When we got into Whitehorse yesterday the first thing I had to do was find a RV shop. I called Sid and Shirley since I know they used one here last year.
I have been noticing moisture around the bottom of the toilet and think that that leak is what is causing my water pump to come on every now and again.
Tomorrow, July 1, is Canada Day, like our 4th of July, and all will be closed. I was told to get to the shop early this morning and they will try to fit it in. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
DAWSON CITY TO WHITEHORSE
Sunrise on Lake Laberge
Cathy and Dereks handmade CanoeSATURDAY - June 27 - Dawson City to Mayo
We found an interesting, secluded little campground near Mayo, just off the Alcan Highway, called McIntyre Park. Our sites were along the Stewart River and, wonder of wonders, there was no charge.
We left Sandy's Big Mama at the campsite and explored the little mining towns of Mayo and Keno. Both had museums with interesting local history. The museum in Mayo had artifacts from their hospital including an iron lung from the 1940's.
We found an interesting, secluded little campground near Mayo, just off the Alcan Highway, called McIntyre Park. Our sites were along the Stewart River and, wonder of wonders, there was no charge.
We left Sandy's Big Mama at the campsite and explored the little mining towns of Mayo and Keno. Both had museums with interesting local history. The museum in Mayo had artifacts from their hospital including an iron lung from the 1940's.
As I wandered about McIntyre Park I saw a beautiful hand made canoe on top of a camper and stopped to visit with Cathy and Derek from Calgary. Cathy’s dad builds canoes as a hobby and encouraged them to build one. It is strips of laminated wood, I can’t remember what kind, with an inset design of walnut above what would be the water line.
There were more mosquitoes here that in our other campgrounds and Cathy was wearing a mesh and light material shirt from a company called Bug Shirt. I may have to look into one of those even though my B-1 seems to be protecting me very well.
SUNDAY - June 28 - Mayo to Lake Laberge.
Sandy suggested that we stay at the Provential Campground at Lake Laberge as she knew how much I like Robert Service. This is the place where Sam McGee was cremated in the poem.
"There are strange things done in midnight sun, by the men who moil for gold...... But the strangest they ever did see, was that night on the marge of Lake Laberge, I cremated Sam McGee."
After a long days drive it was a perfect place to relax by the fire listening to the lake slap against the rocks.
I awoke at three in the morning and peaked out at a most beautiful sunrise over the lake. After some debate with myself I got up and went out to take pictures. I was bummed this morning to find that I had the ASO setting at 200 and the photos are not nearly as grand as what I experienced. Oh well, maybe there will be another sunrise some day but I really did enjoy that one. The neat thing about sunrise up here is that then you can go back to sleep, without guilt, for a few hours!
MONDAY - June 29 - Lake Laberge to Whitehorse
Friday, June 26, 2009
CANOE RACES and MOTORCYCLE GAMES
The Winners - Whitehorse to Dawson City on the Yukon River
Blindfolded Motorcycle RaceFriday, June 26
It's no wonder that we were told that we needed at least three days in Dawson City.
We rounded out our day today by watching some great races. First, there was the Yukon River Quest which is a canoe and kayak race down the Yukon river from White Horse to Dawson City. We are planning to take two days to drive to Whitehorse. I don't know how many miles (kilometers) the race is but it is taking them up to three days. We saw the winners of the Voyager Class come in this afternoon. There are six men on the Voyager canoe. The two man canoes will come in later tonight or tomorrow.
Then we went to the Motorcycle games. Slow racing, the slowest one wins. Blindfold racing... guided (not very well) by the surrounding crowd yelling directions. It's actually more fun than it sounds on paper.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
TOP OF THE WORLD
Wednesday, June 24 (early morning)
From what we understand the road that we are planing to travel today will be the roughest road yet..."like a washboard". We are snugging everything in for a jouncy ride. On the other hand the name of the road is " Top of the World Highway" so we do expect some beauty along the way.
Our time in Alaska is over for awhile. We will cross into the Yukon Territory today and end up in Dawson City, Robert Service territory.
"It's the land... have you seen it?
It's the cussedest land that I know,
From the big dizzy mountains that screen it
To the deep, deathlike valleys below."
from: The Spell of the Yukon
Robert Service was one of my Dad's favorite poets (mine too). The Cremation of Sam MaGee is probably his best known poem.
From what we understand the road that we are planing to travel today will be the roughest road yet..."like a washboard". We are snugging everything in for a jouncy ride. On the other hand the name of the road is " Top of the World Highway" so we do expect some beauty along the way.
Our time in Alaska is over for awhile. We will cross into the Yukon Territory today and end up in Dawson City, Robert Service territory.
"It's the land... have you seen it?
It's the cussedest land that I know,
From the big dizzy mountains that screen it
To the deep, deathlike valleys below."
from: The Spell of the Yukon
Robert Service was one of my Dad's favorite poets (mine too). The Cremation of Sam MaGee is probably his best known poem.
Posted at end of day in Dawson City.
The road was not as bad as I had anticipated...there was some wash-board effects but if you watched the road and picked your path, which is easy to do up high in the Roadtrek, it wasn't so bad. The views were magnificant and the road rough enough that you want to make frequent stops for rest and photos. I picked up some rocks filled with mica, i guess, but I can pretend it's gold from the top of the world.
Monday, June 22, 2009
TOK to CHICKEN, ALASKA
Our "Chicken" dinner.Wine, grilled veggies and Elk meat patties that we
got at the Farmers Market in Fairbanks.
The birds were trilling and the wind was rustling the aspen leaves
by Chicken Creek.
"With the peace o' the world piled on top."
What could be finer?
Tuesday, June 23
The folks wanted to name their town after the state bird but they couldn't spell ptarmigan and chicken is a close relative.
The folks wanted to name their town after the state bird but they couldn't spell ptarmigan and chicken is a close relative.
Both Sandy and I have read "Tisha" which is about a young school teacher who came to Chicken in about 1927. You can't imagine the hardships she had to face. Today we were able to visit the old Chicken town where she taught and even go into her school house. See Sandy's blog for more, :) I'm sure.
I am still having a hard time getting to bed at a reasonable hour. One thing I have learned is that if it gets dark before midnight it means that it is going to rain.
FAIRBANKS TO TOK
Monday, June 22
We really have enjoyed the Fairbanks area and the friends we have met here. Today we will travel about 200 miles down to Tok. We will spend the night in Tok in order to have sourdough pancakes on Tuesday morning. This is really high on Sandy’s list. :)
We have heard a lot about Sourdoughs up here but we haven’t tried any.
We really have enjoyed the Fairbanks area and the friends we have met here. Today we will travel about 200 miles down to Tok. We will spend the night in Tok in order to have sourdough pancakes on Tuesday morning. This is really high on Sandy’s list. :)
We have heard a lot about Sourdoughs up here but we haven’t tried any.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
MIDNIGHT SUN FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 21
SUMMER SOLSTICE, FAIRBANKS
The actual Solstice must have happened sometime yesterday but today is the celebration in Fairbanks. Sunrise this morning was at 2:57am and sunset will be at 12:47am. Try to wrap your head around that, lower 48! The length of our day will be 21 hours and 49 minutes. I know that solstice happened yesterday because tomorrow will be 0 minutes and 36 seconds shorter daylight than today. It’s all down hill from here.
The Midnight Sun Festival is a big day in Fairbanks. Sort of like the Flower Festival in Lompoc but since they have 21 hours of sunlight they do it all in one day. It is in the downtown area and there are three stages belting our music and dance all day long. We were surprised at the quality of the shows. We started with a trio of two guitars and a mandolin, heard a great jazz band and then listened to Cold Steel which was a large steel drum band. As near as I could tell all the groups were local.
There was also a show put on by Dance Theater Fairbanks the was very good.
Then... there was the choice of food. At least in Lompoc you have a number of days to sample everything.
We had a great time and our only regret is that we pooped out before the Lonely Hearts Burlesque came on at 9:30pm.
OH! I just remembered why we pooped out. Along with doing all this festival stuff we were doing a self guided tour of the downtown area. The Visitors Center provides visitors with a map of town and a guided tour on a headset so we walked around and saw all the historical buildings that weren't washed away in the floods in the 1950's.
There is also an interesting monument to the pilots of Russia and the USA who cooperated in flying over 300,000 airplanes up through Canada and Alaska and over Russia to get them to the battle fields of Europe. I didn't know anything about that!
SUMMER SOLSTICE, FAIRBANKS
The actual Solstice must have happened sometime yesterday but today is the celebration in Fairbanks. Sunrise this morning was at 2:57am and sunset will be at 12:47am. Try to wrap your head around that, lower 48! The length of our day will be 21 hours and 49 minutes. I know that solstice happened yesterday because tomorrow will be 0 minutes and 36 seconds shorter daylight than today. It’s all down hill from here.
The Midnight Sun Festival is a big day in Fairbanks. Sort of like the Flower Festival in Lompoc but since they have 21 hours of sunlight they do it all in one day. It is in the downtown area and there are three stages belting our music and dance all day long. We were surprised at the quality of the shows. We started with a trio of two guitars and a mandolin, heard a great jazz band and then listened to Cold Steel which was a large steel drum band. As near as I could tell all the groups were local.
There was also a show put on by Dance Theater Fairbanks the was very good.
Then... there was the choice of food. At least in Lompoc you have a number of days to sample everything.
We had a great time and our only regret is that we pooped out before the Lonely Hearts Burlesque came on at 9:30pm.
OH! I just remembered why we pooped out. Along with doing all this festival stuff we were doing a self guided tour of the downtown area. The Visitors Center provides visitors with a map of town and a guided tour on a headset so we walked around and saw all the historical buildings that weren't washed away in the floods in the 1950's.
There is also an interesting monument to the pilots of Russia and the USA who cooperated in flying over 300,000 airplanes up through Canada and Alaska and over Russia to get them to the battle fields of Europe. I didn't know anything about that!
ROADTREK FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY
DELL AND JOHN IN FRONT OF THEIR FAIRBANKS HOMESTEAD 
SANDY, JUDY, JANE, DAVE
FAIRBANKS June 17 & 18 & 19 & 20
Wednesday, June 17
Fairbanks
This morning we moved from River View RV Park to Rivers Edge RV Park. The new park is in Fairbanks rather than seven miles out of town in North Pole. Much more convenient!
The afternoon schedule had us on Riverboat Discovery, on a paddle wheeler journey down the Chena River. The Binkley family’s steamboat tradition goes back over 100 years and five generations. The ride is enjoyable with diversions such as watching a Super Cub take off near the boat, watching a sled dog demonstration, and visiting a Chena Indian Village. Villages similar to this one were found along the river after steamboat captains like Charley Binkley began bring prospectors in search of gold in the late 1800’s. At the Village some representatives of the Athabaskan Indians demonstrated the way their ancestors did things such as cure fish and how they used the different parts of the animals they hunted for food, clothing, dwelling, etc.
Later we met Jane and Dave, 210 Roadtrek owners who we had contacted through cyberrally. We had dinner at Chena’s Grill overlooking the river near our campground.
They are planning a flight to Barrow for the summer solstice.
Thursday, June 18
Fairbanks
This morning we went out to Dell and John’s homestead north of Fairbanks about 15 minutes for coffee and scones. Dell’s father purchased the property about 50 years ago. The original homestead had been subdivided some by Dell’s parents but Dell and John still own a fair amount of land. You see no neighbors and there is a beautiful view across a sloping meadow, down through birch trees to the Chena Valley. Dell says that it is what Realtors call a “winter view” since the view is even more breath-taking in the winter months when the trees have lost their leaves. John says it takes him about three days to mow the meadow and rid it of dandelions each year.
An easement for the Alaskan Pipeline was purchased from Dell’s parents and the pipeline runs down one side or their land. The family watched the construction of the pipeline from their front porch. It is buried along this stretch so it just blends into the meadow that it adjoins.
Friday, June 19
Chena Hot Springs
The Hot Spring were wonderfully warm and relaxing. The road up to the Springs has a number of trails and we hiked up one of them for about half an hour to a beaver dam. The trail was supposed to continue but we couldn’t find the way.
Saturday, June 20
Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks
We left the Hot Springs early to partake in some of the Solstice day events in Fairbanks during the weekend. In the morning we went for a guided tour on public land that used to be a Dairy Farm and is now a protected habitat for birds and water fowl. We had a great guide and saw Canadian Geese, young Sand hill Cranes, an owl and various other small birds. The walk was through a boreal forest, much of it on a boardwalk. There was one area where the action of the permafrost was evident. On a portion of walkway installed last year there was a section that had dropped three to four feet. The ice of the permafrost is only about three feet underground and when it melts strange things happen.
Fairbanks
This morning we moved from River View RV Park to Rivers Edge RV Park. The new park is in Fairbanks rather than seven miles out of town in North Pole. Much more convenient!
The afternoon schedule had us on Riverboat Discovery, on a paddle wheeler journey down the Chena River. The Binkley family’s steamboat tradition goes back over 100 years and five generations. The ride is enjoyable with diversions such as watching a Super Cub take off near the boat, watching a sled dog demonstration, and visiting a Chena Indian Village. Villages similar to this one were found along the river after steamboat captains like Charley Binkley began bring prospectors in search of gold in the late 1800’s. At the Village some representatives of the Athabaskan Indians demonstrated the way their ancestors did things such as cure fish and how they used the different parts of the animals they hunted for food, clothing, dwelling, etc.
Later we met Jane and Dave, 210 Roadtrek owners who we had contacted through cyberrally. We had dinner at Chena’s Grill overlooking the river near our campground.
They are planning a flight to Barrow for the summer solstice.
Thursday, June 18
Fairbanks
This morning we went out to Dell and John’s homestead north of Fairbanks about 15 minutes for coffee and scones. Dell’s father purchased the property about 50 years ago. The original homestead had been subdivided some by Dell’s parents but Dell and John still own a fair amount of land. You see no neighbors and there is a beautiful view across a sloping meadow, down through birch trees to the Chena Valley. Dell says that it is what Realtors call a “winter view” since the view is even more breath-taking in the winter months when the trees have lost their leaves. John says it takes him about three days to mow the meadow and rid it of dandelions each year.
An easement for the Alaskan Pipeline was purchased from Dell’s parents and the pipeline runs down one side or their land. The family watched the construction of the pipeline from their front porch. It is buried along this stretch so it just blends into the meadow that it adjoins.
Friday, June 19
Chena Hot Springs
The Hot Spring were wonderfully warm and relaxing. The road up to the Springs has a number of trails and we hiked up one of them for about half an hour to a beaver dam. The trail was supposed to continue but we couldn’t find the way.
Saturday, June 20
Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks
We left the Hot Springs early to partake in some of the Solstice day events in Fairbanks during the weekend. In the morning we went for a guided tour on public land that used to be a Dairy Farm and is now a protected habitat for birds and water fowl. We had a great guide and saw Canadian Geese, young Sand hill Cranes, an owl and various other small birds. The walk was through a boreal forest, much of it on a boardwalk. There was one area where the action of the permafrost was evident. On a portion of walkway installed last year there was a section that had dropped three to four feet. The ice of the permafrost is only about three feet underground and when it melts strange things happen.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
ALL UP AND RUNNING!
ALL UP AND RUNNING!
Tuesday, June 16
After nearly a week of no batteries the Roadtrek in back in the pink again thanks to Arctic RV. The culprit was a breaker. I wonder how many of those there are in this little beast. In any case, put Arctic RV in your Fairbanks file if you plan to come this way.
While I was busy Sandy had her oil changed and tires rotated so we are both good to go.
In the afternoon we went to Pioneer Park which I expected to just be a tourist trap but it was actually quite interesting with many artifacts of the early pioneer days. The shops were in old Fairbanks pioneer cabins which had been moved from the center of town after a flood. I expected the store to have cookie cutter Alaska tourist stuff and was surprised to find quite a few local artisans present. One store is "Just Originals" a play on the artist's name, Justin Karedella. He carves beautiful scenes into antlers and in wood.
When I was in Homer I admired two eight foot long pieces of baleen that Hulkia and Judy had up on the wall. I came out of Justin's store with a four foot piece of baleen with some scrimshaw on it by an Alaskan artist up in Nome. If you don't know what baleen is, Google it.
Earlier we had received a call from Dell and John, who recommended Arctic RV, inviting us to go to dinner with them. They came to the RV Park and picked us up in their cute little white pickup. Dell brought us some great Rubarb muffins which I am looking forward to having for breakfasts. It was loads of fun to meet them and we had dinner on the deck of the Pump House overlooking the river.
Dell grew up in Fairbanks and John is from Petersburg. It was interesting to hear about life in Alaska in the 40's and 50's. They were celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary today. Here's to many more, Dell and John. Thanks for such a wonderful evening!
Tuesday, June 16
After nearly a week of no batteries the Roadtrek in back in the pink again thanks to Arctic RV. The culprit was a breaker. I wonder how many of those there are in this little beast. In any case, put Arctic RV in your Fairbanks file if you plan to come this way.
While I was busy Sandy had her oil changed and tires rotated so we are both good to go.
In the afternoon we went to Pioneer Park which I expected to just be a tourist trap but it was actually quite interesting with many artifacts of the early pioneer days. The shops were in old Fairbanks pioneer cabins which had been moved from the center of town after a flood. I expected the store to have cookie cutter Alaska tourist stuff and was surprised to find quite a few local artisans present. One store is "Just Originals" a play on the artist's name, Justin Karedella. He carves beautiful scenes into antlers and in wood.
When I was in Homer I admired two eight foot long pieces of baleen that Hulkia and Judy had up on the wall. I came out of Justin's store with a four foot piece of baleen with some scrimshaw on it by an Alaskan artist up in Nome. If you don't know what baleen is, Google it.
Earlier we had received a call from Dell and John, who recommended Arctic RV, inviting us to go to dinner with them. They came to the RV Park and picked us up in their cute little white pickup. Dell brought us some great Rubarb muffins which I am looking forward to having for breakfasts. It was loads of fun to meet them and we had dinner on the deck of the Pump House overlooking the river.
Dell grew up in Fairbanks and John is from Petersburg. It was interesting to hear about life in Alaska in the 40's and 50's. They were celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary today. Here's to many more, Dell and John. Thanks for such a wonderful evening!
Monday, June 15, 2009
DENALI...and.... June 12 - 15
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Friday, June 12
KANTISHNA EXPERIENCE
There are a number of tours into the interior of Denali National Park. The settlement at the end of the road is Kantishna and the tour that we took provided the deepest penetration into the park available on motorized vehicle. The Denali Wilderness Preserve through which we traveled is the largest area of pristine wildness in the United States.
We were very fortunate to have Lisa as our guide and teacher. She came to Alaska about 28 years ago and has, among other ventures, owned a fishing boat upon which most of the crew were women and raced in the Iditarod.
The animals were all around. The weather was somewhat overcast. I still can’t believe how the weather is working for us! Two days ago when we needed clear skies to see the mountain we had clear skies. Now, we got the weather that enhanced this new adventure. Those bears are BIG! Even through the windows and with binoculars you could tell how powerful they were. We saw two cubs playing in the snow with enough power to bowl over a 200 pound man.
Moose, beaver, dall sheep, ptarmigan (the state bird), marmot, a red fox trotted down the road in front of our bus, hunting. We learned that the snowshoe hare has a seven year cycle and that right now there are more hares in the park than there have ever been. Therefore, the lynx population is up as well as the populations of many of the other animals that prey on the hare.
If you come here, try to find time for this tour. Also, if I was to come again I would spend maybe one night at Riley Campground and then move down the road and enjoy the peace and quiet of Teklanika River Campground. You can hear highway sounds from the Riley Campground.
Saturday, June 13
DENALI NATIONAL PARK
After a much needed slow morning we finally made it over to the visitor center in time for a lovely walk down McKinley Station Trail with Ranger Karen. All of a sudden the wildflowers are out. There is one little yellow flower that is so pretty and has medicinal properties too. Karen was enthusiastic about the early history of the valley and it is a great walk.
In the Visitor Center there were some interesting exhibits about the park animals. The park does not favor the hunter or the hunted.
In Denali predator-prey relationships play out with minimal human interference. Wolves, for example, hunt old, sick weak or newborn animals as they have for thousands of years. In feeding themselves, they provide food for other carnivores and help to keep prey populations healthy.
We finished the day with grilled veggies and rib-eye.
Sunday, June 14
DENALI
Sunday before leaving Denali we took a walk with Ranger Michael who is a fan of Where the Wild Things Are. We walked to Horseshoe Lake and Michael asked us to use our senses to “feel the wildness “ around us.
Then… off we headed north…just barely. One of our cyberrally friends had suggested Rose’s Café in Healy which was just ten miles north. After lunch we made it two more miles north to Stampede Road which I had read about in Milepost. Sandy hopped in the RT with me and we drove just past where the pavement ends. We took a lovely little walk with Sandy waiting patiently while I took photos. The weather was delightful with storm clouds in the distance. I will try to get a picture up soon.
For the first time we stayed at different campgrounds. In one of the guide books I had read about Tatlanika Trading Co. and RV Park. It was just what I wanted… by the river and with some wildness around but it didn’t appeal to Sandy. We looked at another place just down the road which was dismal and then I decided to go back to my wildness and Sandy went on to the small historic town of Nenana.
Maybe one of the reasons I liked Tatlanika was the grass airstrip right next to the campground. There was a small plane, Cub like but with a three bladed prop under a cover nearby. When I went into the trading company to pay for my site I visited with the owner, Jay. The plane is a Maule but the prop is a modification to provide more power during climb out. Jay’s father was one of the original Alaskan Bush Pilots.
I checked in with Sandy via cell phone. She was all settled and after snoozing a while I went out to take some photos of the sunset over the Nenana River. Beautiful!
Monday, June 15
TATLANIKA to FAIRBANKS
Monday, and it’s time to try to find someone who can help with my electrical problems. After a few calls I have an appointment Tuesday morning thanks to a suggestion from Dell and John… Roadtrekers who summer near Fairbanks.
After catching up with Sandy in Nenana we headed for Fairbanks and spent the afternoon at the Museum of the North. It has been highly recommended but both Sandy and I preferred the Museums in Juneau and Anchorage.
KANTISHNA EXPERIENCE
There are a number of tours into the interior of Denali National Park. The settlement at the end of the road is Kantishna and the tour that we took provided the deepest penetration into the park available on motorized vehicle. The Denali Wilderness Preserve through which we traveled is the largest area of pristine wildness in the United States.
We were very fortunate to have Lisa as our guide and teacher. She came to Alaska about 28 years ago and has, among other ventures, owned a fishing boat upon which most of the crew were women and raced in the Iditarod.
The animals were all around. The weather was somewhat overcast. I still can’t believe how the weather is working for us! Two days ago when we needed clear skies to see the mountain we had clear skies. Now, we got the weather that enhanced this new adventure. Those bears are BIG! Even through the windows and with binoculars you could tell how powerful they were. We saw two cubs playing in the snow with enough power to bowl over a 200 pound man.
Moose, beaver, dall sheep, ptarmigan (the state bird), marmot, a red fox trotted down the road in front of our bus, hunting. We learned that the snowshoe hare has a seven year cycle and that right now there are more hares in the park than there have ever been. Therefore, the lynx population is up as well as the populations of many of the other animals that prey on the hare.
If you come here, try to find time for this tour. Also, if I was to come again I would spend maybe one night at Riley Campground and then move down the road and enjoy the peace and quiet of Teklanika River Campground. You can hear highway sounds from the Riley Campground.
Saturday, June 13
DENALI NATIONAL PARK
After a much needed slow morning we finally made it over to the visitor center in time for a lovely walk down McKinley Station Trail with Ranger Karen. All of a sudden the wildflowers are out. There is one little yellow flower that is so pretty and has medicinal properties too. Karen was enthusiastic about the early history of the valley and it is a great walk.
In the Visitor Center there were some interesting exhibits about the park animals. The park does not favor the hunter or the hunted.
In Denali predator-prey relationships play out with minimal human interference. Wolves, for example, hunt old, sick weak or newborn animals as they have for thousands of years. In feeding themselves, they provide food for other carnivores and help to keep prey populations healthy.
We finished the day with grilled veggies and rib-eye.
Sunday, June 14
DENALI
Sunday before leaving Denali we took a walk with Ranger Michael who is a fan of Where the Wild Things Are. We walked to Horseshoe Lake and Michael asked us to use our senses to “feel the wildness “ around us.
Then… off we headed north…just barely. One of our cyberrally friends had suggested Rose’s Café in Healy which was just ten miles north. After lunch we made it two more miles north to Stampede Road which I had read about in Milepost. Sandy hopped in the RT with me and we drove just past where the pavement ends. We took a lovely little walk with Sandy waiting patiently while I took photos. The weather was delightful with storm clouds in the distance. I will try to get a picture up soon.
For the first time we stayed at different campgrounds. In one of the guide books I had read about Tatlanika Trading Co. and RV Park. It was just what I wanted… by the river and with some wildness around but it didn’t appeal to Sandy. We looked at another place just down the road which was dismal and then I decided to go back to my wildness and Sandy went on to the small historic town of Nenana.
Maybe one of the reasons I liked Tatlanika was the grass airstrip right next to the campground. There was a small plane, Cub like but with a three bladed prop under a cover nearby. When I went into the trading company to pay for my site I visited with the owner, Jay. The plane is a Maule but the prop is a modification to provide more power during climb out. Jay’s father was one of the original Alaskan Bush Pilots.
I checked in with Sandy via cell phone. She was all settled and after snoozing a while I went out to take some photos of the sunset over the Nenana River. Beautiful!
Monday, June 15
TATLANIKA to FAIRBANKS
Monday, and it’s time to try to find someone who can help with my electrical problems. After a few calls I have an appointment Tuesday morning thanks to a suggestion from Dell and John… Roadtrekers who summer near Fairbanks.
After catching up with Sandy in Nenana we headed for Fairbanks and spent the afternoon at the Museum of the North. It has been highly recommended but both Sandy and I preferred the Museums in Juneau and Anchorage.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
TALKEETNA TO DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Thursday, June 11
We had a leisurely, no real schedule, kind of morning. We were plesantly surprised by the Talkeetna Camper Park. It is fairly close to town and has electric and water.
Talkeetna could have been the setting for Northern Exposure. You sure wouldn’t be surprised to see a moose walk down the street. I would suggest that you try to spend two nights here. I believe that was our plan before we added Seward to the trip. We had dinner last night at whimsical Wildflower Café. It was described to us as having a “real chef” and it did. The Oriental Wrap was flavorful with grated ginger and a wonderful blend of vegetables and of course we added salmon. It is amazing how often we end up ordering about the same thing. Read Sandy’s blog for the finer details!
We poked around town for a while and when I got back to the Roadtrek I found I had a problem. No juice to my batteries and we are on our way to three days of dry camping without electricity.
As we drove north I tried to trouble-shoot but I guess I’m back to tent camping in a very fancy shell. I will check with my RoadTrek friends and see if they can help… if not I will get help in Fairbanks.
I guess I am a snob about National Park campgrounds. I am so used to the convenience of the bear boxes at Yosemite that I was surprised that they are not available here at Riley Campground and the grill, after use, must be put back in the van. Actually, as I thought about it and learned more about Denali, the Denali way may lessen the appearance of bears in the camping area.
Other animals are definitely around though. On the way to the campfire we encountered a beautiful mama moose and her new baby. What a cute photo op… taken with care!
Tomorrow… we explore Denali Park.
We had a leisurely, no real schedule, kind of morning. We were plesantly surprised by the Talkeetna Camper Park. It is fairly close to town and has electric and water.
Talkeetna could have been the setting for Northern Exposure. You sure wouldn’t be surprised to see a moose walk down the street. I would suggest that you try to spend two nights here. I believe that was our plan before we added Seward to the trip. We had dinner last night at whimsical Wildflower Café. It was described to us as having a “real chef” and it did. The Oriental Wrap was flavorful with grated ginger and a wonderful blend of vegetables and of course we added salmon. It is amazing how often we end up ordering about the same thing. Read Sandy’s blog for the finer details!
We poked around town for a while and when I got back to the Roadtrek I found I had a problem. No juice to my batteries and we are on our way to three days of dry camping without electricity.
As we drove north I tried to trouble-shoot but I guess I’m back to tent camping in a very fancy shell. I will check with my RoadTrek friends and see if they can help… if not I will get help in Fairbanks.
I guess I am a snob about National Park campgrounds. I am so used to the convenience of the bear boxes at Yosemite that I was surprised that they are not available here at Riley Campground and the grill, after use, must be put back in the van. Actually, as I thought about it and learned more about Denali, the Denali way may lessen the appearance of bears in the camping area.
Other animals are definitely around though. On the way to the campfire we encountered a beautiful mama moose and her new baby. What a cute photo op… taken with care!
Tomorrow… we explore Denali Park.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Palmer to Talkeetna
Wednesday, June 10
We spent the night with Gunnel’s daughter, Tina, and now have to say farewell. :(
I have really enjoyed her company. Maybe we will be able to do it again!
And now we are off to see if we are one of the few who get to see Mt. McKinley. We are scheduled to take an air flight out this evening on Talkeetna Air Taxi.
You cannot imagine our delight when, driving up the Parks Highway, we rounded a curve and there was Mt McKinley (Denali) right in front of us. Wow! We hit one of those days!
When I knew I was going to be up in Alaska I contacted my friend, Tom, who has been flying in Alaska for a number of summers in hopes of being able to fly with him. Unfortunately he is teaching mountain flying in Idaho this June. He told me to fly with Talkeetna Air and we could not have done better. Our pilot, Richard, was as good as it could get without being Tom. We took the tour that landed on the glacier. The day was bright and sunny…not at all cold out in the snow.
Our plane was a DeHaviland Beaver, a sturdy, slow plane that is great for this kind of touring. Her name is 9OYankee and she is almost as old as I am. This is a flight that anyone who comes up here should plan to take!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
TIP!
Take a look at our Trip Route under Links on the left hand side of the page. It shows the route we have taken (with a couple of mistakes since Google Maps doesn’t do Ferries)
AND you can zoom in or use the Google Satellite view to see what our terrain is like.
ALSO, check out Sandy’s Blog to get more detail on our trip!
AND you can zoom in or use the Google Satellite view to see what our terrain is like.
ALSO, check out Sandy’s Blog to get more detail on our trip!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
HOMER TO ??.... CAMPGROUND
We are leaving Homer and for the first time we don't know where we will land. Last night Judy and Hulkia treated us to a wonderful salmon dinner... we could have had anything on the menu but all three of us choose the Copper River Salmon. What good friends they are! B&B and dinner to boot.
I will let you know later where we land... I got up early this morning to try to see the moose and calf again but apparently moose don't have a schedule or route as to whose yards they traipse through on a given day.
We did see a moose today, though. We made a turn off looking for a place to eat lunch and along the road there was a youngster, maybe a yearly, crossing the road.
Our unknown camping place turned out to be one of the best we have found. We took a little road off to Hope, Alaska in the middle of the Kenai National Wildlife refuge. Porcupine Flat is an National Forest campground with lovely sites along the Turnagain Arm. We had my favorite camping fair, grilled vegetables and rib eye steak. Gunnel provided the Yellow Tail and we had a fine time and too much wine.
Monday, June 8
In the morning, before leaving we took a walk down along the inlet. The campground had warned of bears but we saw none.
I will let you know later where we land... I got up early this morning to try to see the moose and calf again but apparently moose don't have a schedule or route as to whose yards they traipse through on a given day.
We did see a moose today, though. We made a turn off looking for a place to eat lunch and along the road there was a youngster, maybe a yearly, crossing the road.
Our unknown camping place turned out to be one of the best we have found. We took a little road off to Hope, Alaska in the middle of the Kenai National Wildlife refuge. Porcupine Flat is an National Forest campground with lovely sites along the Turnagain Arm. We had my favorite camping fair, grilled vegetables and rib eye steak. Gunnel provided the Yellow Tail and we had a fine time and too much wine.
Monday, June 8
In the morning, before leaving we took a walk down along the inlet. The campground had warned of bears but we saw none.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
HOMER - with Hulkia and Judy
Saturday, June 06
Our "Vacation from our vacation" Day
Gunnel and I stayed at Hulkia and Judy's home while Sandy went on down and stayed at the Homer Spit RV Park. Our original reservations with the RV people had dwindled down from four vehicles at one point too only one when we got the invite from Judy to stay at their house. I do think the RV Park people are used to such scheduling changes up here.
Hulkia and Judy's home is at the top of a hill overlooking the Katchmak Bay and the mountains on the other side of the bay. It was glorious this morning with the sun streaming in the windows. I looked out and saw a Mama Moose walking across the front yard with her new babe. Just like Northern Exposure. Wow!
Our "Vacation from our vacation" Day
Gunnel and I stayed at Hulkia and Judy's home while Sandy went on down and stayed at the Homer Spit RV Park. Our original reservations with the RV people had dwindled down from four vehicles at one point too only one when we got the invite from Judy to stay at their house. I do think the RV Park people are used to such scheduling changes up here.
Hulkia and Judy's home is at the top of a hill overlooking the Katchmak Bay and the mountains on the other side of the bay. It was glorious this morning with the sun streaming in the windows. I looked out and saw a Mama Moose walking across the front yard with her new babe. Just like Northern Exposure. Wow!
Friday, June 5, 2009
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
Thursday, June 4
Today we took the Kenai Fjords Tours “National Park Tour”
Captain Chris was our leader aboard the Tanaina. She is a vessel that can carry about 150 but today there were less than half that number aboard so it was easy to get photos of the amazing sights and creatures we saw.
Captain Chris had some amazing abilities. He was able to tell us just when to get our cameras ready when the glacier ¼ mile away was about to calve breaking away a piece of ice twice the size of our boat. He was able to tell us when to get our cameras ready because a humpback whale was about to breach. His knowledge and his enthusiasm for his National Park were infectious.
SEWARD TO HOMER
Friday, June 5
Another long day on the road was preceded by a fascinating visit to the Alaska Science and Learning Center, a facility in Seward dedicated to understanding and protecting the marine life of the Gulf of Alaska.
Captain Chris was our leader aboard the Tanaina. She is a vessel that can carry about 150 but today there were less than half that number aboard so it was easy to get photos of the amazing sights and creatures we saw.
Captain Chris had some amazing abilities. He was able to tell us just when to get our cameras ready when the glacier ¼ mile away was about to calve breaking away a piece of ice twice the size of our boat. He was able to tell us when to get our cameras ready because a humpback whale was about to breach. His knowledge and his enthusiasm for his National Park were infectious.
SEWARD TO HOMER
Friday, June 5
Another long day on the road was preceded by a fascinating visit to the Alaska Science and Learning Center, a facility in Seward dedicated to understanding and protecting the marine life of the Gulf of Alaska.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
SEWARD
Wednesday, June 3
We made the decision to visit Seward after being contacted by Bill and Marsha Vincent who own a Roadtrek. They convinced us that Seward was not to be missed. We are looking forward to finally meeting them later today.
Also, my friend Gunnel is going to take the train down from Anchorage and join us in Seward. Both Gunnel and Sandy have sailed and even lived on their respective boats. It will be fun to hear them chat about their experiences. Gunnel has sailed in the Sea of Cortez while Sandy was up sailing on the Great Lakes.
We made the decision to visit Seward after being contacted by Bill and Marsha Vincent who own a Roadtrek. They convinced us that Seward was not to be missed. We are looking forward to finally meeting them later today.
Also, my friend Gunnel is going to take the train down from Anchorage and join us in Seward. Both Gunnel and Sandy have sailed and even lived on their respective boats. It will be fun to hear them chat about their experiences. Gunnel has sailed in the Sea of Cortez while Sandy was up sailing on the Great Lakes.
THE BUGS ARE GONE!
Tuesday, June 02,
Valdez, Alaska... but we could be in Switzerland.
Today was a R & R day... of sorts. We went to the visitors center and then across the street to see a film on the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. It is so amazing to see what the people of Alaska had to endure that Easter Weekend which was an entirely normal Easter for me. I?m sure that my biggest concern was creating neat Easter Baskets for a couple of small boys. No, that would have been only David that year.
Hardware stores seem to be high on our list of places to visit when we have time. There always seems to be something that they can provide that we need. Today we purchased small buckets with which to wash the Roadtreks which were showing the affects of three and six weeks, respectively, on the road.
Valdez touts a number of local hikes for varying stamina and time constraints. We choose a fairly short loop walk on a park-like peninsula. Our biggest discover was the name of a plant about 2 feet tall with strange looking flowers. It is skunk cabbage. As I mentioned earlier we could just as well have been in Switzerland. We are surrounded by snow covered mountains.
Our short walk on such a beautiful day was a result of our determination to get the bugs off our vehicles. We spent much of the afternoon with our new buckets sponging the bugs off our precious Roadtreks and then polishing them. I used The Solution which is a name familier to all Roadtrekkers...at least those that were at Indio this year. I was very pleased with the results. Now our babies are beautiful again and ready for the ferry ride over to Whittier in the morning.
Valdez, Alaska... but we could be in Switzerland.
Today was a R & R day... of sorts. We went to the visitors center and then across the street to see a film on the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. It is so amazing to see what the people of Alaska had to endure that Easter Weekend which was an entirely normal Easter for me. I?m sure that my biggest concern was creating neat Easter Baskets for a couple of small boys. No, that would have been only David that year.
Hardware stores seem to be high on our list of places to visit when we have time. There always seems to be something that they can provide that we need. Today we purchased small buckets with which to wash the Roadtreks which were showing the affects of three and six weeks, respectively, on the road.
Valdez touts a number of local hikes for varying stamina and time constraints. We choose a fairly short loop walk on a park-like peninsula. Our biggest discover was the name of a plant about 2 feet tall with strange looking flowers. It is skunk cabbage. As I mentioned earlier we could just as well have been in Switzerland. We are surrounded by snow covered mountains.
Our short walk on such a beautiful day was a result of our determination to get the bugs off our vehicles. We spent much of the afternoon with our new buckets sponging the bugs off our precious Roadtreks and then polishing them. I used The Solution which is a name familier to all Roadtrekkers...at least those that were at Indio this year. I was very pleased with the results. Now our babies are beautiful again and ready for the ferry ride over to Whittier in the morning.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS National Park
Monday, June 01, 2009
Slana to Valdez
Here I am again at 11:00 trying to blog! No wonder you see mistakes. I just have to learn how to go to sleep while it is still light.
We had intended to stay in Slana for to nights but decided independently (and then together) that we would rather move on to Valdez. That is pronounced Val-deez. The highlights of the day were the tremendous peaks of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
There are eleven or thirteen peaks over 16000 ft high and at least 2 that are over 19000 ft high. I can hardly imagine how Denali could be more impressive than these peaks. This is the kind of area that you should spend three or four days in rather than just passing through as we did. It reminds me of a young Yosemite. The Wt. Elias peaks are old volcanoes while the Wrangell peaks are young mountains still growing.
Slana to Valdez
Here I am again at 11:00 trying to blog! No wonder you see mistakes. I just have to learn how to go to sleep while it is still light.
We had intended to stay in Slana for to nights but decided independently (and then together) that we would rather move on to Valdez. That is pronounced Val-deez. The highlights of the day were the tremendous peaks of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
There are eleven or thirteen peaks over 16000 ft high and at least 2 that are over 19000 ft high. I can hardly imagine how Denali could be more impressive than these peaks. This is the kind of area that you should spend three or four days in rather than just passing through as we did. It reminds me of a young Yosemite. The Wt. Elias peaks are old volcanoes while the Wrangell peaks are young mountains still growing.
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