I was stationed up there from '85-'88, and have been trying to get back ever since. There are some good wheeling spots on Ft Wainwright land behind the base. Is the "Lady in the Lake" still there? Also don't try to drive to any of the small lakes on the left side of main gravel road heading to the impact area, as far as I know there is still two hummers burried there. :-)
A couple of safety things, make sure you travel in groups of at least three vehicles, use tow straps-chains break real easily @-40 degrees, keep a cell phone in your vehicle, or a good CB, and have a "survival" bag with you at all times.
On the good side, summer, breakup, 24hr daylite and temps in the lower 70's, the northern lites, making you own freeze dried coffie @ -45, driving out on the lakes, the fishing, the hunting, the Alaskan attitude, The Alaskan experience.
On the bad side, winter, 8 months, twightlite from 10:30AM to 2PM (make sure you go out for lunch or you won't see daylite for three months, -40 is kewl only for the first few weeks, metal gets real brittle at -70, drilling thru 8ft of ice to fish, the misquotes, hungry grizzleis in spring.
