Marking tasks off our list

Good morning, Ed here, thanks for stopping in to check on us.  It is a chilly morning in Oklahoma, so I've fired up the fireplace which is right next to the computer to keep warm.

That's better.

We are getting really close to having everything done and ready for the trip.  We have been actively working our planning project plan for this trip.  This morning, I have done some additional research which I will share with you in a few moments.  I would like to share with you what our project plan looks like, perhaps it may help you plan for your adventure.  The plan is in Excel, here are a few screen shots below.

This sheet has kept us very well organized during our planning stage.  As tasks are completed, they are coded in green, tasks not started are in blue, and tasks past due are red.  We wrote down every detail we could think of so we won't forget anything.

This is what our pack list looks like.  We really need to go back through this and possibly eliminate a few items.  I think we are a little heavy right now.

One of our tasks is due between 02/01/12 and 02/28/12, which is the task I am going to complete this morning.  This task is to print information about a few places we may be stopping along the way.  Of course I will make sure we have this information in our netbook, but I also want to have a just in case printed copy.  So here we go.

The first place is called Adventure Cycleworks.  Adventure Cycleworks is in Fairbanks, AK.  They primarily are a tire shop, but do also provide some limited repairs.  I don't anticipate that we will need to purchase tires on this trip as we will be leaving with a fresh set, but they do offer a place to change your oil and have a power washer you can use to wash the Dalton muck off of your bike.  They are also willing to receive packages on your behalf and hold them for you.  We are hoping to be able to store our trailer here while we take on the Dalton.  I have heard many great stories about these folks.  This is a popular stop for the ADV crowd.

Though we are not making any reservation for hotels or campgrounds, we are wanting to stop for a brief rest in Fairbanks, AK.  Hotels are extremely expensive up north, so one solution is to stay at University of Alaska Fairbanks.  The University will allow you to stay in one of the student dorm rooms.  The cost is about $57.00 per night.  This will be a great stop for laundry and a shower.

If we attempt the Dalton all the way up to Prudhoe Bay, we will need to make reservations at one of the motels up there.  We were originally going to look at staying at the Arctic Caribou Inn; however, when I went to look this morning, the web page says it is no longer in operation.  This is a big disappointment as they also operate Tatqaani Tours which is the bus ride to the Arctic Ocean.  I will have to do some additional research to see if there are any other buses that run to the Arctic Ocean (you cannot ride there as the road is not open to the public).

That being said, I will print the information for the Prudhoe Bay Hotel.  This hotel costs $120.00 per night per person, so yes it is expensive but it is the place to stay in Dead Horse.  This place features a clean room with a private bathroom as well as a 24 hour all you can eat buffet which is included in the cost of the room.  This hotel caters to the oil field workers and not tourists.  If they have room for tourists, they will take them in.  They do not allow you to make your reservations until one week prior to your arrival.  I have emailed this hotel to see if they have any information on how to get to the Arctic Ocean.  I will share this information once I have it.

Here is information on all the current Hotels in Prudhoe Bay:

Prudhoe Bay Motel
P.O. Box 340004, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska 99734
907-659-2449

Arctic Oilfield Hotel
Prudhoe Bay, AK 99734
907-659-2614

Service Area Ten Camp Hotel
Pouch 34004
Prudhoe Bay, AK 99737-0044
907-659-2377

If you are interested in a copy of our task list or a blank copy for yourself, please shoot us an email we would love to help.  Thank you for helping me to cross one more item off our list.