Due to internet inaccessibility we've combined 2 days into the blog.
We left Whitehorse, YT for Destruction Bay around 9:30. A relatively short 168 miles or so. The roads were good and the scenery ho-hum spectacular.
We stopped at a rest area and found this old bridge that was originally built in the 1920's. We were grateful that we didn't have to drive our rigs over it.
There was a sign that said to "Keep off the Building". We all went on the bridge except Gail who asked if we were illiterate. We discussed the difference between a building and a bridge. At least that's the way I remember it.
We got to Destruction Bay and marveled at the view. They had a total population of 38 last winter.
The RV park owner was preparing dinner of potato salad, 3 day slow smoked beef hind quarter, salad, bbq beans and brown apple betty for a caravan of 20 motorhomes and invited us to join them. We enjoyed it.
We chatted with some of the folks in the caravan about their travels as they were headed back from AK.
Tuesday we headed out at 8am (early for us) for the 230 mile drive to Tok, AK. The road between these two points on the AlCan Highway are infamous for "frost heaves" as the road is built on the tundra and the freezing can cause sections of the road to separate as much as 2 feet vertically. Fortunately, for us they have been working all summer to repair these. However, there are many gravel patches for repairs and "whoop-de-dos" that will rattle your teeth and cause your rig to get airborne if you try to do the 63 mph posted speed limit. Most of the time 45mph is more prudent, dodging, swerving, braking and slowing to 15-20mph.
We finally made it:
After clearing Customs we stopped by this Sod roofed visitor center
We were looking for moose but clearly Jerry focused in the wrong direction.
We arrived in Tok at 1pm, only 6 hrs travel with about an hours worth of stops along the way. For you doing the math in your head there is a 1 hour time change.
Gail and Pam had internet again, they were suffering from Facebook withdrawal.
Gail and Jerry fixed everybody dinner. Jerry's famous red beans, YUMMY, then we went for the local entertainment.
Dave has lived in AK since he was 26, now 62, told great stories of the way of life and sang songs he wrote about AK. He truly loves this land and from it's majesty it's easy to see why. However, when you have to special thermometers that record -100, it gives you pause.
Pam participated in the "Moose Song"
we had so much fun we're going back tonight while Heidi "guards" the coaches.
