ROF= Ring of fire Odyssey MEF-H = Marine Expeditionary Force- Hargus
AK= ALaska journey
October 25, 2017
Back 1. Well this was the mother of all RT = road trips, I'm tired, exhausted beyond description. I've been out on the road some 3+ months, 90+ days, one quarter of a year.
Homeless, 1/2 gypsy, 1/2 vagabond, not knowing where to camp, Not knowing where I’d lay my head sometimes until 5 to 7 in the evening, this is the only way to live on the road. This was out on the edge. The view from the edge suits me fine.
We started out from Birmingham/ Leeds Alabama on this AK= Alaska road trip, turned somewhat West up through Nashville, Tennessee, west tip of Kentucky, Southern Illinois- horrible roads, up Hwy 61 to Hanible then across Missouri Hwy 36, then up through the Dakotas.
The Dakotas are a whole another story.
Across North Dakota, a few days rest up at Grahams Island.
Past Devil's Lake, to Rugby, North Dakota, the geological center of North America. Then turn north and cross over into Canada.
Canadian customs can be an ordeal. It was somewhat of a hassle but the customs guys are very professional.
Then west across the Canadian Plains. up through Manitoba, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, heading west across the plains. The vast plains took several days. I can't describe very well how the pioneers crossed the plains in wagons; it’s beyond understanding what it took. Across Alberta Canada, up in to Grand Prairie, Alberta, with the energy boom at full throttle.
And into BC, British Columbia, past Dawson Creek, the beginning of the ALCAN= the ALaska/ CANadian Hwy, a whole new vast wilderness. It’s 870 miles from Dawson Creek to Whitehorse, The Yukon Territory. A vast woodland forest wilderness beyond any description you have ever heard or understood. The Yukon is a wonderful place and there will be many posts that follow.
Back to British Columbia BC, Dawson Creek. Dawson Creek are the mother scratchers that are quitters; they settled here and did not go any further north. Dawson, the city, 330+ miles north are where the gold miners are, Dawson, the real gold miners went on ahead and did not quit at Dawson creek.
The Dawson Creek Dawson's are quitters.
330+ miles north at Dawson, The CITY, The Yukon Territory is where the real gold miners are. The real guys, … the real gold miners pioneers… still working claims with tumblers on Bonanza creek. You see that hand painted sign “No Trespassin’”; you go in on that land and they will shoot you dead. Claim Jumper. The Sheriff probably will not charge them.
We drove The “Top of the World” Highway from Dawson.
Took the ferry across the Yukon river, Drove the “Top of the World” Highway 9, 81 miles, 8 hours.
A wonderful view of the world that few have ever seen, literally the top of the world and touching the heavens in places.
We come to the fun and sun outpost of the wilderness world of Chicken, Alaska. There is a campsite, there are hot showers, which are the best thing of this town. After a month in the Yukon wilderness this is like being at the Fairmont. An outpost of refuge… just glad to be here. Just glad we made it to here, alive.
Many pothole miles of road, 8+ hours to go 81 miles…. Crossed over into Alaska at the border checkpoint. Down through Chicken, Alaska until we come to Tok, Alaska. Tok is somewhat of civilization or passes for it in this part of the world. Tok has a grocery store, airport, fuel stations, repair garages, a post office, ect.
Also See the next leg post:
From Tok we turn north to Big Delta on paved roads, headed to Delta Junction and Big Delta-- a glimpse of the Alaska pipeline. and Fairbanks Alaska-- 66 degrees- 33 minutes of the Arctic Circle.
This completes the 1st leg of this ALaska RT; we made it to Alaska. Now we get to see it on the next, middle hump.
Will stop now. See follow up posts
You never drink twice from the same stream.
Just because you wander doesn't mean you're lost.
Uncle Hargus: Last of the Independents
Have Bear,
Will Travel
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