No act of kindness,no matter how small is ever wasted. Alsop The lion & the mouse
August 1, 2005,Monday. We left Fairbanks and stopped at the North Pole for breakfast. One guess how this town makes it money…..Yes, everything is done around the Christmas theme. I my opinion “overkill” and touristy, but Mr. Bob enjoyed himself.
The drive on the Road to the End of the World, did indeed seem like the End of the World was our destination as we bounced along on a dirt road. Chicken was our first stop, population 40 or so. Once this was a thriving mining town not so now. This “town” does not have electricity, and is completely run by a generator. The miners wanted to name this tent city Ptarmigan, a chicken-like critter seen everywhere, but alas no one could spell Ptarmigan, so it was called chicken!
It is hard to believe, but this road got worse as we drove on to Eagle. The dirt narrows and goes up and down mountains for about 65 miles to Eagle Village, population 150
After a permanent community of miners took up residence in 1898, the US Army decided
to move in and build a fort in an effort to maintain law and order.
We spent the night at a dry campground.
August 2, 205, Tuesday. We toured Eagle, believe it or not. A young ranger lady took us around the old preserved fort. By noon we were on our way to the Top of the World Highway, this brought us into Yukon Territory. The highway is absolutely breathtaking, with spectacular views, it is the Top of the World (and it was paved).
Our destination was Dawson City. A bike ride around Dawson City felt good after the long journey. We biked to “Diamond Tooth Gertie’s” and took in the show with Can-Can Dancers. Very entertaining.
August 3, 2005, Wednesday. We continued on the Alaskan Hwy SOUTH! After shopping at Whitehorse, we took a break the Takhini Hot Springs. The hot water helped relax our stiff muscles. Dinner was at a dam on the Yukon River. The campground was on Teslin River.
August 4, 2005, Thursday. On our way out of Teslin we stopped at a Tlingit Heritage Center, a lovely new facility. We viewed a video about Robert Johnston, an enterprising member of the Tlingit Tribe.
As we
left the Yukon and entered British Columbia, we were cruising about 65/70 mph, when we saw a Moose walk onto the highway. We managed to avoid this huge bull moose on the loose. Wow it was too close. The wildlife just abounds. Continuing down the road we stopped slowly (this time) to view a herd of buffalo along side the road, just having lunch.
Tonight’s hot springs was even hotter, the Liard Hot Springs. It is becoming a pleasant way to end the day, don’t know if we pass any more. The environment here was a bit more natural.
August 5, 2005, Friday. Organization time, cleaning, laundry, water fill up and we were off by 10 AM. The wild life today included caribou, stone sheep and wild horses, just amazing.
The drive along Muncho Lake, BC, was beautiful.
August 6, 2005, Saturday. We are now in Alberta. We camped at a Rotary Campground in Grande Prairie, it was very nice and clean.
Took a bike ride along a loop trail, it was so good to get out and pedal. After diner we went to a movie. Time to rest.
DredgeHow think about this! How did they get this up there ? No wonder tehy left it