01/27/2010 | NL7HJ/R I wont have a high score (by a long shot), but I definitely drove the most beautiful 1300 mile rover route in this contest. Homer, Alaska to Pedro Dome NE of Fairbanks, the wx was cool and clear the entire weekend (-10F to 10F). Spur, Iliamna, Redoubt, and Augustine volcanoes, Denali and the entire Alaska range , were all spectacular. Oh yea, I made some QSOs. Activated 8 grids, from BO49 to BP65. Driving north on a deserted Parks Hwy 1 a.m., 180 mi north of Anchorage, 180 mi south of Fairbanks (ie middle of nowhere), found a cold stranded motorist who had driven off the plowed portion of the road (to put it mildly). Shifted the radios out of the front seat, and gave him a ride up to Cantwell in search of a tow truck and a warm bed for the night. On to Denali Ntnl Park, Healy, Nenana, and Fairbanks Sunday. The great thing about Alaskan VHF contests is the opportunity to chat with EVERYONE you work-cuz its not real busy.Many many thanks to Ed KL7UW, who provided the encouragement and local knowledge to convince me to rove; tnx also to Robert AL2B, Al KL7NO, Phil KL8DX, Larry N1TX/KL7, Myles KL1NU, Steve KL7FZ, Bonnie KL1NU, Bruce KL0AX, and Tom NL7OW. Finally, special thanks for all the tips and suggestions, emails, phone calls, to Tim, AL1VE; rover (and brother) extraordinaire. You really should write a rover book (well, ok, a manual). -- NL7HJ