 - Bought Ticket for Bus to Wonder Lake For Thursday, Watched Movie: Across Time and Tundra, Visited Dog Kennel/Demonstration, Visitor Center Movie: Heartbeats of Denali, Ranger Walk - McKinley Station Trail, Savage River Loop Trail, Ranger Talk at Riley Creek Campground, $4 Shower at Riley Creek Mercantile, Drove to Fairbanks, Slept at Walmart

Day 131 - Bought Ticket for Bus to Wonder Lake For Thursday, Watched Movie: Across Time and Tundra, Visited Dog Kennel/Demonstration, Visitor Center Movie: Heartbeats of Denali, Ranger Walk - McKinley Station Trail, Savage River Loop Trail, Ranger Talk at Riley Creek Campground, $4 Shower at Riley Creek Mercantile, Drove to Fairbanks, Slept at Walmart

Day 130 - Dropped off Car at Auto Body Shop, Picked Up Rental Car, Visited Alaska Native Heritage Center - Sled Dog Cart Ride, Drove to Denali National Park, Slept at Visitor Center

Monday, July 23, 2012

Sleeping at Walmart?...

For those of my readers who follow my status more on here than on Facebook, I wanted to give you a status update so you can understand where I'm at.

I've been hovering around Anchorage, Alaska for the last 3 weeks (with a week in the Kenai peninsula) because of my car accident. When I got the initial estimate, they told me it would take about a week to get the parts in. Then, they told me it would be Tuesday 7/17. Tuesday came, and they finally received most of the parts, but the fog light assemblies are on national back order, and they don't have an ETA for them. The manager told me they might know something on Friday, but didn't call me, so I'm going to check tomorrow to see what he can tell me.

Unfortunately, when I started heading into Canada, it became apparent that the cost of going to Alaska was going to force me to change my plans, so I will not be able to fully circumnavigate the US. With the accident, I've been set back 2 weeks so far, and should have already been back in the lower 48 or en route. I still have at least another week to wait, since the repairs on my car will take that long, and that would only be possible if the remaining parts come in tomorrow.

Throughout this time, I've been trying to conserve money, but almost everything in Canada and Alaska is expensive, and my savings are almost fully depleted. Though I'm getting tired of it, it seems I will likely be forced to sleep in my car for the rest of my time in Alaska to conserve money. I'm probably going to be forced for the first time in my life to carry a balance on credit - a prospect I'm not very happy about, especially without any current means of income to pay for it.

I will continue to try to get to interesting places, but interesting dining and my personal comfort and cleanliness will likely take a back seat to ensuring I have enough money for a few activities of interest and the gas money I need to get home. Fortunately, several of the places I plan to stop at once I resume my travels are inexpensive or free (national parks), so most of these experiences will be impacted the least.

The down time has enabled me to spend some time uploading pictures to complete old posts, and I will continue to update all the posts until they have full descriptions of anything of interest and pictures I took.

Thanks for your understanding and your interest!

Day 129 - Went to the Weekend Market, Worked on Blog, Slept at Walmart

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Day 128 - Anchorage Museum, Walked Around Downtown, Checked Out Closing Street Market, Watched "Dark Knight Rises", Slept at Walmart

Day 127 - Downtown Shops, Talked to Rod Perry - A Musher from the Early Iditarods, Worked on Blog, Slept at Walmart

Friday, July 20, 2012

Day 126 - More Work on Blog, Stayed at Howard Johnson

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Day 125 - Worked on Blog, Checked out Alaska Fur Exchange, Worked on Blog, Whale Fat Follies at Taproot, Completed Day 9 of Blog, Slept at Walmart

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Day 124 - Clean Up Car, Shawarma and Baklava at Falafel King, Ulu Factory, Train Station, Slept at Walmart

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Day 123 - Chagach State Park - Thunder Bird Falls, Eklunta Lake, Slept at Travelodge

Monday, July 16, 2012

Day 122 - Alaska Zoo, Walked Around Shops Downtown, Ate Dinner at Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, Slept at Walmart

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Day 121 - Laundry Day #9, Alaska Wild Berry Products Chocolate Shop, Watched Dark Shadows at Regal Totem 8, Slept at Walmart

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Day 120 - Stopped by Auto Shop, Flattop Mountain Hike, Stayed at America's Best Value Inn/Executive Suite Hotel

Day 119 - Skilak Lake, Kenai River, Portage Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Slept at Walmart in Anchorage

Day 118 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Pratt Museum, Carl E. Wynn Nature Center, All Saints of America Orthodox Church (Segway on Trail), Slept at Arc Lake near Soldotna

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Day 117 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Ate Lunch at AJ's Old Town Steakhouse & Tavern, Visited Lighthouse Near Homer Spit, Walked Around Homer Spit, Slept in Turnout

Update on Car Repair

When I left the body shop last Thursday, I was under the impression that they would be ordering the parts for my car on Friday, after receiving the necessary information from my insurance company. This would have meant the weekend would have been included in the shipping time for the parts for my car.

While I have been in the Kenai Peninsula, I have had difficulty calling the shop, but today received a call from them, informing me that they just ordered the parts, so I can expect them around the 17th. Instead of being able to drop off my car for repair in a day or two, I probably won't be able to until next week.

I don't know yet how I will use this extra time, but it is further extending my visit to Alaska - a state I am really enjoying, but one of the most expensive ones to visit.

Day 116 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Clam Gulch State Park, Old Ninilchik, Anchor Point (Most Westerly Point in the Continental US Accessible By Road), Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Slept at Driftwood Inn

Day 116 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Clam Gulch State Park, Old Ninilchik, Anchor Point (Most Westerly Point in the Continental US Accessible By Road), Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Slept at Driftwood Inn

Monday, July 9, 2012

Day 115 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Kenai Fjords Tours 6 Hour Cruise, Alaska Sealife Center, Slept by a Lake Near Soldotna

Day 114 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Spent the Day at Exit Glacier - Harding Icefield Trail (Mostly), Edge of the Glacier Trail, Outwash Plain Trail, Ate Dinner at Railroad Cantina, Slept in Turnout Near Kenai National Park

Day 114 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Spent the Day at Exit Glacier - Harding Icefield Trail (Mostly), Edge of the Glacier Trail, Outwash Plain Trail, Ate Dinner at Railroad Cantina, Slept in Turnout Near Kenai National Park

Day 113 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Potter Marsh, Chugach State Park - Potter Section House State Historic Site, Beluga Point, Alyeska Resort, Portage Glacier, Drove through Seward, Slept in Turnout

Day 113 - Scenic Drive #19 - Kenai Peninsula - Potter Marsh, Chugach State Park - Potter Section House State Historic Site, Beluga Point, Alyeska Resort, Portage Glacier, Drove through Seward, Slept in Turnout

Day 112 - Shopped for an Auto Body Shop in Anchorage - Alaska Sales and Service, Lithia Auto Body, Slept at Walmart

Friday, July 6, 2012

General State of the Drive

Today is Day 112, and I'm currently in Anchorage, Alaska. This is sort of the half way point according to my original plan, which is being rewritten due to finances. I will not be able to afford a trip through the North-East/New England area, so that will have to wait for a follow up trip. I am planning to visit my friends Matt and Amanda in Minnesota, then head directly home through America's heartland. These are states I haven't visited yet, and are quite a bit cheaper to travel through, so I am not very disappointed that my plans have been forced to change.

I have logged nearly 15,000 miles on my car, plus around 530 miles of ferry travel and probably several hundred miles traversed on foot.

I continue to meet many interesting people, and I've given out many of the business cards I printed to invite people to this site. Very few of them have commented, so I don't know how many have actually looked at it, but I've enjoyed meeting them, even if they don't wish to keep up communication with me afterward.

My primary camera died, and needs to be sent to Nikon for an extensive repair to it and the lens, so I am now only using my Canon point and shoot. My car has had a few repairs along the way (~$800 in Mobile and a new battery (~$100) in San Francisco), and, as you can see from my recent post, is currently in need of extensive body work ($500 deductable + 20% of rental vehicle). I found a body shop today that is ordering parts, which will take about a week to arrive, then the work should be around 3-4 days. While waiting for the parts, I'm going to explore the Kenai peninsula, then during the work, I'm planning to explore Denali and Fairbanks.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Day 111 - July 4th! - Hung Around Wasilla, Filed Insurance Claim, Stayed at Travelodge in Anchorage

Day 110 - Alaskan Highway, Enger Creek Culvert Crash, Beaver Creek, Yukon-Alaska Border, Alcan Border to Tok, Tok to Glennallen, Glennallen to Palmer, Slept at Walmart in Wasilla

Day 109 - Juneau to Haines Ferry, American Bald Eagle Foundation, Big Al's Salmon Shack, The Hammer Museum, Dalton City (Set From White Fang), Haines Brewing Co., 33 Mile Roadhouse, Canada Border Crossing, Haines Junction, Slept at Rest Stop in Destruction Bay

Day 109 - Juneau to Haines Ferry, American Bald Eagle Foundation, Big Al's Salmon Shack, The Hammer Museum, Dalton City (Set From White Fang), Haines Brewing Co., 33 Mile Roadhouse, Canada Border Crossing, Haines Junction, Slept at Rest Stop in Destruction Bay

Day 108 - Alaska State Capitol, Walk Around Governor's Mansion, Alaska State Museum, Lunch at Twisted Fish Co., Met a Pair of Malamutes, Perseverance Trail/Red Mill Trail/Glory Hole Overlook, Auke Lake, Slept at Walmart

Day 108 - Alaska State Capitol, Walk Around Governor's Mansion, Alaska State Museum, Lunch at Twisted Fish Co., Met a Pair of Malamutes, Perseverance Trail/Red Mill Trail/Glory Hole Overlook, Auke Lake, Slept at Walmart

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Enger Creek Crash

Many people told me the Alaskan Highway was kind of rough for my car. I think most of them were thinking of how it used to be, rather than how it currently is. Unfortunately, on the drive through the Yukon yesterday, I experienced the full measure of how rough it currently is, which will likely make most people think they were right.

To be clear, the Alaskan Highway used to be extremely rough. When it was originally created, there were boulders in the middle of the road that you'd have to negotiate around, and the whole stretch was unpaved. Much of it is now paved, but the constant swelling of the road during the harsh winters allows potholes to cover about 95% of it (gravel and paved portions alike). When I was driving it, there were numerous repaving projects in different places along the highway, where the pavement had been scraped off, and it was bare gravel.

Driving on loose gravel can be slippery, but I've had lots of experience driving on it - even potholed gravel roads - on this trip. Often you can find a line that avoids most of the potholes. Having wide tires makes it harder to fully avoid them, but can allow you to go over some small ones. Unfortunately, combining rain and loose gravel does make the road about as slippery as any you'll ever drive on, so you do have to be very careful when negotiating around bad spots in the road.

On my drive into mainland Alaska from Haines, I had already driven roughly 320 miles of these conditions, when I approached the Enger Creek culvert. There was a large pot hole right in front of where the guard rails start over the culvert, so I tried to avoid it by going to the right, since the shoulder is pretty wide in that part of the road.

I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I think I just barely missed clearing it, so my driver's side front tire got caught, and on the looser gravel near the shoulder, the rest of my tires couldn't hold traction, so I started spinning toward the guard rail on the opposite side of the road. I steered toward the rail, trying to regain traction, but because of all the potholes on the road, there wasn't enough surface for my tires to grip. I hit that rail at an angle on the nose of my car. Bags flying all over my car, I continued my counter clockwise spin back to the guard rail on my side of the road, also managing to hit it on the nose of my car. From here, I was spun back around clockwise, and finally came to a rest, sitting sideways in both lanes at the other side of the culvert.

I gathered my wits, and got out of the car to see how it looked. I heard a hissing sound coming from the front, but didn't know exactly what it was. I saw a few pieces of my cowl and the styrofoam bits that broke off my bumper in the road, so I picked them up, but I knew I needed to get out of the road, so I dropped them by the railing, got back in and drove off to the side, where I parked in a turnoff about 100 feet away. I put on my raincoat, gathered up the pieces I left by the railing, set them on the top of my car, then popped the hood to check out the engine bay. Everything looked mechanically fine. Even the windshield washer fluid reservoir was fully in tact, so I knew the radiator was probably undamaged.

The hissing continued, so I bent down near the side of the car, and determined it was coming from my front tire. I checked the air pressure, and it was at about 26psi. At my lastoil change, the guys there forgot to top off the air in my tires, and when I was in Juneau I checked my tires, and this one was at about 28, and the others around 30 (I like to inflate them to 34). I was going to stop to put air in them then, but it was Sunday, and the garages were closed, and I didn't want to pay 50 cents or a dollar at a gas station, so I decided to wait until I could get to a shop that was open. Being down 2 psi from a couple of days before, it was a significant leak, but it was slow enough that I figured I could drive the rest of the 8 miles or so to Beaver Creek (the western most community in Canada).

After evaluating my car, I got my camera out to document the event. Several people passed me on the road while I was picking up the bits of my car and documenting the accident. Of the 15 or so vehicles, only 1 stopped to offer assistance. I didn't really need any, but it would have been nice to have more stop. I did notice that all of the vehicles also going westbound went to the eastbound lane to avoid the pothole instead of the shoulder, so that appears to have been my fatal mistake.

Video Post Crash Pt1
http://www.facebook.com/v/408155239219627

Video Post Crash Pt2

http://www.facebook.com/v/408165399218611

When I got to Beaver Creek, my first stop was a gas station, and the attendant there told me the closest shop that could fix my car was in Anchorage or Fairbanks (each roughly 350 miles away). I was headed to Anchorage anyway, so I bought a can of fix a flat (the stuff that rarely does any good), and went outside to put it in the tire. Once I sprayed it in, I drove around to the side of the building to fill my tires, and topped them all off to 34 (topped off the spare to it's recommended 60).

When I put air in the bad tire, I instantly saw the green liquid from the can ooze out from between the rim and the tire, telling me I'd likely gotten debris between them, which was the cause of the leak. I drove across the street to the visitor center, and the guy there told me there was a shop just down the street that could help me with the tire (wish the gas station guy had told me about them). For $20 Cn, the guys at the shop cleaned off the rim and reseated the tire, and it has been fine since.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Day 107 - Visited Mendenhall Glacier, Walked Moraine Ecology Trail, Visitor Center, Drove to Safeway to Charge Camera Battery, Watched Bear Cub Get Pepper Sprayed, Photo Point Trail, Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail (Including A.J. Falls Spur and Overlook Spur), Slept at Walmart

Day 107 - Visited Mendenhall Glacier, Walked Moraine Ecology Trail, Visitor Center, Drove to Safeway to Charge Camera Battery, Watched Bear Cub Get Pepper Sprayed, Photo Point Trail, Nugget Falls Trail, East Glacier Trail (Including A.J. Falls Spur and Overlook Spur), Slept at Walmart