Bus Trippers- Alaska Adventure

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 11:25 am Post subject: Bus Trippers- Alaska Adventure

Hello Samba Crew!

We've been adventuring in VW buses all over the place for over 40 years, with many of those miles having been off the beaten path! My wife and I have extensively traveled Mexico, Canada, and all over the US in VW buses, and since our son was born, we've continued this adventurous tradition! Now that he's a hearty, 8 year-old little boy, it's time to step it up!

Amongst many other sailing, and traveling adventures, last winter we did a short trip through Northern Baja, coined the Baja Bus Trip. https://www.facebook.com/groups/131712057004005/

This summer we'll be heading up to Alaska, and eventually above the Arctic Circle to Inuvik NWT, CA. We'll be leaving toward the end of July, and be on the road for about a month.

Our good friends at Bad Dog Racing and Skinner Classics will be joining in this endeavor, so it will be a two-bus adventure to some of the north-most reaches of the North American continent accessible via dirt road.

We'll be updating our ABT Facebook Page, and here when we can.
https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaBusTrip

We'd like to meet people along the route, which is somewhat flexible at this point!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Here are a few pics from Baja!

One of our teams broke a nosecone, and we were able to source one locally, and repair it on the trip!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1015212563494...mp;theater

Off to Alaska!
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Riding with Surf City had me thinking "F'n Piercy" was your real name.

earlywesty · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:51 pm Post subject:

Cool Trip! Ì'll be watching this thread for sure. We are leaving for a 6000 km trip across Canada with our 3 kids in two weeks.

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject:

We're refining our itinerary, and we'd love to meet up with you! Though we're not going to stick to it exactly so as to keep open to adventure, we do have some hard dates that we'll adhere to:

Leaving Santa Cruz on July 24th headed through Oregon, Washington, and Western Canada to Anchorage. We will be heading up the 99 to 97 to Canada 16. We can deviate from this route slightly to meet with cool people.

Our first stop on the 24th will be somewhere in extreme northern CA or Southern Oregon.

The next hard date that we have to adhere to is when part of our crew flies out of Anchorage on Aug 9th in the morning. The Bad Dog Crew flies into Anchorage Aug 9th in the eve. We will be heading north through Dawson, and on into Inuvik. Then we'll make our way south; taking a different route than we took going north.

Then the only hard date after those is getting back for BugO on Aug 31st.

We hope to see you along the route somewhere!

Map area for day 1:

We've been getting the bus in order, which includes fixing a long neglected camping interior:

To try out the new table and jump seat, we had family taco night in the driveway:

More soon...

https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaBusTrip
_________________
Riding with Surf City had me thinking "F'n Piercy" was your real name.

Riff Raff · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:54 pm Post subject:

If you're coming through Calgary, let me know the approximate date and you guys can stop by for a BBQ, shower, oil change, whatever.
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The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge
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campingbox · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject:

You guys are welcome to stop by. Have a great trip!

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks, guys! I don't think we'll be getting east to Calgary, but thank you very much for the offer. Mr. Box, we'll take you up on it! Haven't been there since the Kragar Kombi! Will PM.

Thanks!
_________________
Riding with Surf City had me thinking "F'n Piercy" was your real name.

Wheelie Pete · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:15 am Post subject:

You'll meet lots of great folks on the way! I'll try to do the Anchorage to Dawson leg with you! You look experienced, but bring some spare parts - hah! You have a great trip planned!

Scooterboyd · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:55 am Post subject:

You are awesome to take on this challenge!
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62 - 23 Window Bus
60 - Karmann Ghia Convertible
59 - Convertible Raceable Baja Bug
63 - Dune Buggy
65 - Single Cab

williamM · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 12:09 pm Post subject:

When you get to Mt Shasta- camp at Lake Siskiyou - rent a pontoon boat and see the Mt from the lake (google it) good fishing- beach and various camp sites.

Visit Ashland Or before you get to Medford- you won't be disappointed. Then there is Jacksonville 1850's mining town. Search the Ruch antique motors show- thats a sight to see.

Then -lunch on the river at Grants Pass- Take the mail boat cruise if you have time- nice motel right there to re-fresh.
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some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

nigel naughton · Samba Member Joined: October 31, 2001 Posts: 122

Are you sure you want to be doing this? VW Buses aren't a good choice for traveling as they tend to break down due to their poor design and lack of reliability. You should make sure you bring a crew with you with extra engines, tires, brakes, etc..pretty much everything.. so good luck!

edit: WTF am I talking about??!! haha

I just see so many people are scared to do what you are doing and putting their trust in their bus. You are doing EXACTLY what they are designed for.

Hope to see you along the way.

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:40 pm Post subject:

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:50 pm Post subject:

The Surf City Team is packed and ready to roll! Looks like we'll be leaving on the 24th from Santa Cruz, CA, and we'll be heading to Sacramento to meet up with the second team that will be joining us on this Alaska adventure! More info on that soon...

_________________
Riding with Surf City had me thinking "F'n Piercy" was your real name.

turkis-deluxe · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:51 pm Post subject:

Good luck and enjoy the trip!!!

earlywesty · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:01 am Post subject:

BulliBill · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:24 am Post subject:

Awesome! You guys are going to have a wonderful adventure! We'll all be following it too! You have our best wishes for a incredible adventure!

Bill Bowman
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I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!

Clara · Samba Member Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12400

Sounds like fun!

Big Bill · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:16 am Post subject:

Best of luck on your trip. I will be following from behind the keyboard, I had hoped to do this trip on a dual sport bike......maybe someday. Very Happy

srfndoc · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:44 am Post subject:

Have a great/safe trip guys!
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drpete · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:25 pm Post subject:

What a great adventure. Safe travels to you. I'm driving my '60 in October to Tucumcari, NM. It'll be 2500 miles, but that's just a short pleasure cruise compared to your trip. We'll all be following you on your drive....ENJOY!!! Applause

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Happy to be alive. Hey Dad, Mom, wish you were here to see all this.

Pete Keesling
Driving a VW every day.....

SurfCityRacing · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks, everyone! We've gotten a number of really great invites to stop along the way and chill with awesome VW people! We'll do our best to make it happen! That's the beauty of a trip with no real set itinerary.

Such generous offers, thanks!
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Riding with Surf City had me thinking "F'n Piercy" was your real name.


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