Alaska and Washington

[agentsteel53]

photos from two weeks ago...



https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2012/10/03/alaska-and-washington-sept-2012-part-i/

[agentsteel53]

and here is Part II...



https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2012/10/18/alaska-and-washington-sept-2012-part-ii/

[kkt]

Beautiful photo essays!  Thanks!

[meestersam]

I've been wanting to see photos like these since I moved to Seattle.  This is a roadtrip bucket list thing for me-- you're awesome for doing it.

[xonhulu]

As always, great set of photos, Jake.  I always envy you for your trips, as well as your photography skills!

[agentsteel53]

thanks!

here is part III:



https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2012/10/25/alaska-and-washington-sept-2012-part-iii/

[Alps]

Holy everlasting gobstoppers, you found button copy in Alaska. Assuming that's on AK 2 north of Fairbanks? May require me to detour that way.

[agentsteel53]

Holy everlasting gobstoppers, you found button copy in Alaska. Assuming that's on AK 2 north of Fairbanks? May require me to detour that way.

correct.  southbound only.  If I recall correctly, in 2007 both directions were button copy, but now northbound is Clearview.

[kphoger]

Was the rental company OK with gravel roads?
I know many aren't, at least in the lower 48.

[agentsteel53]

Was the rental company OK with gravel roads?
I know many aren't, at least in the lower 48.

what they didn't know didn't hurt 'em.

[kkt]

Was the rental company OK with gravel roads?
I know many aren't, at least in the lower 48.

what they didn't know didn't hurt 'em.

Unless the car is seriously damaged and the rental car company looks at the underside.

[oscar]

Was the rental company OK with gravel roads?
I know many aren't, at least in the lower 48.

what they didn't know didn't hurt 'em.

Unless the car is seriously damaged and the rental car company looks at the underside.

Windshield damage is the main issue with Alaska's gravel roads (secondary issue is you blow through potholes without a heavy-duty suspension).  If the windows and shocks/struts came out intact, you should be good with the rental car company.  And if you're careful to slow down and pull over for oncoming trucks, that reduces the risk from flying gravel. 

Windshield damage is pretty common for vehicles that spend a lot of time up there.  But this summer I drove several thousand miles (in my own pickup truck) on most of the gravel roads in Alaska and northwest Canada (including round-trip on the entire Dalton Highway), no glass damage whatsoever. 

[kphoger]

Was the rental company OK with gravel roads?
I know many aren't, at least in the lower 48.

what they didn't know didn't hurt 'em.

I only ask because you mentioned sending a report to the rental agency, which I assume included the location of damage done.  I once bottomed out on a speed bump in a Mexican rental car, and didn't mention anything when I turned it in because damage due to the road surface generally isn't covered.  I also turned the car in covered in dirt, even though my policy specifically stated paved roads only.  I wasn't too worried about it, though, since the agency owner recommended a drive to us that include dirt roads.

[agentsteel53]

here's part four!



https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2012/10/30/alaska-and-washington-sept-2012-part-iv-2/

[Kacie Jane]

here's part four!



https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2012/10/30/alaska-and-washington-sept-2012-part-iv-2/

Subtitled: Why Kacie Jane lives in Bellingham

[KEVIN_224]

Awesome pictures! Too bad I've never been in that part of the country.