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Reader Notes & Comments:
My husband and I just got back from a two week trip to Alaska
and Canada. Your book was invaluable! I had a couple of other
books about the area, but they quickly were relegated to the
"heap" of stuff behind the seats. Our copy of The MILEPOST
stayed on the dashboard for the whole trip. Thanks again!
---S.M., Monroe, WA
I am a life-long Alaskan (born in Fairbanks in
'56) and I don't go ANYWHERE outside of the Fairbanks-area
without my Milepost. I always make sure the copy is never
more than 2 years old, as businesses come-and-go frequently
here. And I NEVER throw out an old one. I have kept all the
ones I have purchased as I love to read past articles and
see how the towns have changed over the years.
In '82, a cousin and her friend came up from the
Lower '48 for a visit. I drove them around the state so they
would get a more realistic image regarding the vastness of
this state. I had my Milepost along of course and they had
fun keeping track of where we were by reading the entries.
After reading this mile "the road crosses such-river" and
this mile "such-and-such flower can be seen" and this mile
"a turnout for a view of such", my cousin made a comment that
said it all. "The next entry isn't for 20 MILES! Boy, there
really isn't anything!"
As a postscript to this trip-when we got to my
home and saw a complete map of Alaska and the long distances
we traveled being represented by such a short distance overall,
the size of the state did sink in a little to each of them.
---T.A. Fairbanks, AK
"My wife and I, both recently retired, had occasion
to use THE MILEPOST last year when we drove to Alaska. The
book was very useful and you are to be commended on its thoroughness.
The only unpleasant experience on the whole trip came during
the Canadian border crossing at Sumas, Washington. We had
little to declare (no cigarettes or guns, although we declared
a partial bottle of wine). Nevertheless, we were subjected
to an unreasonably brutal questioning session which ended
by being threatened with "the dogs" to "sniff" our trailer,
us and our van. We were both in shock by the time we were
finally allowed to proceed.
"Traveling alone last month, I attempted to enter
Canada and was denied access because I had a bolt action rifle.
The purpose for the trip was to do some primitive camping,
explore the upper Yukon, Northwest Territory and cross over
the Arctic Circle. The guard, again at Sumas, Washington,
indicated that rifles had never been allowed into Canada.
When I explained that my wife and I had met many American
travelers the previous year in various campgrounds carrying
long guns for protection against bears, he replied that "they
had been allowed into Canada in error." The trip of exploration
was aborted and I pulled my trailer back to Los Angeles.
"In light of my experiences at the Canadian border,
I found the passages in THE MILEPOST which describe the crossing
to be inaccurate.
"After discussing this incident with several of
our friends we realized that there are others who have experienced
similar setbacks at the Canadian border. A visit one of our
friends made to Glacier National Park was to include a walk
across the border to the Canadian side of the park. The father,
his children and their grandmother were denied entry because
the mother of the children was not in attendance.
"I believe you owe it to your readers to emphasize
the difficulty of the border crossing. The crossing is unpleasant
at best and should be approached with an alternative vacation/travel
destination in the likelihood that crossing is denied."
--- W.W. Manhattan Beach CA
[Editor's note: Canadian
field editor Blake Hanna recently reviewed our "Crossing the
Border" information with Canada Customs officials who said
it was accurate as written. Keep in mind that Canada Customs
agents may use their own discretion in denying entry to persons
or property. While a firearm may meet the definition of a
"long gun", Customs officials may still deny it entry. Canada
vigorously enforces its firearms importation laws and may
search any vehicle for handguns. Customs officials are also
concerned about child abductions. A divorced parent traveling
with his or her young child, without the other parent, should
be able to present a notarized statement of custody and a
copy of divorce/custody papers is recommended. Again, Customs
officials may use their own discretion in denying entry to
any person whether or not they present the appropriate paperwork
or appear to comply with border crossing requirements.]
"We just had to tell you how much we enjoyed and appreciated
your MILEPOST on our 'Awesome Alaskan Adventure.' It truly
became our 'Bible' and was so comprehensive, we really didn't
need any other travel literature except for the local current
travel info available at the various visitor centers. We especially
enjoyed the historical facts, as well as the updated scientific
info. We recommend that any future Alaskan travelers purchase
your MILEPOST for an enjoyable trip of a lifetime."---C.
& J. S., Longwood, Florida
"Your guide was GREAT!! 99.99% accurate and helped us to
see and understand many things we might have missed through
Canada and most of Alaska up to the Arctic Circle!" ---J.
& J. D., Albuquerque, NM
"...Our trip to Alaska was made far more interesting for
us by using this 'Bible.' ...For contributing largely to our
knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment, we are certainly indebted
to The MILEPOST. For the painstaking research, beautiful photography
and clarity of presentation, we congratulate you. Now, our
only way of expressing our thanks is to insist that our friends
travel to Alaska with a copy of The MILEPOST readily at hand."
---B. & J. W., Calgary, AB, Canada
"I'm writing to thank you for the excellent job you and the
MILEPOST staff are doing in covering so many areas of Alaska
and Canada in such detail, and for adding routes as they become
open for travel (e.g. the Dalton Highway). Although I didn't
travel to Alaska (this year), first time in many years, I
have been there vicariously via The MILEPOST. I don't consider
spring has really arrived until I obtain my new copy!" ---P.A.H.,
Medfield, MA
"No person should ever drive to Alaska without the MILEPOST.
Details you provided are almost unbelievable..." ---H.R.,
Absecon, NJ
"While traveling north on the Alaska Highway at Milepost
DC 422.6, you wrote to watch for moose in pond to north. To
our delight, there she was, with her two calves, wading in
the shallow waters, right on schedule. Outrageous!É how do
you do it?!" ---C.C., Arch Cape, OR
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