Bad Toyota RAV4 experience

Sorry for this rant, but I have had a very bad experience with Toyota regarding my Toyota RAV4, and I'm upset about it. This was my first Toyota purchase, and I'm very disappointed by the service from the Toyota dealer in Anchorage, Alaska, who couldn't identify the problem while the vehicle was under warranty.

Now I'm upset that I've spent three days of my life trying to get this problem resolved, and Toyota's "customer care" people don't actually care.

About me (Al Alexander)

This website was created by Alvin J. Alexander (Al Alexander). I first visited Alaska in 2002, again in 2004, and then made what turned out to be a temporary move to Talkeetna, Alaska for the summer of 2007, before finally moving back to Alaska in February of 2010. I currently reside in Wasilla, Alaska, but I'm looking forward to moving to a slightly smaller community, probably Palmer, Homer, Seward, Willow, or possibly even Talkeetna again.

Sarah Palin resigns

I usually try to keep politics out of this blog, but wow, I didn't see this coming: Sarah Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska. Generally citing the media pressure, ongoing investigations, and cost of these investigations to herself and to the state of Alaska, she is resigning by the end of the month, and turning control over to Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Two moose at the railroad crossing

On the way back from Denali National Park, my family and I encountered these moose, eating some vegetation near a railroad crossing.

Denali rain clouds

This picture was taken while on a tour bus ride inside Denali National Park, in early August. The rain clouds were incredible to see in person.

The forest in Denali in September

Here's another view of the forest in Denali National Park in early September.

A view of the forest in Denali

This is a view of the forest in Denali National Park, in early September. As you can see, fall comes early in Denali.

The pipeline along the Dalton Highway

Here's a very typical view of the pipeline that runs along the Dalton Highway. This picture was taken in mid-August, 2007. Not too cold by day, but Deadhorse was below freezing the following morning.

The Caribou Inn in Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay

Here's a picture of the main entrance to the Caribou Inn in Deadhorse / Prudhoe Bay. It's basically a tin/metal building. The rooms are separated by thin walls, and it was the dirtiest hotel I've stayed at in a very long time, with stains on the carpeting and the lumpiest "bed" I've ever slept on. But by the time I got there I was just glad to have a place to stay.

My RAV-4 on the way to Deadhorse

Here's a picture of my RAV-4, driving the Dalton Highway on the way up to Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay). If you're going to take your own vehicle, you need to be prepared.

View of glacier from Anchorage plane ride

I took my family on a plane ride in Anchorage one day and this is just one picture of some of the glaciers we saw from the plane.

Following black bears down the road

I first saw these black bears when they were eating something on the side of the road, but after that I got to follow them as they walked down the road, back towards the town.

Several bears eating something

Coming back down from the mountains one day, I stumbled upon several black bears eating something by these rocks.

Hyder, Alaska, Robin Williams, and Insomnia

If you've never seen the movie "Insomnia" with Robin Williams, Al Pacino, and Hilary Swank, I highly recommend it. I didn't know it until I got lost in Hyder, but Insomnia was filmed there. This picture of Robin Williams from one of the local restaurants is evidence of that.

Seating benches at the top of the mountain in Hyder

Seating benches at the top of the mountain in Hyder, Alaska. Note the poles attached to each bench. These pictures were taken the first week of October.

Another glacier view picture from Hyder

Another gorgeous view of a glacier from a high mountain road in Hyder, Alaska.

A view of a glacier from Hyder, Alaska

A beautiful view of a glacier from Hyder, Alaska

Talkeetna lodging information