Well, for this blog I had a hard time deciding on which photo to use for the feature photo on the top of the blog. We had our first bear photo opportunity during our drive to the Alaska border and as soon as we took it, Dave said, there is your top blog picture. But then, we crossed into Alaska and had the ability to take a picture at the Welcome to Alaska sign with the 4 of us. That was huge too. And then, Helen won a contest. That was a big deal too. After much thought, the picture of the four of us standing at the Alaska border won. Here are our individual pictures too.
After seeing no bears fishing for salmon in Haines, we were bummed, especially when our neighbor in the RV park had seem them several days in a row at the same locations we had visited. But then, while driving toward the Alaska border, a van driving the opposite way flashed his lights at us, so we knew there was something ahead. And then a motorcycle turned around in front of us. And there was a bear…chomping on grass at the side of the road. Dave quickly pulled over to stop as the bear was on the driver’s side of the road and he took a few pictures. The bear looked at us and then the motorcycle went by and he decided to mosey on into the forest. Unfortunately, Greg & Helen, coming up behind us did not get to see it. But we know there will be more!
After entering Alaska, we stopped for two nights at the Sourdough Campground in Tok, AK. I love sourdough bread (which must be from living in the San Francisco Bay Area until I was in my early 30’s), and I was hoping they had something with sourdough in it. Upon check-in we were told not to miss the pancake toss at 7:30 p.m. Hum…what is that all about? The four of us (plus Murphy) headed over to the pavilion a bit before 7:30 p.m. There was a group of about 20 and we met the host of the toss, Jeff. He was a hoot. He had us all introduce ourselves and there were 3 other RVers from Florida, another from Minnesota, and one from Belgium! Jeff then explained the rules for the pancake toss. We each took 2 turns tossing a thin pancake hopefully right in a bucket. The first toss was practice and only the second toss counted. If you win, you received a token worth $10 off breakfast at their café. And guess what? Our own Helen, plus one other lady, successfully tossed her pancake into the bucket! Woohoo! What a great marketing idea. Not only does it build a sense of community with the other RVers, it directs business into the café.
We do not usually go out for breakfast (unless it is for cinnamon rolls); however, the four of us had breakfast at the campground cafe the next morning so Helen could use her winnings. And, I had sourdough pancakes! Very scrumptious indeed. They were so good that the next morning, I asked if we could go back (it was our departure day but we did not have to leave very early). This time I had sourdough blueberry pancakes. So good!
In an earlier blog, I mentioned when the Alaska (Alcan) Highway was finished there was an opening ceremony held on November 20, 1942. We stopped and hiked up to the site of the ceremony at Soldier’s Summit which had information boards and a commemorative plaque.
At the same location, there were two red Adirondack chairs up on a hill. So, why are those chairs there? In 2011, team members at Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Canada came up with the idea to place 18 sets of Adirondack chairs in lesser-known, but just as stunning locations, inviting visitors to enjoy and share on social media. They even ran a contest where the first people to find all 18 pairs won their very own red chairs to enjoy. Today, there are over 400 iconic red chairs found in over 100 locations administered by Parks Canada.
We also drove by Kluane Lake, the largest lake entirely in the Yukon. It has quite a sad story due to climate change. In just 4 short days in May 2016, the Slims River, which fed the Kluane Lake suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats where the Alaska Highway crosses the inlet. Due to the receding glacier, what was once voluminous glacial meltwaters were suddenly diverted from one side of North America to another — from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Alaska. With its main water supply now cut off, Kluane Lake will likely become an isolated basin within a short time span, shrinking below its outlet (the Kluane River). Lack of inflow is rapidly changing the water chemistry and fish populations of the lake. Clouds of dust now frequently fill the formerly clear air. Helen captured a picture of a dust cloud.
For anyone contemplating a trip to Alaska, you usually hear about two things. One, how horrendous the mosquitos are and two, how rough the roads are. Since entering Canada, we have had great roads, even on the Alaska Highway. Well, that all changed on the last leg of our trip to reach the Alaska border. Apparently, this one stretch of the Alaska Highway was especially difficult to build due to its foundation. Much of the soil is of glacial origin and unsuitable for road embankments. Anything that causes the permafrost to melt will cause the ice-rich soil to liquiefy, which reduces its strength. If the soil then refreezes, it will expand or heave, causing undulations and cracking. The road crews are constantly addressing this, but there are many bumps, dips, damaged pavement, gravel breaks (repaired sections), and potholes. It made for a long drive day. It took us over 6 hours to drive 240 miles, averaging just 40 mph. The guys did a great job of navigating the bumpy road. And, my freezer door opened sometime during the bumpy trip. Dave had bought baby-proof latches, but we hadn’t installed them as the roads had been great. Oops!
Fun Trip Facts. Now that we have arrived to the interior of Alaska, the fuel is much less expensive than Canada. The most we paid in Canada was $5.42 per gallon for diesel, with the average about $5.00. And our first stop in Alaska was only $3.84, and it was quite a small town as well. We have already driven 8,113 miles since leaving Florida, averaging 12 miles/gallon towing our RV. And, we have been gone 2 1/2 months. The time has gone by so fast.
Thanks again for following along the sometimes-bumpy road.
Excited to cross into Alaska Brenda, Interior at last Dave, and enough of the bumps I’m trying to sleep Murphy
Congrats on seeing the bear, finally and congrats, Helen!!! Great job, guys.
You made it! What a fascinating state to spend time in!
that was a grizzly, not just any ol’ bear.
Thanks for writing about the rugged stretch of the AlCan Hwy—interesting.
Wow. That bear was pretty good size. Was that a grizzly bear or a Kodiak bear ?
Interesting about the roads it makes sense.
I know it’s two totally different trips but if you were ever to do another trip, would it be on land or water ?
You guys are having too much fun
Your mother called today. Sounds like she is doing well considering She saw my birthday picture you sent her. I need to call her back and tell her about Rob and Kit. Rob had a siezure and Kit has dementia I will call her now
Hi Ron – How did you know I am missing a trip on water? We are talking about what next year will bring and I am already lobbying for some sort of boat trip. Maybe Sailing in the BVI’s, or a narrow boat canal trip in England? I’d be happy on a cruise ship! Thanks for following along. Congrats on your 80th bday! Brenda