Fewer RVers visited Alaska this year

About 1.7 million people visited Alaska over the just-completed tourist season, roughly the same as in the 2007 season. But fewer of them arrived in RVs, likely because of high gas prices. Trips on the Alaska Highway dropped to 60,000 this season compared to about 75,000 the year before.

Visits by foreign visitors were up about six to eight percent thanks to the weak value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies.

Cruise ships brought the largest number of tourists by far -- 1.03 million -- about the same as the year before.

Alaska State Parks 2009 volunteer catalog now available

Looking for a volunteer position next summer in Alaska?

The Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation 2009 Volunteer Program Catalog is now available. Alaska State Parks is looking for next summer's volunteers and is taking applications for all 2009 summer and winter positions.

Approximately 60 campground host positions are available across the state, from the Fairbanks area to Ketchikan. Another 80 volunteers are needed in a variety of positions such as archaeological assistant, ranger assistant, trail crew, natural history interpreter, and park caretaker. The duties of some positions can be used for college credit. Volunteers receive training, uniforms, and a small stipend. Campground hosts also receive a free campsite for their RV or rustic housing. Most positions require a minimum commitment of four weeks. Applicants must be over 18 years old and a U.S. Citizen. The 2009 Volunteer Catalog describes the volunteer program, lists available positions and includes application forms. Request a free copy from the Volunteer Coordinator, Alaska State Parks, 550 West 7th Ave, Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK 99501-3561, (907) 269-8708, fax (907) 269-8907. The catalog is also available on the Internet at http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/vip.

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Dalton Highway trip is beautiful, but too rough a ride for many RVers

The Dalton Highway is the road to take if you simply want to drive as far north as possible in Alaska. Unfortunately for RVers, it's a bumpy, washboard, gravel highway that many may find too rough to travel comfortably. Still. . . for some RVers, it may be worth it -- but only in summer.

From its starting point at the Elliott Highway, it continues for more than 400 miles until nearly reaching the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Deadhorse after crossing the Arctic Circle. Deadhorse is the village that serves the North Slope oilfield, with several hotels, a store and gas station. The community is a superlative of sorts: it is as far north as you can go on Alaska's primary road system, and it is worth exploring, especially if your goal is to dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean.

THE DALTON HIGHWAY BEGINS 85 miles north of Fairbanks and is perhaps one of the roughest roads in Alaska. It was constructed in the mid-1970s to haul freight to and from construction camps and workers building the 800-mile long trans-Alaska oil pipeline that stretches from Prudhoe Bay in the north all the way to the ice-free port of Valdez in Prince William Sound. The road offers relatively little in the way of modern conveniences. The washboards are many, the grades can be steep (as much as 10 and 12 percent in some places) and the big rigs delivering to Prudhoe Bay along the "haul road," as it's called by the locals, can make for uncomfortable traveling companions.

Not all car and RV rental companies allow their vehicles on the Dalton, so check ahead of time and be prepared for this road trip. Carry two spare tires, a jack, tool kit, emergency flares, extra gasoline, oil, wiper fluid and a first aid kit. Bring drinking water and plenty of food. A CB radio is also not a bad idea (monitor channel 19). Travel services are almost nonexistent. The 244-mile stretch north of Coldfoot is the longest service-free stretch of highway in North America.

So, why go to all this bother? Consider the scenery, which includes views of the mighty Yukon River, Atigun Pass (at the crest of the Continental Divide), the caribou of the north slope tundra, 375-million year-old limestone-filled Sukakpak Mountain (elevation 4,459 feet at Mile 203.5) and any number of sweeping mountain vistas opening into the Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another trip highlight is crossing the Arctic Circle just past mile 115.

Deadhorse is a company town and not much else. It's several miles from the Arctic Ocean. An oil company road leads north from town, but permits are required to travel on the road. A better way to go is to sign up for a guided tour of the oil fields and the Arctic Coast. They are available in Deadhorse from Tour Arctic at (907-659-2368).

In Deadhorse, a good place to stay is at the Arctic Caribou Inn and RV camp.

PLANNING A TRIP TO ALASKA? Find the best selection of books and DVDs at RVbookstore.com.

Watch a frozen turkey get lit in North Pole, Alaska

RV enthusiasts looking for a memorable Christmas experience might want to hop aboard a sled and head up to North Pole, Alaska. While New York City may have its tree-lighting ceremony, only in North Pole, Alaska does the holiday season kick off with the lighting of a giant frozen turkey sculpture. The ice-sculpture bird, standing over eight feet tall, will be illuminated on Thanksgiving Day to officially start the second annual "North Pole Christmas in Ice" festival and sculpting competition.

Residents are still ebullient about the success of last year's event, which sold more than 3,700 tickets and welcomed 24 ice artists from Alaska and China dueling to carve the winning Christmas-themed sculpture from a single block of ice.

This holiday season, ice artists will again transform the venue at Santa Land RV Park in North Pole into a winter wonderland of ice sculptures and children's play park. The competitors will face off Thursday, December 4, and the venue will be open to the public every day until the end of the month.

North Pole, Alaska, population 2,000, is ten miles southeast of Fairbanks. You really don't need a sled to get there: a car or RV will do just fine.