North to the Future!   

We have had guests who contacted us by Facebook, email, or website with their intent to visit Alaska. Whether by driving or cruise. Here are some of our honored guests.....

4. Cell phone, GPS navi-computer, drinking water, credit card, cash, serviced spare tire, gas can with gas, flashlight, and anything else you can think of that would be useful.  It is all good until it isn't. And when it isn't, it will suck.

5. Rock hazards, dips, tight turns, animals, and weather, this trip is much more like a rally.  Once you get to Alaska the yearly tearing and repairing of roads is just as bad.

6. Taking your time and giving yourself ample time to do this journey, getting the proper rest (not in the car), and sitting down and eating your meals are all great ideas.

7. That is it for now, gas adds up, and don't forget to fill up no less than 1/4 of a tank, 1/2 if you guzzle gas or travel in the winter. I would not recommend doing this during the winter but it is not impossible. June or July, perhaps late Aug or Sept at the latest since it is the rainy season.

AKMC Miata Winter Driving Tips

1. Choices: If you can help it, don't drive your Miata in snow or ice. I am not saying it isn't okay in the winter because one should try ice racing a Miata on Big Lake. What I am saying is that even if you do everything right, that bigger and heavier vehicle will still hit you. This also includes staying home if you don't have to be somewhere. Some Alaskans stay home on the first snow day regardless, 200+ accidents keep our collision and body shops in business. After 2 weeks of first snow when it snows again, an additional 100+ car accidents happen. Why temp fate?

2. Maintenance: Is the battery good for another year? Do you plug it in when it is 20 degrees or less? Are the tires inflated properly and is the tread good for another year? Antifreeze check, windshield wipers not streaking, defroster works? Clean off all snow from your vehicle and make sure all your lights and reflectors are visible to others. Hopefully you have a garage but depending where you are in Alaska you may require a block heater, battery heater, and other items to protect from the cold.

3. Speed: SLOW DOWN! Reduce your summer speed to winter speed. This would include leaving earlier for work. As you are driving slower just time the lights to where you don't have to completely stop as starting from a complete stop is harder. Increase your following distance. Plan your routes to avoid the steep grades. If you do have to deal with a hill, keep your momentum up and try not to stop.

4. Traction: It would be wise to have LSD in your Miata as open diff won't cut it. Stud less tire technology is good but studded tires are probably better. You might want to put 50lbs of weight in the trunk. Remember, you will be able to accelerate but not stop any better.

5. Braking: As you are stopping, brake early and correctly. Know your brakes, newer vehicles have ABS, if not, pump brakes and do not lock them up.

6. Skid Recovery: Yup, go to a parking lot and see how to handle driving in snow and ice and see what your car does. Learn how to recover from skidding.

7. Stoplights: When the light turns green, wait for that car running or sliding through the red signal. If you catch a light turn yellow most Alaskans take it to prevent abrupt braking or sliding stops. When you do stop, look behind you to make sure that bigger and heavier vehicle doesn't slam into you anyways

8. White out: This includes white out if the snow is coming down too hard, too foggy, or if you are driving on fresh snow and can't see the lines we usually follow the tracks that are already there. In Anchorage, a 3 lanes easily goes 2 lanes in the winter.

9. Safety Equipment: The jumper cables, chains, tow rope, and or winter safety kit. With water, flashlight, and blankets. This is mostly where you don't have a cell signal. Stay in your car after the call to stay warm from the cold dangers such as Hypothermia or even being hit by oncoming cars.

10. Roundabouts: Seen too many vehicles try to slow down to yield but end up taking out the berm. There is a reason why DOT has to fix ALL the traffic signs around roundabouts every year. Roundabouts are great in the summer but in the winter they are worse than the four way stop sign.