| Author |
Message |
David 102A3
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 9:33 am: | |
Our family bluegrass band has been hired to be a part of a music camp for kids in Cordova, AK and also perform at the Salmon Fest.
We have two choices: 1. Take the band bus (MCI 102A3) spend the whole month of July in Alaska, book aditional gigs and see as much as we can. 2. Fly in for just the 4 day camp and Salmon Fest.
We have never been to Canada or Alaska and we can take up to 2 weeks getting there if needed.
We have put about 25,000 miles on the bus in the last 24 months without any failures and we have new tires.
Any way of avoiding a broken window (besides not driving)? We would enter into Canada through Montana (I15). What can I expect with customs or whatever they call themselves at the border?
Thanks,
David
Foxfire Bluegrass |
Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 12:36 pm: | |
Due to new homeland security regs, you will each need a passport. Last time we went up, this rule was not in effect but we still showed them.
The Canadian's at the border were very nice as usual and just wanted to make sure we had something documentation wise so we would not get hassled coming back into the US. We were waved through both directions without much fuss. Just the usual half a dozen questions and that was it.
While there were some cars getting parked for "further conversation", I did not see a single RV (those two days) getting the strip search or such.
This was at the Blaine Washington crossing, where I usually cross. The only crossing I have made in Montana was into Waterton Lakes area, and that went similar, although a while ago.
If you can swing it, take the bus. There is some breath taking country to be seen!
Craig - MC7 Oregon |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 3:19 pm: | |
It should make a wonderful trip in the bus. You will be on paved roads all the way except for constructions zones which you hit in northern areas where all construction takes place during the short summer season. I assume this is a commercial bus and will be a little different than a motorhome. Do a search on canada customs and you will get lots of official info.
As a world traveller, I can tell you that all western countries welcome tourists of good character. The problem always comes up when you return to your home country and officials no longer feel it necessary to be polite. Two major no-nos are drug convictions (and possession) and firearms. Some firearms can be transported across Canada if they are sealed at the border. Since a lot are prohibited, it is easier not to carry any. Be prepared to convince the border inspectors that you are only going to be tourists in Canada and will not be performing. Having a confirmed schedule for Cordova should resolve any problem.
Make it into a trip to remember. |
t gojenola
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 6:11 pm: | |
The earlier posters are correct. The biggest hassle you get will be from American border patrol agents. They will not let you enter the US without proof of citizenship.
You could indeed have a great trip, and the scenery alone would justify it. The roads are good, but there will be construction zones where flying stones can and will cause windshield chips. Just go slow and watch out for oncoming speed freaks and you will be OK.
You can’t drive your Coach to Cordova. That requires a ferry trip from Valdez. Here’s a link to the ferry system for your further research:
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/
There are plenty of summer-time folk and blue grass festivals in Alaska, and no shortage of performing groups. The Anchorage folk festival in January had over 100 performing groups, including some guest artists from elsewhere:
http://www.anchoragefolkfestival.org/
The summer festivals are held outdoors. They are smaller, but draw bigger crowds, including assorted characters of the unsavory variety, State troopers, federal agents, etc.
I know nothing about how you would go about getting other paying gigs. You may have other contacts, or an agent – and, of course, Google.
Tg
Anchoraqe |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 11:52 pm: | |
David, while there is a deadline for having passports, I don't believe it has arrived. I think good birth certificates will still work. At least, they have for us, so far.
One thing that may actually be easier to find in Alaska than elsewhere is two stroke mechanics; there are a lot of Detroits still in use here.
There's lots to see and learn.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Sean Mormelo (Sventvkg)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 1:53 am: | |
I just drove down in June and I'm about to drive back up in a few weeks for the summer. A friend just drove up to AK from Seattle a couple weeks ago and he didn't require a passport as yet.
To try to answer some of your questions:
I've never broken a window on the trip up or down the Alaska Highway and this is going to be my 8th. I did crack my windshieild in Anchorage just before leaving last June though. I like entering Canada East of Glacier National park and over the border it becomes Highway 2 which goes North Through Calgary to Edmonton. You could head Northwest from there to Dawson Creek which is the start of the Alaska Highway. This is the way to go if you're in a hurry to get there, or want to avoid the heavy mountain Grades of the Canadian Rockies. However, if it were my first trip and my bus had power, I would head North to Calgary then West on Canada 1 to Banff which looks like a little European Alps Mountain Village. I would head North from Banff up through Banff-Jasper NP up 93...that route is BREATHTAKING!! You'll see the Columbia Ice Fields and the splendor of the Canadian Rockies which is this area so closely resemble Austria, that many Austrians have emegrated there. At Jasper, Link up with the Yellowhead 16 HW West to Prince George the head up to Dawson Creek to start the Alaska Highway from there....
I would take the coach and spend the month. If you need help booking some gigs or some gigging ideas let me know as I'm a performing singer songwriter and can hook you up with my connections.
I just drove my MC5C down from Anchorage in June and had zero problems. You'll have a BLAST!!! |
David MCI 102A3
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 5:21 pm: | |
Thanks for the input. We will take the bus.
I enjoy this site so much!
David
Foxfire Dad and Bus driver : ) |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 9:46 pm: | |
Hello David.
Broken windshields are frequently the result of following too closely, the stones kicked up by the vehicle ahead don't have the space to stop bouncing before they smack you.
Keep a good distance back, and that source is taken care of.
Gravel spray from oncoming vehicles, well, can't do much about that!
The improved ID at the border will be required as of the beginning of 2007. Fortunately, it has recently been agreed that each country (US & CAN) may issue their citizens a newly developed ID card suitable for the purpose instead of a full blown passport.
Same old ID is still good until then.
Best to check the Customs and Immigration websites of both countries to check what can and can't be transported. American side doesn't want to see meat and citrus fruits coming southbound, so empty the 'frig before you get there. That includes American grown stuff that was imported to Canada. You can't take it home with you.
Don't ask me why, it's your rules!
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Bryce Gaston (Busted_knuckle)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 9:48 am: | |
Buswarrior, What if it comes from Alaska? |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 8:37 pm: | |
Hello Bryce.
Haven't done the Alaska border yet, but...
I think it would be turned back, since there is no way for the customs officer to know for sure where it came from, once you have transited through Canada.
But, best to check particulars ahead of time.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 8:45 am: | |
The problem when driving between the lower 48 and Alaska is that both US and Canada have restricions on certain items. The usual solution is to have customs seal the offending item at the border when entering Canada. It then has to be produced with the seal intact when leaving Canada. This is not really convenient for food items and does not apply to prohibited items such as illegal drugs.
As Bus Warrior says, it is easier to check with both customs before leaving home.
As a matter of interest, I have had apples seized at the Oregon border because they were grown in Washington and oranges seized at the California border because they were grown in Arizona. |
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