Thanks for the kind words, guys. I got to relive the trip by putting the report together, and I wanted to have a story rather than a couple thousand pictures and random memories that I might never have written down or shared.

The hardest part was sorting the photos. I made a favorites file consisting of about 10% of the photos we took. Thanks to metadata, they were chronological. After that, the TR kind of writes itself. The photos don't have to be great--just something to trigger a memory and prompt a comment or a story.

I really appreciate Zane's help, too, both for this specific project and for creating and maintaining this site.

Terry/CAVU

Excellent Trip and report! Now i am completely homesick.

Nice reports!! You hit pretty much the optimal time frame to explore Alaska, at least in my opinion. Right around the solstice the weather tends to be pretty decent, though there are typically lots of thunderstorms, but they're typically small and short lived.

It's hard to believe how difficult US Customs has gotten, though they've never been what I would call "friendly". Good for you for dealing with them professionally, and well prepared.

You covered a lot of ground, but there's lots more out there, just waiting. Your son is truly blessed to have a Dad who'll make these kinds of adventures happen, and share them.

Wow! Just Wow!! What an awesome adventure to enjoy with your son. Making memories is what it's all about!

Amazing trip report. I hope to mimic it someday with my girls. Also... Go Buffs!

Just Wow. Love a trip that you can measure in oil changes!

-DP

mtv wrote:Nice reports!! You hit pretty much the optimal time frame to explore Alaska, at least in my opinion. Right around the solstice the weather tends to be pretty decent, though there are typically lots of thunderstorms, but they're typically small and short lived.

It's hard to believe how difficult US Customs has gotten, though they've never been what I would call "friendly". Good for you for dealing with them professionally, and well prepared.

You covered a lot of ground, but there's lots more out there, just waiting. Your son is truly blessed to have a Dad who'll make these kinds of adventures happen, and share them.

Thanks, Mike. Your input on timing that's in the Alaska section of the Knowledge Base was particularly helpful, and guided us to make the trip in June rather than later.

I left out some of the details about our interaction with Customs because I didn't want to detract from the main story, which was overwhelmingly positive. Canadian Customs in Kelowna was polite and professional. They were very by-the-book and scrutinized us like we've never had before entering Canada. No more phone call, here's your number, have a good trip. Two armed officers met us in their pickup truck as we pulled up to the FBO and shut down. They asked my son a bunch of questions about our trip and about me, including what I did for a living, while I went inside the FBO (with their permission). I get that times are different. It certainly shows. The U.S. officer in Northway was friendly and very helpful. They really are short-staffed in Northway, and he probably had to wait an extra hour in order to meet us. He also sympathized with the dilemma we all face about trying to hit an arrival window in Fairbanks or Anchorage (with a fuel stop in Tok) when weather is such a factor. Safety comes first and if you have to put down, you put down and wait it out. Crossing from the U.S. back into Canada wasn't so bad, other than the bureaucratic cluster/search for our prior record of entry. Re-entry into the U.S. at Dorothy Scott went pretty smoothly, but there was an attitude and some comments that put us on edge. No one on either side of the border asked to see our medicals or radio station license.

We are both just awe-struck by Alaska. Our experience was so rich and incredible, yet it is glaringly obvious that we just scratched the surface. I can't wait to go back, and for more time.

Terry

The area between the White Mountains and the Brooks Range to the north is the area that I worked primarily for 20 years. The Yukon Flats.... As you pointed out, there are a few bugs throughout that country, certainly at that time of year. Not quite so bad in the fall, but different bugs..

Glad you and your son had such a great trip!! Keep after it....there's lots more near where you roamed.

Awesome trip! And awesome trip report. I made a fairly lame report of my first trip to Alaska, compared to yours, anyway. I made a second trip, 1/2 of it with my son this last year. You’ve inspired me to spend some time and add it to the pile here on BCP. I relate to sooooo much that you said about your trip. Incredible. Thanks for sharing!!!

cwoolley wrote:Awesome trip! And awesome trip report. I made a fairly lame report of my first trip to Alaska, compared to yours, anyway. I made a second trip, 1/2 of it with my son this last year. You’ve inspired me to spend some time and add it to the pile here on BCP. I relate to sooooo much that you said about your trip. Incredible. Thanks for sharing!!!

I really like your report. You're one of the ones here who inspired me to get up and go, and also filled in some useful information about how to do it. I couldn't do a blog while we were still traveling. There was too much to do and too much going on all the time. I don't know how I would have managed customs if I was by myself. That probably would have added a few days.

You clearly did better fishing than I did, although I'm still waiting to see those bass.

I hope you'll post something on your trip this summer.

Terry

Thank you for sharing the experience. Next time you are in King Salmon, look me up.

There is a lot that I don't get to see myself, though I get an uncommon level of familiarity with the places I do fly in SW Alaska. But most of the rest of the state I really don't get to at all. A report like this makes me think I need to take vacation time in the summer someday. Not sure how that is even feasible...but might have to if I want to see some of those places.

Troy Hamon wrote:Thank you for sharing the experience. Next time you are in King Salmon, look me up.

There is a lot that I don't get to see myself, though I get an uncommon level of familiarity with the places I do fly in SW Alaska. But most of the rest of the state I really don't get to at all. A report like this makes me think I need to take vacation time in the summer someday. Not sure how that is even feasible...but might have to if I want to see some of those places.

Thanks, Troy. I definitely want another crack at the big rainbows.

We didn't make it to the Wrangell-St. Elias, or to countless other places. When I look at the map of our travels, I'm struck by how much we flew over and where we didn't go. Saying "I'm going to visit Alaska" is like saying "I'm going to visit South America." It is a great comfort and motivator knowing that so much more awaits.

Terry

Amazing trip and awesome write up. I have always wanted to do a brooks range trip. This just adds to the desire. You will want to do a trip to the Wrangells next time. Lots of good 206 strips for camping and exploring out there.
Might just plan on a coastal route to see a whole different side of Alaska.

Great write-up CAVU!! I enjoyed your words and pictures equally. You have a good writing style.

I have two boys and I love to share flying trips with them.... we are all so lucky to do this at this time

Thanks, guys. Next time is definitely going to include the Wrangells. I want to do SE, too. I hope to have even more time the next trip. I know I can't get enough, no matter where I go. I am definitely going to return to the places we went on this trip though. I can't stop dreaming of them now. One time is just not enough.

Merry Xmas!

Terry/CAVU