North to Alaska Blog

[NautiBrit]

The end of the line.

For us this was the end of the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek. If you're headed north it's just the beginning. Ran into some construction and mud and the Spyder and trailer came of second best.

If any future travelers are concerned about gas, we haven't had a problem yet, although the low gas light did come on once a couple of miles from a station. We did carry 2 extra gallons of gas, but so far haven't needed them and not likely to for the rest of the return trip. Les and Kathy did an awesome job mapping out the stations headed north and we stuck to their plan on the return trip - never pass a gas station unless you know for sure where the next one is.

 

[cptjam]

Prince George

Downtown Prince George at the Ramada! Eating dinner at the keg, and will luxuriate in the shower! Omak WA tomorrow. America! YAY!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

George, what did you do with Helen? Is she frozen somewhere? Looks like you had decent weather today. We hit rain on and off, mostly on, from Tatogga Lake to Prince George. Robin and Tom rode in rain from Whitehorse to Watson Lake. I think we are all looking forward to being back in the desert.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I'm at Mukluk near Whitehorse, YT. I left Fairbanks yesterday and rode most of the way to Tok in cold miserable rain. Cruised into Tok with the low fuel light on. I dried off and changed into clean clothes, then enjoyed a late lunch/early supper at Fast Eddy's. I left today a bit later than planned. I refueled at Border City and visited with the proprietress there. She has a black bear skin on the wall that she shot from the back seat of her Cadillac. Interesting place.

In the frontier area between the border control stations I almost got creamed by a semi passing an RV. As soon as I realized what was happening, I spoke my Lord's name - more in exclamation than in supplication. (We talked later and I'm forgiven.) I veered to the right hand edged and we all passed 3-across. That semi was really hauling a$$ on the downgrade, a line of RVs & cars and he just went right by them.

I was prepared for rain today, but only got a few sprinkles. I was going to go through Chicken and overnight at Dawson City before coming to Whitehorse. But I changed hotel plans before calling the dealer here and finding out they aren't really interested in service work for anyone passing through. So I'll spend tomorrow exploring Whitehorse and then head to Watson Lake Friday.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Oh where, oh where is Murphybrown?

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Oh where, oh where is Murphybrown?

I was thinking about them today. They'd have returned to Fairbanks on Tuesday and were to spend 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs. I wonder if they're even checking SL.

 

[gypsy_100]

MurphyBrown

Oh where, oh where is Murphybrown?

I was thinking about them today. They'd have returned to Fairbanks on Tuesday and were to spend 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs. I wonder if they're even checking SL.

Her SPOT shows she is just outside Two Rivers, Alaska which is roughly where Chena Hot Springs is located. East of Fairbanks. If I'm interpreting this thing correctly, she got there about 8:45pm Tuesday night. Who is traveling with her?

 

[lwrydr]

The Great Trip

All who are coming back into WA this weekend get prepared for some heat. It is suppose to be hot but you may like that.
Sounds like you all had a great trip. My :spyder2: is in the hospital waiting on the recall and a modified 14k checkup. It may be there for up to

3 weeks since their buds sypem died and they are waiting for a replacement. Hope they get all done before i'm off to SITR in August. Leaving on

the 13th.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Karyl is with Les and Kathy and David and Joanie. She's in good hands. I could have used those hot springs yesterday. Looks like today is starting out a little rainy. :gaah:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Karyl is with Les and Kathy and David and Joanie. She's in good hands. I could have used those hot springs yesterday. Looks like today is starting out a little rainy. :gaah:

The Swedes on my Barrow Expedition had been in Montanna before going to Alaska. They said there were 100 deg days there. I'm looking forward to some warm and dry.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Last view of Alaska:

Welcome me back to the Yukon:

 

[Bob Denman]

Patti,
I've just shorted out another keyboard, while drooling over your pictures of the trip! :shocked:

Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

On the border - literally.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you were to hop back and forth across the border (About 6,347 times...); do you think that anybody's spy satellites, would sit up and take notice?

 

[PW2013STL]

Hot springs did not have internet so we were not able to post. Kathy and I left the group today to start our journey homer. Right now we are in Fairbanks at a HD dealer. My HD jacket's zipper broke and since it had a limited lifetime warranty on it they gave me a new one.
We are leaving soon to head to Chicken for the night.
I am sure Murphbrown will respond tonight if she has internet.

Les

 

[vided]

Ffy with pleasure

 

[jcasey]

You all ride safe and thanks for the adventure!!!:thumbup:

 

[NautiBrit]

George, what did you do with Helen? Is she frozen somewhere? Looks like you had decent weather today. We hit rain on and off, mostly on, from Tatogga Lake to Prince George. Robin and Tom rode in rain from Whitehorse to Watson Lake. I think we are all looking forward to being back in the desert.

Helen is all about layers, she's up to 10 now. :yikes: Although the Temps reached 60 today, there has been a cold wind all day that has cooled us to the bones. There are a surprising number of Canadians walking around in shorts and t-shirts, which makes us look quite silly with all the crap we're wearing.

 

[murphybrown]

Helen just keep on layering....

Helen is all about layers, she's up to 10 now. :yikes: Although the Temps reached 60 today, there has been a cold wind all day that has cooled us to the bones. There are a surprising number of Canadians walking around in shorts and t-shirts, which makes us look quite silly with all the crap we're wearing.

Dave said to tell you that is reallllly mild, balmy weather...actually tropical!!!

 

[murphybrown]

Back to having internet....

Wow we have seen so much and my brain is sort of mushy...left Chena Hot Springs at 5 a.m. with Dave & Joni and Roger & Linda headed to Girdwood (approx 456 miles..with the last 10 being brutal wind/rain...headed for an all day Glacier/whale tour tomorrow. Another early depart. OK what have we been up to since Denali. As you have read folks started to head south after Eagle River. First Fred & Cathy headed toward Haines to get on ferry to head home. I got an update from him about an hour ago...the ferry broke down and they are "stuck" in Juno until ferry is repaired.. After Denali several more headed their own direction. Dave, Joni, Les, Kathy & myself headed out early (3 a.m.) to make it to Fairbanks and to start our Arctic Circle Adventure. We flew from Fairbanks to Deadhorse Camp/Prudhoe Bay. Fascinating is an understatement. Learned so much about the history of the building of the "HAUL ROAD"...now known as Dalton Highway...and building the Alaska Pipeline. They still continue to explore and discover more oil/gas pockets under the permafrost (2000 feet thick)..the crews work 24/7..most of them work 14 days straight then "go home" for 14 days. Could write a chapter just on them and how they live. We were in the Arctic Circle for 2 days living off the grid just as they do. I encourage you who are interested to google Alaska Pipeline ... as Dave says our minds went into overload with all the information and what was required and is still required to operate and expand as they do daily. Our first day and night was spent at Deadhorse Camp (with a tour into Prudhoe Bay and putting our feet in the Arctic Ocean..water wasn't that cold...outside temp was 36')...Then we road a van the 500 miles back to Fairbanks. Spent the 2nd night at Coldfoot...another work camp. From there we drove 60 miles to Chena Hot Springs..literally at the end of the road. Again so much to learn about a totally self contained resort operation .. raise all their own veggies for use in their restaurant and sell the extra to community folks.
Like I said earlier my brain is pretty much mush so will post more tomorrow. Assessment of trip so far: FANTASTIC..highly recommend to put on your bucket list...:yes::thumbup: