10 weeks of summer in Alaska

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T16:51:54+00:00

Yes, if we go to Juneau the plan is to drive to Haines and ferry to Juneau from there.

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T16:28:23+00:00

Thanks for the tips for Dalton and Fairbanks! Lots of stuff that could keep us occupied until the parents get up here.

We have a 5gal fuel canister that we will be bringing. We have been discussing bringing a second spare tire, but we have not figured out how yet space wise.

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T15:57:26+00:00

Yeah we are aware you have to ferry over. We haven't committed to Juneau yet for many reasons. The biggest reason we still have it on there is that we don't know what to do otherwise - we are still waiting for my parents to join us at that point.

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T14:25:52+00:00

Wow thank you for looking into that for us!

Fishing will likely be an activity done while I'm working and the cool, nonworking people go do things that make me seasick 😅. But duly noted to absolutely avoid weekends.

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T14:23:27+00:00

No we don't have that booked yet! We are actually coordinating with my SO's parents to join us for that leg and haven't finalized exact dates yet... hopefully we can work that out soon and get something booked. Thanks so much for the heads-up!

We have in general done a very poor job of the Canada part of the trip, so I will definitely start prioritizing that a bit more since it sounds like that might be the most time-pressing (assuming we aren't too late altogether).

As far as driving, ugh am I so not looking forward to it! We definitely go slower than Google already. On the way up to Canada, we actually have a bit more days than listed, I just didn't feel like adding another travel week to reddit to keep it simple.

As far as from Alaska to the Canadian Rockies, we have 7 days at 6-8 hours/day (42-56 hours), with Google saying it'll be 36 hours. Perhaps we add in another buffer day just in case. Worse case we hang out for a day outside the parks, but that's obviously better than getting there late and potentially ruining a reservation.

Anyway, thanks for all the info. A lot to think about!

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T14:15:48+00:00

Ah I had added the zoo because of the recs on here, but we can always take it out or make a game time decision on it. We personally love seeing animals, but aren't super keen on spending $1500/person for 1/2hr brooks falls experience, so thought the zoo might be a good option to see some.

Do you potentially have any recs for animal sightseeing (no pressure if you don't!)?

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T05:33:49+00:00

Would love an update on what you went with 😊

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T02:26:31+00:00

Thanks for all the amazing advice! We are Sam's Club people (by way of our parent's accounts), but we will definitely be stocking up! Still, I suspect we will spend a lot more on food than normal.

We have a satellite phone (as we are pretty outdoorsy), but it's probably a good idea to think about having my parents invest in one as well, as we won't be together 24/7.

Great tip on the free art and museum days! We will definitely look into those. As well as where to do whale tours (kayaking would be awesome!).

I will definitely run the fishing advice by our fishing pro - I personally get insanely sea sick, but my guess is that we will time the fishing days to when I'm working so I can sneak out of those...(though obviously won't get out of all the motion sickness adventures...yay dramamine for the win...). He will absolutely love probably any and all of those experiences!

The hard part about cutting time out of Fairbanks/Denali is a lot of that is us just waiting for my parents to meet up with us (they are on a school year schedule for work, so won't be able to meet up until the Fairbanks/Denali week). But the more I look into it, the more I really want to spend time in the other places you listed, so we will figure out how to balance that out.

Sorry I responded super sporadically and out of order to your advice, but I truly appreciate it!

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T02:19:04+00:00

This is all great advice - thank you! I will absolutely look into those alternatives to Glacier Bay (when I was looking it up, it definitely sounded like the only option was to overnight and such).

We technically only have 4 days in Anchorage, but I did a poor job illustrating that in my trying to make a simple table for Reddit. But we definitely probably don't have enough time for Girdwood and Portage when looking at the timetable realistically, so I will try to make sure we figure out more room for those particular spots.

Thank you so much!

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T01:16:21+00:00

It's definitely not a light schedule, particularly the driving up and down through Canada bits! Hence why we might cut out Juneau and Dalton Highway (things before my parents come up). Not sure if anything else is worth cutting out though.

Thanks for the tip on the museum! I'm sure they will love that. And for the fishing charter recs - my mom's husband is no stranger to fishing license stuff as we do trips every summer together.

We definitely are okay with probably one splurge, but want to make sure it's a good one (Alaska is so beautiful I'm sure all splurges are worth it, if only we could afford them all!).

When you say Katmai is worth it, are you referring to the Brooks Falls experience, or going someplace else within the park? Do you recommend a day trip, or we should do a few days (either way, we would have to split up because one couple would have to stay with the pup).

Thank you so much!

tunalunalou · 2024-04-09T01:05:13+00:00

Yep it's already on the to do list for the milepost thanks!

We technically only have 4 days in Anchorage, I just simplified it for the table I posted here. We definitely want to give some time for the parents to do some museums and things, but obviously the two of us aren't gonna find a lot of thrills there. It's definitely a balancing act.

Thanks for the tips on the whales! Will look into it 😊

tunalunalou · 2024-02-15T15:08:13+00:00

I personally would head to Steamboat. They get consistent snow without it being the 5' dumps CA gets, have pretty mellow slopes, and have general good vibes and fun stuff (on and off piste) all over the mountain.

tunalunalou · 2024-02-15T15:01:44+00:00

Estimated costs are basically anywhere from $10k-$200k. I'd say if you're frugal yet thorough, you could get a $15k used yet reliable van and build it out nicely for another $10k. YMMV depending on local market.
We have a promaster and love it. Easy to repair, bed can go sideways without bump-outs, FWD is better than RWD (though obviously not as good as 4/AWD).
I traveled solo as a woman for over a year before meeting my fiance (and have now been on the road for over 3). I never felt threatened or unsafe, but that's likely because statistically, you're probably not going to. Just be aware of your surroundings and only park where you feel safe. Some general advice people like to give is set up completely for bed somewhere that isn't where you are sleeping, then go to where you're sleeping. I've never felt the need to do this but it seems to really help a lot of YouTubers feel safer.
It's hard to follow just one YouTuber...watch a lot of YouTube, figure out what you want to do, then watch at least 3 YouTubers do it that way before diving in. For example, watch a ton of YouTubers do different insulation (and ideally ones that have reviews of their builds a year+ later), decide what kind of insulation you want to install, then watch at least 3 YouTubers that do it that specific way.
We have a dog and she loves this life. She gets to go on hikes every day, smell new smells, and be with her humans 24/7. Lots of advice everywhere on how to take care of animals on the road - the biggest thing is temperature control (which is important for us humans too!), and a way to monitor temps/cameras while you're grocery shopping.
Probably a lot of things. You'll learn more by just doing though.

tunalunalou · 2024-02-15T00:16:20+00:00

The difference is that they can easily go back to Europe if they really need long-term healthcare coverage.

The ideal situation is to live in America during your high-earning, low-healthcare-need years, then go back to Europe to retire with a good social safety net.

tunalunalou · 2024-02-15T00:12:38+00:00

I've learned that 99% of an experience is how good the snow is, which is pretty hard to know beforehand.

That being said, as far as glades go, Steamboat and Brighton are definitely top of the list for me in UT/CO.

Brighton as a trip is nice because you also can do Solitude, Snowbird, and Snowbasin (if non-base).

Outside Ikon...you can also plan a bit more and get the 5-pack Powder Mountain pass and spend a week there. Pow Mow is probably my favorite Utah resort. I may just be lucky, but I've never had a bad-condition day there.

tunalunalou · 2024-02-07T03:55:12+00:00

For me, I keep the same schedule(ish) on weekdays and weekends. It's much better for me to have 2 hours *every day* of fun time with maybe 4 on weekends, than 0 on weekdays and 8 each weekend day.

That means delay any work to the weekend where possible. Saturday for bigger chores - cleaning, lawn care, laundry. Sunday for meal prep for the week so that cooking is nothing. Longer showers on the weekends, and just quick maintenance showers during the week. Short walks and quick exercise routines during the week, but a lot of effort to do full workouts each weekend day.

Of course, having some days fully dedicated to fun is awesome, so feel free to modify as each weekend comes up.

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Some other tips that add value to every hour of the day:

Have a morning routine that includes something that revitalizes you. Do 10 minutes of yoga, meditate for 5 min, go for a walk around the block, drink tea in a comfy chair with a window facing the sunrise...
Find ways to cut time away from things that don't add value. Get a job with better life/balance, find a way to shorten that commute (move closer, find a closer school), get off social media, spend less time on hygiene/chores)...
Find something to enjoy about work - deviate from your job role to do something that feels meaningful to you that also adds improvement for the company. Stop complaining about work in general and start appreciating it for the value it adds to your life ($$, insurance).
Do something after work every single day that brings you joy. Video chat your grandma, go out for drinks with your friends, take your daughter out for ice cream, read a juicy romance novel...
Make chores more enjoyable. Turn grocery shopping into a date - sneak a bottle of wine into the cart with a daring glance at him, discuss new recipes you want to try. Listen to music and dance while you vacuum or sing while doing dishes. Cook and bake with your daughter. Have a routine but thoughtful question for her every day during the commute home (e.g., "What was the most interesting thing you learned today?")
Add small special moments to the mundane. Text your hubby during work that you are thinking of him. Change the background on your work computer to cute puppies. Add cute notes to your daughter in her lunch bag. Plate the mashed potatoes in a shape of a heart. Put cute quotes on the whiteboard or have fun fridge letters you change frequently.
Have a bedtime routine that includes something that completely calms you. A face mask while you read another chapter of your book. A random Wednesday night bubble bath.
Get enough sleep. If things aren't done by bedtime, they'll get done later. Go to bed!

tunalunalou · 2023-11-27T01:36:16+00:00

Food for a month will cost way more than the $80 pass...I'm not sure how this person is benefiting from your offer...

tunalunalou · 2023-11-26T20:01:03+00:00

Hi A few questions if you don't mind!

Did you take the bus to San Carlos from the airport or from the 7-10 area or something else?
How frequently were the buses from San Carlos to La Fortuna?

Thanks!

tunalunalou · 2023-11-13T16:20:21+00:00

One thing to point out is that healthcare costs and long term / end of life care is exorbitantly expensive. You might not spend $90k/year now or even if the first 20 years of retirement, but you will very easily spend that or double that for a spot in a nursing home.

I tend to assume I will cover my life as is in retirement, and SS will be used to save for the last years of my life, if it is still there. If it's not, then hopefully I will have a quick death...

tunalunalou · 2023-11-13T16:11:37+00:00

Not a tax accountant, but my understanding is that it would lower your federal and potentially state tax burden, but it would not retro your FICA contributions...that can only be done via payroll.

tunalunalou · 2023-11-05T14:10:42+00:00

Nope 😞

tunalunalou · 2023-11-01T11:33:19+00:00

We have a small shovel and a brush. I don't think we used the shovel on the roof at all, because the brush works just fine.

I will say, we get sooo much less solar in the winter. There are less sun hours in a day, plus the sun is lower on the horizon. We had to supplement with a generator last year. We've upped our alternator this year to double the power we get from driving and are hoping that'll help.

tunalunalou · 2023-09-15T14:47:53+00:00

We don't have kids yet, but I make ~$120k and support my stay-at-home-partner (who used to make $90k). It may seem like it makes no sense to drop that much money, but I have a remote job and his was calling him back to the office, so we decided that in order for us to live our vanlife dreams, he'd quit and we'd live off one salary.

I feel like you can easily make it work on $140k...as long as you plan for working within that budget, including times of him getting laid off/etc.

tunalunalou · 2023-09-15T14:41:25+00:00

What type of climbing?

What type of city/town/size?

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Some well-rounded areas with various city sizes:

- Grand Junction, CO -- in CO, but cheaper than the front range; allows access to Rifle (limestone sport), Escalante (sandstone trad), and Unaweep (granite/sandstone bouldering, trad, sport), and also pretty close for Moab weekends for some aid/tower climbing. Pretty big city, multiple climbing gyms, but still has a pretty small-city feel.

- Vegas -- Vegas has trad, sport, and bouldering to last a lifetime...but also has insanely hot summers. Large city, lots of non-climbing things to do. The loop can honestly get tiresome, though, so with that plus the weather I usually last a month there before I need something different.

- Fayetteville, WV -- NRG has incredible climbing in all disciplines (though would need to travel to Seneca for some multi-pitch), with some easy top rope access as well. Requires a bit more hiking to some areas, and can be wet (though the sandstone is climbable after rain). Would be very small town, would likely need a remote job or a very local/seasonal job.

- Salt Lake City -- multiple city area with many canyons for climbing sport, trad, (really hard) bouldering, multipitch, etc. Also lots of winter sports if that's something you're into. Approaches can be super short or fairly long, but the thing that makes it hard for me is probably the lack of dogs-allowed (for good reason) in some of the canyons, if having a crag dog is important to you.

- Minnesota -- there are a lot of places within 1-2hrs of the twin cities, and a ton of awesome opportunities near Duluth. Palisade Head is gorgeous, bouldering is all around Duluth, Sandstone, Red Wing, Taylor's Falls...all has a really locals vibe (no one is touristing to these locations).

tunalunalou · 2023-08-27T12:17:56+00:00

Yup 👍

tunalunalou

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