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Post by porkchapes on Feb 8, 2006 0:34:39 GMT -5
Hi my name is Paul and my girlfriend and I will be moving to Alaska from wisconsin this spring/summer. We are wondering if we can rent a place in the mat su valley for at least the summer. We want a cabin without water/power, but would jump on one that has both. My question for this forum is how do i keep food preserved in this future cabin? will i have to eat mostly canned foods? what can i do with meat? random questions i know, but i hope to get to know you all shortly.-paul
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Post by naturerules1 on Feb 8, 2006 9:54:56 GMT -5
Hello Paul and your girlfriend!!! Whats her name?
It sounds like you have a lot of work to do... My Sweetheart and I are also going up this winter( provided the house sells) But we have been planning for years and gathering our equipment needed to be totally self sufficient. And most importantly gathering the knowledge.
If you like to read, Grab some bradford angier books he writes on everything on the subject of moving to the bush and there are a multitude of other books you can obtain on ebay or check out your local used book stores... On drying and canning meats and fish, gardening in Alaska, (if you will be in the right zone for a garden) Then there is John Seymores book(Guide to self Sufficiency) Which covers Everything under the sun. But I highly recommend Bradford Angiers Books! He and his wife Did Homestead in Canada. We are in Wisconsin too, But not for longggggggg! Small world huh? Cynthia & Robert
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lori
Cheechako
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Post by lori on Feb 10, 2006 20:20:58 GMT -5
Hi, my husband Brian and I are originally from Wi. too. We are from Bancroft...know where that is ? HA Been up here for 8 years with the air force... good luck on your plans to move up here. If you are like us you will fall in love and never want to move back!
Lori
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Post by naturerules1 on Feb 12, 2006 16:52:26 GMT -5
Lori, Sorry it's been a while since I read here...Robert and I are in Weyerhaeuser which is slightly north of Bancroft. I went up to alaska just once and the alaska bug jumped down my pants and bit me in the butt!!! Robert had spent a few years there and Has always wanted to go back, but you know how life can change your plans!!! Well We are leaving for Alska this month!!! Yippeeeee!!!!! The bus is packed and we are working out the wrinkles in the plans...We will be in the Alexander Creek area about 30 miles in. We are so excited, The dream is coming true!!! Cynthia and Robert
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lori
Cheechako
Posts: 15
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Post by lori on Feb 17, 2006 18:07:57 GMT -5
Cynthia and Robert..good luck on your travels and plans once here... Feb. isnt the time I would pick to drive from WI to AK... but if its time and youve got the bug then I guess it doesnt matter!!! Have a safe trip and enjoy the scenery!!
Lori
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Post by naturerules1 on Feb 22, 2006 11:07:49 GMT -5
Lori...Thank you so much! We have been getting things ready for the trip through canada and are pretty much ready,,,We depart march 1st!!! P.s We have lots of duct tape, for I know the customs will rip everything apart!!! LOL Cynthia
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Post by Jenny on Feb 22, 2006 15:33:37 GMT -5
Just wondering if you have to have a passport to go through Canada and back into the US now? We heard that took effect in Jan. but wasn't sure.
Are you bringing a laptop with you and will you be able to stay in touch during your move. We'd love to stay in touch with you. Any word on the road conditions on the Alcan? When I drove up, it was September, but that year was a very early winter. The roads were black ice the whole way, and the sand trucks weren't out yet. Glad I had 4-wheel drive, but I still slid around the whole trip.
Keep us posted!
Jenny
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Post by wolfwoman on Feb 22, 2006 18:00:17 GMT -5
Be prepared for anything when going thru customs in Canada on both sides of the border. You would not believe the horror stories that people coming into the store here tell us. Make sure you have passports whether you need them or not, it will make your life easier. I have one story that I'll relate to everyone: These people are Chickaloon Locals and they live here 6 months out of the year and 6 months Outside. This past year on their way back in they were detained coming over the border in Montana. They drive a cargo type van in and out all the time and it was jam packed full of their things that they transport back and forth every 6 months. This particular time customs decided to search the entire van after showing passports, paperowrk, etc. After pretty much making a royal mess of anything that was in the van they found a peashooter/dartshooter type weapon' that they used for fun when they were relaxing but wanted something to do. Because of this so-called 'weapon' the husband was throw in jail, the van was impounded. After a bunch of rigamarole they were NOT allowed to go hru customs and were told they needed to go back to Montana and they didn't care if they waited 5 mintues or 5 days to come back thru again. Well, needless to say they were eventually allowed thru, but this is just an example of some of the hassles that people have had coming to Alaska. Not pretty stories, but true. Be careful, have everything in order and whatever you do, no matter HOW pissed off you get DO not get smart/angry with them, or you'll not be coming thru!  Take care and drive safe! Wolfie |
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Post by pipedreams on Feb 22, 2006 18:10:19 GMT -5
My son went through out of Alaska via Tok and back into the US at Bellingham in Novemeber. He was driving MY truck packed from end to end and then some with personal belongings. He was traveling with his girlfriend and my Lab. Also, his wallet was either lost or stolen in AK, so they ended up having to get new Alaska DL's!! The day before the departed Alaska!  Brand new ID's....a dog, a truck registered to someone else? I figured they were doomed to spending forever at the border crossings! Zero problems on either end!  You never know I guess.........but be prepared for sure!  |
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Post by wolfwoman on Feb 22, 2006 18:19:20 GMT -5
Pipedreams,
I can relate. When hubby and I came thru we had two kids, two vehicles, two dogs, a bird and a u-haul full of crap. Drove right thru. BUT that was 6 years ago too. Go figure, they did look at the dogs and bird health certificate, but that was it.
Being prepared is the key.
Wolfie
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Post by Jenny on Feb 22, 2006 18:56:58 GMT -5
When I came up to Alaska years ago, it was just me and a truck packed with way more junk than I ever needed, including a blowgun (which is great for house of fun, btw)! Back then it was still legal to come though with just about anything except pistols. Good Grief! Do they even allow pocket knives anymore?  I spend tons of time making a detailed list of everything that was in every box, had ALL my papers handy, everything. All they did in Canada was ask for my driver's license. All that work on my part for nothing. Then when I got the the boarder in Alaska, the gate was down but nobody was around. I had to park and go inside. I was amazed at how leisurely it was. The one boarder agent there said the computers were "running slow" that morning, so we sat and had a cup of coffee for a few minutes while I waited. We had a nice little conversation, but he never even questioned me on anything other than things like "so, did you have a nice drive through Canada", and "what brings you all the way to Alaska from Georgia?" -- things like that. Anyway, when I got here, I talked to folks who'd had the opposite experience, like your' friends Wolfie. But they sure weren't throwing folks in jail because of a silly blowgun! Talk about paranoid! Jenny |
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Post by naturerules1 on Feb 22, 2006 23:01:34 GMT -5
Jenny, We took the crash course in going thru customs...You will need a passport as of Dec 06. As far as guns going thru you can have hunting rifles or shotguns but must fill out forms and pay 50 dollars each. any pistol with a 4 inch or shorter barrel is considered a no!no! So we are having the 357 shipped via gun dealer to gun dealer. Cynthia and Robert
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Post by Washkeeton on Feb 23, 2006 0:46:12 GMT -5
To add to the list make a list of everything and i mean everything you all have that you are bringing. I numbered every box and put what was in it on a list. Any animals you all have make sure you have up to date shots and records for all of them. You have to be able to prove that you have at least 2000 (not sure if it is cash or credit) so if your vehicle breaks down then you can get it fixed and out of canada. Lots of folks like to break down and end up staying in their country so they are tryig to minimise this continuing. keep your guns and amo seperate. make sure your amo is in some kind of locked container. (foot lockers work well for this). As they said above go ahead and get a passport. make sure that you have registrations on your car, and can show proof that your carrier will cover you passing through canada get an insurance card for that also if you can. Birth cirtificates. Carry them originals preferably. can send off to your state of birth capitol for them. Kids also if you have them. If you have a blended family make sure you have a letter from the birth parent stating that they are ok with you taking their kids to ak and through canada. You could be charged with kidnapping. any weapons need to be away from the driving cab of where you are. this includes knives etc. I will add more as i think of it. Was not a big deal to go through customs my first time cause I offered everything up front. Alcohol and tobacco will be given a charge like the firearms. You have to declare any alcohol and tobacco. I think I stay in ak partly cause i am scared about customs and going through there any more. I will stay on this side of the border. Ok no I wont. I have to fly home and pick up my moms stuff that is in storage in the lower 48 and drive it back up here this summer. yikes i am scared. I will be bringing firearms back.
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lori
Cheechako
Posts: 15
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Post by lori on Feb 23, 2006 15:18:28 GMT -5
My recent experience thru Canada was ok. I had two kids, a dog and what must have looked like half our lifes belongings in our mini van. Spent three months driving around the lower 48 visiting family and friends. My husband met me in WI on his mid tour leave from Bahrain. We had our birth certificates and dog health cert., no firearms, and no meat... such as venison or beef to claim. They looked at me kind of funny as we went thru, but had no trouble, even when we crossed from Canada back into Minnesota for a day then crossed back to Canada to head home. This was Oct. last year. Roads were ok, lots of continual work between Whitehorse and Glenallen and some further south in Canada as well like around Lliard hot springs, which is open year around by the way... great place to stop and soak out the driving aches!!!. Hope you guys have smooth sailing all the way,
Lori
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Post by smwon on Jul 12, 2006 0:24:29 GMT -5
porkchapes... I think I am jealous! I want to go too! The best to you and hope everything works out. I am wondering if you made it? Guess he hasn't been on here since  |
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I spend tons of time making a detailed list of everything that was in every box, had ALL my papers handy, everything. All they did in Canada was ask for my driver's license. All that work on my part for nothing. Then when I got the the boarder in Alaska, the gate was down but nobody was around. I had to park and go inside. I was amazed at how leisurely it was. The one boarder agent there said the computers were "running slow" that morning, so we sat and had a cup of coffee for a few minutes while I waited. We had a nice little conversation, but he never even questioned me on anything other than things like "so, did you have a nice drive through Canada", and "what brings you all the way to Alaska from Georgia?" -- things like that. Anyway, when I got here, I talked to folks who'd had the opposite experience, like your' friends Wolfie. But they sure weren't throwing folks in jail because of a silly blowgun! 
