CHIP's Alaskan Adventure

May 01, 2013

7:15am Departed Fenton with U Dave (60) and A Mari (58) travelled north in sunny weather from 55 to75 degrees until Mackinaw, 50, crossed Mackinaw Bridge ($10) to a 60 degree St Ignace.  Made it to MQT to load Jerry’s motorcycle and after 30 minutes of securing the new load (5:15pm), were off to day one resting place of Ironwood, MI, 13 hours later (7:15pm Central), for Wal-Mart.  Saw many white-tailed deer throughout the afternoon and evening.

May 02, 2013

9:00am, Departed Ironwood (28 degrees) after removing HEAVY wet snow from roof and slide-outs.  Roads were snow covered and icy for next hour, 35 mph average.  We made good time after that (55-60mph), went through Rugby, ND, the Geographical Center of North America and ended at Wal-Mart in Minot, ND.  A Mari drove last 125 miles this day.  Deer in PM and a couple of bald eagles mid-day. 

May 03, 2013

8:34am, Departed Minot to cross border at Portal, ND to Estevan, SK.  About an hour long ordeal crossing with a 30 minute search of truck and RV by Canada Customs.  Saw first moose south of Saskatoon, SK and we all filmed it in some form or another.  A road killed moose lay a quarter mile north and a second south east of Lloydminster, AB.  We arrived at the Lloydminster Wal-Mart around 9:30pm.

May 04, 2013

7:38am, Departed Lloydminster for Fort St John.  Saw moose, golden eagle mule and white-tailed deer throughout travels.  We drove through several steep descents and ascents the last 20 miles from Fort St John, BC.  Arrived 8:00pm.

May 05, 2013

Our travels this day were from Fort St John to Watson Lake, Yukon.  Stellar day included Canadian Lynx, Black Bear, Moose, Mountain Goats, Elk, Caribou, Red Fox and more than a hundred Bison.  Frost heaves and pot holes kept travel well below 60 mph through most parts.  I paid $36 for hot showers, water, dump station and electricity at a small RV park.

May 06, 2013

Watson Lake to Northway, AK (rest area) and the US crossing was a breeze.  Wildlife was eventful with sightings of dozens of Dall Sheep on the mountain and roadway at Sheep Mtn/Kluane Lake and a Bull Moose in velvet after Haines Junction.

May 07, 2013

Northway to Chugiak and stayed at a residence in Peters Creek.  In Tok, we picked up an 18y French girl who had travelled the past 5 months throughout Canada and Alaska with only a backpack and her parents approved. 

May 08, 2013

Day trip to Denali but as usual, “the Mountain” did not cooperate and most visible 120 miles out.  When we arrived, it was a ghost in the clouds yet still towering above all else in the haze.  Returned to Chugiak and ate Thai food.

May 09, 2013

Tried to sleep in but failed.  Out of bed and had day trip to Whittier for Halibut and Shrimp.  To get to Whittier, we drove through a single lane tunnel through a mountain, 2.6 miles.  Stopped at Wild West Guns to see the store and A Mari bought a shirt for Daniel.  Said farewell to travel-mates at airport and returned to Chugiak for first night alone.  Still in civilization and I feel alone.

Whittier Harbour

May 10, 2013

Finally slept late (8:00am) and ate leftover pizza for breakfast.  Finished pizza for lunch then performed chores: laundry, cupboard arrangement, tire pressure, oil, fuel, LP.  Dinner was more leftover Ginger Chicken (Thai) and preplanning the next week’s travel. 

May 11, 2013

Awoke to texts from Megyn…Lisa and her were going to Mt Pleasant to help Kristyn move.  My three girls together, how wonderful.  I, on the other hand, packed up and headed north toward Gulkona.  Pulled over about 3:30pm, 15 miles from Glennallen and visited with “Chuck.”  Chuck is in his mid-sixties, has a home in Palmer, and cabin in Eagle (near post office) where is has several gold claims.  It was neat talking to him for an hour before he headed south. 

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day moms…short travel day, probably 25 miles to a public access site next to Gulkana River, Gulkana, AK.  Waiting out here until my next host to returns from drilling on the North Slope.  Drizzly overcast day and in the forties but I did spend an hour or so with my latest neighbor, Don.  Don is mid seventies and comes up here yearly to fish the June King Salmon run on the Gulkana River.  He was stationed in Alaska in the 1960’s and assisted with the earth quake/tidal wave relief in Valdez, AK.  Don always wanted to return after his tour ended and did once he divorced his wife of forty years.  The “lady” remarried six months later and these past 12 years has been his BEST years.  Be wary of his overprotective 90# white German Shepherd.  I also checked out my host’s property a mile from camp site.  This guy has some toys to play with.  Boat, airplane with airstrip, band saw sawmill, ATVs, snowmachines, etc. and his schedule on the North Slope is 3/3, three weeks work and three weeks off.