Back to the Yukon

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There's an old Eskimo legend that when the fireweed begins to bloom at the top, winter will be soon behind. Not wanting to experience any part of winter in Alaska, even the beginning, I guess it's time to head home. We are not even slightly prepared for any of the triple-digit temperatures in Texas, but perhaps they will be gone by the time we arrive.

After leaving Grand View, we drove another 79 miles on the Glenn Highway before getting back onto roads we've traveled before. The Glenn Highway was a very pretty drive and good road all the way. We were told last night that the Glenn Highway has never been closed due to weather. Interesting to think about. At Gulkana, we turned north to head towards Tok Junction, the last town in Alaska before crossing into Canada and the Yukon. I'm disappointed that we didn't get to Denali and that I didn't get to fly around Mt. McKinley, but I have a promise that we will come back! I've loved everything we've done (except clam digging because my back is still in pain). It's just a big state with lots to see and do!

After crossing the border and passing through Canadian customs, it wasn't long before the road turned crappy again - washboarding, big pot holes, lots of gravel. It's amazing how Alaska can do such a better job on the roads. Another thing to be thankful for as an American.

We stopped at White River Campground near Beaver Creek, just before the road gets really, really bad. They have an airstrip, a collection of old military vehicles, old washers, several old Singer sewing machines and many beautiful mounts (Musk-Ox, grizzly, mountain goat, Dall's sheep, timber wolf, bison, caribou, lynx, owl and many fish - all on loan from the Canadian government). Amanda, the proprietor, was born in England, raised in Ireland. When asked how she landed here, the answer was she came through on holiday, sat around the campfire and heard the place was for sale (it was a hotel once upon a time and before that, officer's quarters during the war in 1942). She left and visited Alaska, came back, bought the place and has been working hard ever since. While using the central internet, I met a woman from LaGrange, TX who was with her daughter from Houston. They used to live in Alaska, so we had a nice conversation during which they told me that the mother and her husband now raise "fainting goats." Their website is www.justkidnranch.com. If you get a chance to visit the website, watch the clip of the fainting goats. It's hilarious and you can even have one for your very own.

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Photos

Fireweed
Blooms almost at the top - winter is close.

Bear footprint
Saw this footprint in a parking area by a river where salmon were supposed to be spawning.

Black bear greets us
Just as we crossed the border back into the Yukon, this bear started to cross the highway in front of us. Luckily, he turned when we honked.

White River RV Park
A collection of old washing machines; I remember my grandma having one of these.

Washing machine
Another style old washer