Long Strange Trip

pipeline signs

Here we are in Fairbanks. We are resting in a comfy apartment we rented for a few days at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Campus is quiet and its a nice place to get everything in order before we start on our way back donw the Alaska Highway.

Today we went out to view the Alaska Pipeline. We were able to walk right along side the silver tube.

There are actually instructions on the side of the pipeline.

Please note that if any black sticky substance is leaking or any actual flames are seen, you are to leave the scene immediately. Also, don't climb on the pipeline!

At the small kiosk selling pipeline memoribilia, there is some reassurance:

This all brings to mind some signs I recently came across.

A Fairbanks version of no shirts, no shoes, no service!

No bicycles, unless you are riding a large green one!

That's all for today. Will be back soon with a report on the wonderful Museum of the North.

this is getting boring?

Well we've been traveling a month now. I suppose the constant oohs and aahs on the blog are getting a bit boring. I promise to find some more interesting stuff to put up!

We just came out of Denali National Park. Three straight days of rain--but last night about midnight it cleared up. Here are some shots from 1 AM.

As dark as it gets up here!

Alpenglow!

Today it was a sunny morning and the Great Mountain made an appearence.

Right now we are in Fairbanks. Plugged in and wired. Tired and road weary. Hoping for some more midnight sun.

Best,
Ann and Jeff

hurricane turn

On Thursday we took the Alaska Railroad's Hurricane Turn. It is one of the last whistle stop runs left. People load their supplies on the train in Talkeetna, then tell the conductor where they want to get off. Bush Rats wearing six guns were riding the train. Well, they now have to take them off when they ride--but strap them right back on once they get off.

We went up to Hurricane and stopped on the bridge. We all got out and took pictures. Only 265 feet above the Indian River.  Then we just rode along with the door open. Most exciting!

We had to stop for the mainline passenger train to pass us.

There she goes!

Our engineer was a nice guy and kept us on the tracks.

That's all for now. We are outside of Denali in the tourist trap known as Glitter Gulch. Tomorrow (Sunday) we go into Denali (29 miles) for three days.

Cheers, everyone!

Talkeetna, AK

Been here in Talkeetna, AK for a few days. Good weather--we flew over Denali yesterday and today was a day of gorgeous views.

The Great Mountain as we flew by.

A view of Mt. Foraker from the Talkeetna River.

The Alaskan Railroad passes through town. You can walk across the bridge. The walkway is wide enough to allow ATVs to pass over. We discovered that the main summer highway is the ATV road which runs 17 miles north. Today we walked up the road, stopped and talked to some telephone guys digging a hole. As we talk a man wearing a straw hat and carrying an acoustic guitar on his shoulder emerges from the woods, crosses the tracks and disappears into the woods on the other side. That's the way it is around here--always a surprise in store.

The main road north of Talkeetna. Summer travel via ATV, winter via snow machine. Lots of cabins back in woods.

We are currrently camped along the Talkeetna River. No one around, just the sweet sound of the river. No services, but we are self contained.

Tomorrow we are riding the Hurricane Turn. The last remaining flag stop on the Alaskan RR. Just let them know where you want off, they stop!

Rialta cruising

Now a little bit about our vehicle. It is a Winnebago Rialta. It is constructed on a VW Eurovan chassis. So it drives like a VW. Its also cool like a VW van should be. It is very comfy. Just enough room for the both of us. We have been traveling for three weeks and we have not seriously considered a hotel.

Here is the Rialta conquering the North Cascades.

Over Haines Pass!

At the Squirrel Creek Campground!

Our spot on the bay at Seward!

There are a lot of different RVs out here. Here is our new friend Laura's VW bus. She drove it all the way to Coldfoot.

At the other extreme are the super large RVs. The owners pull up, close all the curtains and you never see them go outside at all.

Everyone we talk to says that the Rialta is the coolest of all. We agree!

 

We have dry camped for three days in Hope, AK. Now we are in Anchorage and will find an RV park to plug in and dump our tanks.

hope, alaska

We are camped at Porcupine CG in Hope, AK. Nice quiet place. Cafe, bar and library (where I am right now). Its a rainy day and to walk into a room full of books--so nice.

We are taking a break so are staying here for 3 days.

Best to all, Ann and Jeff

yukon bar

I am coming to you from the Yukon Bar in Seward, Ak. We are having a wonderful time.

The last two days we have done some really nice day hikes.

The Winner Creek Trail has a great river gorge.

You can cross the river in a wire basket. It is cool.

Ann crossing over the river.

We also visited the Portage Glacier.

We are getting lots of good advice (!) from people here in the bar!

Tomorrow we are off to Hope, AK.

slow down

The main lesson we are learning is to slow down. The place is awesome and you really have to take your time to see it all. Besides the roads are rough at times. Gravel, frost heaves, mountains and valleys. Wow!

I have cancelled all our reservations so we can travel at our own pace. Tomorrow we are taking the ferry from here at Valdez to Whittier, AK.

In Copper Center, AK we discovered a model railroad. We also found the bar it is in.

Note out of scale cat (aka Bear).

Norman Bates would be at home here.

Right now we are camped in Valdez. Cloudy and drizzly.

This is the view out our back window.

dancing moon

Greetings from Tok, Alaska! After two really nice days in Haines, AK we pushed on into the interior.  We spent a day  and night in Kluane National Park in the Yukon. Kathleen Lake is a glacial lake with beautiful turquoise waters.

We made a campfire, but it never gets dark up here. Suddenly the moon  rose over the mountains. It really just cut a nearly horizontal path across the sky.

Time for us to hit the road!

inside passage

I am writing from Haines, AK. Just got back from a great dinner of fresh halibut topped off with a delicious piece of blueberry pie. The weather is cool and cloudy, the scenery is spectacular.

The ferry ride was good---here are some images from the journey.

We spent most of our time on the back deck---

In the Narrows between Wrangell, AK and Petersburg, AK there were hundreds of Bald Eagles perched in the trees.

Up close to a glacier.