Alaska RV Trip FAIL: No Reservations, BIG Problem!

[@McSpeedAlaskanAdventures]

Alaska is possibly best done with a truck slide in camper. Much easier to find boondock spots and easier to get around. We just did Valdez force first time this year. The waterfalls are amazing. We were able to get off road in Thompson pass and camp right up on the bluff. Thanks for sharing.

[@redvudu1013]

You guys are making me want to get back there now. We spent the entire summer there last year. Our week in Valdez was rainy most of the time but that made the rivers and waterfalls even more special. Make sure and visit at least one or two of the local museums.

[@chadkoller7809]

You guys hit a home run with this video. The violin with the waterfalls was AMAZING

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! I'm super happy to hear you enjoyed it.

[@marty6055]

Fun Fact: On Good Friday in 1964 the biggest earthquake in North America hit near Valdez. It lasted more than 4 minutes and afterwards the ground was so unstable they had to move the entire town about 4 miles. Residents had three years to make the move and then the old town was burned to the ground.

[@rayarnold1406]

,that's interesting

[@wildrvlife]

yes, it's so crazy!! We saw where the Old Valdez townsite was. Very interesting history there

[@tammyc606]

Wow! Wonder why they needed to burn it?

[@marty6055]

@@tammyc606 52 buildings were moved to the new site. I’m not sure why they needed to burn the old town, but my guess is that it was the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to keep others from moving in or using the unsafe structures.

[@nickanderson8008]

Me and the wife have drove to Alaska 7 times and Valdez is our favored place to go to in Alaska. The fishing is also very good. Be save and have fun

[@wildrvlife]

That's awesome! I'm surprised more people don't talk about it on youtube!

[@chasinfun365]

Laughing at the Tag on the tunnel wall behind Victoria right before the icecapades!

[@ChristianCareerJoy]

Excellent music choices especially the circus one for the ice!

[@wildrvlife]

Haha thank you! It was very fitting, lol.

[@timwoody3835]

Awesome video. I’m so glad you got to Valdez I think it’s probably one of the underrated places in Alaska. Again, I really enjoy your videos and that you take us along on your adventures.

[@wildrvlife]

We said the same thing! In fact, it might be said in our title of our video next week. I couldn't believe we almost skipped it

[@fargomargo]

My husband and I retired, and we don't have all the energy y'all have, but we love to RV and you've inspired us to get out there and take that trip to Alaska. It's been my husband's dream trip for years. It's now or never. Y'all are the cutest couple ever, always have smiles on your faces. Keep on having fun and taking it one day at a time! God Bless and save travels.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh that is so awesome! Love to hear it! And thank you so much for joining us on our journey. God bless and safe travels to you too!

[@wellsonwheels457]

I was suprised to learn the inside passage on a cruise… rain forest. Soooo green

[@lifeswhimsytutelage]

OIMG!! You two on the ice in the tunnel...that was hilarious!! Thank you.

[@vickiedavis720]

You guys are soooo adventurous and I love. Great vid, keep em coming!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!

[@billmccabe6188]

I've been binge watching you this morning. Fun. ❤

[@rongray4847]

Wow!! the views in todays video are breathtaking taking, absolutely beautiful. The different water falls also breathtaking. The tunnels are nice but strange. 👍👍❤️❤️🇨🇦

[@wildrvlife]

the waterfalls were soooo pretty! I'm glad we were able to capture just a portion of the beauty of seeing them in real life!

[@boondockingnomads]

I love watching your Alaska trip. We did it last year and spent the summer. You are right Valdez is gorgeous. Reservations tip: typically campgrounds will have openings each morning. By about noon they start getting booked. We worked in North Pole last year and that held true.

[@wildrvlife]

ooh this is a good tip, thank you! And thank you for coming along for our adventures!

[@GGallagher]

Love watching your adventures! Thank you for sharing 💙

[@wildrvlife]

So glad you like them! Thank you for watching!

[@badgerpa9]

Excellent job on the filming, editing, etc. Stay safe and healthy.

[@wildrvlife]

thank you so much!!

[@JamesZach-ss8tb]

Enjoyed the screnery and watching you have so much fun. Always wanted to go to Alaska in a camper/RV starting fifty years ago. I will probaly never make it now, but am enjoying watching you make the most of it. Thanks for your adventures.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!!

[@MrElh358]

One of your best videos, great drone footage, you guys made me feel like I could jump into the waterfall.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! The waterfalls are so spectacular!

[@maggie8339]

Wow those mosquitoes 🦟 were monsters! Love that you can stay positive and smiling. 😊

[@wildrvlife]

They were out for vengeance I think lol.

[@mrhemt]

Our caravan group just left Valdez this morning. It’s been by far our favorite stop. We’ve completed the circle. We are now back in Tok.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh how interesting! Valdez was our first real destination in Alaska (we did the loop the opposite way), and loved it so much and wondered if we might have accidentally done the best first lol

[@conchscooter]

All right Valdez will be on the list, I’m convinced.

[@ryanladendorf1678]

I lived in Anchorage for 4 years while in the Air Force and you are correct about the mosquitos. I told people stories and I don't think they believed me lol. I remember golfing with my buddy and I would line up my shot, walk up to the ball and just whack it real quick b/c as soon as you stop, the mosquitos would swarm you. Beautiful state though that everyone should visit at least once if they get the chance. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@stevenluckhardt2613]

My bride and I boondocked at horsetail falls last year because we had reservations at that same rv park the next day, great park and great people! Got to listen to the falls all night long! Epic!

[@wildrvlife]

Oh wow, I bet that was a beautiful view to wake up to!

[@ourrvsunsets]

Isn't it so cool when you have to change up plans and it slides you into a beautiful place that you never would have seen!!! For those slide outs you don't have to guess. We picked up a cheep tape measure from Harbor Freight and then just measured out each slide and marked it on the tape measure with a Sharpie. Works like a charm. Craig - I agree with you on the rainforest comment. I think of that as a tropical jungle environment. We were in Olympic National Park this year that is also a rain forrest. It's just not what you think of as rainforest when your in the evergreens. Victoria - It's not a Ninja Obstacle, it's "FLOOR IS LAVA!!!!!" 😁 Y'all found a natural hockey rink!!!! Great music for that segment by the way!! Hahahaha!!! You two are killing us 😅 Safe travels kids, thanks for the laughs.

[@thewanderingshores]

We can't believe that road to Valdez.... incredible. Loved watching Craig "ice skate in the tunnel". Hope you are having an amazing trip.

[@wildrvlife]

lol we both got very lucky that we didn't bust our butts LOL - although it would have been funny to capture that on video 😂

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Wow just wow Valdez !! Great video and scenery, impressive

[@wildrvlife]

Sooo glad that it worked out the way it did!

[@rvfuntimes6144]

We meet a family that owned a CG in Valdese and they had a permit to feed the Eagles. He also took us out on his boat to go pull his Prawns Baskets that were 300' deep. What an experience.

[@BenAndMarissa]

Do not skip McCarthy and Kennicott. For $5 you can drop your trailer at Kenny Lake Mercantile while you drive in. We made a day trip out there from Glennallen and we are going back before we leave Alaska.

[@jeffwindbigler4199]

Hi guys, a little tip for you cut a 2x2 piece of wood a little more than the width of your slide , paint it white. All you have to do is lay it on the ground next to any obstacle and Craig has a line of site when backing in.

[@wildrvlife]

That's a great idea. We may have to give it a try.

[@rulalinska8146]

I just found your channel and subscribed. You two are so adorable and love your sense of humor!!

[@aussiefarmer6012]

Glad you went to Valdez, it was our favourite town on our 1 month time in Alaska. Who ever you were getting your recommended towns to visit info from is clueless. Great episode, beautiful camera work. We went on a day cruise from both Valdez and Seward. Make sure you go to the Valdez museum. Best in Alaska followed by the university one at Fairbanks. Looking forward to reminiscing our trip by following yours. Wish we could go back again but it's cost prohibitive.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! Valdez became one of our favorite towns pretty quickly. And you are correct. Goodness alaska is expensive!

[@aussiefarmer6012]

​@@wildrvlife yes sooo expensive. Other side of the world for us too. We hired an rv and drove over 2000 miles around Alaska. You can walk on a small glacier called Byron Glacier which is south of Anchorage towards seward, easy walk from the car park. We stayed at a nice State park called Williwar campground not far from Portage. We didn't like Chena hot springs out of Fairbanks, very commercial and over rated. The drive and scenery wasn't very good either, although we did stay overnight in a gravel pull off on the Chena river which was nice. Have a great time. Really enjoying your episodes, you put a lot of effort into them. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Usepen]

Glad Craig has real boots for these types of hikes.

[@wildrvlife]

Yeah, they don't get brought out too much, but when they do, they are used.

[@RobertMurray-b1e]

I just subscribed to open roading, so now I can watch both videos and flip back and forth to see each others adventures!! The scenery is crazy beautiful!! Someday.

[@wildrvlife]

yay! it's been fun being able to see how they document the experiences versus how we do, and then we've split off and done some different things a couple times now so those are even more fun to watch!

[@puceater2311]

Great directions! lol. “I think so”. I don’t know “”What do you think about the pole ?” “I think it would be fine but?” Love the channel and content.

[@wildrvlife]

lol I was laughing at myself listening back to it with only one side of the conversation... somehow Craig knew exactly what I meant though! That's how you know you've been together a long time LOL

[@walterrafolski5662]

Wow, the drives were fantastic! Y’all are you and agile but you wouldn’t want to break an arm or leg or something skating on that ice. Thanks for taking us along on this adventure! Be careful and take care. Waiting patiently on the next video!

[@wildrvlife]

That was definitely the most slippery ice we've ever been on! thank you for coming along!

[@ben31tube]

The Valdez area is soooo beautiful! I'm glad you got to see it.

[@wildrvlife]

Us too!! It was amazing!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I’m a huge nature buff and love the waterfall footage. I also like trains hence my KZbin handle and the old tunnels were amazing to see. I would have flown my drone through the second one :)

[@wildrvlife]

I wish I had thought of that! Man, what a missed opportunity. Thank you so much for watching!

[@andykemp1739]

That was a great video, it was just fun to watch. Thank you so much for the great content - i want to go so bad!

[@wildrvlife]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you can visit one day, it's quite the trip!

[@MichelleA6232]

What a fun video!! Started watching you guys from an @openroading link and have stayed. Love watching you guys being real!!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! And them guys are great people.

[@glennc8761]

Hahahaha “white snow”….. . Love you guys, keep up the good work!

[@wildrvlife]

lol! thanks for watching!

[@lillis887]

🤩 🤩😮Wow!!! The scenery is amazing!! Especially those waterfalls!!!❤

[@wildrvlife]

They were AMAZING! Thanks for watching!

[@m.fontane2034]

Loving yours and J&K’s videos! We just spent 7 weeks in AK. Valdez was definitely top of the list, favorite place we visited. Wear a wind breaker or long sleeve shirt and a head net to keep the skeeters at bay. They are no joke…

[@wildrvlife]

We definitely should have invested in a head net. thank you so much for watching!

[@brendacuer382]

Absolutely beautiful 😍 and great job filming!!

[@lallen4245]

We did the ferry from Whittier to Valdez with our 5th wheel. Valdez and the drive out was my favourite place. We boondocked at a glacier lake just outside of Valdez. I really enjoyed your music on this video.

[@wildrvlife]

Ooh the glacier lake area was beautiful too! such an amazing place overall!

[@cottagefulloflove4090]

Wow! This footage is so freaking beautiful! Thank you for sharing your exploration!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! and I'm so glad we were able to capture some of the beauty there!

[@snaphappee]

Fun video of my home state! I love that you included a scripture verse at the end of your video!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! And we are super happy you enjoyed the video.

[@Joe-zt7ef]

The views are incredible!! you guys are just Awsome !! may God keep you safe and always....many smiles.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! We really appreciate your comment!

[@TNWisky7]

You two are Amazing I'm glad You Are Having A Great Time in Alaska It truly is a Beautiful State. How Come We Don't See Much Of You And Your Travel Companions Out And About Together?

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! Usually, when we are together, it gets too difficult for us both to film, but we do have some things coming up soon.

[@TNWisky7]

@@wildrvlife God Be With All of You.

[@k-mparker]

Gooood video guys!!! Alaska scenery is very beautiful and dramatic, yet peaceful and tranquil!!! Your video makes us wanna go back. The mosquitos in Alaska and Maine are a helluva lot more vicious than in Florida for sho!!!! For the e-bikes, I don’t see the helmets and padded fingerless gloves I recommended after the incident. I just fell off mine the other day in a little bit of sand just outside of Bryce NP on the bike path. Gloves saved the hands on the fall.

[@wildrvlife]

The mosquitoes are definitely more aggressive lol. I thought we’d be used to them from Florida, but these are a different breed for sure 😆🤣

[@kelleysoutdooradventures9939]

The timing of your Valdez video was perfect for us. We dry camped on the way down and woke up this morning and watched your video and learned a lot. Kelley’s Outdoor Adventures the RVdrifters.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh yay!! Hope you enjoy Valdez, it’s still been our favorite place so far!

[@kycalm]

Valdez is amazing. Enjoy!

[@wildrvlife]

it was so beautiful!

[@donnahunt2263]

Love seeing your videos. I especially loved the scripture you shared.😇

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!

[@ronaldstarreveld]

So glad to see you folks enjoying the travel. Seems the folks we run into are old farts like me. Wish I had thought of this lifestyle while I was younger. Safe travels and keep up the videos we are really enjoining them.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@juanitasellshouses]

Valdez was our favorite too! Two days ago we crossed the border headed back to that favorite town. But alas, a family member illness has us turned around, headed back home😢. Maybe next year. BTW, we loved Valdez RV Park!

[@trudyyurina5473]

BEAUTIFUL!!!! Simply amazing country!

[@wildrvlife]

Absolutely! Thank you so much for watching!

[@RhubarbPatch]

Craig, great work on the music choices! Violin for the falls and steel guitar for the tunnel!

[@brendapoppell9155]

Epic scenery!❤ If we ever go back to Alaska we will have to visit Valdez.

[@wildrvlife]

for sure!! Thanks for watching!

[@DebraVillarreal-l8n]

Thank you so much for sharing your video... this gives a hope to go one day... I love your videos.

[@wildrvlife]

I hope you get the opportunity!!

[@RalphBleam-g3d]

Let all you do be done with love,nice,Great viedo,beautiful landscape.Great memories being made.Be safe ,God bless❤

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much and Gid bless you!

[@brendadriggers600]

Just joined your channel; love the video and living through you guys. Enjoy yourself, have an awesome time, and please be safe!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!

[@krazedkamper]

Loved the ice follies! 😂😂😂 Keystone Canyon is AMAZING! It's on my list!

[@wildrvlife]

It was SO COOL. Can't even adequately describe it!

[@graceabounds3322]

We stayed at Kenny Lake and went to Mccarthy without the camper, then drove to Valdez the next day and it was the best scenery of all in Alaska.

[@wildrvlife]

I still have a little FOMO about not driving all the way out to McCarthy but it would have been such a long day to leave the dogs so we decided to skip it, but I bet that was awesome!!

[@markgarza1981]

You guys are so funny... Great video! Maybe I will get to spot you all on your way back like I did when you were on your way up there. Enjoy your trip.

[@wildrvlife]

haha we keep running into people here (there are only so many roads lol), so there's a good chance!

[@pvdogs2]

Fun video!! Too bad you didn't have the crampons, that your brought, with you in the ice cave.

[@wildrvlife]

haha I know! We weren't expecting any snow or ice on our hikes that day!

[@erichnicholson8657]

Hay guys what make & model drone do you have , pictures are awesome and you guys do a great job on explaining what to do & not to do ..Thanks for all your content & your time and most of all safe travels .

[@wildrvlife]

We use a DJI Mini 3 Pro, but also do color grading during the editing process. thank you so much for coming along!

[@evelyngomez4247]

How beautiful! You both are so fun 😊

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!

[@Robert-uq5ew]

You are doing it at a perfect time in your life. Enjoy your youth and freedom as long as possible. Epic views in this video for sure. 😊

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! We are definitely enjoying ourselves, thanks for coming along on the adventure!

[@leogant2793]

Sorry for your complications finding spots to park with that huge rig. A pick up truck with a camper is way easier to find parking. So many places to just pull in that way. Hopefully you’re enjoying Alaska anyway. The Bugs are crazy here but bug dope by the gallons should help.

[@rickkesner1701]

Make sure to go to the museum and learn all about the pipeline and tsunami. Have fun, I worked on the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh how interesting!! We heard that the museum was a good one!

[@MulligansBlog]

We use Liquidfy - Switched from Happy Camper. We pretreat with 4-gallons water/ice and 4-8 oz depending on temp and how soon we’ll dump again. If I’m at full hookup site I will do 2-3 back wash. Good Video!

[@brucefranklin6765]

It was nice meeting you in Valdez, albeit briefly! We would of invited you for Halibut tacos if we would of seen you earlier! We only made reservations at the places we absolutely wanted to stay at such as Valdez, Seward and Denali. We loved Valdez and the Thompson Pass area to hike around.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you, guys! It was very nice meeting you!

[@georgehartle8902]

Great video! What time of the year were you in Valdez?

[@wildrvlife]

About a month ago!

[@daydreamer0923]

Hey guys, that was some good driving man. 😲😅 Well said about the views. I was thinking its to expensive & I'll probably skip it. Really glad you said all u said. Now I don't want to miss it. I have to make it there. Thanks ✌️😁. Girl your a living Post Card. Thank you, I enjoyed the video. 💯🌈

[@moonshine3396]

Lots of wildfires in Canada, hope your return trip to the US is safe ✌️

[@dennismartin434]

Cover your seats with bags from the grocery store the plastic bags you can tie them down under the seats and they’ll keep them clean. We love your videos we live in California. Also, what mosquito repellent do you recommend and do they have some homemade concoction up there that they use?

[@wildrvlife]

We've found that the 100% deet works well. It smells awful, and I feel like it's probably not the best or most natural thing to put on your body, but since we're using it sparingly... I'm willing to chance it for those crazy mosquito areas!

[@dalemarshall9736]

Our worst mosquito experience was on the bus trip to the deepest part of Denali and when we got out to look around at Mirror Lake it was insane. Mosquitos were bad a lot of other places but Denali was by far the worst.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh man! We still have to visit Denali, so we will keep that in mind 😬

[@tomskitv]

If you find yourself in Valdez do yourself a favor and take an all day glacier tour from there. You will be happy you did.

[@katherinelawrence6545]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[@wildrvlife]

We really enjoyed it, thanks for watching!!

[@KevinCoop1]

Amazing video of the area! BTW. It’s pronounced mer can tile. Which means, a general store. Be safe up there!

[@karenfromil]

Thats a beautiful place! ❤

[@wildrvlife]

It is very nice. It's one of the prettiest places we have been.

[@davidharamis1051]

Check out Lake Louise if you are heading to Anchorage. If you are by the Old Denali highway Tangle lake area is beautiful.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh, nice! Thank you.

[@vincew9482]

We have really grown to love your channel. Also, thank you for turning us onto your friends channel that's with you. We just picked up our Brinkley about a month ago and really love it. By chance, do you guys monitor your email? I sent an email about a week ago and didn't hear back. I know you all are in Alaska and thought maybe your internet was spotty.

[@wildrvlife]

Just emailed you back! And thank you so much for following along on our journey, glad you are enjoying the Brinkley too!

[@michaelholbrook4401]

After having been a truck driver and backing up 53 ft trailers in very tight circumstances, whenever I watch any of the RVers I follow backing up, I find myself starting to talk to and give advice to the screen. :)

[@ScottAshe-t2b]

I really enjoy your videos enjoy ALASKA.

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Make yourself a “slide stick” to verify your pedestal clearance. Easy peasy 👍

[@wildrvlife]

We've thought about doing this for a long time, but never have 😅

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

We marked our 4’ level for our two important slides. We don’t have auto level so it comes out for every set up.

[@l.ls.8890]

Nice waterfalls. I bettcha there is some gold lying around there somewhere.

[@cynthiagrider9344]

Beautiful water falls!

[@wildrvlife]

So glad we got to see them!

[@lisakivley264]

We have Lectric bikes too! Love them, but no luck with covers yet.😮 What cover did you guys find thats working for you?

[@tammyc606]

Awesome video. Thanks yall. :)

[@burlingtonbill4687]

Valdez is our favorite destination in Alaska. We have a friend that lives there and visited her all three times. We always stay across the bay from the city at Alisson Point. The fishing is awesome. Burlington Bill busking on the road and on you tube.

[@wildrvlife]

Super awesome place and I am going to check your youtube out. Thank you!

[@burlingtonbill4687]

@@wildrvlife The bear video I filmed pretty close to the pull-over at Kluane Lake in the Yukon where we stayed all three times. Also, on Episode 265 on the site Sailing into Freedom on you tube they used a song I wrote and played for a theme song at the one-minute mark!

[@burlingtonbill4687]

Also, we have a Brinkley Z-3100 No. 392

[@MDW03]

Great videography.

[@johnbarabe6760]

We are at Watson currently. Got pics of your signs!!!

[@wildrvlife]

That's awesome. Thank you, guys, for watching. Maybe we will cross paths here.

[@johnbarabe6760]

@@wildrvlife Sorry but we are on our way out. Picking up a new 5th wheel Aug 1. Alaska really took a toll on our current rig.

[@gerriharris8252]

We’ve found that mosquitos are attracted by the truck fumes so when hooking up or unhooking, they are the worst!

[@shirleyharvey7376]

I wish you would post the actual date you filmed each time for people with future Alaska travel plans.

[@wildrvlife]

This was filmed the 3rd week of June

[@landahoy5217]

We would like to make a suggestion. Can you put the date at the beginning of the video. Thanks, Stacy, Steve & the pups ❤

[@wildrvlife]

We added it to our description! And will keep doing that for our Alaska series

[@ohioclassCcamper]

Great find.

[@wildrvlife]

such a great place!

[@bobmartens1089]

Fantastic scenery ❤

[@wildrvlife]

Many thanks!

[@danieldixon2683]

Great video Thanks!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!

[@mrhemt]

What is the make/model of your bike rack? Ours didn’t survive the Alcan. Do you remove your batteries from your bikes when they’re on the rack? We previously did to lower the weight.

[@wildrvlife]

We have the Hollywood Racks ebike carrier, but accidentally bought the non-RV version, so I would recommend getting the RV version because it is rated for the bouncing back there. Obviously the one we have has held up, but if we did it over, I'd get the RV one! This is it: www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camper-Bike-Racks/Hollywood-Racks/HLY64FR.html?etam=a0033 And we don't remove the batteries, but it is a good idea for lowering the weight!