Decided I hadn’t gone far enough....

[Breaktrack]

So, as some know, I’ve been driving my JT Rubicon since the day after I picked her up on June 17. Left the next morning on my road trip. Left from Montgomery, Texas.

Wound up weeks later here in Alaska. Camping at Fort Wainright just outside Fairbanks. Been here 6 days now, leaving for Anchorage / Seward in the morning. But that’s not what I’m writing about.

Saturday, the day before yesterday (Aug 10), I decided to get up early and drive up to the Arctic Circle and do the touristy thing and take a picture of the JT in front of the sign. Easy enough, right? So I did. I left here about 7 am and headed north. I got to the Arctic Circle, took my pictures, and a nice lady took one of me in front of the sign as well, and the only problem was, it was still pretty early, so I thought maybe I’d at least go on up and see the Yukon River and the bridge, not unreasonable, right?

So about 8 hours later I find myself pulling into Deadhorse / Prudoe Bay, and getting a room for the night at the Aurora Hotel....... I wound up going all the way. THAT was one hell of a drive!

Now the problem is, I still have my camp set up at Fort Wainright, so I had to drive all the way back the next day! I made it but I was so exhausted after driving all that in two days, then spending an hour at the car wash just trying to knock the heavy stuff off, I fell asleep so fast, and slept so long, that I had to push my departure to Anchorage by a day, lol.

All I can say is HOLY COW! What an experience! I’m going to try and get some photos up with this post, tell me what you think. Mileage will go over 12,000 tomorrow (11,857 currently).

Mac

Sponsored

 

[Gobi Wan K]

Awesome! I drove a Uhaul from Austin to Anchorage in June. Other than it being in a Uhaul it was amazing.
I assume you drove north on the haul road? How much extra gas did you have with you? I would like to get up to Coldfoot one of these days. Not sure when that will happen though. Only have the wife's Nissan Murano up there and I doubt that would be a good choice for the trip.

Keep having fun. I really like Seward a lot. Might live there if it wasn't so far from a large airport.

 

[ColoradoGlad]

So, as some know, I’ve been driving my JT Rubicon since the day after I picked her up on June 17. Left the next morning on my road trip. Left from Montgomery, Texas.

Wound up weeks later here in Alaska. Camping at Fort Wainright just outside Fairbanks. Been here 6 days now, leaving for Anchorage / Seward in the morning. But that’s not what I’m writing about.

Saturday, the day before yesterday (Aug 10), I decided to get up early and drive up to the Arctic Circle and do the touristy thing and take a picture of the JT in front of the sign. Easy enough, right? So I did. I left here about 7 am and headed north. I got to the Arctic Circle, took my pictures, and a nice lady took one of me in front of the sign as well, and the only problem was, it was still pretty early, so I thought maybe I’d at least go on up and see the Yukon River and the bridge, not unreasonable, right?

So about 8 hours later I find myself pulling into Deadhorse / Prudoe Bay, and getting a room for the night at the Aurora Hotel....... I wound up going all the way. THAT was one hell of a drive!

Now the problem is, I still have my camp set up at Fort Wainright, so I had to drive all the way back the next day! I made it but I was so exhausted after driving all that in two days, then spending an hour at the car wash just trying to knock the heavy stuff off, I fell asleep so fast, and slept so long, that I had to push my departure to Anchorage by a day, lol.

All I can say is HOLY COW! What an experience! I’m going to try and get some photos up with this post, tell me what you think. Mileage will go over 12,000 tomorrow (11,857 currently).

Mac

While I will say the Gladiator is awesome, you are absolutely incredible!

You define what Jeep'in is all about...

I have also stood right next to that sign, but my journey was no where near as incredible as yours..

Thank you for sharing, and a big hello from Colorado.. ​

 

[Ryan Carlson]

That is incredible. Beautiful state and nice photos. Next adventure!

 

[Breaktrack]

I kept an extra five gallons in the bed of the truck, never came close to needing it. Yup, drove the haul road, actually have wanted to do it for years, finally talked myself into it once I got to Coldfoot, lol.

Mac

Awesome! I drove a Uhaul from Austin to Anchorage in June. Other than it being in a Uhaul it was amazing.
I assume you drove north on the haul road? How much extra gas did you have with you? I would like to get up to Coldfoot one of these days. Not sure when that will happen though. Only have the wife's Nissan Murano up there and I doubt that would be a good choice for the trip.

Keep having fun. I really like Seward a lot. Might live there if it wasn't so far from a large airport.

se to needing it.

Awesome! I drove a Uhaul from Austin to Anchorage in June. Other than it being in a Uhaul it was amazing.
I assume you drove north on the haul road? How much extra gas did you have with you? I would like to get up to Coldfoot one of these days. Not sure when that will happen though. Only have the wife's Nissan Murano up there and I doubt that would be a good choice for the trip.

Keep having fun. I really like Seward a lot. Might live there if it wasn't so far from a large airport.

 

[Gobi Wan K]

I kept an extra five gallons in the bed of the truck, never came close to needing it. Yup, drove the haul road, actually have wanted to do it for years, finally talked myself into it once I got to Coldfoot, lol.

Mac

Good to know about the gas. I will get there. Stay safe and have fun. Don't forget to watch for bears lol

 

[SandSurfer]

Wow, that's about all I got!!!

 

[Chazsquatch]

Awesome adventure

 

[Trauma PA]

So, as some know, I’ve been driving my JT Rubicon since the day after I picked her up on June 17. Left the next morning on my road trip. Left from Montgomery, Texas.

Wound up weeks later here in Alaska. Camping at Fort Wainright just outside Fairbanks. Been here 6 days now, leaving for Anchorage / Seward in the morning. But that’s not what I’m writing about.

Saturday, the day before yesterday (Aug 10), I decided to get up early and drive up to the Arctic Circle and do the touristy thing and take a picture of the JT in front of the sign. Easy enough, right? So I did. I left here about 7 am and headed north. I got to the Arctic Circle, took my pictures, and a nice lady took one of me in front of the sign as well, and the only problem was, it was still pretty early, so I thought maybe I’d at least go on up and see the Yukon River and the bridge, not unreasonable, right?

So about 8 hours later I find myself pulling into Deadhorse / Prudoe Bay, and getting a room for the night at the Aurora Hotel....... I wound up going all the way. THAT was one hell of a drive!

Now the problem is, I still have my camp set up at Fort Wainright, so I had to drive all the way back the next day! I made it but I was so exhausted after driving all that in two days, then spending an hour at the car wash just trying to knock the heavy stuff off, I fell asleep so fast, and slept so long, that I had to push my departure to Anchorage by a day, lol.

All I can say is HOLY COW! What an experience! I’m going to try and get some photos up with this post, tell me what you think. Mileage will go over 12,000 tomorrow (11,857 currently).

Mac

First, let me thank you for your service. Army Strong here!
Second, thank you for sharing those amazing pictures of what looks like an incredible trip.

 

[OneTraveler]

So about 8 hours later I find myself pulling into Deadhorse / Prudoe Bay, and getting a room for the night at the Aurora Hotel....... I wound up going all the way. THAT was one hell of a drive!

Wow! I’ve done that drive before on my motorcycle, and I’m betting you were in a tad more comfort than I was. I <finally> get to pick my rig up this weekend...might be tempted to head North for a bit myself!

 

[calicorks]

Thanks for sharing your adventure! Amazing pictures.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

Speaks highly of not just you but taking a JT off th lot and hammering it for 12 mi and you are not finished yet speaks how tough a rig it is. I expected nothing less from you as I am guessing you are an old tanker so tough is a middle name. Me, just an old 11B Leg...soldier on and are you coming back to Montgomery or is this a PCS for you?

 

[Moab]

Absolutely fantastic. I love your sense of adventure. Thanks for the pics and also for wringing the neck of that truck. Instills confidence that a trek like this with the Gladiator is possible.
Appreciate the story. Be safe.
Thanks again.

 

[Breaktrack]

Speaks highly of not just you but taking a JT off th lot and hammering it for 12 mi and you are not finished yet speaks how tough a rig it is. I expected nothing less from you as I am guessing you are an old tanker so tough is a middle name. Me, just an old 11B Leg...soldier on and are you coming back to Montgomery or is this a PCS for you?

Yup, Tanker it is, lol. Or “Dino-Tanker,” as they call us.

Yeah, I’ll be heading back here in a bit, start back toward the lower 48 on the 21st is the plan. Back to Montgomery when I get there.

Mac

 

[Ole Cowboy]

Yup, Tanker it is, lol. Or “Dino-Tanker,” as they call us.

Yeah, I’ll be heading back here in a bit, start back toward the lower 48 on the 21st is the plan. Back to Montgomery when I get there.

Mac

If you get my way the coffee pot is on...

Sponsored