tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46478046152119398892024-02-07T05:58:33.734-08:00Bohemian Gypsy Travels amerikaVerbal Rabbit Hole Travels...The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-39109380508757515982023-08-12T07:54:00.003-07:002023-08-12T07:57:07.324-07:00We have started the Americas! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 40px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Currently on the route from 2022-2025</div><p></p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfJbd69UPArz0b2X6AcRkqDWCxI6UVVTk2Dki1mfVQZ7w-YAYCCiDjFLcLqIQnqFxV_fZ4dXHjVpRWQ7avM4KSgAexHb30lQiGxLdZ4uCMuiqnBbASc8Zrz2glQGHr4JoDTmo08ujEE2A-YgcsA_fbLb1l3RPz4ydYwBUeIhoLvWwW6CiSPnGkNBO4SA/s3000/5220_68401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfJbd69UPArz0b2X6AcRkqDWCxI6UVVTk2Dki1mfVQZ7w-YAYCCiDjFLcLqIQnqFxV_fZ4dXHjVpRWQ7avM4KSgAexHb30lQiGxLdZ4uCMuiqnBbASc8Zrz2glQGHr4JoDTmo08ujEE2A-YgcsA_fbLb1l3RPz4ydYwBUeIhoLvWwW6CiSPnGkNBO4SA/s320/5220_68401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We are on the road! The house is sold and we left Anchorage in August of 2022. Previously, we road to the top of the planet and dipped our toes and paws in the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are traveling slow and seeing what we can see. No agenda, just riding.<p></p>The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-41808070006805415292018-07-04T09:59:00.000-07:002018-07-04T21:29:40.521-07:00Dipping Our Toes and Paws in the Arctic CircleOMG! Where to start. Reaching Tuk has been on my list since
my first failed attempt in 2011. Although back then, it wasn’t really riding my
motorcycle to the top of the planet. It was riding to Inuvik, Northwest
Territories, Canada and then catching a small plane to Tuktoyuktuk. You see,
back then there was no road to Tuk. It ended in Inuvik, and what existed was an
ice road to the native community only in the winter. It is roughly 90 miles
beyond Inuvik. The Canadians have been trying to build this road for almost 30
years!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it here by motorcycle!</td></tr>
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That first failed ride on the Dempster in 2011 lead to a second
attempt in 2013. This time we were able to reach Inuvik, the end of the road in
(2013), but the cost to fly to Tuk was so crazy expensive to see the pingos
($1,000), that we decided to spend that money on a trip to a beach in Mexico. We
didn’t go Tuk. We got back to Anchorage, and it was added to that unfinished
business list. Someday…</div>
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Then I heard in 2017 that the road would be finished and it officially
opened to vehicle traffic in November. That is when the plan started to finish
the business. Michael and I are always planning the next adventure. Cleary this
was it. Thus begin the dance of arranging the details and securing lodging. In
remote places like this, it is better to always have a reservation. The
businesses are very accommodating to changing road conditions and allow you to
flex your stay if you get delayed. If you aren’t in the reservation group
though, it would be a lot more stressful. There just aren’t places to stay.
This is the only place I would say the campers and small RVs have it gold. I
would not tent camp here because of all the mozzies.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the Tuk section of the Dempster Highway</td></tr>
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So here we are the morning of trying to realize this dream
with a flat tire. We learned there was a tire shop that would open at 9am. This
already put us in a bind. Assuming we could get in first and they could fix it,
would take us two hours. This late delay would put us on the road at the
earliest around noon. We knew the road was bad in some places, and figured it
would take us maybe 3 hours to get to top of planet, and then 3 hours back. Add
an hour for screwing around at the top, and we are looking at another long day.
If we couldn’t find a tire shop to fix the tire, then Michael would have to do
it himself. We had found a local that would open up their garage to us to fix
the tire ourselves, but that would take longer without the right equipment to
take the tire off the rim. I am running car tires on the back of the motorcycle
and side car. This is not as easy as fixing a motorcycle tire. If we ended up
doing this ourselves, then it would take much longer. Too long to drive north,
but we could at least get back to Anchorage. Plan B – chartering a plane was
hatching. After chatting with several folks, we would need to cough up roughly
$1800 to take the three of us up to Tuk. No rental cars available. We could get
a RT ride, but that was $1500 on account of the bad road. I was hemming and
hawing about paying $1800 for the plane when I got word that the tire shop was
going to be able to fix it right then and there. Thank goodness! We were on the
road by noon!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x-ADBBiYCuQphYzQ_hTXWdbyasLIY4IrHQeaiNEevDB_4QPv1vWZ5DUUN1v_oOkqTIS5gzcheJdsQ6f4oOqv0YZQJF9Qm0Ikkiqlynoe3cy6xZ6isB9Y-nFal9CgA0ndRa0WX9CN47c/s1600/dempster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x-ADBBiYCuQphYzQ_hTXWdbyasLIY4IrHQeaiNEevDB_4QPv1vWZ5DUUN1v_oOkqTIS5gzcheJdsQ6f4oOqv0YZQJF9Qm0Ikkiqlynoe3cy6xZ6isB9Y-nFal9CgA0ndRa0WX9CN47c/s640/dempster1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road grater damage</td></tr>
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We knew there are no services really in Tuk. No cafes or restaurants
and no hotels. There is only one gift shop but two small grocery stores. Things
close early. The town is just ready for the world to drive in. It has been off
the road for a very long time. We stopped by the grocery store in Inuvik and
loaded up with pre made sandwiched and apples, and general snacks. I even got
Rasta a couple of pieces of cheese as a special treat. Rasta is being such a
sport, and seems to be enjoying herself. Aside from a hideous mozzie bite on
her snout that makes her look like the wicked witch of the north she is doing
great. Her princess carriage is very nice. She does not like to wear her
hearing protection.<br />
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We also decided to strip down our operation. We left the KLR
in town on account of the marble gravel and snotty mud reports. We left all our
gear except emergency gear and rain gear in Inuvik. This was going to be day
trip. A fast out and back hopefully.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The southern part of the road was like what we have been seeing.
The landscape didn’t look much different. Sure enough the road was skittle
strewn. There were places of really rough riding; washboard ruts for miles. There
was only one pullout on the entire road even though signs said there were. This
is a new road and they seem to still be building it. There were no places to
stop your camper or motorhome. No places wide enough to turn around. No
outhouses. Nothing. This is truly new remote road. It was like a raised gravel
strip, maybe 20 feet above the tundra, with soft gravel shoulders on both
sides. No one wants to ride too close to either side. Everyone wants to ride in
the exact middle. Luckily there was not much traffic. There were about a dozen
large belly dump diesel trucks still moving gravel and dirt. Otherwise going up
there we saw less than a dozen vehicles both directions included. There were
place of grating going on. These areas were extremely difficult to navigate. I
imagine this will always be the case. As Michael said “F**king graters suck.” We
did have good weather going up to enjoy the view.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi1m5tqztmiI9wPD2CtbsIPoxusfuGOXzU7wOuERfHHf4ti7q_22gsi-SmLD1m0wRfDR7AXazzRgx4iXX9YP2NY8uTpWabJlYvdUizEeSalrzTSNg1K6rmJzN9Bc7xpD2i0xbz7THs_s/s1600/pingos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi1m5tqztmiI9wPD2CtbsIPoxusfuGOXzU7wOuERfHHf4ti7q_22gsi-SmLD1m0wRfDR7AXazzRgx4iXX9YP2NY8uTpWabJlYvdUizEeSalrzTSNg1K6rmJzN9Bc7xpD2i0xbz7THs_s/s640/pingos2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pingos!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr6WHLn6ituJxjF1J_NUuHnNqpguLDJ2lLPc9anxPLI9dAIRQPsOzzkwRiM02hlhf1-0UUvqj9LlQhnPiyYVztLnhk-vIxFaPX5TwwtmuAdQsaQisU28ReK8NeKC12yX9iYbSWmIRFOo/s1600/pingos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr6WHLn6ituJxjF1J_NUuHnNqpguLDJ2lLPc9anxPLI9dAIRQPsOzzkwRiM02hlhf1-0UUvqj9LlQhnPiyYVztLnhk-vIxFaPX5TwwtmuAdQsaQisU28ReK8NeKC12yX9iYbSWmIRFOo/s640/pingos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually the first pingo I saw.</td></tr>
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The road was a strip of gravel winding around the lakes and between
them. Water everywhere. The NWT safe to pass sign looked like an alien face
from far away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was amazing and
loud. Even in bad weather.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSOgok8956uGk6Cy6Yyyl2YAQhLyu4fP0CYSgEcCYOpEr_JRznVFFYE6hdWq36oBXJ3cMh-TY8AxWEBTXg7tRnsdRcctZepTMMTPpPQ9OtVSeuxeV0CBA78R88xa0r_TEAdWDyaVUpwc/s1600/windyroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSOgok8956uGk6Cy6Yyyl2YAQhLyu4fP0CYSgEcCYOpEr_JRznVFFYE6hdWq36oBXJ3cMh-TY8AxWEBTXg7tRnsdRcctZepTMMTPpPQ9OtVSeuxeV0CBA78R88xa0r_TEAdWDyaVUpwc/s640/windyroad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road winds around the lakes</td></tr>
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We stopped at the one pullout on the road. There were tundra
flowers everywhere. This was Michael and Rasta’s first time to walk on real
tundra (spongy). It was also the furthest North Michael has ever been. I am
fortunate enough to have gone to Barrow, now called Utqiagvik, in the past. We
needed to use our helmets as mosquito a net.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEnnzadXzdiiCRlgFRAgLpSRmywcA-DA-t7OE33ChfDILn3PVSvXH5QF_2aurVABuzsQTeIjD65nzeW1uuYxD-nlDoylf9X2ndPb4dOseDqf008z31ZFzEfCOMp4Lam_TLB___80Z6Tg/s1600/rastamichael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEnnzadXzdiiCRlgFRAgLpSRmywcA-DA-t7OE33ChfDILn3PVSvXH5QF_2aurVABuzsQTeIjD65nzeW1uuYxD-nlDoylf9X2ndPb4dOseDqf008z31ZFzEfCOMp4Lam_TLB___80Z6Tg/s640/rastamichael.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael and Rasta play on the tundra</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchYB6xY-IE8-mZLDWw84J5oSZwfgC72GH13Ji-E8P6Oe9i749v6_frZwR4QYq06YiHj_23zcwnZr2Ndw3-vlXolrP-rM-PX2e4r-oKHIm9fGni_2RL_owxcjOOk81ulL8LcvCjzlP55I/s1600/tundraflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchYB6xY-IE8-mZLDWw84J5oSZwfgC72GH13Ji-E8P6Oe9i749v6_frZwR4QYq06YiHj_23zcwnZr2Ndw3-vlXolrP-rM-PX2e4r-oKHIm9fGni_2RL_owxcjOOk81ulL8LcvCjzlP55I/s640/tundraflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers grow wild across the tundra</td></tr>
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The northern part of the road felt magical! It was truly
stunning. I felt like I was looking left and then right and then left to see it
all. It was a rolling landscape of vivid greed with bright blue water
everywhere. Pingos punctuated the landscape in the distance. The sky was
talking. It was just absolutely amazing. This section of the road is truly one
of the most incredible drives I have ever done. It’s right up there with the
road to Hana in Hawaii.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPK8hpwRJnqLTl6SfoxGun1od2AqPlmvKmcQUdGac8L0HsZj4ouwTfzqrIb01wdZwdulr7qEpOpGgwk9IXKAezl2p15OSDwEkvm66-ozHY5vnyegTQNyd20qzblzp_gX-zoz7gbWE8qU/s1600/map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPK8hpwRJnqLTl6SfoxGun1od2AqPlmvKmcQUdGac8L0HsZj4ouwTfzqrIb01wdZwdulr7qEpOpGgwk9IXKAezl2p15OSDwEkvm66-ozHY5vnyegTQNyd20qzblzp_gX-zoz7gbWE8qU/s640/map1.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of my GPS. Road through the lakes!</td></tr>
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We reached the outskirts of town, which is truly not a good
thing to see. We were warned that the new road enters the community by the
landfill. They have not used dirt or fill to manage the landfill. Now that they
have the road, they have easier access to fill and trucks. There are plans to
clean it up, but right now we got to drive past decades of waste piled high. We
definitely noticed the smell. One thing that was obviously absent in our trip
to the Arctic Ocean – there was no scent of sea water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We saw driftwood everywhere which confused us on account of
there not really being trees in the north (not for hundreds of miles). So why
all the driftwood? Ocean currents must be bring it up here? Thousands of
driftwood trees all along the coast. Still no ocean smells.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkivjBRoMWRwdyIi7D1ZSlxzYR9uJ5EokUkya7kEMhiIx6dZkA93OTjPZAGnrSmUs-QFF3pJGkiPCgdzzJKZ4D2FWG6MT75j9D1qhlotRN2OLn8qAe3wBoivTVmAdY16W9wFyhoNtgJD4/s1600/tuksign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkivjBRoMWRwdyIi7D1ZSlxzYR9uJ5EokUkya7kEMhiIx6dZkA93OTjPZAGnrSmUs-QFF3pJGkiPCgdzzJKZ4D2FWG6MT75j9D1qhlotRN2OLn8qAe3wBoivTVmAdY16W9wFyhoNtgJD4/s640/tuksign1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have the second largest pingo growing out almost out of my head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The road goes right through town. Typical buildings in the
arctic, built high on pilings to allow air flow to pass. Houses directly on the
tundra cause a heated footprint to melt the permafrost. This eventually causes
the buildings to sink. So they raise them above. Dirt roads everywhere, very
few business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfljAvqY5REu9UTxJUb2U-EsjY8jHmu2QbXkJFyL255i6o52i-F0-MCQaPrz7GXElTwE5xqDVRIWvRH2d4W6GMpzvjpGTz-3qCBJm1tYMLvGdrPyd1p4uPRnI5jWYkOuXhUZoGcItJLYc/s1600/tuk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfljAvqY5REu9UTxJUb2U-EsjY8jHmu2QbXkJFyL255i6o52i-F0-MCQaPrz7GXElTwE5xqDVRIWvRH2d4W6GMpzvjpGTz-3qCBJm1tYMLvGdrPyd1p4uPRnI5jWYkOuXhUZoGcItJLYc/s640/tuk1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of the town of Tuktoyuktuk (Tuk)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO1kGxNxFSUwyWTETZ6X4s-5AA4xPZKPLgH9KosuwWBDVMnooVpYrz9VzBcVV_kpSr9CYFq3Ctkkcf89gOjoc1Ql7kmk0dVpGtgBKOY7sZKgB5QpibAvvDZZOtrbz6RT6gAxP6a3_yfE/s1600/tuk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO1kGxNxFSUwyWTETZ6X4s-5AA4xPZKPLgH9KosuwWBDVMnooVpYrz9VzBcVV_kpSr9CYFq3Ctkkcf89gOjoc1Ql7kmk0dVpGtgBKOY7sZKgB5QpibAvvDZZOtrbz6RT6gAxP6a3_yfE/s640/tuk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-dypTPPb2WYGu0YNbexypFXiqfwxtC2byrrQgyEt9yIDWZ5gcKTM8VoLvn-jHXt9hKrgZj4fy6zVNgW1ffo3EkbVkCJr3IpfpvQEhX6NZpIwPylxuBXby3aEqjOuaUFjzgC15RO1CUI/s1600/tuk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-dypTPPb2WYGu0YNbexypFXiqfwxtC2byrrQgyEt9yIDWZ5gcKTM8VoLvn-jHXt9hKrgZj4fy6zVNgW1ffo3EkbVkCJr3IpfpvQEhX6NZpIwPylxuBXby3aEqjOuaUFjzgC15RO1CUI/s640/tuk3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2La164AK9VJHFeTDm_UYIILfAEhyYb9etTiARtrw2w7RkufD9FSDE4nzzSlUcdGjX-ubuMOn9xKa4AD5yCuECJI_TFNJv4Tz69ZvqPxJnG4bzQD7B7cXsAMlRpq90FDHfEu87nvD4eA/s1600/tuk4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="960" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2La164AK9VJHFeTDm_UYIILfAEhyYb9etTiARtrw2w7RkufD9FSDE4nzzSlUcdGjX-ubuMOn9xKa4AD5yCuECJI_TFNJv4Tz69ZvqPxJnG4bzQD7B7cXsAMlRpq90FDHfEu87nvD4eA/s640/tuk4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GghYhV-Y7URqSjkZBJvWdgXi_FkXuxJReXEBODsviJ2Otn1gpArqWosD4IMlqZSjrIt_0VPyzCG4k-kxPgvGvJytR77LJl0yUZ4VcBO0xyCFajS3oQh3LQEHsYmHuMV-0yvLLNRpu_U/s1600/tuk5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GghYhV-Y7URqSjkZBJvWdgXi_FkXuxJReXEBODsviJ2Otn1gpArqWosD4IMlqZSjrIt_0VPyzCG4k-kxPgvGvJytR77LJl0yUZ4VcBO0xyCFajS3oQh3LQEHsYmHuMV-0yvLLNRpu_U/s640/tuk5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqjDwMLmiLtzsTmQawALW1xH8RrvT_Vb3ZIS5k-_6UTZfP-qRRF5JBMgNKZfxlebsLv6x9WFdmADS38MdEaYuOj6mEZBTurvSoCcWJOwmeiRe4ycBn6q4LHDBSYrPbYhgIbFtuFA1d28/s1600/tuk6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqjDwMLmiLtzsTmQawALW1xH8RrvT_Vb3ZIS5k-_6UTZfP-qRRF5JBMgNKZfxlebsLv6x9WFdmADS38MdEaYuOj6mEZBTurvSoCcWJOwmeiRe4ycBn6q4LHDBSYrPbYhgIbFtuFA1d28/s640/tuk6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We drive straight through to the very end of the road where
it meets the ocean. Still no ocean smell, the water was silver.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We parked at the end of the road, took photos and celebrated
the fact that we road motorcycles to the top of the planet. In Alaska, the Dalton
does not reach the Arctic Ocean (as a private citizen). Can you do this
anywhere else in North America? We made it! Rasta ran around and found a stick
(in a treeless environment) and immediately sat down and chewed it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j34HorzEZ0AdKPR-Dsh1hUW1xt7EFLixbM4gzvuePhQqS2iO2G58hBagR8dttXIzKKMr4QGl8G393iHgKmlCK31LcShvmsfLhIkkdII8MiXhDBvyDS_LF5VNIi2b_EX5Uv0UYIXGBPA/s1600/judymike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j34HorzEZ0AdKPR-Dsh1hUW1xt7EFLixbM4gzvuePhQqS2iO2G58hBagR8dttXIzKKMr4QGl8G393iHgKmlCK31LcShvmsfLhIkkdII8MiXhDBvyDS_LF5VNIi2b_EX5Uv0UYIXGBPA/s640/judymike.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it to the top of the planet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrGdsghVoLeHRPhKO3d6cmpINcQ-DORBmCTC2DhoV_wlQj_aN4jwYOicPCW-C0gTMxA2610d5IhvySfFH2ZTEtQ5AGFTrGKl7tZigvpxKk7F5yuAZNpYJoInP8df-CcsBVaYkGqsT_Z8/s1600/burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrGdsghVoLeHRPhKO3d6cmpINcQ-DORBmCTC2DhoV_wlQj_aN4jwYOicPCW-C0gTMxA2610d5IhvySfFH2ZTEtQ5AGFTrGKl7tZigvpxKk7F5yuAZNpYJoInP8df-CcsBVaYkGqsT_Z8/s640/burger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to weird to eat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeh3QHnyezXsW7PxD_X_1thzlbvtxnA9__1F-IzSQcEl_9d4ZrNBpcXt5nLCeLCwS5KBKnA9rGOShx-zFZKIhmaW6Zv4V_xOQIRWZh4OaKIuB8w583ScnOjmOiKghX7NmfWuGkKdW3DI/s1600/tuk7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeh3QHnyezXsW7PxD_X_1thzlbvtxnA9__1F-IzSQcEl_9d4ZrNBpcXt5nLCeLCwS5KBKnA9rGOShx-zFZKIhmaW6Zv4V_xOQIRWZh4OaKIuB8w583ScnOjmOiKghX7NmfWuGkKdW3DI/s640/tuk7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musk ox burger anyone?<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of the road, a tent café exists. The only place
in town to get something to eat. We tried the Musk ox burger <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– icky. We ate the ham sandwich we brought
from Inuvik. We then walked to the Arctic Ocean and touched the water. Rasta
tried to go swimming, but got surprised by its chill. She settled for walking around
in the water. We all dipped our toes (with boots) and paws. It then started to
rain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM8t13tM3lBpdNHyZ3w6qlMbfv1n00xrtw7JHCcpCdmrVnnxh01ETWqZH4jY3V4wNR1d3c9PGigexIPZ-Jo2T7SIfiR7WqB1pQ6V_RTjwIof0G0w-1q5Is4BtEaxXw6C-NZQXCvVjYRk/s1600/tuk8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM8t13tM3lBpdNHyZ3w6qlMbfv1n00xrtw7JHCcpCdmrVnnxh01ETWqZH4jY3V4wNR1d3c9PGigexIPZ-Jo2T7SIfiR7WqB1pQ6V_RTjwIof0G0w-1q5Is4BtEaxXw6C-NZQXCvVjYRk/s640/tuk8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta is all excited with the water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUpVOqbv0rAX_zH8KvbfHdquV1WLZ3b6gDKPsmDQF6vJwSYzKlFMuS7_OfWzYPGb6GCdHFHJg8shKJUOqT5nvtH6vkkZp2cFekXELw6TqDD3Do4pD6fSQ-2LAb9_8nl5NPv91rX6nNMM/s1600/tuk9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUpVOqbv0rAX_zH8KvbfHdquV1WLZ3b6gDKPsmDQF6vJwSYzKlFMuS7_OfWzYPGb6GCdHFHJg8shKJUOqT5nvtH6vkkZp2cFekXELw6TqDD3Do4pD6fSQ-2LAb9_8nl5NPv91rX6nNMM/s640/tuk9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is getting ready to dip her paws.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ride back was uneventful and fast. It rained most of the
way. We were now in a hurry to get cold beer in Inuvik before the liquor store
closed. We passed a couple two up on a fully loaded BMW. They were struggling
to keep the bike straight. We confirmed it was good to that we didn’t bring the
KLR.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got to the store in time, but they only had horrible beer
selections (American piss water – Budweiser, Coors, Miller), the good beer was
not in the fridge. We toasted our success to reaching our goal with hot beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we talked about driving to the furthest tip of the South
American continent Tierra del Fuego shared by Chile and Argentina.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to get home first!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-19576501076427932522018-07-03T09:30:00.003-07:002018-07-04T09:23:30.045-07:00This Water Tastes Interesting?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up so sore this morning I didn’t have the strength in
my hands to open up a water bottle (from death grip and throttling for hundreds
of miles). Michael and I are still chuckling over the “water incident”
yesterday. It was such a hot day that we were drinking a ton of water. About 20
miles short of Eagle Plains, we took note were down to only 1 bottle (of easily
accessible water – we actually carry a large white PAX of water, but that is
the emergency-hard-to-get-too-water). So, on account of not wanting to run out,
I pour Rasta’s water back into a small empty bottle. This is the water that was
in her dog dish that she didn’t drink. I figured she could have it back later.
Well, later I saw Michael sipping off a small water bottle. He passed it to me,
and I accepted it as well. Then afterwards I asked him where he got the water.
Guess. No worries, we are roughing it. Good chuckle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhp9Wfr_2wPApx2Y20Rkb_24p-owJ6qXYt1n5t_KEr7t8dTTcRfeGf4_ULLK_AvR89-H-FImWaRTU1-ER98HdE8J-hX6iD8ZrjU1Qp1TmgMQkHRtrnsxOkM-Uu1-rPlGHMJpdyDVF8FU/s1600/1amEagelp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhp9Wfr_2wPApx2Y20Rkb_24p-owJ6qXYt1n5t_KEr7t8dTTcRfeGf4_ULLK_AvR89-H-FImWaRTU1-ER98HdE8J-hX6iD8ZrjU1Qp1TmgMQkHRtrnsxOkM-Uu1-rPlGHMJpdyDVF8FU/s640/1amEagelp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1am Eagle Plains moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was absolutely horrible in the morning. Rain Rain Rain.
We did not want to leave Eagle Plains on account of having been here before two
other times. The very worst and most dangerous part of this road is just south
of the Arctic Circle and the boundary of the Northwest Territory. If the road
is wet, it is black snotty mud that will take a motorcycle down faster than you
can say wtf. The mud gets deep near Rock Creek and stops trucks in the middle
of the road. We reluctantly packed. I
actually think I saw fear in Michael’s eyes (this is on account of him riding
my KLR and not his BMW800 GSA I am sure).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eCL3sTzYNUfjcK70aZenPFXbS8bXT5rwRrCiYJ8gx7bpIihcNvHkrwbZLoDXSDHfTpxmDgrcHqqYQYDck6U9ygWfWgvQn9n_h2kS3WyJGkB9ZCnsinEIXlqSOGP0x8f0qD5MN50dWeE/s1600/dempstermud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eCL3sTzYNUfjcK70aZenPFXbS8bXT5rwRrCiYJ8gx7bpIihcNvHkrwbZLoDXSDHfTpxmDgrcHqqYQYDck6U9ygWfWgvQn9n_h2kS3WyJGkB9ZCnsinEIXlqSOGP0x8f0qD5MN50dWeE/s640/dempstermud.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pulled out and headed the 18 miles to the Arctic Circle.
Rasta immediately jumped out and officially pooped in the north! We plugged on
through slippery snot. The side car did pretty well, I need to keep it at 30
mph, on account of once it starts slipping, it starts slipping. As expected,
there were mud puddles covering the entire width of the road, and Rock Creek
had recently been graded! Normally, grading is bad for a motorcycle, but in
this case they probably got rid nasty deep ruts. I am sure I was kicking up
rooster tails out the back with mud! I slipped and slid up the hills, but kept
on moving. Rasta napped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV_vkJPipZtYz0bwIMvAnjjSg_yHcV5UDY0k1CKH9yE_MIIQJOZmr4AITe9yJnfsZpl6wj6BYsN8XCQq9s17zN4FxhQxhSAfEj5DnvTOxB7DVmfsxoP-4OYg9Mr1X6ac6EgQkcvmp9X0/s1600/judy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV_vkJPipZtYz0bwIMvAnjjSg_yHcV5UDY0k1CKH9yE_MIIQJOZmr4AITe9yJnfsZpl6wj6BYsN8XCQq9s17zN4FxhQxhSAfEj5DnvTOxB7DVmfsxoP-4OYg9Mr1X6ac6EgQkcvmp9X0/s640/judy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJxCHoCt3uVOnlvDmD70nPWWi_9ZNGUqrCLPG7vKmq3jMIDnUb6gnkWq3aOiXWPR57NVDglzPcgaxQoN4bhw1ky0WlqgBxIDxfd0b7xNhdBcifuRNidkx7lewRCbV_o5YBtiRs4fMUvI/s1600/dempstermud2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJxCHoCt3uVOnlvDmD70nPWWi_9ZNGUqrCLPG7vKmq3jMIDnUb6gnkWq3aOiXWPR57NVDglzPcgaxQoN4bhw1ky0WlqgBxIDxfd0b7xNhdBcifuRNidkx7lewRCbV_o5YBtiRs4fMUvI/s640/dempstermud2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Barbie doll mounted to my KLR has seen better days. I
picked her up in a small whistle stop town in the Midwest when we bicycled
Route 66. She has proudly accompanied on the KLR since 2009. She is losing her
hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE5yu7DH-W6H6nTWNSx-cGr6OfZ2iA3GQKC9FmlhyKlf_yCYeLGvtYdBH4An2am8v54xs2gKJ-3f32VngTV9KnLyzIfFwidLqfqm3CwImhHlBWq9km3ELyfWR68OjWc1w2tgAHqU9_Mg/s1600/barbie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE5yu7DH-W6H6nTWNSx-cGr6OfZ2iA3GQKC9FmlhyKlf_yCYeLGvtYdBH4An2am8v54xs2gKJ-3f32VngTV9KnLyzIfFwidLqfqm3CwImhHlBWq9km3ELyfWR68OjWc1w2tgAHqU9_Mg/s640/barbie1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one point, I noticed the tire pressure alarm was flashing
I was down to 33psi. We pulled over and didn’t see anything wrong. I kept
going. The tire pressure dropped to 28psi. I pulled over and we looked at tires
again. Sometimes the BMW tire sensors give bad readings on account of the
sidecar. The sensors were not designed for a three car vehicle. This time when
we stopped Michael could hear the fan trying to cool the motor. Mud had
completely caked over the air flow screens. My motorbike is air cooled. If the
screens are completely blocked, then the motor will overheat. Now we are
searching for a river to wash out the mud. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ9byDo_eP2VUvVlrfM4Ies30ckNTrFrlvDhSzGSyHe4jrHHh9dWL6pIOmwYA-vtrda7eHK78pw0Z9UthvuEvqJc23b5xBwFWc6IAFroia0MklaeL3DSt59Gbpu9HK2FyS681IBzEh_k/s1600/riverwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ9byDo_eP2VUvVlrfM4Ies30ckNTrFrlvDhSzGSyHe4jrHHh9dWL6pIOmwYA-vtrda7eHK78pw0Z9UthvuEvqJc23b5xBwFWc6IAFroia0MklaeL3DSt59Gbpu9HK2FyS681IBzEh_k/s640/riverwater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found a place on the side of the road right next to a
river. The mozzies were extremely bad. Michael got the system flushed enough
that we didn’t have to worry about overheating. Tire psi is now 26. We decide
that I would keep running until it hit 20 psi then we would stop to put more
air in. I am okay with this, because it is the rear tire. On a motorcycle, the
absolute worst thing in the world is a tire blowout on the front tire. If the front
tire goes you lose the steering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
pressed on.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLkUxvrlsl8flRlndMo34dQFCGAOUXTbQIOBI9CndxwDxxSEl4hQHfvuLNnCPzt04cP6mpvaNd0FEs4gERNkAnosBhwxG4ar_unq0FoXyCZe_wyMutlHhSNsMhlAItXs0DptpSYgFhwY/s1600/blackmud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLkUxvrlsl8flRlndMo34dQFCGAOUXTbQIOBI9CndxwDxxSEl4hQHfvuLNnCPzt04cP6mpvaNd0FEs4gERNkAnosBhwxG4ar_unq0FoXyCZe_wyMutlHhSNsMhlAItXs0DptpSYgFhwY/s640/blackmud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwMVi7S9tpeCYJE94ch5KSlISbraFnKEgyOH5QudQHydvn4IM_1svJr0YB12KEpZrqjRsAsIgwTySnGbx1PzMvo83gDHuBPEbhuSbd16PyMU6BoqPQa7TcasEchTflbVCw4_-yy7HDX0/s1600/grump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwMVi7S9tpeCYJE94ch5KSlISbraFnKEgyOH5QudQHydvn4IM_1svJr0YB12KEpZrqjRsAsIgwTySnGbx1PzMvo83gDHuBPEbhuSbd16PyMU6BoqPQa7TcasEchTflbVCw4_-yy7HDX0/s640/grump.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We climb into the mountain pass and ride straight into the
clouds. Visibility drops to 50 feet. Road is slick and wet, no guard rails, can’t
see shit. Then the psi drops to 24. This is getting a little stressful! Finally
we get out of the clouds and black grease mud appears. The psi drops to 22.
More stress. The magic number of 20psi has us pulled over off the road pumping
up the tire. We are about 10 miles south of Fort McPherson. This is going to be
a long day. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0OOrEtVicVwCrgArRA8bxZMhdKaMeWMllFJa7ghh31b0aHE2pZwJ0cs82rOGzi8DocJacq5T8dua6mpqxLvPJNGCPVVkj4a3W9mUpaxh9z-7GjQGxv9Ai8MTuFLzQBEgTwRo2mqsRKw/s1600/22psi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0OOrEtVicVwCrgArRA8bxZMhdKaMeWMllFJa7ghh31b0aHE2pZwJ0cs82rOGzi8DocJacq5T8dua6mpqxLvPJNGCPVVkj4a3W9mUpaxh9z-7GjQGxv9Ai8MTuFLzQBEgTwRo2mqsRKw/s640/22psi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrive at the first river crossing, the Peal River, cross
on the ferry and roll into Fort McP in search of a garage to repair our tire.
The only garage in town with the tools capable of fixing the bike is wide open,
but all the mechanics went fishing. No luck.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongvbMrho7VcmEFhKtukGp6FfptA4cAeXIEkY4w9dYe3-AMbxwlQkaOG_5ZR9b2UZEp7NtQQBkiqQ_9FdtZFE2FYqlqaqM1XfzNhWJANbXZCNb0sAFwhi175Hbpf_0kBkuxKboFg8QcU/s1600/garage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhongvbMrho7VcmEFhKtukGp6FfptA4cAeXIEkY4w9dYe3-AMbxwlQkaOG_5ZR9b2UZEp7NtQQBkiqQ_9FdtZFE2FYqlqaqM1XfzNhWJANbXZCNb0sAFwhi175Hbpf_0kBkuxKboFg8QcU/s640/garage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We press on to the 2<sup>nd</sup> ferry
crossing and Inuvik. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we get to the ferry crossing on the McKenzie
River, my psi light is flashing again – down to 30. We load up on the ferry and
all the ferry guys are loving Rasta. She is of course enjoying the attention. I
confirm the mileage once we land is 70 more miles. The ferry guys offer to top
off our psi while we are crossing the river. We are able to refill the air,
strip down some gear, give Rasta water all before we get to the other side.
They even had restrooms on the ferry! We were ready to go. We rode all the way
to Inuvik without a problem. Clear skies and dry road! We arrived in Inuvik with
a psi of 28.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk0O0_q1H7rsf4oHyPs54EyHjcOwzCol5f5YgBTWi2wxqX8uqsXGJwoRBNOtUW6ZuExXSLf0xReZlK_4n4ls1aVFopR3lsFNsczPTFsovG-yoKQ5FOqxaDKwBVaUkweJ-dKrplNIyLj0/s1600/judy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk0O0_q1H7rsf4oHyPs54EyHjcOwzCol5f5YgBTWi2wxqX8uqsXGJwoRBNOtUW6ZuExXSLf0xReZlK_4n4ls1aVFopR3lsFNsczPTFsovG-yoKQ5FOqxaDKwBVaUkweJ-dKrplNIyLj0/s640/judy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEguDgIbxM2EOB3OnfD3zarcpGjLx29I6nchtR0dsxLo8QpzGebhusF1cJI8_YDTZLKrb5H_sdYpNVBaYGzLPiZ-UL0JC20xwW1QjTdX5Q8MePn5eHRJDYlFR1XDJ5FIecYajCYl7q7WA/s1600/mckfer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEguDgIbxM2EOB3OnfD3zarcpGjLx29I6nchtR0dsxLo8QpzGebhusF1cJI8_YDTZLKrb5H_sdYpNVBaYGzLPiZ-UL0JC20xwW1QjTdX5Q8MePn5eHRJDYlFR1XDJ5FIecYajCYl7q7WA/s640/mckfer2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXOsCuFEO_O1TGNPE9T0PUuqauLycleiHerU7Qth9Gsm5LlJt0-n_NgiH4d7kYR-5QrwP-fw-HVUZ5-Rai83RrekHVrrxNcoKf8sFADUDLghTocj2Cz0B6xYBbrjDMDdOaLkd1hocFQs/s1600/mckfer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXOsCuFEO_O1TGNPE9T0PUuqauLycleiHerU7Qth9Gsm5LlJt0-n_NgiH4d7kYR-5QrwP-fw-HVUZ5-Rai83RrekHVrrxNcoKf8sFADUDLghTocj2Cz0B6xYBbrjDMDdOaLkd1hocFQs/s640/mckfer3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We ordered pizza delivered to our cabin with two ice cold
cokes. The Canadians might know what bacon is, but their pepperoni is in sheets
(not small circles), and they were confused about why we would put black olives
on a pizza. Apparently they do not do this on the top of the planet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We washed the bikes, Rasta amused herself with sniffs of the
north, and a load of laundry was accomplished. Michael said our gear is so
trashed from the mud on this trip that afterwards we are going to have to get
rid of our gear. Tomorrow we will tackle the tire issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-33161488611467220602018-07-02T21:22:00.003-07:002018-07-02T21:27:23.515-07:00Skittles vs. Marbles<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We woke well rested in the Downtown Hotel, in Dawson. It w<o:p></o:p>as Canada Day, so the troops were out early handing out flags and wishing well. Everyone was excited on account of Prime Minster Justin Trudeau coming by to visit.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DrZ3eYm6p_y-9NUnD6grjkBDlZBXuGMswIJI_Qo_Hw2DAAT8M5ipBQOImug3AZjTOnVSBO9IqlAPYHAIqpVKX3RcgFH67GNrYRChSwHcOBUiYQ7GkCb8wj4XozLjEYthQxmfatxglno/s1600/dawson3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DrZ3eYm6p_y-9NUnD6grjkBDlZBXuGMswIJI_Qo_Hw2DAAT8M5ipBQOImug3AZjTOnVSBO9IqlAPYHAIqpVKX3RcgFH67GNrYRChSwHcOBUiYQ7GkCb8wj4XozLjEYthQxmfatxglno/s640/dawson3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael walks Rasta near the mighty Yukon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CmGseMdgL-cYWal9hzJufufaLebXW3ykBMHlxhkDsCU6AfMU6tX5GGv5kTNcuIrFXBeBz8blwdDyMSJvoaGqeHaO3tvl5mPIFGmWeQ1fNej88ThCfnrY8Scnsn9jWIJZl6Cf6v0MQF0/s1600/dawson4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CmGseMdgL-cYWal9hzJufufaLebXW3ykBMHlxhkDsCU6AfMU6tX5GGv5kTNcuIrFXBeBz8blwdDyMSJvoaGqeHaO3tvl5mPIFGmWeQ1fNej88ThCfnrY8Scnsn9jWIJZl6Cf6v0MQF0/s640/dawson4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Dawson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqAHd0Ph3K1UEmlL9rGA5ES7rtbtm4DfOJBF3JGBB_61rKLpcHMMUHtVhgxA7ScUphFsbO9UvUeNh25FJa6Nm8gzbYcdLHvrRqDdZOMeqc8BoDep-9Bdq0nOc7nTtaynRZnattgY6SlM/s1600/CanadaDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqAHd0Ph3K1UEmlL9rGA5ES7rtbtm4DfOJBF3JGBB_61rKLpcHMMUHtVhgxA7ScUphFsbO9UvUeNh25FJa6Nm8gzbYcdLHvrRqDdZOMeqc8BoDep-9Bdq0nOc7nTtaynRZnattgY6SlM/s640/CanadaDay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I placed my Canadian Pride on the back of my bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Breakfast was as expected in the Yukon – large and good.
There was only one slip up. We think the kitchen buttered our breakfast toast
with garlic butter rather than regular butter! It did not go well with jelly.
We said goodbye to single ply toilet paper and an ice machine that sounded like
Darth Vadar when he breathed into his mask. The skies were sunny when we headed
for the Dempster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never driven the sidecar farther than 200 miles
without refueling. This road is a challenge because the next gas station is 256
miles away in Eagle Plains, our destination for the day. The side car gets only
about 30 miles to the gallon. We are carrying extra gas. The KLR gets about 60
mpg. I was going to see how close I could get before I ran out of gas;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we made it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Hp_8oFHjMy2WPKNGr5YFOuGcMQEYH6xgviBUi5BVJILj24IwiSMpceGACxvEPkfzecOs4ljLouSAyyVSpn8bt7ORp2yZB34jgqeOPwFqKWsFJJSRc3hZyBd22r1CO0igLa9yhI6QiMk/s1600/dempster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Hp_8oFHjMy2WPKNGr5YFOuGcMQEYH6xgviBUi5BVJILj24IwiSMpceGACxvEPkfzecOs4ljLouSAyyVSpn8bt7ORp2yZB34jgqeOPwFqKWsFJJSRc3hZyBd22r1CO0igLa9yhI6QiMk/s640/dempster1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny skies and semi dry road!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rasta has been enjoying the ride. She naps, then plays with
Wookie, pops up and checks out the scenery, then repeats. I try really hard to
not hit potholes for comfort. Just before we left, Sharon suggested we buy an
outdoor cushion, the kind you put on your lawn furniture for the bottom of
Rasta’s floor. It was the best idea! She has added comfort and we don’t have to
worry about her bedding getting wet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The road stretched out for miles. It was mostly smooth,
although I hit a patch of thick mud that was challenging in the sidecar. I also
found sand! The sand was easier to drive through because it didn’t cover the
entire road. So either Rasta’s tire was in the sand, or the motorcycle was in
the sand. Whichever was not in the sand brought a little bit of stability to
the entire rig. The mud covered the whole road, and it was thick, and the road
had recently been graded in that area. The mud would drag Rasta’s tire forcing
me to pull hard left on the handlebars to keep the bike from veering to the
right. The motorcycle would get caught in a deep rut of mud and the pull to the
left requiring the opposite maneuvering. Rest assured I will have arm muscles
of steel, especially the triceps after this summer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped every 50 miles to let Rasta stretch. We were
tired and Michael was wishing he had a cold Mountain Dew to help wanting to
doze. We stopped at one campground to hit the outhouse and the mosquitoes were
so bad we couldn’t stay. Michael had to use a towel to keep the mosquitoes off
Rasta while I ran to the outhouse. We got out of there and searched for a large
opening, gravel pit for our break. Mozzies be damned.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVgq7FhdBlJD8fEXukQogXH78GrsQF4uKOJEldgzSD7J4p-6Yl7ZwmpwmnkZkSGSqyh_JQ46IV4VrWmBgjIHiXKiR9EMMk91hhfaTlDOqRYHwlHOIPozjS7kBBlqIYkkVvd00VB0Sfw4/s1600/dempster2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVgq7FhdBlJD8fEXukQogXH78GrsQF4uKOJEldgzSD7J4p-6Yl7ZwmpwmnkZkSGSqyh_JQ46IV4VrWmBgjIHiXKiR9EMMk91hhfaTlDOqRYHwlHOIPozjS7kBBlqIYkkVvd00VB0Sfw4/s640/dempster2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avoiding the mozzies in open gravel areas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped about 50 miles from the end of our destination
for a break with a very nice overlook. With clear skies and the sun out most of
the day, the road was dry and temps were in the 70s. At this pull off, we were
joined by a large group dual sport riders. They immediately fell in love with
Rasta. We had taken a Rasta break so the guys that were missing their dogs back
home got to visit. Rasta enjoyed the attention. These guys were coming from
Tok, and they described the roads above Fort McPhereson buried with inches of
“skittles.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skittles are you guessed it,
not marble sized gravel, but skittle size gravel. We will find out when we get
there.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-yV-3mWV8ESqK1epctnDNR7eIqU-0rxujdku0UJRMbUBm4N3AV8_Sr5vWXadhXWQczR9BPmGgs9FO7KTmD1dkf9vgwxp94BZiSYdjsBj56SR-arWqG2W4QRv3HxZfHesCoARfLPX7Ms/s1600/dempster7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-yV-3mWV8ESqK1epctnDNR7eIqU-0rxujdku0UJRMbUBm4N3AV8_Sr5vWXadhXWQczR9BPmGgs9FO7KTmD1dkf9vgwxp94BZiSYdjsBj56SR-arWqG2W4QRv3HxZfHesCoARfLPX7Ms/s640/dempster7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta trying to get the harness off her. She isn't interested in the view at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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We made it to Eagle Plains for dark beer and dinner and
headed for the room. The shower felt amazing after a long hard day in the dust,
even if the shower was built for little people with the shower head directly
blasting you in the face!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We travelled 256 miles today, of which only 28 were paved.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<br />The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-90863074653775044262018-07-01T09:19:00.003-07:002018-07-01T09:19:49.535-07:00"If I Could Only See..."<br />
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We stayed in our favorite place is Chistochina, the Red
Eagle. We have been stopping off here for almost 10 years, staying in the
little cabin called the Hermits Roost. It is just the right distance from
Anchorage to work for the day, then hop on the bike and get on the road. Plus
it is beyond Glennallen, the city of god. We had breakfast, said goodbye to Bob
and Sharon, and hit the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We knew this day was going to be a raining day, so we left
Rasta’s convertible top on the side car. While she is riding with the top on,
there is no need for her to wear her RexSpec googles. Without her googles on,
she generally curls up and goes to sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU7IRh5R5HoW8-qaKamwrJCa7Kv4NB_qmk82ZF3mBgjMKR04T1kfzm9SJQtFnOoI4Sy30NtGgvNAmo7_fQ5H29DYH5SiBDKDc3FX5IlNltsQvUUat4sqE45sgS2fCNHV7GegAj-ALwLs/s1600/chisto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU7IRh5R5HoW8-qaKamwrJCa7Kv4NB_qmk82ZF3mBgjMKR04T1kfzm9SJQtFnOoI4Sy30NtGgvNAmo7_fQ5H29DYH5SiBDKDc3FX5IlNltsQvUUat4sqE45sgS2fCNHV7GegAj-ALwLs/s640/chisto1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today was Michael’s birthday. We decided to celebrate when
we got back from this trip. It is much easier than trying to celebrate on the
road, especially when there aren’t any services around. Which reminds me; if
you stay at the Red Eagle, make sure you take your own dinner or food to cook.<o:p></o:p></div>
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No sooner did we hit the road when it started raining. It
rained all day. The mantra for the day ended up being “If I could just see…” on
account of limited visibility. Rain on the visor of the helmets, rain inside
the visor on the helmet, rain on the sunglasses, fogged up helmet visor, fogged
up sunglasses. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We made it to Tok in no time and had hot chocolate, and a
large cinnamon roll to share that made you shudder from the sugar content. We
topped off our gas tanks and hit the Taylor highway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road just before Tok was more knarly than usual;
the state really needs to repave that. The Taylor was okay, but there were definitely
some spots to watch out for. The road is paved just outside of Chicken and runs
through the end of town on the other side. The shiniest newest blacktop you
have ever seen. Too bad it is only for a couple of miles.</div>
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Once in Chicken we stopped at the old gold camp and had
chicken soup. This is our routine in these parts. The rain started coming down
so hard just before we got to chicken, Rasta even got soaked going from the sidecar
to go pee, then to the café. For the most part, Rasta was the driest of the
three of us. And then it really started to rain. We sat looking at each other.
We both knew the road was only going to get worse from there on out. We reluctantly
packed up and left in the rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Driving a side car is way different than driving a
motorcycle, driving a sidecar in the mud and gravel very different than
pavement. It was definitely a challenge. I practices going from 30 mph to 0 in
mud, in gravel, on dirt with ABS off. I learned that as long as the gravel was
not that marble gravel we all hate, I was going to be fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMxbL980hA1HtDKMR5YRC9y6pZNRxYUub3yXcEWpgEfwbGOtd-kYDf0dlXE8QkBCFVC5saLgNkZtCU2Z2JJ6pIWKvQLbwP5akdXv-UtOT6PxQ8OcoRGLtpPNdDy64hgmM6UFZnnKHYuk/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMxbL980hA1HtDKMR5YRC9y6pZNRxYUub3yXcEWpgEfwbGOtd-kYDf0dlXE8QkBCFVC5saLgNkZtCU2Z2JJ6pIWKvQLbwP5akdXv-UtOT6PxQ8OcoRGLtpPNdDy64hgmM6UFZnnKHYuk/s640/chicken.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJzaY4O__n0agMjWbH6dRr-NediRRlF5lrhlUaUnZTCEiR2TOSB2R8vPJI8Upvbnk5L70uo8xWg6Z6Z9NGrY2JMeQ5YNs6TErgB3fwjjyzx6_93w5UXDRvHbcAryLY-F6yiRY3DZ_plU/s1600/chicken2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJzaY4O__n0agMjWbH6dRr-NediRRlF5lrhlUaUnZTCEiR2TOSB2R8vPJI8Upvbnk5L70uo8xWg6Z6Z9NGrY2JMeQ5YNs6TErgB3fwjjyzx6_93w5UXDRvHbcAryLY-F6yiRY3DZ_plU/s640/chicken2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We stopped a couple of times when the rain was less and let
Rasta romp by the river or have carrot snacks. Soon we were at the border. No
issues there. Then we were on the Canadian side and no sooner did we hit the
road, when the marble gravel started. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUjq1qpUFWi4IuulgCn8cjtBEVdy0HQN0fIPLpkKObtMKprzt7UFnCOXHXJidIFo01bHxRzbHKsm7aW5pCDzHRVPsbVNHI0YwpZiRDrtIjMVEp2DsSxeAqWlefg5KUlcNZu4yrZWLJuk/s1600/rastakibble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUjq1qpUFWi4IuulgCn8cjtBEVdy0HQN0fIPLpkKObtMKprzt7UFnCOXHXJidIFo01bHxRzbHKsm7aW5pCDzHRVPsbVNHI0YwpZiRDrtIjMVEp2DsSxeAqWlefg5KUlcNZu4yrZWLJuk/s640/rastakibble.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For those of you that have never driven the “Top of the
World” highway, it’s called that because you are basically driving on top of a
ridge. The road winds up and down and there are some wonderful views (if it’s
not raining). Let me also mention, if you haven’t driven a lot in the more
remote provinces of Canada, the Canadians do not believe in guardrails. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here we were, on this road covered in marbles, not really
being able to see, with drop offs on both sides (the kind that will kill you if
you go off the road) and no guardrails. Then we hit fog or low cloud cover. Let
me say again, I wish I could just see. This is when Michael said “I’m going to
die.” This is something he does not say often (at least not out loud).<o:p></o:p></div>
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So went the miles between the boarder and Dawson. Most of
the time, I could only tell where I was going because the road was a silver glistening
river of mud, and everything else was dark. At some point Michael started
having clutch problems. We pulled over adjusted, and stood in the rain. Rasta
sniffed a lot of flowers and rocks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It stopped raining just before Dawson. The sky got partly
cloudy, we caught the ferry across the Yukon River and parked at the Dawson
Hotel. It was a 12 hour day in the rain. We have travelled 503 miles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This morning, we are off to Eagle Plain, 240 miles up the
Dempster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-37407289311930488012018-06-29T22:58:00.000-07:002018-06-29T22:58:07.931-07:00Is Mud Better than Potholes?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great day to be on the motorcycle! We left Anchorage this
morning and met our friends who also own a sidecar, Bob and Sharon Peek. We had
lunch at Vagabond Blues before heading to the Matanuska<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glacier. Rasta is doing very well in the
sidecar, all she asks is to stretch her legs about every hour. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofHMUMaUpUaVm2x_1qNjB6eVZBnT9Kh-HwbNBJV7xjjnevY1ZGYSER7ZPRSjWtlJMDNsjHi-PqrUSxbX-0A7o3WtAcx7A8dVfiUqfCJm2s3nym48LdiMe0FsYGk_3xSD4vLSXZ9Mz4lY/s1600/roo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofHMUMaUpUaVm2x_1qNjB6eVZBnT9Kh-HwbNBJV7xjjnevY1ZGYSER7ZPRSjWtlJMDNsjHi-PqrUSxbX-0A7o3WtAcx7A8dVfiUqfCJm2s3nym48LdiMe0FsYGk_3xSD4vLSXZ9Mz4lY/s640/roo1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta packed and ready to go</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP1y-8KYgPALotDr-kgVSCcI0XKbKobKcgF3chvGpU-N4BzyVaMRKvIJOSBOgupu3lae9K32RGQYiHRpFqJmczwGJTUjoeVwHttKmbxTHlx1IrtFqrSbgTVw84FZ3J16MlXLBwjjVS3c/s1600/glacier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP1y-8KYgPALotDr-kgVSCcI0XKbKobKcgF3chvGpU-N4BzyVaMRKvIJOSBOgupu3lae9K32RGQYiHRpFqJmczwGJTUjoeVwHttKmbxTHlx1IrtFqrSbgTVw84FZ3J16MlXLBwjjVS3c/s640/glacier.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matanuska Glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUnu744hcLc89HUNmO_zsi0xDnhx3mtAojfmmhGh8kV_N9f7cRu8TkONytSQRxUhAPa0fdEO6oIC7tEgtlydDHgGLkjZz64_BJpJgCH7tWJrQBzqCP43oY2Rnn_wURbYxpyKICUHpNcE/s1600/sniff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUnu744hcLc89HUNmO_zsi0xDnhx3mtAojfmmhGh8kV_N9f7cRu8TkONytSQRxUhAPa0fdEO6oIC7tEgtlydDHgGLkjZz64_BJpJgCH7tWJrQBzqCP43oY2Rnn_wURbYxpyKICUHpNcE/s640/sniff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta sniffs the glacier</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got rained on, so we quickly put the convertible top on
the side car. While we were getting wet, Rasta was dry and cuddling with her
wookie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ppK4UtoIJwf-DjNecI_E8c0MGMWqfBSMDOeA5OIWmULv7DcDMuevme8cfUqtC2-pqyEx57uEkAga2j6jJ-6EbyTYgK2LisfKy65dEhkmVqHp0oQvw-o0fbpCIYbqDp07C4-ygDecBaw/s1600/cuddles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ppK4UtoIJwf-DjNecI_E8c0MGMWqfBSMDOeA5OIWmULv7DcDMuevme8cfUqtC2-pqyEx57uEkAga2j6jJ-6EbyTYgK2LisfKy65dEhkmVqHp0oQvw-o0fbpCIYbqDp07C4-ygDecBaw/s640/cuddles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta napping with Wookie</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuW-ExH4nyI1RDTNQFwKwfCqMnyHTQ0KnZPuf_u4TbeMX5ZaFsZUXh0rF9_7r4mT7i7SrV_MKaO8Bcjy1VNQarJBu5nNLNMPckie4ItRPat36lN8mgfC4Stf0VYei5VwVr9okUXHrgtc/s1600/cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuW-ExH4nyI1RDTNQFwKwfCqMnyHTQ0KnZPuf_u4TbeMX5ZaFsZUXh0rF9_7r4mT7i7SrV_MKaO8Bcjy1VNQarJBu5nNLNMPckie4ItRPat36lN8mgfC4Stf0VYei5VwVr9okUXHrgtc/s640/cover1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up the rain cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We rolled into Glennallen, the city of God (as my good
friend Jaz refers to this small conservative community), and topped off the gas
tanks before we moved on to Chistochina. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjKkvZXSBpUQdZXrtMw8o-5T-0LYpLtLAyZrGKhG4i1yEUu_X6QS-YHZ2q5XeC9hJSTFPkrnSgWc10H8ES5XsMsJiaCti13-gfQBkjn-0_AizGJUhc-s2V4fU-8qZT8yXbQEI3UAeqSI/s1600/cover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjKkvZXSBpUQdZXrtMw8o-5T-0LYpLtLAyZrGKhG4i1yEUu_X6QS-YHZ2q5XeC9hJSTFPkrnSgWc10H8ES5XsMsJiaCti13-gfQBkjn-0_AizGJUhc-s2V4fU-8qZT8yXbQEI3UAeqSI/s640/cover2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the pup has her pillow in the trunk! Spoiled brat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We checked into our cabin at the Red Eagle. While checking
in we ran into a group of motorcyclists from Ohio. I asked where they were
coming from and they said they had just come from Top of the World Highway near
Dawson. This is where we are going tomorrow, so I asked what the condition of
the road was like. He said it was really rough and horrible – dirt road, bumpy,
filled with large potholes. I said, yes, but was it muddy? He said no, it was
dry. I said, oh then, it was a good road.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The owner of the cabins chuckled and said to the man from
Ohio, Alaskans have a different definition of a good road then most people from
the lower 48. I am thinking of the mud bath, Jaz and I had years ago.
Motorhomes were sliding off the road. Crazy mud!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, I will let you know tomorrow if the road was
horrible. Is mud better than potholes in a sidecar? We will soon find out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9cwVlzMr0Aj-kVPW_WP9HOLUGkicsl2B2Op-Jf9r7af6muq-Va4VQcTki1HwF0dkfGaZbNjhY1nNDhabrXjyPFOeDSCh8QnI7W5k_K0ZdnJBXNzQ3h0n5XxVf6h4gdtAHSwc1ZS9_OA/s1600/peek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9cwVlzMr0Aj-kVPW_WP9HOLUGkicsl2B2Op-Jf9r7af6muq-Va4VQcTki1HwF0dkfGaZbNjhY1nNDhabrXjyPFOeDSCh8QnI7W5k_K0ZdnJBXNzQ3h0n5XxVf6h4gdtAHSwc1ZS9_OA/s640/peek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friends Bob and Sharon and their sidecar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQms2Ww69D8t9u6mkRA5BHYa4x-Xf-uKF-2h9od3vORjzF2EpWa7MdBNnxDWNLu1vype2FeIMTP69Dk2B3w5PcgDJtlV1LZK-ZdlrxeCEE_AWG4SVC_AiCzcor2LIFk2iwM7Y-EGss0Y/s1600/construction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQms2Ww69D8t9u6mkRA5BHYa4x-Xf-uKF-2h9od3vORjzF2EpWa7MdBNnxDWNLu1vype2FeIMTP69Dk2B3w5PcgDJtlV1LZK-ZdlrxeCEE_AWG4SVC_AiCzcor2LIFk2iwM7Y-EGss0Y/s640/construction.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of construction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-29626454481546080712018-06-29T10:24:00.003-07:002018-06-29T10:26:45.717-07:00On the Road Again – Top of the World<div style="font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
Today we leave for an epic 2200 mile RT journey from our home in Anchorage, Alaska to the Tuktoyuktuk at the top of the Northwest Territory, Canada. Roughly 1100 miles rt will be dirt.</div>
<div style="font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
Rasta, my service dog from Canine Companions for Independence will be joining us.</div>
<div style="font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
Track our progress:</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://share.garmin.com/wanderingalaskans">https://share.garmin.com/wanderingalaskans</a></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUgFdX2F_HV0RGAcmxL__G52fOG3GzecP__k41x44SbTOF3JthH3HH0ycAtanxUcrV1AbJW9BMPQGylsnaJFzLKJKMVsgkHqNUXwE87o-i_V0yuvOi7yTSHAQedvDB6kiNKbBK6fPuJs/s1600/rasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="640" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUgFdX2F_HV0RGAcmxL__G52fOG3GzecP__k41x44SbTOF3JthH3HH0ycAtanxUcrV1AbJW9BMPQGylsnaJFzLKJKMVsgkHqNUXwE87o-i_V0yuvOi7yTSHAQedvDB6kiNKbBK6fPuJs/s640/rasta.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
My BMW GSA1200 with sidecar to accommodate my service dog Rasta.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB2IcxYSbpm9vtUhlg9SGRi1oBxvV6EzIxF12MGAFbVgg0anxf4R7nc2kFI55NN4sdKudS_gFWS_ZRlhxPETLUTBnCZ6ZD_Gkj0Ued1HZXbTC4AcNfM7mbumBHQDwnCSB7b01nCEdC6U/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="909" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB2IcxYSbpm9vtUhlg9SGRi1oBxvV6EzIxF12MGAFbVgg0anxf4R7nc2kFI55NN4sdKudS_gFWS_ZRlhxPETLUTBnCZ6ZD_Gkj0Ued1HZXbTC4AcNfM7mbumBHQDwnCSB7b01nCEdC6U/s640/map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
Scale of our journey!</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-47129635419058403062016-10-09T12:42:00.000-07:002016-10-09T12:42:03.403-07:00Change is finally happening?I have been absent from blogging for a bit. It's not that the adventures have stopped. It is just that I have been so busy. I finally hired someone to move all my old content to my new site.<br />
<br />
So stay put... hopefully it will all start happening!The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-20163231478593760372015-04-18T23:15:00.002-07:002015-04-18T23:15:24.528-07:00Rasta- My New Hearing DogRasta is my new service dog. I received Rasta last week from Canine Companions for Independence. We have been very busy in training, learning everything there is to learn about taking care of each other, and finally, getting her back to Alaska. I am going to add Rasta to the website now, as she has become a “Wandering Alaskan”
Rasta says “woof”!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UicCgPxweRfevM-nsztkR0e9mcJubZcgvoxYF1l4uqPzI7WdqDHOFLnjkpdtg_RjoCSC42I8GYiJtDD_xJjpi2uzVExtkLdXr63WHEH88ofHnA9-pUSNzMCXKP7wmOnYLgb4zv9eaTY/s1600/Rasta+in+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UicCgPxweRfevM-nsztkR0e9mcJubZcgvoxYF1l4uqPzI7WdqDHOFLnjkpdtg_RjoCSC42I8GYiJtDD_xJjpi2uzVExtkLdXr63WHEH88ofHnA9-pUSNzMCXKP7wmOnYLgb4zv9eaTY/s320/Rasta+in+store.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rasta is the name of my new hearing dog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-88745688660805080732015-03-26T05:01:00.001-07:002015-03-26T05:02:59.588-07:00Counting Down the Dog Days…<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I leave in just 3 days to go to California to pick up a service dog. I have been struggling with my hearing loss for years, and now I am getting a hearing dog from Canine Companions for Independence to help me. I am really excited. I have been with any pets for many years. It will definitely be an adjustment.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Canine Companions for Independence doesn’t want us to blog too much while we are in training. When I get back home with my new service dog, I will keep you up to date on all the wonderful things we are learning together and updates on this new chapter in my life.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will be going to the Santa Rosa, CA campus for two weeks to be trained by my companion. We do not know the sex, color, or name of my future companion. The dogs have been raised and trained and will be about 2 years old. There will be several of us working with several dogs during the next two weeks. By the end of the two weeks we will be paired with our new companion.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is going to be an adventure.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We return to Anchorage, hopefully, with a new member of our family!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit <a href="http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.3978475/k.3F1C/Canine_Companions_for_Independence.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Canine Companions for Independence</a> to learn more about these wonderful dogs!</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xYpr8Rt8ltRTsIS1-_dHcWuAUpNq71NyWwdgG_DdWwonxBIBQ7MN3C1JPVTMGtSMQ34zbdKAmJV7IEZNXk3aHrI5bulCHIr_Y-gcL6alOYkKlY7mq9DKrWfRPDruR4rTyfTX_RAmgvc/s1600/CanineCompDogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xYpr8Rt8ltRTsIS1-_dHcWuAUpNq71NyWwdgG_DdWwonxBIBQ7MN3C1JPVTMGtSMQ34zbdKAmJV7IEZNXk3aHrI5bulCHIr_Y-gcL6alOYkKlY7mq9DKrWfRPDruR4rTyfTX_RAmgvc/s1600/CanineCompDogs.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Friends let friends have a turn. Image: cci.org</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1344698850"></span><span id="goog_1344698851"></span><br /></div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-16024454594085801252015-01-03T12:56:00.001-08:002015-01-03T12:58:07.983-08:002015 – A full year for Adventure<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px;">
Today, I am reflecting on all the good things come. I have tons of trips planned in my head for 2015. I have pulled out the calendar and began penciling in the possibilities. This is an exercise I go though every year. I have found that it’s best to keep track of where you want to go and what you want to do throughout the year. I check back on that list the first week of January and use it as the basis for planning the new year!<br />
<br />
Many of my adventures are just that… seeking out places I have never seen, or experiencing new places in different ways or times of the year. Sometimes, adventures are not so physical. They can adventures in your mind, through hobbies, or even adventures at work (not always good I suppose). The point of adventures for me its keep it exciting and to approach life like you did as a child… full of wonder, excitement, and thrill.<br />
<br />
My adventures without travel this year will be learning how to eat more plant-based and healthy, the Navajo flute (left over from last year), and… yes REGULAR EXERCISE!<br />
<br />
Finally, I am shooting for one blog a week this year…<br />
<br />
Keep it Real!<br />
<br />
Maya</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-91813422753876527832014-07-26T20:37:00.001-07:002014-07-26T20:38:08.638-07:00Going to My Angry Place...I awoke to a cloudy day in Sitka and took off for a 4 mile
run. The town is so small, that this distance covered everything. I ran the
totem walk and through the woods and ended up on the beach at low tide. At
least a dozen eagles were hanging out on the driftwood looking for breakfast. I
tried to get close enough to take pictures, but no luck. I didn’t want to
harass the birds and I could tell they were not comfortable with my presence.<br />
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8YbHgmMfY8WDE2O29T89sEa5iFZ203diLGvfG0fwuWqcgROPsQ9eSl5PwH9L0v0twcH77Vlcfts4EuLfiwJTeqbnuNlL2NG4OaMtUclCKjdknaf6gp0SULum7W8XHJCPK2j3-z5ilvE/s1600/IMG_8711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8YbHgmMfY8WDE2O29T89sEa5iFZ203diLGvfG0fwuWqcgROPsQ9eSl5PwH9L0v0twcH77Vlcfts4EuLfiwJTeqbnuNlL2NG4OaMtUclCKjdknaf6gp0SULum7W8XHJCPK2j3-z5ilvE/s1600/IMG_8711.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totem walk - my morning jog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjaPfBY7Xy4UUwtVOM9TmtJxtS5ZYqyl9fLiFPMPMKg6C3D4BltoTjpTIHUWfvPw45nPtMdWTUY896Ou_W8knTqpfHZmboqoiSZrW0sI1oK79Rnmr8PUrvpCH8xCql01ByXg4GzqD-FU/s1600/IMG_8712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjaPfBY7Xy4UUwtVOM9TmtJxtS5ZYqyl9fLiFPMPMKg6C3D4BltoTjpTIHUWfvPw45nPtMdWTUY896Ou_W8knTqpfHZmboqoiSZrW0sI1oK79Rnmr8PUrvpCH8xCql01ByXg4GzqD-FU/s1600/IMG_8712.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The driftwood on the beach was loaded with eagles. The is only one piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9aaZlXjT3OArR4NphAoc_5w_cwpJ3ibQc7lOmX1biM6nx6K8KE__SRG9FU-8WIj6ygDmfBtmDtRMRjVmtfSI6EW5ROUN4xFKhzBe8ed47j7pnZpNcgnWL5VFkbGwcLm_w8W0wP8U84U/s1600/IMG_8716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9aaZlXjT3OArR4NphAoc_5w_cwpJ3ibQc7lOmX1biM6nx6K8KE__SRG9FU-8WIj6ygDmfBtmDtRMRjVmtfSI6EW5ROUN4xFKhzBe8ed47j7pnZpNcgnWL5VFkbGwcLm_w8W0wP8U84U/s1600/IMG_8716.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little closer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2DJrJ6i8GpwvpiZ_EIb6eJrEi-u4n68eaP2MBl82ADH0HSgEUWqSalJiHEGvjRvkkD7qWUY8dusE-e7R4wDL4WrKeerFB5WSL2SK8yhjQ3ofdkCXslIM4Stp-iRQIpEGM00KQetbtG0/s1600/IMG_8734.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2DJrJ6i8GpwvpiZ_EIb6eJrEi-u4n68eaP2MBl82ADH0HSgEUWqSalJiHEGvjRvkkD7qWUY8dusE-e7R4wDL4WrKeerFB5WSL2SK8yhjQ3ofdkCXslIM4Stp-iRQIpEGM00KQetbtG0/s1600/IMG_8734.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee bike cart down on beach... I got to enjoy my walk back with a hot cup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We visited the Rapter Center<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- a rescue center for birds injured in the state. Unlike the bears, if
these guys can fly, they are released back into the wild as soon as possible.
Some birds are long term tenants – their wings too damaged to fly. Most of
these birds have been shot – a lot of eagles and owls. I didn’t particularly
care too much for this center. It seemed slick and robotic, set up to make
money. The employees seem to be mostly young males bent on moving people
through as quickly as possible (pack them and rack them). If you can only visit
one of the animal places in Sitka, go to Fortress of the Bear. We had coffee with
Becky from Sitka NHP and talked shop for a short bit.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mz2T8ZXBmI5jbSo9iwwbHPLbvEj-VawHQ2ugKIdcfvpr9d8UH-gI5QcdJ6UPzRoq9AenxdxiVExA6vQ6hxBalvef2WtG7dEOSz1pofoQQW2i0wCxlhGgjYwW-mQnQdJWAwllzcMigMQ/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mz2T8ZXBmI5jbSo9iwwbHPLbvEj-VawHQ2ugKIdcfvpr9d8UH-gI5QcdJ6UPzRoq9AenxdxiVExA6vQ6hxBalvef2WtG7dEOSz1pofoQQW2i0wCxlhGgjYwW-mQnQdJWAwllzcMigMQ/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle with most of wing gone from shotgun blast. Bird center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We drove to Old Sitka (NHL) at the other end of the road;
this means Sitka, Juneau and Haines are all thoroughly explored. We ended our
day with a walk on the beach and dinner at Ludvig’s. Oh my goodness – what a
wonderful jewel in Sitka. If you can only eat one place in Sitka, this should
be the one! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWNgpH9zsnCcFFgrskwg1EHymXLO6dRys709EfGL-rqZHdXY89yLwU6jolQM6lCx4F4R3S1Wq6VDch11e9XQhBZlpuhft4omNMj5r8PyyS1zEAJrLPnyGfMNNlBST_7lAqUppgK-97iU/s1600/IMG_8744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWNgpH9zsnCcFFgrskwg1EHymXLO6dRys709EfGL-rqZHdXY89yLwU6jolQM6lCx4F4R3S1Wq6VDch11e9XQhBZlpuhft4omNMj5r8PyyS1zEAJrLPnyGfMNNlBST_7lAqUppgK-97iU/s1600/IMG_8744.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halibut and wine at Ludvig's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We passed gift shops that were actually selling sea salt to
the tourists. Now this is better than moose poop... don’t you think? They had
many flavors of sea salt.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdp2QB8QUAn5Cf2o3GVcmILbU4JbdjsQ81f3zIvdDySIQ2AiU0JK_FFKg2q2vjsa3G2bb0o_W9BRgGiUOSO7MJj93cFeLwknXWfb3NLh9Rm-MZLdbOH6Lv6bZrZyUoze5r0W_mfSzP_s/s1600/IMG_8758.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdp2QB8QUAn5Cf2o3GVcmILbU4JbdjsQ81f3zIvdDySIQ2AiU0JK_FFKg2q2vjsa3G2bb0o_W9BRgGiUOSO7MJj93cFeLwknXWfb3NLh9Rm-MZLdbOH6Lv6bZrZyUoze5r0W_mfSzP_s/s1600/IMG_8758.JPG" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavored salt for sale to tourists.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The residents of Sitka definitely have a thing for cross
walks. They want to make sure you cross at the walk, not 15 feet on either side
of it, or at some random location. They will stop and roll down their windows
and tell you that you are not in a crosswalk. This phenomenon occurred numerous
times; perhaps because many folks drive worse here than in Anchorage and there
is genuine concern for your safety?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was one particular exchange I’m not proud of since I let an
individual draw out “Angry Judy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were crossing a bank parking lot and this crazy maniac raced around us to park,
cutting it uncomfortably close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
him to go from “buzz off lady” to “fuck you” in 10 seconds. I smiled sweetly.</div>
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This trip has been a little challenging for the digital
photographs. Jazz inadvertently deleted all the photos she took of the Russian
cemetery (first on her computer, second on the memory card). Although she
didn’t swear like a truck driver – she is getting mellower as the years go
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I washed and dried my memory card
that contained all the totem pole images and my images from my recent Nome
trip. I had forgotten it was in my pocket. Luckily, after an overnight dryout,
my photos recovered fine. </div>
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We boarded the ferry and headed back to Juneau. It was a
nice easy trip with lots of walking and photo shooting.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ayBoJ3lEaJlfHm8LEmq-KF5y0KwhvFnNcLTwhwWk_KfoAh5Z9lDG6cQV-hNiNWNXm6R5HpWk43g2wXV8RiOMoWx-lfeXCL0e0S0jixuUGz85jTyMvTYzYSuDGV1LTq5GCTFJofiaPeU/s1600/IMG_8748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ayBoJ3lEaJlfHm8LEmq-KF5y0KwhvFnNcLTwhwWk_KfoAh5Z9lDG6cQV-hNiNWNXm6R5HpWk43g2wXV8RiOMoWx-lfeXCL0e0S0jixuUGz85jTyMvTYzYSuDGV1LTq5GCTFJofiaPeU/s1600/IMG_8748.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fishing nets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkyqPTLFRYDcnU_8lfYoBKj-e3yMLthIinfSb_TKNr2pGT_P0zCIM9GT26WS4iGC9B82bP_XV4aIC2jDcX-PxawOPzyEYy5Jba5oo0P4mCmJRvxLXsJuQ7KwzDtd3L2qMZOGOIKcnl0k/s1600/IMG_8753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkyqPTLFRYDcnU_8lfYoBKj-e3yMLthIinfSb_TKNr2pGT_P0zCIM9GT26WS4iGC9B82bP_XV4aIC2jDcX-PxawOPzyEYy5Jba5oo0P4mCmJRvxLXsJuQ7KwzDtd3L2qMZOGOIKcnl0k/s1600/IMG_8753.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-2517776535963288792014-07-26T06:20:00.002-07:002014-07-26T06:21:07.522-07:00A Day of Totem PolesWe started the day off with cappuccinos and crepes at
Homeport. We road our motorcycles to Sitka National Historical Park to walk the
totem pole trail. Sitka is small enough that you can park your bike while here
and walk everywhere. We didn’t know this yet, but once discovered, we enjoyed
being able to stretch out the legs. And walk /jog I did. I think while in
Sitka, I put about 22 miles on the legs.<br />
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Sitka National Historical Park is the oldest national park
in Alaska (set aside in 1890 to be a federal reserve). Near the main visitor
center, there is a walk through a tranquil rainforest environment. Along this
trail are 18 totem poles whose design originates from throughout Southeast
Alaska. In addition, the fort and battle site for the 1804 battle between
colonists Russians and Tlingit Indians is located here; the area is considered
sacred by the native community. We started out very slow, enjoying every pole.
I walked around every pole to admire it from all different angles – how the
light hits it. The rainforest added to the beauty of the poles. It took me
several hours to enjoy the poles. We walked back to the motorcycles and I
happened to run into Joel Hard, the deputy regional director and Mary Miller
the superintendent of the park. We chatted for a bit about Sitka in general
(where to visit, what to see). I bid farewell to my coworkers and we moved on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtgEVXQFkjddfMWNjfSI69Hl6oNeNg3eZMqTvyrmTxlooys05GMFnJ-5kWPiUE_fNCsVNrVEVYh0v5UjHQOU7vFa6Jn0LG3qvIVJMFBgUIVXicjlTa-qZeJcedjdlatSG4hxZSBT7Hwk/s1600/IMG_8563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtgEVXQFkjddfMWNjfSI69Hl6oNeNg3eZMqTvyrmTxlooys05GMFnJ-5kWPiUE_fNCsVNrVEVYh0v5UjHQOU7vFa6Jn0LG3qvIVJMFBgUIVXicjlTa-qZeJcedjdlatSG4hxZSBT7Hwk/s1600/IMG_8563.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We then went out to visit Fortress of the Bears. This was an
unusual place, and ended up being more pleasant than I expected. The site is
located outside of Sitka in an old water treatment plant. The tanks have been
converted to cage like containers for the bears. The bears housed here are
orphaned or injured to the extent that they would not survive in the
wilderness. The current bears are all orphaned bears where the mother was killed
during bear/human conflict. If the bears are too small, they won’t survive.
Once the critical opportunity to teach bears the skills they need have passed
or the animals are used to human contact, they cannot be successfully
reintroduced. They are destroyed instead.</div>
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Fortress of the Bears is a non-profit organization that
tries to intervene and either keep the bear locally, or provide assistance in
placing the bear in a zoo in the lower 48. When we came out here, I wasn’t
expecting much, but it was pretty obvious the bears are happy here. They are
well fed with salmon and berries, the water in the areas flows naturally and
they even put live salmon in the water to allow the bears to catch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the competition for food is low, the
bears tend to get along with each other and be pretty playful. I have never
seen zoo animals as happy as these guys were. I guess it is better than the
alternative.</div>
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Once finished with the bears we moved on to another National
Historic Landmark by visiting the Russian Bishop’s House. Authentically
restored to its 1843 appearance and includes many of the original furnishings
and icons. The building is one of only four surviving examples of Russian
colonial architecture in North America. The construction of the joints and
walls are interesting.</div>
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We had a late lunch at the Larkspur, which was wonderful
food, but the service was so agonizingly slow that it impacted the overall
meal. The late lunch, coupled with lots of walking meant there was no need for
dinner. We did find a cute coffee shop called The Back Door. Gandhi was hanging
out.</div>
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The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-34452777058189368812014-07-24T22:08:00.001-07:002014-07-24T22:12:08.032-07:00Castle on a HillWe woke up on the ferry. Gorgeous patterns in the wake as we
cruised into Sitka.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5x5eGs9JidDyu7rVAtpSU22QZ3tIC7r_RKpviHATr1-cF1ZcqkQ9CY6bQe6poF4_IqfvDT-ksfpwEh5gkjQWajegjcXsjWphHLTBO8I7bHNJIFWCBe0B88OxtSr4djVWhxtxwul-72w/s1600/IMG_8304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5x5eGs9JidDyu7rVAtpSU22QZ3tIC7r_RKpviHATr1-cF1ZcqkQ9CY6bQe6poF4_IqfvDT-ksfpwEh5gkjQWajegjcXsjWphHLTBO8I7bHNJIFWCBe0B88OxtSr4djVWhxtxwul-72w/s1600/IMG_8304.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wake from the ferry with reflection in Sitka Sound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have wanted to come and photograph the totem poles for
some time, and also visit some of the National Historic Landmarks (NHL) in
town. I used to work for cultural resources in the regional office, for the
National Landmark program. I am very familiar with the history in this small
little town.<br />
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We arrived in Sitka too early to check into our hotel, so we
hit the ground running… first Castle Hill (an NHL), drove around the St.
Michael’s Cathedral (NHL),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>walked around
town, watched the fisherman fish, visited the Sheldon Jackson Campus (an NHL)
and Museum, and an old Russian Cemetery. We finished the day of exploring by
walking the fishing docks and admiring the ships.</div>
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Castle Hill or <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Noow
Tlein (Tlingit)<b> </b></span>is a rocky hill that overlooks Sitka. The top of
this location is significant to the history of this area. First the Tlingit,
then the Russians built and lost forts in battle on this hill. It was on this
very hill where the Russians lowered their flag and the American flag was
raised, signifying US ownership.</div>
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At this ceremony in 1867, a dual cannon salute was fired.
The Russian flag got stuck in the lanyards as they tried to lower the flag.
Several soldiers tried to climb the pole with no success. Eventually they got
it down, but once it was untangled, it fell, landing on the Russian soldier’s bayonets.
The American flag was raised with no incidents, and Alaska became part of the
United States. Today, there are no sign of forts, structures, or bayonets. Two
cannons sit there, and the space is a grassy spot with a view.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTrES2XJxxUrQ7UIa53KoVffIll8oWBXyR2G-dzwGr080meeQXRpQle0jAmBN7rFYlOfYIYv139xQlXfO49w3QrwU9wJktA3enEKLO2sNsQYfFWo1QuM3DLlad7UZVMieAMzjOIfJ_mQ/s1600/1827_illustration_of_Castle_Hill_(Old_Sitka,_Alaska)_by_Postels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTrES2XJxxUrQ7UIa53KoVffIll8oWBXyR2G-dzwGr080meeQXRpQle0jAmBN7rFYlOfYIYv139xQlXfO49w3QrwU9wJktA3enEKLO2sNsQYfFWo1QuM3DLlad7UZVMieAMzjOIfJ_mQ/s1600/1827_illustration_of_Castle_Hill_(Old_Sitka,_Alaska)_by_Postels.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1827 illustration of Castle Hill in Russian-controlled Sitka. The
hilltop building was an imposing fortification on a hill overlooking the
water and Tlingit areas. <span class="mw-mmv-title">(Old Sitka, Alaska) by Postels.</span><br />
Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB-oFNal1Ij_SMRBjqhrsKYg2QupxsFy-62If9UZJrBvqVBfbC4z_-BH2Eqlmkac5PjgVw0ZhJS5KPLdJwa8Ef0WTBfBvnMnO6p7wnU13cps9WGzoD9eUR6xZzRM1-qB4_znfxSoO4G8/s1600/IMG_8438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB-oFNal1Ij_SMRBjqhrsKYg2QupxsFy-62If9UZJrBvqVBfbC4z_-BH2Eqlmkac5PjgVw0ZhJS5KPLdJwa8Ef0WTBfBvnMnO6p7wnU13cps9WGzoD9eUR6xZzRM1-qB4_znfxSoO4G8/s1600/IMG_8438.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of Castle Hill today.</td></tr>
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In 1959, after Alaska was admitted as the 49th U.S. state,
Castle Hill was the location where the first 49-star U.S. flag in Alaska was
raised.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sheldon Jackson</span>
(May 18,1834 – May 2, 1909) was a Presbyterian minister, missionary, and political
leader. His history and legacy in Sitka is very interesting, particularly his
interest in education. He is interesting enough that he should have a blog post
all about him, but instead I will mention where my interests are. Sheldon was a
collector. An early scientist and ethnographer, he believed in preserving the
material objects from all his travels. He traveled extensively in Alaska, and
early. I wanted to go to the museum to see some of these artifacts that remain
in Sitka. I was not disappointed. If you ever get a chance to get to the
Sheldon Jackson Museum, it is definitely a must! Some of the best artifacts I
have seen in Alaska are here. I purchased a couple of books on Sheldon Jackson
and toured the museum.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZBeF7k97RKYQt1wGOTCAuYiVKoowNet05h8kwwJ3Q1SU0hAo8ZNevL6PDuNfwCEz5c86_mArWYaVZqZ6_zI0DWtOQNAhx1vcKwzpEj_iufxkx33HTPuGoTfkGuYdTZos4kYE5O1cRrU/s1600/IMG_8390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZBeF7k97RKYQt1wGOTCAuYiVKoowNet05h8kwwJ3Q1SU0hAo8ZNevL6PDuNfwCEz5c86_mArWYaVZqZ6_zI0DWtOQNAhx1vcKwzpEj_iufxkx33HTPuGoTfkGuYdTZos4kYE5O1cRrU/s1600/IMG_8390.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheldon Jackson School</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4STWEQ3p61e-yMddolDOngGTweKRnlvZs-J76pXFzlRSlvxHmhAvckaMOObY2JYHmEbn5c3zZo7bPWrtVb-vwboETcJn-8rbsiZDDE2zmmf4xd0tZYRGLo_OOaNHcgUjAi7g0doKlA4/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4STWEQ3p61e-yMddolDOngGTweKRnlvZs-J76pXFzlRSlvxHmhAvckaMOObY2JYHmEbn5c3zZo7bPWrtVb-vwboETcJn-8rbsiZDDE2zmmf4xd0tZYRGLo_OOaNHcgUjAi7g0doKlA4/s1600/IMG_8397.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Center of the Sheldon Jackson Museum has 3 totem pole artifacts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdn3smFMp5uJus03NZrji94ffy1RkiYZSHBC1PvjqE9K_agPxhHP2IeGXNYIIht573v8sJ-94Q9mrGCobKPSa72TFq5o6vhDhCtcNcKijh_yerqwKQ0XTfnRz5O7y1qQ-kRtg6Oy865k/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdn3smFMp5uJus03NZrji94ffy1RkiYZSHBC1PvjqE9K_agPxhHP2IeGXNYIIht573v8sJ-94Q9mrGCobKPSa72TFq5o6vhDhCtcNcKijh_yerqwKQ0XTfnRz5O7y1qQ-kRtg6Oy865k/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collection cases in the museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the collection (I particularly like the masks):<br />
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We spent a good part of the afternoon enjoying the boats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJp8KeC1dAoAAwb9kmHcGrEo-0PtM282eAwtCrhXkWdHm-1gFQwQrm5tEHeyk2yoY5VFEtwIeVGiwJKVAN6NCWrakBTho9xOrl-d1MFTVSricNycwMa0FPtdApgd-RnWTFgU728IJjkM/s1600/IMG_8457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJp8KeC1dAoAAwb9kmHcGrEo-0PtM282eAwtCrhXkWdHm-1gFQwQrm5tEHeyk2yoY5VFEtwIeVGiwJKVAN6NCWrakBTho9xOrl-d1MFTVSricNycwMa0FPtdApgd-RnWTFgU728IJjkM/s1600/IMG_8457.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boats</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more boats...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOZfrAaz11yUsikcJFvKKUANz_vjArqNjkKrE8ELdQeF1R3vlAjN7oEQRNWIXS4arF0WhOKUtp_u7gzRs-XYrTAR697VUeN8-7XBknrET53OOZB9pAVkyXO0D9nYtoymMDybCOh-y9jo/s1600/IMG_8351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOZfrAaz11yUsikcJFvKKUANz_vjArqNjkKrE8ELdQeF1R3vlAjN7oEQRNWIXS4arF0WhOKUtp_u7gzRs-XYrTAR697VUeN8-7XBknrET53OOZB9pAVkyXO0D9nYtoymMDybCOh-y9jo/s1600/IMG_8351.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherpeople</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
glanced at a map and noted there was an old Russian Cemetery in town and we
opted to wander through there. What an amazing find. The cemetery was overgrown
and was very lush. The Russian Orthodox cross was to be seen in many places,
and someone had been planting flowers randomly in the cemetery. We later ran
into the security guard who told us that she spends a lot of time in the place;
she thought natural wildflowers growing would be respectful and add a touch to
the graves, many long forgotten. The place was very peaceful and beautiful.<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHY92IGMshNvPd_vIQkaFINFGrMbZFus2LkacqJLuIM-E_BarrUPuRJlxk38buXKqUQ0_pBPRtW036u63PXjhO6x5qV4qGhYluggqSzpuOmpZ23wu1FExla2Q_laUOcWuWwU658x7nmg/s1600/IMG_8472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHY92IGMshNvPd_vIQkaFINFGrMbZFus2LkacqJLuIM-E_BarrUPuRJlxk38buXKqUQ0_pBPRtW036u63PXjhO6x5qV4qGhYluggqSzpuOmpZ23wu1FExla2Q_laUOcWuWwU658x7nmg/s1600/IMG_8472.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C4mvIgM6y0HhDUgVl_WHeetBlWk2rcXP7oyjBCynW3t0LEH2Mhn3viwnfiT0Xwd6hxHi9-HnE4uHcpFIXyMXL4QdhXAvv-FUk6DquejQ7Xn3JHyr8r_OGAqZJmjB4Ce7S5DiF2yEj6Y/s1600/IMG_8477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C4mvIgM6y0HhDUgVl_WHeetBlWk2rcXP7oyjBCynW3t0LEH2Mhn3viwnfiT0Xwd6hxHi9-HnE4uHcpFIXyMXL4QdhXAvv-FUk6DquejQ7Xn3JHyr8r_OGAqZJmjB4Ce7S5DiF2yEj6Y/s1600/IMG_8477.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mostly forgotten graves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon we will visit the totem poles... my primary reason for coming to Sitka, aside from the fact that I have done every other road in Alaska, and I am now reaching...</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-69126833498008650732014-07-23T22:53:00.002-07:002014-07-24T16:09:09.898-07:00I am AWARE<i>So I started my trip with a wobble in the front end of my motorcycle.
I have pretty much decided, after experimenting with repacking, that I am
carrying too much weight in the rear and need to change the dynamics or lighten
the load. Needless to say, every day that passes and I watch my toothpaste and
shampoo stock decrease, I smile. I wonder how many times I need to brush my
teeth before the wobble goes away. These are the things I ponder now… </i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our ship from Haines arrived in Juneau late at night and we
drove straight to the Silverbow Inn in downtown Juneau. The ladies there were
waiting for us; we were the last guests to check-in. They were very courteous
and accommodating, and before I knew it we had committed to staying with them
on the way back out. Check out was at noon, but our next Ferry didn’t leave
until 1 am the following day. The Silverbow offered to let us hang out in their
lobby until 11 pm. This was a good thing, since it would be easier and quieter than
the ferry terminal. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8rz0MkhQLFnyuK8OxFLK__WpJ8CELOXu8SBfNGfPoMJ2n-uJEZnXjEb1IXvMyKnFBdYjeE_UFdLqXY8EMkB3VK5uHGVXYyjqNYMMj70rZH9lUXfdi88rkVLCPI5ft1QjwP0c3qlPr2c/s1600/IMG_8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8rz0MkhQLFnyuK8OxFLK__WpJ8CELOXu8SBfNGfPoMJ2n-uJEZnXjEb1IXvMyKnFBdYjeE_UFdLqXY8EMkB3VK5uHGVXYyjqNYMMj70rZH9lUXfdi88rkVLCPI5ft1QjwP0c3qlPr2c/s1600/IMG_8175.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silverbow Inn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We awoke fresh from quality sleep and headed over to The
Rookery for a breakfast burrito. There was a small child running in circles and
screaming at the top of his lungs. His feet pounded on the hard wooden floors. Jaz
and I took bets on how many laps he could make… she said 3 (it was a large
area), I said 5. The kid was still running at 7… I realized I had a headache. I
considered pushing my chair out as he passed, then I considered punching his
mother. I kept saying “chill out you are on vacation- relax” but I could feel
myself getting twisted over the disrespect. By lap 11, I reached a peaceful
place… imagining all sorts of nasty things happening to the child… I felt
guilty for a short bit and then swallowed some Advil.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09XIsbvSLb_HXB96hhoxzfMOGpuv99zib11PVKsrYbKwmMGuvL_KHNRmzfADN3QDOHuFBcIx6bxd2gkieUsEAFQdzErszvEbcbzUE-9eyUFoJOX_4faSB5NbmN0rYkiJ0v6X44aKRHAQ/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09XIsbvSLb_HXB96hhoxzfMOGpuv99zib11PVKsrYbKwmMGuvL_KHNRmzfADN3QDOHuFBcIx6bxd2gkieUsEAFQdzErszvEbcbzUE-9eyUFoJOX_4faSB5NbmN0rYkiJ0v6X44aKRHAQ/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fantasized about killing this kid...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jaz realized she had forgotten her camera battery charger
and since the mission was to shoot the totem poles in Sitka, we needed to track
down one in Juneau or have her housemate overnight airmail it to Sitka. We
wandered around looking at shops and it appeared that everything was closed. Eventually
we figured out the town was running on cruise ship hours, which meant we killed
a few hours waiting for things to open up. We found a charger and headed back
to the hotel to grab the motorbikes and rush out to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Once we learned that 4 effing cruise ships would be docking in town in the next
little bit, we realized we wanted to stay ahead of the buses. Since the glacier
would probably be a popular stop for them we rushed out to beat the crowd.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iXv9d3VtfbrSrv3ZQWtDe1daL4E4Geec8drlisL9ome21_Qeg_W9DnCz0ygJ2pTEsHaWDrPOl9HBnlpJD4mh73aZmG5KXsU6h80MpQ6Hdnci_VIzh8zZ_xLEqdAk2hJUUvQNGW44Wsc/s1600/IMG_8173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iXv9d3VtfbrSrv3ZQWtDe1daL4E4Geec8drlisL9ome21_Qeg_W9DnCz0ygJ2pTEsHaWDrPOl9HBnlpJD4mh73aZmG5KXsU6h80MpQ6Hdnci_VIzh8zZ_xLEqdAk2hJUUvQNGW44Wsc/s1600/IMG_8173.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaceful streets of Juneau - no cruise ships but nothing is open.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1KnffGifq6keiER0Td7BeXSVevlnmQ1wuIAHucgwRl2l3RlGyDsF_1gNX9ogrv7pMuX0q2fZhATM1yOB38Msbo4Sj9KBnjlhyphenhyphenOidBia375Da_3K4tpIlXraHrRHXakJlO7YRw5ElzQI/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1KnffGifq6keiER0Td7BeXSVevlnmQ1wuIAHucgwRl2l3RlGyDsF_1gNX9ogrv7pMuX0q2fZhATM1yOB38Msbo4Sj9KBnjlhyphenhyphenOidBia375Da_3K4tpIlXraHrRHXakJlO7YRw5ElzQI/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mendenhall was amazing, and the hike to the waterfall was beautiful.
The water flow was impressive – I stood for a short period in front and the
spray coming of the falls was so thick it was like being in a shower. There was
a small pond where the waterfall was reflecting in the surface. No one saw it
but Jaz. I commented to her that she is so observant. She notices everything in
her environment, unlike me (who can stumble into all kinds of situations
because I am not aware). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trying to
be more aware. It is easier when you are on holiday. The sun was shining, the
sky was beautiful. Just as we got back to the parking lot, the cruise ship
passengers arrived by the bus loads.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtx1-87M3v4-oiTi1JTf0WRkJri9rMmXn9KCVfy-WP9wwI9Yt389Ol0r9Fn9dcqG56jYVc0EYYGUomSUDtuctlCPz_l3tE5FxeAlUTAYhJoEALUYC6fIhrpbNtv4UE_-BU3PD3UNiM14/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtx1-87M3v4-oiTi1JTf0WRkJri9rMmXn9KCVfy-WP9wwI9Yt389Ol0r9Fn9dcqG56jYVc0EYYGUomSUDtuctlCPz_l3tE5FxeAlUTAYhJoEALUYC6fIhrpbNtv4UE_-BU3PD3UNiM14/s1600/IMG_8199.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The valley below the glacier, notice the water line where the glacier water mixes with non-glacier water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjNY_kRhWd5AVlclCdI-pSHJmXrxdL7GAPI6YJnX7LgUGcSHtOhCewq9qV2Ir51kCZVN5U_nhzcHO6d9rUDk6htJXzcyKDiih-MtOs5JvnmtgnbFVexro6WuwJuU4pEfawgU-JPRPlJ8/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjNY_kRhWd5AVlclCdI-pSHJmXrxdL7GAPI6YJnX7LgUGcSHtOhCewq9qV2Ir51kCZVN5U_nhzcHO6d9rUDk6htJXzcyKDiih-MtOs5JvnmtgnbFVexro6WuwJuU4pEfawgU-JPRPlJ8/s1600/IMG_8224.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reflection for the observant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ym1USs92PNa3pECGeImsnSBNNWemiGjSSfTNePReybgtRND-22QVlgs2cuGFigZiXNleJ-SG8sTZNI4MbxDRUorhs6CA5x7S7Xld2QlZdLOYlVnrKhvbbwUrL4ITY-Mp4XHRDnr5VkA/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ym1USs92PNa3pECGeImsnSBNNWemiGjSSfTNePReybgtRND-22QVlgs2cuGFigZiXNleJ-SG8sTZNI4MbxDRUorhs6CA5x7S7Xld2QlZdLOYlVnrKhvbbwUrL4ITY-Mp4XHRDnr5VkA/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me enjoying the spray off the waterfall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQZQh1EtsTT9lLxag8JDtlfS1N_NggK7fFT04byp12Gtf89r9ZrsjqhUw20-IFRu74d2jKwLBuBoUXan9j_9xXc0wtN-bVisKmeM-T4CKFpSKsiOFV2FxoRQqcwDXRYXMAhQWfLo-eXc/s1600/IMG_8249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQZQh1EtsTT9lLxag8JDtlfS1N_NggK7fFT04byp12Gtf89r9ZrsjqhUw20-IFRu74d2jKwLBuBoUXan9j_9xXc0wtN-bVisKmeM-T4CKFpSKsiOFV2FxoRQqcwDXRYXMAhQWfLo-eXc/s1600/IMG_8249.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A not so subtle spray...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL39RsADYWBno4upTcpUER0JlcUR0DXvY0MhbUqWxHez5hVbsgz7jQ8mwzFnkFX3uAe-9Zr9qD2ZKXl9lb40wXzCeyBHVIY-DxGIPizEPEBpjcXaDtJjZS-G0o0SQkogIjmER83nNFqI/s1600/IMG_8281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL39RsADYWBno4upTcpUER0JlcUR0DXvY0MhbUqWxHez5hVbsgz7jQ8mwzFnkFX3uAe-9Zr9qD2ZKXl9lb40wXzCeyBHVIY-DxGIPizEPEBpjcXaDtJjZS-G0o0SQkogIjmER83nNFqI/s1600/IMG_8281.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fairies have landed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then drove to the end of the northern road, Echo Cove,
and someday probably the road to Skagway. The drive was amazing. We got hung up
with road construction and another pilot car, but the wait was worth the view
on the beach. There was a tree swing hanging on the beach that we both looked
at but neither of us wanted to try (our girlhood ambitions have been swapped
with the fear of hurting a back).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctya0lMfGSCN94Y-5OvN79DLo0jbyVK-RgTvAhenKxe5R3vtIIhyphenhyphenTsjWZ-sRTuqxIwL8j6vS2HeuZJ2g5-Wz0WL8gWGvlhYQo_dM-Nh5gmEPt83rCktDiBYP4Tn-fKl1JjEiiWaGXmDY/s1600/IMG_8260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctya0lMfGSCN94Y-5OvN79DLo0jbyVK-RgTvAhenKxe5R3vtIIhyphenhyphenTsjWZ-sRTuqxIwL8j6vS2HeuZJ2g5-Wz0WL8gWGvlhYQo_dM-Nh5gmEPt83rCktDiBYP4Tn-fKl1JjEiiWaGXmDY/s1600/IMG_8260.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The forest is so lush here, Echo Cove.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRTZW5w-q0fbuSqIKw6Z9qLVOMZULU6eZfZawq8BMxRtsNZTmTT64aqkKoN_9uUyEfmFJhZaP37_vssoy7nUzyjQ5HmxHkSdqaiiyIl-WXQIxRj0lxeOzjKp_qW_aNGnqLr6Cj707v8g/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRTZW5w-q0fbuSqIKw6Z9qLVOMZULU6eZfZawq8BMxRtsNZTmTT64aqkKoN_9uUyEfmFJhZaP37_vssoy7nUzyjQ5HmxHkSdqaiiyIl-WXQIxRj0lxeOzjKp_qW_aNGnqLr6Cj707v8g/s1600/IMG_8262.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaz enjoying the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1o3JdT-Iqb4cVc4qwoJvxz9fG3p6cLwbreNxYRTCT55eQqWlHyRtplbLQSe5eh5izG4l_fE5tlQ5cPH3r_wqEL4vDQLOF-oioEINdBnLM5e7yVw5t9FEsW159EJdagfqhusreXdbLcc/s1600/IMG_8264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1o3JdT-Iqb4cVc4qwoJvxz9fG3p6cLwbreNxYRTCT55eQqWlHyRtplbLQSe5eh5izG4l_fE5tlQ5cPH3r_wqEL4vDQLOF-oioEINdBnLM5e7yVw5t9FEsW159EJdagfqhusreXdbLcc/s1600/IMG_8264.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The swing we did not dare...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSYVSk_C_s9FbtMxJDzc7fL1-PnzGuh2QRLpTSq3JdkZTIxte-5sqd71bYFcZ5vB2Dx4Tp24y2mJEp0i9D4wLXg1h6scLF6wv4Sv80MM5Zqlsdinc4TUV4I0Fzmd0m_58_-uHrA4JAHs/s1600/IMG_8265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSYVSk_C_s9FbtMxJDzc7fL1-PnzGuh2QRLpTSq3JdkZTIxte-5sqd71bYFcZ5vB2Dx4Tp24y2mJEp0i9D4wLXg1h6scLF6wv4Sv80MM5Zqlsdinc4TUV4I0Fzmd0m_58_-uHrA4JAHs/s1600/IMG_8265.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 minute pilot car wait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in town, we headed over to Tracy’s for the best crab
in town. The place was a zoo because of the ships, but the crab was wonderful
as was the fresh on tap Alaskan Amber (brewed here in Juneau). We were so
stuffed we needed to walk around town to burn of the crab.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvbJ9qqXTBSHnM8J56kPbAwsnIhKG-04XAUptjY51ScCx_LF9La0kVNvdIP9zPdxP03H06jQaKNjwzQOWe2a_72NwCATS50C-reNyl5D7CPMI1p3BgcRDcIpI4u5UqIO-Z-03osELPak/s1600/IMG_8270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvbJ9qqXTBSHnM8J56kPbAwsnIhKG-04XAUptjY51ScCx_LF9La0kVNvdIP9zPdxP03H06jQaKNjwzQOWe2a_72NwCATS50C-reNyl5D7CPMI1p3BgcRDcIpI4u5UqIO-Z-03osELPak/s1600/IMG_8270.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy's Crab Shacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghu0ZSGWoT6z8ZfpYvO5qS5GI29FMIXCcp4Mm9_mRP_JUK62la-_ogkXdYkPMzj2AePyyhjrSgVxeZukt3C85LQW9IyF8ALaoU0rled9Wg2Vz9x6RsV5nSSyIIJe5UUHPPLrGkbnEadRw/s1600/IMG_8272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghu0ZSGWoT6z8ZfpYvO5qS5GI29FMIXCcp4Mm9_mRP_JUK62la-_ogkXdYkPMzj2AePyyhjrSgVxeZukt3C85LQW9IyF8ALaoU0rled9Wg2Vz9x6RsV5nSSyIIJe5UUHPPLrGkbnEadRw/s1600/IMG_8272.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Alaskan Amber beer girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJl2vbgxo-ANPFCDsj_SIrhD2qon8JhcLyd4yWpxN5r-GM2cyYAWOag20kZUWh9ntQQVSE5iMY23NCHt8FlQsD0ru5LJOm4JqCW8wQq6zGbPeRDfGl3buH_DIkAGtS-bMP8cVafSM1EA/s1600/IMG_8273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJl2vbgxo-ANPFCDsj_SIrhD2qon8JhcLyd4yWpxN5r-GM2cyYAWOag20kZUWh9ntQQVSE5iMY23NCHt8FlQsD0ru5LJOm4JqCW8wQq6zGbPeRDfGl3buH_DIkAGtS-bMP8cVafSM1EA/s1600/IMG_8273.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious crab eating going on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJ_yMBDzqdammVRjAsNnHKwO33kNjRVb-lrriLPspFV1MhnzEbLcJnuIi38kGnf03F2iZzxxn8MqnECsiWreS3EHAhvlQuKxZJ2tbkloJwtorQLNaHLNVbgm49iNb60fKNO9cYdRdoOo/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJ_yMBDzqdammVRjAsNnHKwO33kNjRVb-lrriLPspFV1MhnzEbLcJnuIi38kGnf03F2iZzxxn8MqnECsiWreS3EHAhvlQuKxZJ2tbkloJwtorQLNaHLNVbgm49iNb60fKNO9cYdRdoOo/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very tasty, I had king crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrMpIMcfvTsPRGENyWL4t1V7zt2l3d5NVNTEE28PscPwJwcfce4T5akFmpXa_riFeOwoy3iWEFLLZ6hHtJl3I-NJA0uYg7tp0ug6KDNnK5BOWWJMeKZd2WI1UQiN-zJ8tdjPoLOc7sw0/s1600/IMG_8278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrMpIMcfvTsPRGENyWL4t1V7zt2l3d5NVNTEE28PscPwJwcfce4T5akFmpXa_riFeOwoy3iWEFLLZ6hHtJl3I-NJA0uYg7tp0ug6KDNnK5BOWWJMeKZd2WI1UQiN-zJ8tdjPoLOc7sw0/s1600/IMG_8278.JPG" height="584" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best legs in town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped off at the hotel and read a bit before heading
over to catch the ferry to Sitka. They lined us up in little rows (we were told
to go to row 7), to pack you in the boat in a manner that allows easy departure
based on destination. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALIKOWx7lsR6baUOpdqf4Q1Iyz44XfqSMZHtKkgrcpGPSy3s5opZaLMbeOKgG3kPdKuI0DMXgK2tq14cOPQREi-J-ZkU0aJ0eJ2QmEI9vr1Xplvnh9WOylC3xWzzj7fTWvfv1OZJ-dsI/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALIKOWx7lsR6baUOpdqf4Q1Iyz44XfqSMZHtKkgrcpGPSy3s5opZaLMbeOKgG3kPdKuI0DMXgK2tq14cOPQREi-J-ZkU0aJ0eJ2QmEI9vr1Xplvnh9WOylC3xWzzj7fTWvfv1OZJ-dsI/s1600/IMG_8288.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row "7" to Sitka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2FDhfxgZN12GMWJ60FiapQDtlOUs2ZmVfZC9_DFwlt0CprJSUPdpjKnhbjT7zqOpINbRALmmdZ_upCTS1Sx6ln-MZV4fnHuqLWZ1kFAWVg-eQNtRRsDduTNKJU0D6VOlgSZOtsNV_08/s1600/IMG_8148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2FDhfxgZN12GMWJ60FiapQDtlOUs2ZmVfZC9_DFwlt0CprJSUPdpjKnhbjT7zqOpINbRALmmdZ_upCTS1Sx6ln-MZV4fnHuqLWZ1kFAWVg-eQNtRRsDduTNKJU0D6VOlgSZOtsNV_08/s1600/IMG_8148.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I thought I was heavy in the ass end..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were excited because we thought we were going to board
soon. We ended up being the absolute last on the boat. We got the last room,
and apparently the last towel (our room had only one). I was so tired by the
end of an extremely long and busy day. I sat staring at my shoes. I noticed how
busy they were and then I realized… I was AWARE of my shoes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XiqpWNAk6M9eH1PBJHZVLm8odw9y-Mr8CDx5asJk8_02q704_2Ni84rHGX-5X43US1hjxozk2DnATmvc1egVtN-vgjaURYuSjiuigaOYnBWo6TfRdoj4dTmHZ7xagYdZ-S9rRHI8py8/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XiqpWNAk6M9eH1PBJHZVLm8odw9y-Mr8CDx5asJk8_02q704_2Ni84rHGX-5X43US1hjxozk2DnATmvc1egVtN-vgjaURYuSjiuigaOYnBWo6TfRdoj4dTmHZ7xagYdZ-S9rRHI8py8/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes parked inside ferry on deck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDxC7vC9ZZkymWfD_xyuJbNXk5tM3_q5KO-ulVkn4eAyeYB-IGC1liUhr5m31dSM_RHaXjXH_FJX9mYokaGoyjD6tNB-1gxIt5jzScXvgSXDMQx8nFQuY2LqpU6J131UCPrZte3STb-Y/s1600/IMG_8294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDxC7vC9ZZkymWfD_xyuJbNXk5tM3_q5KO-ulVkn4eAyeYB-IGC1liUhr5m31dSM_RHaXjXH_FJX9mYokaGoyjD6tNB-1gxIt5jzScXvgSXDMQx8nFQuY2LqpU6J131UCPrZte3STb-Y/s1600/IMG_8294.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sleeping quarters to Sitka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk7cBpHA4Im-MMw6sdgBWeRq5s0hDkBf9CmR45YUgED8e0k7W7tpMC2sWwAl5jyyFVxttS_6-qPv8d0f2oGtxeI4YZH7jbX8Vq98QXJJRxCP8cdoxcLHP7klPL0_CDVFkZYVtIWXMJag/s1600/IMG_8299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk7cBpHA4Im-MMw6sdgBWeRq5s0hDkBf9CmR45YUgED8e0k7W7tpMC2sWwAl5jyyFVxttS_6-qPv8d0f2oGtxeI4YZH7jbX8Vq98QXJJRxCP8cdoxcLHP7klPL0_CDVFkZYVtIWXMJag/s1600/IMG_8299.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shoes... I am aware of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOki-BFaG9x-IE3ylOWvqV88R5Mz1JOFcQP6YD79JmSXKabMWuLSQx_gVDujzoK4mNv6EJcUkPtSOtEpyOzSgnlD6nlubZVQwKLgUodBTUJlSr2GGo7dRLlFzlwUrHCjP7tNZTCQP7nUc/s1600/IMG_8302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOki-BFaG9x-IE3ylOWvqV88R5Mz1JOFcQP6YD79JmSXKabMWuLSQx_gVDujzoK4mNv6EJcUkPtSOtEpyOzSgnlD6nlubZVQwKLgUodBTUJlSr2GGo7dRLlFzlwUrHCjP7tNZTCQP7nUc/s1600/IMG_8302.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two kleenexes separate Princess Cruise Lines from the State of Alaska Ferry System!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-42613758655756168472014-07-23T19:22:00.000-07:002014-07-23T19:23:04.629-07:00Your Love Has Lifted Me HigherWoke up early, in case the roads were a repeat – we had a
ferry to catch in Haines at 5 p.m. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had great road all the way to Haines Junction. It was a bit nippy, but the BMW
gear kept me warm. We pulled into the Village Bakery to have a hot cup of
coffee.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMhyphenhyphengxP9LubpD4YJydgJCq_6C9qvvDu-LGKaJH6HXrTcul9YFJ9CPL97awYUdPQ-Is_4M8K3ln39cSAhWYl3a8KNxtotVhB-5R8HgjoCjuFm8FLmOpPiWxAF2U6jV6fXbALTPXje0xb4/s1600/IMG_8053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMhyphenhyphengxP9LubpD4YJydgJCq_6C9qvvDu-LGKaJH6HXrTcul9YFJ9CPL97awYUdPQ-Is_4M8K3ln39cSAhWYl3a8KNxtotVhB-5R8HgjoCjuFm8FLmOpPiWxAF2U6jV6fXbALTPXje0xb4/s1600/IMG_8053.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the plywood cabin (now you know why sleeping in a shed without water is okay).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While waiting in line to get coffee, the woman standing next
to me told me that I should try the strudel. She said her and her husband
bought some and it was amazing. I said, why not! I got a piece for the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paid for our coffee and waited
for our order. When I was done, I looked around and saw there was nowhere to
sit. I noted the strudel lady was sitting with her husband at a table with 2
extra chairs and asked if she minded if we joined them. I chatted for a while...
they were bikers (although we didn’t see their bikes nor were they dressed that
way). They talked about everywhere in Alaska they had just traveled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before I left Anchorage, my boss, John, told me there
were a group of riders that had over-nighted with them. John had tried to
arrange a dinner with them, since he knew Michael and I were doing the Dalton
highway in a couple of weeks and I would enjoy a current report. It didn’t work
out because I was coming to Sitka, and the other riders were moving on. It turns out these were the folks. We discovered this quite
by accident during out chat. For those of you not from Alaska, this is a pretty
amazing coincidence. Haines Junction is hundreds of miles and this tiny little
coffee shop is hidden around a corner or two. We laughed. Exchanged numbers and they invited me to stay with
them in San Diego, and give me the skinny on Baja and Copper Canyon – Mexico.
It turns out they know Mexico like the back of their hand. Yay!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcd5ANUgxhZgL19CvwfMjYl66fxK8U4BnU3eyllrLItN9pcCLqn9FIsNwPg1Xsjh024soTYc_H9UDW5yRiWE49OybljN55iNkwlaGb6ckKixBYRWxqokbC8_MF7X9OVqqLsIGOa3bLvQ/s1600/IMG_8057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcd5ANUgxhZgL19CvwfMjYl66fxK8U4BnU3eyllrLItN9pcCLqn9FIsNwPg1Xsjh024soTYc_H9UDW5yRiWE49OybljN55iNkwlaGb6ckKixBYRWxqokbC8_MF7X9OVqqLsIGOa3bLvQ/s1600/IMG_8057.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walt and Tammy - new friends from the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Galena and I hit the
road. It got a little cooler and started to rain. The elevation increased on
the Haines Highway. We took our time for photo ops along the way. Galena is so
funny, I do love traveling with her!
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw swans, the Chilkat River, a nice rusty bridge, the
Last Call (someone’s monument to phone booths, a forgotten cemetery, AND the hammer
museum.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdLzvjNyYrocfdo15Ae1ntzu64tGagcHi5BAjZ4wihk3tuLicS5YjzoKEhsAPxCKr05ENYzKVMHajzqbM-SSMuhBUx8UX5Q4RmU1jS_Js5ULoe1Hi0QfJT2hWsafU5EQyaVOuV2Q8Q0/s1600/IMG_8064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdLzvjNyYrocfdo15Ae1ntzu64tGagcHi5BAjZ4wihk3tuLicS5YjzoKEhsAPxCKr05ENYzKVMHajzqbM-SSMuhBUx8UX5Q4RmU1jS_Js5ULoe1Hi0QfJT2hWsafU5EQyaVOuV2Q8Q0/s1600/IMG_8064.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilkat River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G60WW4v5vgbCJDoJHFqB4K_nw_4Zcz0gS6utYAb4wK1IVyCAj-Cy2yA0hANhxjlqSyi0f2JXX8OnG2c_ygdNZwYyy0mHVBvXlGuTJSLqP-SzFzXV_dlG9pC-aLGRfPVc5cZ5YthUvVs/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G60WW4v5vgbCJDoJHFqB4K_nw_4Zcz0gS6utYAb4wK1IVyCAj-Cy2yA0hANhxjlqSyi0f2JXX8OnG2c_ygdNZwYyy0mHVBvXlGuTJSLqP-SzFzXV_dlG9pC-aLGRfPVc5cZ5YthUvVs/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old single lane bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignvUq_M-322J38bpx1Uqm3crNfG01rGCNkApaPzowAGWbuiPao6JlvcoXa411NyE-Xieo4K-WCMnZG6IjtmHhi-krMbIfU5_7VQQjrV9Dtkv_2CV0RTTx3uB1bQrs-IwBNKpwjoaqhAE/s1600/IMG_8072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignvUq_M-322J38bpx1Uqm3crNfG01rGCNkApaPzowAGWbuiPao6JlvcoXa411NyE-Xieo4K-WCMnZG6IjtmHhi-krMbIfU5_7VQQjrV9Dtkv_2CV0RTTx3uB1bQrs-IwBNKpwjoaqhAE/s1600/IMG_8072.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is collecting phone booths and phones in the woods north of Haines... no explanation, not a house... just a random expression.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4du5GZGUTT5o-kH0B00nKFUHoGqqyBoLFrtWkvfybwcgKZZnopC9Fq7h1Ecs3lgaR-ifgpKESmNnwnrUQxjpUE4mVQHX62OfJUbLl0nnVGLXpXqWSFJxovguiy4GTE9zBghNdhl0OOQk/s1600/IMG_8076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4du5GZGUTT5o-kH0B00nKFUHoGqqyBoLFrtWkvfybwcgKZZnopC9Fq7h1Ecs3lgaR-ifgpKESmNnwnrUQxjpUE4mVQHX62OfJUbLl0nnVGLXpXqWSFJxovguiy4GTE9zBghNdhl0OOQk/s1600/IMG_8076.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another random expression I found hanging in the woods outside of Haines, AK.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BZn08OI4LTOYgh93NvAITBRW7n2nD92GtewCRVaVE37lH-TBUX8GIq890Y72vS7wxkLh4PAZ9OVUZ5f28ubjfxHxEekveRNTyxTGA2Je_SQm3Ep0OaEZJRSBkRDLkwRu7AxcvKAo_gg/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BZn08OI4LTOYgh93NvAITBRW7n2nD92GtewCRVaVE37lH-TBUX8GIq890Y72vS7wxkLh4PAZ9OVUZ5f28ubjfxHxEekveRNTyxTGA2Je_SQm3Ep0OaEZJRSBkRDLkwRu7AxcvKAo_gg/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgotten cemetery.. Jaz poking around the bushed looking for a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp6iugV-P3rNY9YQkTtZ9vZwlCll5NdijJk2YczYTmUpRzIQSYifOXa7yCtmaf8YcqBVYpg0XswqxzTiyHLvis-FOrWbsAi1-WJrN8NyuQobHlXQ7gN4bX7yM6lYbrWcpGPAIPJ5QNL4/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp6iugV-P3rNY9YQkTtZ9vZwlCll5NdijJk2YczYTmUpRzIQSYifOXa7yCtmaf8YcqBVYpg0XswqxzTiyHLvis-FOrWbsAi1-WJrN8NyuQobHlXQ7gN4bX7yM6lYbrWcpGPAIPJ5QNL4/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" height="640" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, swinging a really big hammer at the Hammer Museum. Unfortunately it was closed. Maybe on the way back it will be open.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haines is not like other gift shop in Alaska, so the store
front signs proclaimed. This is in reference to the fact that many gift shops
in cruise ship towns are not locally owned. We wandered in and out of shops all
day, noticed the a big seller to the cruise ship crowd is “bear skat” and
“moose droll” fudge… almost as popular as “moose nugget” jewelry. I’m still not
sure why tourists are infatuated with the bodily functions of wildlife. In my
wanderings, one of my favorite things to do is read the local bulletin boards
in small towns. Haines did not let me down:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WRbYouNB9R68W8X48Fwf4lEA3XM3YMdt-gSuSsKbYFr2y7B3x0iRG8BY5EzAhybIILqBc2byTkqew_ztA8v8lQrFwBEJtawjz5vbDM_hduSRTLlBRGtPJmiV13jeuvbF2PjMUWEmNBs/s1600/IMG_8110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WRbYouNB9R68W8X48Fwf4lEA3XM3YMdt-gSuSsKbYFr2y7B3x0iRG8BY5EzAhybIILqBc2byTkqew_ztA8v8lQrFwBEJtawjz5vbDM_hduSRTLlBRGtPJmiV13jeuvbF2PjMUWEmNBs/s1600/IMG_8110.JPG" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FcN_PTt3EOumlDEbbct_-vSLSKSfQ115wnHYMAIXozG3UEtFtUh8EWcTgdsoRKoT01Di9crVw1otA-RcgN-S0EwvdJRXAIg-72ExcQu-M_OACWfpGz5SG9bqqAwNfO7qSGdbc8wGzNo/s1600/IMG_8117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FcN_PTt3EOumlDEbbct_-vSLSKSfQ115wnHYMAIXozG3UEtFtUh8EWcTgdsoRKoT01Di9crVw1otA-RcgN-S0EwvdJRXAIg-72ExcQu-M_OACWfpGz5SG9bqqAwNfO7qSGdbc8wGzNo/s1600/IMG_8117.JPG" height="640" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaz is now calling herself "Saint Lucha"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jaz has adopted a new name. “They call me Saint Lucha” is
something I have been hearing now.</div>
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We explored all the roads Haines had to offer including the
dead end at Chilkoot Lake which was amazing and beautiful. We
stopped for roadside French press ala jetboil coffee, and enjoyed the view.
</div>
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Our short stay in Haines ended up at the ferry terminal. We
boarded the ferry and hung out in the bar for hours listening to classics like
“Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher” by Rita Coolidge. The ferry, built in the 70s
not only had no outlets for charging devices, but was stuck in a music rut
playing old music.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was kinda nice.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo_6Pv1Q1jkrCggADbk2KwrNBhbCQxyTg_8uKvKnwRha5eLeT6z4fdT7JmKXsp701U6Q_mQu9LAub6r4MoCe9ezwqPcPbCHNebNwqXPj_KcaiOqYd8ESxjdVoXmWBmnWSv9DLsxYEmsk/s1600/IMG_8153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo_6Pv1Q1jkrCggADbk2KwrNBhbCQxyTg_8uKvKnwRha5eLeT6z4fdT7JmKXsp701U6Q_mQu9LAub6r4MoCe9ezwqPcPbCHNebNwqXPj_KcaiOqYd8ESxjdVoXmWBmnWSv9DLsxYEmsk/s1600/IMG_8153.JPG" height="314" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry to Juneau.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6Qf_PfW8FSsbfi5fiGGjemKrsJQubYGP4AFJLfqQCQhEX8mPkwozciBxedQYGRMYaesQXhuYZI30w7dby4oXzCNb9LkNSpcgLeW9uYyVcLmVCbtLTJrzrL_VM7Fxc1gKTwk9e9HSrZs/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6Qf_PfW8FSsbfi5fiGGjemKrsJQubYGP4AFJLfqQCQhEX8mPkwozciBxedQYGRMYaesQXhuYZI30w7dby4oXzCNb9LkNSpcgLeW9uYyVcLmVCbtLTJrzrL_VM7Fxc1gKTwk9e9HSrZs/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our headquarters on the boat... the bar (only because no small children were running up and down the hallway screaming).</td></tr>
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The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-85406711509951753522014-07-21T01:54:00.004-07:002014-07-22T20:04:21.010-07:00Knowing Where Not To GoGod I’m tired<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpI2PgtuIxpUa_lZ3Px4Tgy0S8UbsZzlC-Iu1Lgph1tNEVT8RJcT6p1AY8H9Ddy6wFoAjyoO-ZSLR4BVay0z09XTKF-afin_JrH-BMXReVSb0RMSqTI2Qtp1o0mDROuAly1-ZE-RUjQg/s1600/Arkansas+Tents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRpK3kC40Bb5eZbgVEQAs_KapNbq8ry_QOlLn3rkioWsSxg7iWSEpF8LTfKD8FcdJUrqX6SLOiyK-iMtITq-uzfGK_HVLwx1G1hU4bjoSyua1p1B1OnHaoUJ0h47nkjnBCI07GMB73rc/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRpK3kC40Bb5eZbgVEQAs_KapNbq8ry_QOlLn3rkioWsSxg7iWSEpF8LTfKD8FcdJUrqX6SLOiyK-iMtITq-uzfGK_HVLwx1G1hU4bjoSyua1p1B1OnHaoUJ0h47nkjnBCI07GMB73rc/s1600/me.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me - in the rain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I awoke to the smell of fresh coffee, Jaz was making Kaladi
Brew. We walked over to the main lodge for breakfast and I noted the other
motorcyclists were still sleeping, tents all lined up in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met one rider the night before, a guy
named Rob from Arkansas. He was on the road traveling for a month and headed to
Alaska, somewhere along the way he met a few other riders... strangers that met
on the road to ride together for a short time. He said one of the riders had motorbike
issues; he road ahead to scout for a place to camp for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After breakfast I noted there was movement in the tent camp
and walked over to ask if they got everything taken care of... if they needed
any tools (recall – my bike is wobbling because I have too much weight from all
the tools I am carrying)? They needed a torque wrench… ummm.. I don’t think so.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpI2PgtuIxpUa_lZ3Px4Tgy0S8UbsZzlC-Iu1Lgph1tNEVT8RJcT6p1AY8H9Ddy6wFoAjyoO-ZSLR4BVay0z09XTKF-afin_JrH-BMXReVSb0RMSqTI2Qtp1o0mDROuAly1-ZE-RUjQg/s1600/Arkansas+Tents.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpI2PgtuIxpUa_lZ3Px4Tgy0S8UbsZzlC-Iu1Lgph1tNEVT8RJcT6p1AY8H9Ddy6wFoAjyoO-ZSLR4BVay0z09XTKF-afin_JrH-BMXReVSb0RMSqTI2Qtp1o0mDROuAly1-ZE-RUjQg/s1600/Arkansas+Tents.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Camp ArKansas"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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We headed out of Chistochina and into Mentasa. The road was
decent until after Tok, then it went into varying shades of “shitty.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned to Jaz that the Alcan was the worst I had seen
it yet, she mentioned that it was always the worst. I agreed. The road, due to
permafrost and heaving, was like melted rubber with trenches that were, in some
places, a foot deep. Given the wobble issue I have been fighting it made it
extra difficult to ride. You really had to be diligent with your eyes… some
trenches had no shadows and blended into the background like a camouflaged
redneck. I followed Jaz close: This way I knew where not to go by watching her
rear end rattle and bottom out from the dips she didn’t see.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTkuzpYfto4NZN6Dr4s8KckfWoRAy8Wpe_Zsu0Gj2hSJKSvxGiZeBLoHSE2sCcXsoVbjLlcu3ywW6SB3BZvmLcFwTEiJU0Vz0WizxIk8GJJaAFYiBnawC_zIFkxT-viWpal3JD_lSq5Q/s1600/Jaz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTkuzpYfto4NZN6Dr4s8KckfWoRAy8Wpe_Zsu0Gj2hSJKSvxGiZeBLoHSE2sCcXsoVbjLlcu3ywW6SB3BZvmLcFwTEiJU0Vz0WizxIk8GJJaAFYiBnawC_zIFkxT-viWpal3JD_lSq5Q/s1600/Jaz.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaz recuperating from the trenches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In some areas, there were of course the constant patches of
loose gravel. In Canada, the patches of gravel got longer and longer, with two
sections of pilot cars – lots of gravel, lots of pilot cars, and lots of bugs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rough road conditions caused slow going, in some cases
only 35 mph. It took us all day to travel 340 miles… and we didn’t stop for
lunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did stop at an old abandoned
road stop, called Grizzly bear Flats to poke around… I took the bear spray,
just in case some of those grizzlies remained.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRXVIvW4VjFGmvfGQ2YmuWoxfrUYgbxctQS0MSTwlJcACI-Qi5SOj_ybiYIuiDGGMCWGKb_FWzfIwkPd2fVRtz2OvyqidSNH4j8FfdxnAkMa18Yj4pf-l908UwCxTxvoXuGWdsM1_Ezo/s1600/pilot+car+not+here.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRXVIvW4VjFGmvfGQ2YmuWoxfrUYgbxctQS0MSTwlJcACI-Qi5SOj_ybiYIuiDGGMCWGKb_FWzfIwkPd2fVRtz2OvyqidSNH4j8FfdxnAkMa18Yj4pf-l908UwCxTxvoXuGWdsM1_Ezo/s1600/pilot+car+not+here.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lack of a navigator.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zq0gRfz-jBn-ecFl5o3fpkiDHy94vHMQvLK1qm3WUSlDII4F7GEeZInrRm8Mia1xfm-cl8dj6dCPW7khrESF2nIysaBSYQOj1bwkijtS1WCrERR2h3ppKyV3zhcxmXSEckfPwn6u5Ck/s1600/Jaz+waiting+for+pilot+car.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zq0gRfz-jBn-ecFl5o3fpkiDHy94vHMQvLK1qm3WUSlDII4F7GEeZInrRm8Mia1xfm-cl8dj6dCPW7khrESF2nIysaBSYQOj1bwkijtS1WCrERR2h3ppKyV3zhcxmXSEckfPwn6u5Ck/s1600/Jaz+waiting+for+pilot+car.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaz thinking "Where is that pilot?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ghost stop was overgrown with vegetation. It looked like
an old motel and RV park with a café. We peered into the windows (not all were
broken). It looked like the owners just walked away, in the middle of the day.
Kind of creepy like one of those sci-fi movies where the aliens take people away
or the sun gets too hot and turns everyone into a white powder where they stand.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the food was there, but the sun and
the critters had gotten into it. Faded boxes of pilot bread, Betty Crocker, and
French Canadian products you couldn’t understand unless you had high school
French. You could smell the rot from 30 feet away. We opted not to go inside since
all the wood was rotting – lest we step in the wrong place and fall through the
floor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIVVHGjlT3zD6OzsZEVfLGFPiYVOUmXv0EkMilEg3QT4wlUKlfNchdDsBGyZz9-MTsoSZthXZ5-pSfLstmbxKpJEZhaZD0E8aZ_KwPkPwhoIkH3d1CCWmw9RUEQMSuBiwRdzRbr7EVI0/s1600/cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIVVHGjlT3zD6OzsZEVfLGFPiYVOUmXv0EkMilEg3QT4wlUKlfNchdDsBGyZz9-MTsoSZthXZ5-pSfLstmbxKpJEZhaZD0E8aZ_KwPkPwhoIkH3d1CCWmw9RUEQMSuBiwRdzRbr7EVI0/s1600/cafe.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cafe begging to be explored. Vegetation has taken over.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYynCprLx-bSuCsTKEdNdThssN3gtxOgHucTpOevWqi67RZQJqw3uFh0FQ0khBN3Q141OTy8K5uzbEIjigyAZVkamve4yYetRF0hl9c1NFpSLr474sCjCSBsKFklFFUrfJVv7ElHyTZNg/s1600/ex-motel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYynCprLx-bSuCsTKEdNdThssN3gtxOgHucTpOevWqi67RZQJqw3uFh0FQ0khBN3Q141OTy8K5uzbEIjigyAZVkamve4yYetRF0hl9c1NFpSLr474sCjCSBsKFklFFUrfJVv7ElHyTZNg/s1600/ex-motel.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some glass still in place in the motel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjiJqrkKwvRC6mpfhEOVhgLOBYBnwb5mvcq-HlOMdcbcSMFpdwBO_dF7I1ZkUn8RmhOjCcA3nCXuPz5sGjXcfO85vMBtlTkyL1KZ2h-EWq3IM7mpbJwAMQm5W2SvynZ4mspHrTqF3cTY/s1600/peeking+motel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjiJqrkKwvRC6mpfhEOVhgLOBYBnwb5mvcq-HlOMdcbcSMFpdwBO_dF7I1ZkUn8RmhOjCcA3nCXuPz5sGjXcfO85vMBtlTkyL1KZ2h-EWq3IM7mpbJwAMQm5W2SvynZ4mspHrTqF3cTY/s1600/peeking+motel.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaz scoping it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkAU_GLvxW0GoS0FehFiCh1Vo0vFYSKoUiybmqCMtkcZ5wJx6ktuSSI-zfNvJmSSs0Sa9TH7NZCahl5EtLMZLvOn4WFi1BtOp3Zmf4BJpztz2FW9bLotymCUxn62mlXfkRLONGQAcHRA/s1600/forgotten+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkAU_GLvxW0GoS0FehFiCh1Vo0vFYSKoUiybmqCMtkcZ5wJx6ktuSSI-zfNvJmSSs0Sa9TH7NZCahl5EtLMZLvOn4WFi1BtOp3Zmf4BJpztz2FW9bLotymCUxn62mlXfkRLONGQAcHRA/s1600/forgotten+kitchen.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old boxes, all faded from age, many showing signs of critters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We came across a gravel/pilot section where I thought Jaz
was going down twice! 800 pound bike in soft fill, not yet smashed by rollers…
she was all over the place, I had to back off so that when she went down she
wouldn’t take me with her! Those Canadians were testing our skills, eh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got to Kluane Lake and bedded down at Kluane B and B.
Simple, but clean. And even though it reminds me of staying in a shed, I still
like staying here.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTbWMToV_yHlOGMBc8rTlqObWHqOdgoDHPZlNxbyHEfede5BIGZzntWh7IBsi_-N3NsiTLd7xNnnH1yBXWoU_JhCiO0enJ8zzMrsOkY0647t7MgJ0rBCHL7NJJwwQVDYz5Q0WH5KUxic/s1600/waferwood+interior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTbWMToV_yHlOGMBc8rTlqObWHqOdgoDHPZlNxbyHEfede5BIGZzntWh7IBsi_-N3NsiTLd7xNnnH1yBXWoU_JhCiO0enJ8zzMrsOkY0647t7MgJ0rBCHL7NJJwwQVDYz5Q0WH5KUxic/s1600/waferwood+interior.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfortable in my "shed"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGQGhSWwC-ZG2iVh0gN9QwUxP27dSx7ABCUjEvR7f7UX3WwJGxfWF0N0wvZNe2CPov6rsUbYF-c04nbwszaDWIlUvhmpN_BjNy5YMKpARyqBDsXF6z270RdCeDQ-bTD_Ywasrl0om8mU/s1600/cabin+at+Kluane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGQGhSWwC-ZG2iVh0gN9QwUxP27dSx7ABCUjEvR7f7UX3WwJGxfWF0N0wvZNe2CPov6rsUbYF-c04nbwszaDWIlUvhmpN_BjNy5YMKpARyqBDsXF6z270RdCeDQ-bTD_Ywasrl0om8mU/s1600/cabin+at+Kluane.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin for the night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We knew there would be no food here; it is too remote for
even a gas station or food. We brought a couple of cans of chili. How do you
choose a chili brand for the road? It’s not the fat, or sugar or even spice…
it’s whether the can has a pull top (we had no can opener). </div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-44735036729353405892014-07-19T00:20:00.005-07:002014-07-19T00:21:21.294-07:00“Creepy” OuthousesJaz and I headed out of Anchorage with Southeast Alaska on
our mind. Two countries, two boats and roughly 1800 miles (boat and road) over
a week and 2 weekends – this should be exciting!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
No sooner did I get on the freeway before I discovered I had
an incredibly frightening wobble in my front end when I hit 65 mph. I slowed
down to 60 and tried to figure out what was going on. I had the tire balanced
and seated correctly, so I knew the tires were fine. This trip, since Michael
was not coming along, I was packing all the tools – a lot more weight then I
usually carry. I figured I hadn’t packed the weight well. We stopped in Palmer
and I redistributed the weight, breaking up the tool kit to a more balanced
load. It helped, but there was still a wobble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the Matanuska Glacier I moved the tools to my tank bag, distributing
weight more forward – this corrected most of the issue. Finally, I tied the
espresso machine to the tank… (just kidding).</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2zCSXhHfUPln4YZ9enwKKZS7tHwdtvG1dblzkk1wFAHGY9HE5VUcp496EvFI-WJe5sdbYABKEEeIXc1PP-gsNbsDVgR9TKYk2ah2r4TgJLdGbUMlpUp0kn4qM_Pn6Y7X31w8GQz2BOM/s1600/Packed-gear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2zCSXhHfUPln4YZ9enwKKZS7tHwdtvG1dblzkk1wFAHGY9HE5VUcp496EvFI-WJe5sdbYABKEEeIXc1PP-gsNbsDVgR9TKYk2ah2r4TgJLdGbUMlpUp0kn4qM_Pn6Y7X31w8GQz2BOM/s1600/Packed-gear.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gear ready to go... apparently I am carrying heavy stuff on this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoXTdioVXZ13WoMgoyP_Sz4bBAxg0nvdTd6VdPhzifnqYVk5z8FUZX-zkatLlfBkbwjVsFGej2y4Qg05hh5ickkimGPdh53J6PyE6kX2cp3NPAC6YIWaTrCPo9QZpNPHuGnby4DSWQSQ/s1600/Matsu+glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoXTdioVXZ13WoMgoyP_Sz4bBAxg0nvdTd6VdPhzifnqYVk5z8FUZX-zkatLlfBkbwjVsFGej2y4Qg05hh5ickkimGPdh53J6PyE6kX2cp3NPAC6YIWaTrCPo9QZpNPHuGnby4DSWQSQ/s1600/Matsu+glacier.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting and having a snack at the Matanuska Glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While stopped at the Matsu Glacier, I decided to text
Michael to confirm the safest way to slow the bike down quickly with a front
end wobble (rear tire I figured, but wasn’t completely sure). I was allowing the
bike to coast down on it’ own rather than risk increasing the wobble. I was
hoping to get an affirmative on the back brake before I considered touching the
front brake when it was occurring. The Matsu Glacier rest stop has outhouses –
the deep pit style. So here I sat in an outhouse texting Michael about my bike
issues. I mean… I use the Iphone on the toilet at home… what’s the big deal?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I am texting away, I feel something in the outhouse
crawling on my butt… then I realize, whoa.. this is NOT RIGHT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jump from the outhouse fast then you can
say “OH SHIT”! My phone goes flying, and I am smacking my ass trying to get the
creepy crawlers off my ass!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesson
learned! Use the outhouse fast and get out of there!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan7bB2ePPFpTES-fVqPDPGmu0XXk4UgwPpKqQM7JC_bv4ipoZY3Gyjb3sbF7bcTxBzj5ox_aiL4ieTLkOVOUi9lXql5LZ9lrrXbvLunofmr2k5QeIo6Lr58nxqqUJUw5mqM6JT4Y61x4/s1600/Fireweed+Outhouse.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan7bB2ePPFpTES-fVqPDPGmu0XXk4UgwPpKqQM7JC_bv4ipoZY3Gyjb3sbF7bcTxBzj5ox_aiL4ieTLkOVOUi9lXql5LZ9lrrXbvLunofmr2k5QeIo6Lr58nxqqUJUw5mqM6JT4Y61x4/s1600/Fireweed+Outhouse.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outhouse surrounded by Fireweed, Not the outhouse I scrambled out of...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the wobble mostly gone, I could focus on the road. Everything
is green and lovely and all the flowers are out. We topped off gas in the Holy
Sity (Glennallen) and grabbed some hamburger and chili to cook at the cabin for
dinner. Never Never Never eat in Glennallen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We rolled into Red Eagle Lodge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Chistochina, cooked up a dinner and went
for a walk. I like the Red Eagle, friendly people, off the beaten path… quiet. It also nice to check out all the things that collect in the woods in Alaska...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq1bk2FgIQuI1wSU95f0dCakaHPc5_KhSd5iI9HfONmZR9Kar-qRZUP1w6muloSQrr-4df8ut_Q2enG7MwMugcT6rbZ_Yyo1MtrvCVJHWMlu383cnvkaQfGvxHQZ99DpMUBkSQPRKbYQ/s1600/Bear+outhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq1bk2FgIQuI1wSU95f0dCakaHPc5_KhSd5iI9HfONmZR9Kar-qRZUP1w6muloSQrr-4df8ut_Q2enG7MwMugcT6rbZ_Yyo1MtrvCVJHWMlu383cnvkaQfGvxHQZ99DpMUBkSQPRKbYQ/s1600/Bear+outhouse.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outhouse at Red Eagle... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmxMhVm7GIr579-f1QM8I6jQjytRwyd1YVkh-nr6kKJH1u99Ryvoo6YXEjU-uJF6S0TdZvA-pqUkdHV2uG_6nTohhKRJaKT7FKqsn1P2b84gDeNZUXFMkSKwW5ZCVl3Y3uWQa8hzsWAc/s1600/IMG_7969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmxMhVm7GIr579-f1QM8I6jQjytRwyd1YVkh-nr6kKJH1u99Ryvoo6YXEjU-uJF6S0TdZvA-pqUkdHV2uG_6nTohhKRJaKT7FKqsn1P2b84gDeNZUXFMkSKwW5ZCVl3Y3uWQa8hzsWAc/s1600/IMG_7969.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy firewood pile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdizfKsuBXQEHxs5qPoc2YyFSxsYvOUmoxqKVd7wplIEAieTm3UnN1zPO-TfZHULWb9b0blWJoWttH2Eihw-1rOW3aBC5P0m8ElvfGEtQDKMH7IbYwWB2KRZJWjHj-AKulxX2D3EZhTvE/s1600/nose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdizfKsuBXQEHxs5qPoc2YyFSxsYvOUmoxqKVd7wplIEAieTm3UnN1zPO-TfZHULWb9b0blWJoWttH2Eihw-1rOW3aBC5P0m8ElvfGEtQDKMH7IbYwWB2KRZJWjHj-AKulxX2D3EZhTvE/s1600/nose.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice plane on my walk</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm368ZlGiRPwfrHtE42Ug2mdKOPlwzQfCQ9REKkjXqgKnRuP55_DVKZSsFD0Zsb8zWpNJBNcMKkBJKTZ5l4M5Plb6tXV2ff9WQM9BHqxFKi6OfQRL7f9IoH3HDYQiv46WoWV9cVCCM830/s1600/Duct-tape-plane.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm368ZlGiRPwfrHtE42Ug2mdKOPlwzQfCQ9REKkjXqgKnRuP55_DVKZSsFD0Zsb8zWpNJBNcMKkBJKTZ5l4M5Plb6tXV2ff9WQM9BHqxFKi6OfQRL7f9IoH3HDYQiv46WoWV9cVCCM830/s1600/Duct-tape-plane.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps duct tape on plane is not a good idea?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxQpIFp4K3gErs2QCXCJE5_PjYO5byQX5Q-_vcmngt9U5BGkx9g4FDipdR21T2HquVihI-rRSx_4KrgiD_UJkJAXIktNcvzToskadNI1oiy2DbGfXUnn1EmlYTd1k_YJpegpCybFvq9M/s1600/pactrak.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxQpIFp4K3gErs2QCXCJE5_PjYO5byQX5Q-_vcmngt9U5BGkx9g4FDipdR21T2HquVihI-rRSx_4KrgiD_UJkJAXIktNcvzToskadNI1oiy2DbGfXUnn1EmlYTd1k_YJpegpCybFvq9M/s1600/pactrak.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pac Trac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zloxQmRpuL0BFWrBGBwapDDVG1-zct-jhpSgaiAxa8mKEFO0k_PZfzpUxhtAzG5jy0xXXc7B4DBnApor528uEOO5cxxDinvpc6uhveYjPplbVGD65ZVaTXgqagXxerss1M2XOK-2Y5A/s1600/Pactrack-inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zloxQmRpuL0BFWrBGBwapDDVG1-zct-jhpSgaiAxa8mKEFO0k_PZfzpUxhtAzG5jy0xXXc7B4DBnApor528uEOO5cxxDinvpc6uhveYjPplbVGD65ZVaTXgqagXxerss1M2XOK-2Y5A/s1600/Pactrack-inside.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of Pac Trac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cEo7Aqb8AaRNLBlEigb9YzgZgzm3LOLSvwoRPzFYdPqPnq5VQ0WRHhOhTarUEFk9ee_YYW2ISnCOfxYL3Op6yRrUuoJOojz2m30ymacjpX0uW2BXo7XrkKPF1wzJX_i41GM39b7YBPA/s1600/plane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cEo7Aqb8AaRNLBlEigb9YzgZgzm3LOLSvwoRPzFYdPqPnq5VQ0WRHhOhTarUEFk9ee_YYW2ISnCOfxYL3Op6yRrUuoJOojz2m30ymacjpX0uW2BXo7XrkKPF1wzJX_i41GM39b7YBPA/s1600/plane.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVOrannMhxHT9sZij_ZqX775jVbuLyYXiexeYQoC8sggWj79FtkAMvPagR3fcrmpPEg03dunL79J63UNhUv_sKjRWODqOmwVm3oDwoTojIWTbZu9ebiDNL_1PQljWLfCyiN3P2SfIMxE/s1600/Rusty+Tricycle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVOrannMhxHT9sZij_ZqX775jVbuLyYXiexeYQoC8sggWj79FtkAMvPagR3fcrmpPEg03dunL79J63UNhUv_sKjRWODqOmwVm3oDwoTojIWTbZu9ebiDNL_1PQljWLfCyiN3P2SfIMxE/s1600/Rusty+Tricycle.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusty tricycle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow we plan to stay near Kluane in the Yukon Territory,
eh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-87680175434529041652014-07-12T22:03:00.000-07:002014-07-12T22:28:02.846-07:00Penises, the Cold War, and Film Stars<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Our trip to Nome, Alaska could not be complete without a trip to the top of
Anvil Mountain to see White Alice. On a clear day, towering above Nome you can
see several creepy towers that remind me of the fins on the alien spacecraft
that parked on the ocean flow in the movie The Abyss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5vjh4gng9DFW4g9aUm9-XR86iySydb-mSnPu1H1L9cr9k7_BQvPUVW7cSSszzD24JW8G7fP-yMdQ6mYnWtWoUdI8BBMSuBxN5cq3KEmSmrxF8ATZPzEV4XDwxbUeGC8uD2BNM0Bht7c/s1600/AbyssFins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5vjh4gng9DFW4g9aUm9-XR86iySydb-mSnPu1H1L9cr9k7_BQvPUVW7cSSszzD24JW8G7fP-yMdQ6mYnWtWoUdI8BBMSuBxN5cq3KEmSmrxF8ATZPzEV4XDwxbUeGC8uD2BNM0Bht7c/s1600/AbyssFins.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towers jut out from spaceship like "fins" in the movie The Abyss. Photo from <a href="http://johnkennethmuir.wordpress.com/2011/page/18/">http://johnkennethmuir.wordpress.com/2011/page/18/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgLEcSuTgTTlMdDvA5kba1mup26aWDA8SHPWX7jKbQrGu6Xfk0MIXm2G4VtPYlsrYPZwufO7lxzgnTvwD4JVSVjmFmX6iSUNnvGu0mnrxWZcdGc6yH_Nt6y1AHRLG7_QqbTupBYHhtI8/s1600/Fins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgLEcSuTgTTlMdDvA5kba1mup26aWDA8SHPWX7jKbQrGu6Xfk0MIXm2G4VtPYlsrYPZwufO7lxzgnTvwD4JVSVjmFmX6iSUNnvGu0mnrxWZcdGc6yH_Nt6y1AHRLG7_QqbTupBYHhtI8/s1600/Fins.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fins on ship. Photo from <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19386_5-classic-movies-that-almost-had-terrible-endings.html" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">http://www.cracked.com/article_19386_5-classic-movies-that-almost-had-terrible-endings.html</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV6piPOcZoS1Sr9NgKNlyWGwAxenh1fJaCJcgZUXjtHP6MBAI6m-ZzyUfGFo-g4OJlrlIs9XF7gzLOegI37490yNzn-O8T7x8JZvUGEKreZeiQpQtwd9IvU_r9gTqDItO7Q_kbLoPd40/s1600/Penis-boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV6piPOcZoS1Sr9NgKNlyWGwAxenh1fJaCJcgZUXjtHP6MBAI6m-ZzyUfGFo-g4OJlrlIs9XF7gzLOegI37490yNzn-O8T7x8JZvUGEKreZeiQpQtwd9IvU_r9gTqDItO7Q_kbLoPd40/s1600/Penis-boat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towering Penis. Photo from <a href="http://mcrawford76.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Great-Movies-With-Terrible-Endings" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">http://mcrawford76.hubpages.com/hub/Top-10-Great-Movies-With-Terrible-Endings#</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Okay, now that I look at the pictures of the spaceship, I want to take that back, the fins on the ship look more penis-like. White Alice isn’t penis-like:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWTB79kOUv0J3aAWE2L-1W_oWKLnZnfC0ueNwgoq4yC9-Qwa2O4C78CyT2Xt-KCGk9o1sAde4E_jzXna9JmfPZ_5iOdKcRr7FHE-584p7Jh5fpXBw9mACAeCzkEiwUUPpqWWwgg38zXw/s1600/White+Alice+-+Northern+Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWTB79kOUv0J3aAWE2L-1W_oWKLnZnfC0ueNwgoq4yC9-Qwa2O4C78CyT2Xt-KCGk9o1sAde4E_jzXna9JmfPZ_5iOdKcRr7FHE-584p7Jh5fpXBw9mACAeCzkEiwUUPpqWWwgg38zXw/s1600/White+Alice+-+Northern+Lights.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Alice on Anvil Mountain. This photo was taken by TVJ, <span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/user/4419664?with_photo_id=53096220">http://www.panoramio.com/user/4419664?with_photo_id=53096220</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">What, you ask, is White Alice.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w8WZOKjzQ9Ewk6Ki37igRt873P-WrTXJ8w20kN-qwZnb_tONZLccrxVh5CahDAfOSeik3LW6cXt2xrihtRT3QTrkraUitqLgjp266d-7lV6WsRrgduHa8ETNMguRZvPNnXyJ3kC9Xko/s1600/IMG_7840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w8WZOKjzQ9Ewk6Ki37igRt873P-WrTXJ8w20kN-qwZnb_tONZLccrxVh5CahDAfOSeik3LW6cXt2xrihtRT3QTrkraUitqLgjp266d-7lV6WsRrgduHa8ETNMguRZvPNnXyJ3kC9Xko/s1600/IMG_7840.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Alice as seen near Nome, AK.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> White Alice Communications System was a telecommunications system
the government put up in Alaska when we were sure the Russians were going to
come and get us (otherwise known as the Cold War). At the time, it was the most
advanced technology available, so the DOD set forth to spend tons of money
constructing 80 stations that formed a network which would allow folks in remote
places to communicate that the "Russians are coming" (you really can’t see
Russia that well from Alaska - no matter what politicians say). These
sites were characterized by large parabolic, troposphere scatter antennas as
well as smaller microwave dishes for point to point links.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeXr8Ii-4ewoYlFO5IaHI3I9De30_TGj4QWDCaSXgQ7skUshvymap1PlOGjOcHk-rrG3qw01oYNBOThoXoyMJUk5KVlM4Nr4lYYb5aeEa0xys5IqQqmj42OeSHPqwUBZP1Qx_ZfCCozE/s1600/IMG_0184_5_6_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeXr8Ii-4ewoYlFO5IaHI3I9De30_TGj4QWDCaSXgQ7skUshvymap1PlOGjOcHk-rrG3qw01oYNBOThoXoyMJUk5KVlM4Nr4lYYb5aeEa0xys5IqQqmj42OeSHPqwUBZP1Qx_ZfCCozE/s1600/IMG_0184_5_6_tonemapped.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four antennae still stand above Nome. The side panels have all been removed (Compare them to the shot with the Northern Lights in the sky posted above). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The system was supposed to be a reliable form of communications to
very remote areas. Even in the 1960s a long distance call from Anchorage to the
Lower 48 would require residents to go to one location downtown to place a
call. These structures were going to vastly improve our communications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJkTUHbFd0hi7Js_Wc3ZhDwfwVkcIZzeqarKMpxbqrn6ZB_AlaD9Uryp88z-EQJpidOP4gnQr5Qbco9laqPTq9IGKCxJQ4O-f5RBiNwGdHtN-84Dp0APKTW_baPjECVxhPvv2TgV_eJo/s1600/IMG_0181_2_3_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJkTUHbFd0hi7Js_Wc3ZhDwfwVkcIZzeqarKMpxbqrn6ZB_AlaD9Uryp88z-EQJpidOP4gnQr5Qbco9laqPTq9IGKCxJQ4O-f5RBiNwGdHtN-84Dp0APKTW_baPjECVxhPvv2TgV_eJo/s1600/IMG_0181_2_3_tonemapped.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The structures are very large: Michael is sitting in the jeep parked to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Construction began in 1955, and the system was dedicated in 1958. In
the end, 71 of these facilities were constructed all over Alaska. They were deactivated
in the late 70s – becoming obsolete technology because of satellite
communications. Gee… I wonder how much the government spent on something used
less then the life time of most of the cars I have owned in my life. I know my
Chevrolet Avalanche cost me $40,000 in 2002 and it is still running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I got a better deal on my
truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Today, many of these 71 sites have become listed as contaminated
sites, now managed by Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation because
of PCB usage and fuel leakage from storage tanks. It is likely the cost to
clean up some of these sites will far exceeds the cost of construction. How
much was the price tag for this project that was only used for 20 years and now
requires clean up? $300 million! Initial estimates were $30 million, but the
contractor underestimated the maintenance cost (surprise). Perhaps a White
Alice site is analogous to a penis: we keep getting fucked. ( I realize now
that I am beginning to sound like Galena Goldstone – perhaps I should stop
hanging out with her?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Where are these sites in Alaska?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTW8-BfmDQLC4vuqAtjLUSFZ_JR_bORieQdPct-rCzf6En96gqVXNYmECGuI1sQ97cbtqVvgd62xsGS5dMUmYkwtfeblspYfQq346oU8TeGAc_PHlFzfzUghfJJt1950rNsUuX8BT-o/s1600/WhiteAlice+locations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTW8-BfmDQLC4vuqAtjLUSFZ_JR_bORieQdPct-rCzf6En96gqVXNYmECGuI1sQ97cbtqVvgd62xsGS5dMUmYkwtfeblspYfQq346oU8TeGAc_PHlFzfzUghfJJt1950rNsUuX8BT-o/s1600/WhiteAlice+locations.jpg" height="640" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Oh where oh where might Alice be? Map from <a href="http://rammstein.dfmk.hu/~s200/tropo.html#alice" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">http://rammstein.dfmk.hu/~s200/tropo.html#alice</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">One such sites is easily accessible in Nome, so you can bet I wanted
to go check out the place. Older photos I have seen of the site still show it
with the side panels on the large antennae, and like I said, they are really
creepy and big. We drove up the mountain and found that although the site had
been fenced off, someone had ripped off all the gates and dropped the fencing
on both sides, making it easily accessible. Now I did think for one minute
about my track record and cops, but luckily no one was around this time and I
was able to see the site and take a few photos. Unfortunately, all the panels
have now been removed and it’s not as creepy as it used to be. Bummer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Finally, what does this entire top secret Russian-driven
communication have to do with film stars? It was rumored </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">that the system would have been named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_White"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Alice White</span></a> had there not
been an actress with that name at the time. Thus it was reversed to White
Alice.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOSHGWi84fmQXGKpMkTHynWkhPfVo40sIhpwgJt1-4kAlCgaVORH4oVkBeXMeCAdBk8N6qqYWE2SytQqHIPFj9-54-u-xO9LKdQ8DUbKNs-6BTEvsHK4ZK_OcB34R-BkpQ8V0XUqYnWA/s1600/AliceWhite-filmstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOSHGWi84fmQXGKpMkTHynWkhPfVo40sIhpwgJt1-4kAlCgaVORH4oVkBeXMeCAdBk8N6qqYWE2SytQqHIPFj9-54-u-xO9LKdQ8DUbKNs-6BTEvsHK4ZK_OcB34R-BkpQ8V0XUqYnWA/s1600/AliceWhite-filmstar.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice White - American Film Star. Photo from: <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Vintage Threads</span><br />
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<a href="http://vintagethreadsuk.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-threads-style-icon-alice-white.html">http://vintagethreadsuk.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-threads-style-icon-alice-white.html</a></div>
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The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-31126434420731438502014-07-08T06:38:00.001-07:002014-07-08T06:40:24.681-07:00Kougarok HighwayToday was an interesting day. We swapped out the jeep for a
large ¾ ton Dodge pick-up – newer truck with better tires. Michael walked out
and put our gear in the truck and closed the door. The rear window of the truck
exploded. Now, I know you are all saying that Michael slammed the door too hard,
but this is not the case. For whatever reason (I’m convinced that Zuma GPS of
the trickster clan Raven was at fault) the pressure and conditions were just
right for the damn window to blow out while in our hands. We really didn’t want
to do anything, lest we have to pay for a very expensive window (in Anchorage
it would be about $400 – god knows what it would cost in Nome). We couldn’t
reach the owners. We talked about plan B, forgoing the road to Pilgrim Hot
Springs and just walking around Nome seeing what we could out and most of the see.
Eventually the owner came by and taped up the window in a manner that kept most
of the rain and mosquitos out. We were off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievriCcEeJ7zZRl24oQ-oiukhevPObUFZPs2ResNvy4JoEILtwGP5WcnoA519Pq_3zHArBhI7V9XWytmoF9Ej-k_GFij5iMHRFLXMfrVh6Jp1wdHGbvWZt9DaLfOp2EzOXigoke_8Rg40/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievriCcEeJ7zZRl24oQ-oiukhevPObUFZPs2ResNvy4JoEILtwGP5WcnoA519Pq_3zHArBhI7V9XWytmoF9Ej-k_GFij5iMHRFLXMfrVh6Jp1wdHGbvWZt9DaLfOp2EzOXigoke_8Rg40/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shattered truck window </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The final road of travel in our trilogy is called the
Kougarok Road, an 86 mile road that meanders north from the Bering Sea. We
expected the scenery to be very similar to the Teller Highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove out of Nome and quickly found ourselves
on a road that traveled beneath some pretty jagged mountains – not hills as we
anticipated. Now it could be that the Teller Highway had jagged peaks, but the
day we traveled it was overcast and rainy, with low clouds shrouding the tops
of the hills making visibility less than ideal.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3fH32_MlgkHrxGzGkSOqQzDUEHRQKOIDtvn3cKJiXp5AVRuat1JBOnZQjdCKaGrlzDq285UI3_gQ-1e8UzEmkDstAu82u2INRSyZbSV7xy13ejbT1I5gbNhbebR2_KJxofaEaQ2_EZo/s1600/IMG_7808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3fH32_MlgkHrxGzGkSOqQzDUEHRQKOIDtvn3cKJiXp5AVRuat1JBOnZQjdCKaGrlzDq285UI3_gQ-1e8UzEmkDstAu82u2INRSyZbSV7xy13ejbT1I5gbNhbebR2_KJxofaEaQ2_EZo/s1600/IMG_7808.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kougarok Highway travels north into mountainous terrain,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNFTsK3caah5xzpuIopQYYtmivAmibaBjcvX4hUD7WVEPBASHMC_VLGE93NGQ3JMJF2ebUnC5AHcywlDMO4GUmsE36LVrSiR9kB1JbrQx5FGK0enafUXn8cTyH0yUm-kylmcVyD2pnGo/s1600/IMG_7814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNFTsK3caah5xzpuIopQYYtmivAmibaBjcvX4hUD7WVEPBASHMC_VLGE93NGQ3JMJF2ebUnC5AHcywlDMO4GUmsE36LVrSiR9kB1JbrQx5FGK0enafUXn8cTyH0yUm-kylmcVyD2pnGo/s1600/IMG_7814.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually the landscape opens to sweeping views across the tundra.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Kougarok was dry road, but eventually we hit muddy clay that
would be difficult to ride a motorcycle in wet conditions. We got to the
Pilgrim Road turnoff (mile 53) and evaluated the access road – we opted to not
take the pretty white long big-ass truck down the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t want to have to reimburse the owner
for a new paint job which is exactly what would have happened traveling through
the brush on such a narrow road. We recognized that Pilgrim Hot Springs is
unfinished business better served by a motorcycle – next time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM4YEDp3XVwfCBGOQZKYEKE368mrUrG_e7dQfu55cJKJNNapUMulzBZosOEZ4hOTaXB1EBgoVFte1iDERdYpcph2uoT_NrXijrH3Igps15nQVD-76FGGazfSISkd-djOM8mE-MmQtsqQ/s1600/IMG_7831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM4YEDp3XVwfCBGOQZKYEKE368mrUrG_e7dQfu55cJKJNNapUMulzBZosOEZ4hOTaXB1EBgoVFte1iDERdYpcph2uoT_NrXijrH3Igps15nQVD-76FGGazfSISkd-djOM8mE-MmQtsqQ/s1600/IMG_7831.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilgrim Hot Springs road starts out as a narrow muddy road that heads west for about 7 miles, getting rougher and narrower before it ends at a primative (even by Alaskan standards) hot spring.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGvvwQ7fN_m-JAYVd_QqqGqEenmOunGcngR46BRFgX3KRa_b2x6VIs5dvKOcvbzbF_TzTARkjFCeENJSv88MSFRe7fFijSmM_CeoqcQdKIn-im-MTIpmoVXpp9EADLxH5JisQra0oug/s1600/pilgrim-tubstructure-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxGvvwQ7fN_m-JAYVd_QqqGqEenmOunGcngR46BRFgX3KRa_b2x6VIs5dvKOcvbzbF_TzTARkjFCeENJSv88MSFRe7fFijSmM_CeoqcQdKIn-im-MTIpmoVXpp9EADLxH5JisQra0oug/s1600/pilgrim-tubstructure-large.jpg" height="288" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1D1DrB1IcK4IIv5B1ofx6Fg3oNTnY1hxqvbC_QCjlGcgOZMZ1oO6A6EOupyOH-L34eXng6Y1Q5M2vBw4YzR6L-W2FlgZIHWOcixcq7J8QMX1b65F6_hzre529VWNUgesi9Fj3q522yQ/s1600/pilgrim-tubinside-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1D1DrB1IcK4IIv5B1ofx6Fg3oNTnY1hxqvbC_QCjlGcgOZMZ1oO6A6EOupyOH-L34eXng6Y1Q5M2vBw4YzR6L-W2FlgZIHWOcixcq7J8QMX1b65F6_hzre529VWNUgesi9Fj3q522yQ/s1600/pilgrim-tubinside-large.jpg" height="405" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plastic-lined
inside of the tub, with a ladder to climb down into the tub, and the hose
pumping in hot water (the excess runs off into the field). There is no
seating inside the tub, other than the ladder steps. However, most people
can easily stand in the tub, with the water about shoulder-high (about
four and a half feet). Photo Credit: <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~oscar.voss/hot-springs-photos-page3.htm#Pilgrim" target="_blank">Oscar Voss</a></td></tr>
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We turned back and
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street, side streets included. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNAgIWj6CIk_iVb9naFjYzDaGKeBcYqYD2V_T5iueJPALqma0lGscf6Lh1GYl3g50M3z0xk6D8QRug97581Ipja44IqjC_vmW_Da71uUHFejqkXI7BhR4KZ-u9ltG6qAHRAXZr8qO7DM/s1600/IMG_7843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNAgIWj6CIk_iVb9naFjYzDaGKeBcYqYD2V_T5iueJPALqma0lGscf6Lh1GYl3g50M3z0xk6D8QRug97581Ipja44IqjC_vmW_Da71uUHFejqkXI7BhR4KZ-u9ltG6qAHRAXZr8qO7DM/s1600/IMG_7843.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our truck (with taped window) at the end of the day. Even though it was sunny, the road was damp enough to cover the truck. We enjoyed a beer at the oldest bar in Nome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We drove out to the marina, the main dock, the
cemetery and even made it up to the old White Alice site that towers above
Nome. We finished the day by standing on the black sand beaches of Nome
watching the boats drift by. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zFNgPY8SMNgTZM_ffO8eg54K1f-k-mF_bCPE_Wx0wWZ-FMezYNdeLBZThhL1ONF78XLnTSHU8wfvX3BhQn_2Lhf10zR40VQ2lb621wPIsMxkzeXoprPTJHslkiNY8SWXZJVcEhlWtuo/s1600/IMG_7846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zFNgPY8SMNgTZM_ffO8eg54K1f-k-mF_bCPE_Wx0wWZ-FMezYNdeLBZThhL1ONF78XLnTSHU8wfvX3BhQn_2Lhf10zR40VQ2lb621wPIsMxkzeXoprPTJHslkiNY8SWXZJVcEhlWtuo/s1600/IMG_7846.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The black sand beaches of Nome, Alaska.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-47782867617140789172014-07-06T11:26:00.002-07:002014-07-06T11:26:54.011-07:00Flat Tire FiascoWe started our morning out attempting to fix the flat tire.
The spare tire now on the jeep was in pretty good condition. The flat tire from
yesterday was in very bad condition.. as were 2 of the other tires. Basically
we had one good tire. The dry rot was so bad on the flat tire, we didn’t think
it could be repaired. We started calling around and quickly found that almost
everyone was closed for the weekend. We tracked down a guy named Roland, who
took one look at the tire and confirmed what we thought – No go. We called the
folks back up who owned the jeep and they were able to track down a tire that
would work. They met us at RJ’s Garage with the tire, and RJ quickly put the
tire on the rim. We rolled out of town with 3 good and 2 questionable tires,
bear mace, a full tank of gas, and left over pizza from the night before - on
to explore the 2<sup>nd</sup> road on this adventure – Council Road.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciNM3RNJ-IDM3hLwFl8hWszvnMiYO_zxglaQHK61FPqA_DinHBzyE-y3iAPrrpgdc90IGd7D0NNnAtr4XkWV-4OYdDTPo3RsMSC-D95sa0XUDCZwh1UoHyLS9g6xrzmhb0-pvNAptA0/s1600/map3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciNM3RNJ-IDM3hLwFl8hWszvnMiYO_zxglaQHK61FPqA_DinHBzyE-y3iAPrrpgdc90IGd7D0NNnAtr4XkWV-4OYdDTPo3RsMSC-D95sa0XUDCZwh1UoHyLS9g6xrzmhb0-pvNAptA0/s1600/map3.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 roads of Nome - (Map - Alaska Fish & Game)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyQcvamsxIswjcDCO90F1o0Tsp5SK03t0K0gPlEfQSkUaRzbUUmT8mCW_eXJf6ZGjMdmUlSe_C9bXCVCwXVFGijvHv9vYVxwk8N8xUSD09sxHHxEmkKzqdxMrLDNwLpWNW6H92Ss_Suc/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyQcvamsxIswjcDCO90F1o0Tsp5SK03t0K0gPlEfQSkUaRzbUUmT8mCW_eXJf6ZGjMdmUlSe_C9bXCVCwXVFGijvHv9vYVxwk8N8xUSD09sxHHxEmkKzqdxMrLDNwLpWNW6H92Ss_Suc/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" height="640" width="563" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RJ getting us squared away with a tire we can count on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Council Road is a 72-mile gravel road that runs along the
beaches of Nome and then turns inland to eventually end at a river with no
bridge. We knew very well that we would not be able to cross the river – in low
water, with the help of a local you can navigate your high clearance 4 wheel
drive vehicle across. We have a low clearance jeep and the water is high. Even
so, we wanted to drive the road to enjoy the scenery. This road allows you to
glimpse the gold mining history of the area – including the modern gold seekers
still scouring the beaches of Nome for their riches (didn’t they make a reality
T.V show about that?).</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiiYezMpSgyrEzwpbIuFcUYyuOZrULgAtvov-dkBZJnzYq8fMQViRC1s771-XyK4ZFdityhaRj6vqZUYdQSpXPIH9-Q_7bzkJ1bH_Hxa_J5qTtxJH0lodmFMfWODaMmHcpCb68q11pQQ/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiiYezMpSgyrEzwpbIuFcUYyuOZrULgAtvov-dkBZJnzYq8fMQViRC1s771-XyK4ZFdityhaRj6vqZUYdQSpXPIH9-Q_7bzkJ1bH_Hxa_J5qTtxJH0lodmFMfWODaMmHcpCb68q11pQQ/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern day gold miners on the beaches of Nome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzMbe-ZImb_wtPhFM7enEJXTp9am-yT1KNUSwy9XciXYdxOe7qZH6VzXnHXbhLzd-DtWabPor7Pg3_yX5UAAiX05AFJ1H-MzjKEU8i-lp7kTkkvt9I_nEZviCG8hnAtXUFutFrfsFF4Y/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzMbe-ZImb_wtPhFM7enEJXTp9am-yT1KNUSwy9XciXYdxOe7qZH6VzXnHXbhLzd-DtWabPor7Pg3_yX5UAAiX05AFJ1H-MzjKEU8i-lp7kTkkvt9I_nEZviCG8hnAtXUFutFrfsFF4Y/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dredge like small crafts for sifting the gold on the bottom of the ocean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had a beautiful sunny day and this road was very
different then the Teller Highway yesterday. The Teller Highway reminded us of
the Dempster Highway – flat rolling tundra for miles The Council Road often
reminded us of the Top of the World Highway near Dawson, YT. Canada and seemed
to have 3 distinct environments it covered, coastal, hills larger than rollers
but not really mountains, and then an area where trees actually appeared – a lot
of northern Alaska is tree-less. The road started out of Nome and hugged the
coast for a while then extended onto gravel bars with water on both sides. The
air was muggy and humid and we found we needed to have the windows rolled down
most of the day.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkHppyjPCAHo1pyXbZusJH1XObkCPirKLAeGSL4amodTviQzuRxLBRLcPG5iKitPLCv6pqNV9mbn1KlNS1f_pb5L94SZ25p2lt5zzO93zQdX_I99wuoG_Ef2G1RQwuOD18UcBavozmvs/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkHppyjPCAHo1pyXbZusJH1XObkCPirKLAeGSL4amodTviQzuRxLBRLcPG5iKitPLCv6pqNV9mbn1KlNS1f_pb5L94SZ25p2lt5zzO93zQdX_I99wuoG_Ef2G1RQwuOD18UcBavozmvs/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road travels out on a sand bar like ridge between the Norton Sound and Safety Sound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed seasonal fishing camps scattered for miles, as well
as gold camps with their tiny rigs floating in the ocean sucking up the gold
(hopefully) like vacuum cleaners the spitting out the muck out the back end of
their boats. The further we got out from Nome, the sparser the seasonal
structures became. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ5TA1h3dskINK01JtlQtOdhn3u-SSAu8SAJbMQmdwHwJvz-W0Hy9QDpzMq-sx_UHz1WiogQtiQuYrpeNViF0qrvgqG_N2rhEG2M0H5ub8Y5Pa1LRMggMQAkZF0urGRMZxqDE2y5eMQ8/s1600/IMG_7674.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ5TA1h3dskINK01JtlQtOdhn3u-SSAu8SAJbMQmdwHwJvz-W0Hy9QDpzMq-sx_UHz1WiogQtiQuYrpeNViF0qrvgqG_N2rhEG2M0H5ub8Y5Pa1LRMggMQAkZF0urGRMZxqDE2y5eMQ8/s1600/IMG_7674.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasonal camp. The driftwood "teepees" are generally used for fire wood and temp dry storage of wood and miscellaneous items - not generally used for shelter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually the road turned inland where a famous relic of
Alaska still lays, “The Last Train to Nowhere.” </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cnMtYFVQmVcvrLlQfi1B75YuuiPsquTsxFnx7mJRiQ5X9SvSHVxVgv__iOn4MHCGmOLeVyl_nSvGp5GYiRBXCsicVcrsUmaqo-0XHM01qDQPcr-G9e3gmteYTfB38m2y0vSQ78RSavM/s1600/IMG_7688.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cnMtYFVQmVcvrLlQfi1B75YuuiPsquTsxFnx7mJRiQ5X9SvSHVxVgv__iOn4MHCGmOLeVyl_nSvGp5GYiRBXCsicVcrsUmaqo-0XHM01qDQPcr-G9e3gmteYTfB38m2y0vSQ78RSavM/s1600/IMG_7688.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Train to Nowhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOVu0Wttv_hYa9IKX9GfaGaFuUEu1hej90TP_JBodIuU_FwaAmS-KwicFEaDjkt2b5wQCapKLM1OmvHGUJcL0X57LyF0gKFXwt07Y1yuTwd-1KiqBMSzA4EitXTCCvYSc_SzWdqLSNIs/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOVu0Wttv_hYa9IKX9GfaGaFuUEu1hej90TP_JBodIuU_FwaAmS-KwicFEaDjkt2b5wQCapKLM1OmvHGUJcL0X57LyF0gKFXwt07Y1yuTwd-1KiqBMSzA4EitXTCCvYSc_SzWdqLSNIs/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me standing in the marsh without adequate footwear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The train was actually by the Council City & Solomon
River Railroad investors intended to carry gold from the area – linking a lot
of small places to a centralized area. But as the gold rush faded in the
region, the project was abandoned in 1907. Three locomotives still sit in the
tundra, along with all their parts and pieces. I wanted to take pictures here,
as well as the old town of Solomon. Driving through this area is interesting
because you see so many abandoned things.. business, cars, homes, gold mining
equipment.. everything. It looks like people just walked away at some point.
Then, you might see a modern house sitting next to a collapsed building, folks
outside BBQing for the holiday. We stopped and explored a few abandoned
structures, including a dredge that operated until the 1960s. We didn’t wander
too close, not wanting to get hurt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The road climbed up to Skookum Pass with beautiful sweeping
vistas in every direction (thus the reminder of Top of the World Highway). We
reached the end of the road at the river Niukluk. Too high to cross and no
desire to cross the river by 4-wheeler (complements of the locals), we walked a
bit along the river and enjoyed the view before heading back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByuGqyytkN8at-0MylYzLdu91ODhbUJGQPvEC7IlJIJ3n2DxoqFy-rUvoZsNsk5pyfX6OvqXJk5ZEgmGvjP-ND2rqBvXv2LySX3T1bkzdghyphenhyphenhMwc-OwT2h8BMJzTD9LznvxTYUonWgiQ/s1600/IMG_7729.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByuGqyytkN8at-0MylYzLdu91ODhbUJGQPvEC7IlJIJ3n2DxoqFy-rUvoZsNsk5pyfX6OvqXJk5ZEgmGvjP-ND2rqBvXv2LySX3T1bkzdghyphenhyphenhMwc-OwT2h8BMJzTD9LznvxTYUonWgiQ/s1600/IMG_7729.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View near Skookum Pass, Council Highway, Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgLUssWPpJbcXk_c4L9msMG1FBIxgG_jfVAQTtXWGq4Xpp1aDyms4TzwS0BBxVIT2A-1hLWFu2BN51fZJyifbiIsPGFWUxc6vZzwY93I1XRTBk4yDeKCgKR2kZK0_IncfsSGmXtJ1VrI/s1600/IMG_7740.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgLUssWPpJbcXk_c4L9msMG1FBIxgG_jfVAQTtXWGq4Xpp1aDyms4TzwS0BBxVIT2A-1hLWFu2BN51fZJyifbiIsPGFWUxc6vZzwY93I1XRTBk4yDeKCgKR2kZK0_IncfsSGmXtJ1VrI/s1600/IMG_7740.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of Council across the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Near the town of Solomon we ran into a couple of locals
pulled over to the side of the road with tire problems. They had lost the bolt
that hold their rear brakes together cause the brakes to seize up, locking the
rear wheel tire from spinning. Michael helped them remove the brake from that
tire, fastening it to the leaf springs and tying it down. The vehicle only had
3 brakes, but the road was flat and at least they could limp back into town to
get it repaired. They thanked us and we noted their slow progress the rest of the
day. They arrived safely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu15jO6tBhO8r5EvZodrdqz2SB88Hw92t-GoHkyZP24rgNmpTScsWCs1-XgLcIeTIN79lsToZBjkH5r-uN1drfTzMuf91I0cRA-mCRZeZeTvLpxkZllGxZLGPTDnhXA2nrsu7r39d788o/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu15jO6tBhO8r5EvZodrdqz2SB88Hw92t-GoHkyZP24rgNmpTScsWCs1-XgLcIeTIN79lsToZBjkH5r-uN1drfTzMuf91I0cRA-mCRZeZeTvLpxkZllGxZLGPTDnhXA2nrsu7r39d788o/s1600/IMG_7761.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael help folks out on the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xWUeRMHqcJnWBqrg45Ar2o5KL6KYXslNBuKQPP6pOep4uCogkq8kni-nMYrZNdaalbR8GAQVesa8YcAmUusModlH01-gdubPV_rV8AWmvb7eJWxPya_uE8wR22go4eG3Hgc8JQfp_4Q/s1600/IMG_7762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xWUeRMHqcJnWBqrg45Ar2o5KL6KYXslNBuKQPP6pOep4uCogkq8kni-nMYrZNdaalbR8GAQVesa8YcAmUusModlH01-gdubPV_rV8AWmvb7eJWxPya_uE8wR22go4eG3Hgc8JQfp_4Q/s1600/IMG_7762.JPG" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenery near the ocean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We continued to stop along the way, including
visiting the historic Safety Roadhouse, the last stop on the Iditarod. We
chatted with the owner Tom, almost as historic as the Roadhouse itself. He
shared his favorite stories past and present of the last great race. He was
especially animated about last year’s race where we all thought Aliy Zirkle was
the winner and Jeff King’s dogs got confused. I wandered the structure looking
at memorabilia tacked to the walls of many famous race events. What a trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNKsB8ZKw8s8bTo2oJiZziGeBOd9f6iUd7SljElrRl_ypM1s6LruXNN_gPj9VkfJ8jMTmz77n6NiZwAklk5nM_WKVliLAIqs3UFxCYRDloM2S7fe7QrOg2LrYBZEu-b4FJgKSD8zzZWY/s1600/IMG_7769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNKsB8ZKw8s8bTo2oJiZziGeBOd9f6iUd7SljElrRl_ypM1s6LruXNN_gPj9VkfJ8jMTmz77n6NiZwAklk5nM_WKVliLAIqs3UFxCYRDloM2S7fe7QrOg2LrYBZEu-b4FJgKSD8zzZWY/s1600/IMG_7769.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety Roadhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCar-mjYWle6ev-kd66-W9tEVjuHv3bWN-IUMK_cbXOCVgik2A_uoze5NSQ8roRlGwPqDBxs1dpChciqRAz_W4Vwm2podZkwz6bQj2xY60-VG3T7qOVVJZhGbW_8gKu9BiIGEEJNq6Yrs/s1600/IMG_7773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCar-mjYWle6ev-kd66-W9tEVjuHv3bWN-IUMK_cbXOCVgik2A_uoze5NSQ8roRlGwPqDBxs1dpChciqRAz_W4Vwm2podZkwz6bQj2xY60-VG3T7qOVVJZhGbW_8gKu9BiIGEEJNq6Yrs/s1600/IMG_7773.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety Roadhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGCgPBX7Ykd3NsDlacYtUNHFbUoDOUclZR4xAHHFoDTifT4hhT47GPCSxi83zUmLOJ8IGsiFnJBVCTZM0qgJImtQZZnOXxr9h9xC-g2CExLfbJo-WZLu9lQGrUERu5gVccHH3rRY8zF0/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGCgPBX7Ykd3NsDlacYtUNHFbUoDOUclZR4xAHHFoDTifT4hhT47GPCSxi83zUmLOJ8IGsiFnJBVCTZM0qgJImtQZZnOXxr9h9xC-g2CExLfbJo-WZLu9lQGrUERu5gVccHH3rRY8zF0/s1600/IMG_7775.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We rolled into the Polaris Bar and Grill for a big
cheeseburger and an icy cold beer.</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-73197712029398300822014-07-05T11:52:00.000-07:002014-07-05T12:21:53.699-07:00“Happy 4th of July"We got up bright and early from our night at the Dredge 7
Inn. A dredge is a piece of equipment that sits on water and processes sand and
rock for gold. The historic dredges were very large – they almost looked like
hotels with large mechanical appendages on both the front and rear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today there is a range of personal crafts,
large and small, still looking for gold in Alaska – Nome is no different.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUS9T9ZJU6X4A7HVhYOeh2Vsv63E_RpN-05xnocc70foB3k0mhDPE0uG_6M_pgt2lY_eANONfAJ2Mla7uDREmeKm0wlcrB3gJ-vVw5grSvp4nsfsl-nt0gSUzbdzuuwqb-zSAeWnJk44/s1600/Dredge+7+Inn+Nome+Alaska.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUS9T9ZJU6X4A7HVhYOeh2Vsv63E_RpN-05xnocc70foB3k0mhDPE0uG_6M_pgt2lY_eANONfAJ2Mla7uDREmeKm0wlcrB3gJ-vVw5grSvp4nsfsl-nt0gSUzbdzuuwqb-zSAeWnJk44/s1600/Dredge+7+Inn+Nome+Alaska.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lodging for this adventure is Dredge 7 Inn - Nome, Alaska</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2r1eYgEEjtiawRRBLhdNIa9z2A2c7_zIY23WQIp_clgJAk-Pj3q0-f3zAschhZR2rTjNNRi65Wu_-3jM2FSDrJYkA-Ht3UK7Igr3rHNu5Ju_VJTA-LRdZ94IEuB8QjvtJC4pEXMS5mU/s1600/historic+gold+dredge+on+Teller+Road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2r1eYgEEjtiawRRBLhdNIa9z2A2c7_zIY23WQIp_clgJAk-Pj3q0-f3zAschhZR2rTjNNRi65Wu_-3jM2FSDrJYkA-Ht3UK7Igr3rHNu5Ju_VJTA-LRdZ94IEuB8QjvtJC4pEXMS5mU/s1600/historic+gold+dredge+on+Teller+Road.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An historic dredge located on the Teller Highway, Alaska</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNVHHWr7z__yjDhB3bvuqxiddSt-spuoDeFyOu-PoKs1jLWhwiax8bh-DDioRXKRiSf-6fdfL9EMIau_DgcaTQLjiHxaNHgKbTqdzIgGdrGlO3nNn4NNGOnwL6HPSf5GYzyVVhmtvd-E/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNVHHWr7z__yjDhB3bvuqxiddSt-spuoDeFyOu-PoKs1jLWhwiax8bh-DDioRXKRiSf-6fdfL9EMIau_DgcaTQLjiHxaNHgKbTqdzIgGdrGlO3nNn4NNGOnwL6HPSf5GYzyVVhmtvd-E/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern personal dredge near the Teller Highway, Alaska.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We bid farewell to our host at the inn, she was planting artificial
flowers in front of the inn on account of finally giving up on the weather. She
said she had a garage full of flowers but did not think they would survive in
the temperatures this year. Michael Googled espresso on GMaps to find that the
closest latte was Anchorage (not true), so we opted to head out and track down
coffee the old fashion way. We found Bering Tea and Coffee and settled in with
a couple of lattes that weren’t half bad. While enjoy our morning coffee we
chatted up with a couple of seasonal gold miners from Minnesota.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf804uH6Hkqn55vk0B5NyjnLjPIe-gmxOG5KdVqK-d9_-rHokKws0Eb3aAojuH2TRo3ShAWiJn4MbEEtF70urVt2JZ5b7ObBgFYzIU_HDF59olnfhauZZJHcGJSSPl3PfBZhw74Q6M0t8/s1600/Dredge+7+Inn+with+flowers.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf804uH6Hkqn55vk0B5NyjnLjPIe-gmxOG5KdVqK-d9_-rHokKws0Eb3aAojuH2TRo3ShAWiJn4MbEEtF70urVt2JZ5b7ObBgFYzIU_HDF59olnfhauZZJHcGJSSPl3PfBZhw74Q6M0t8/s1600/Dredge+7+Inn+with+flowers.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artificial flowers are the only option for color this summer - due to the cold. The inside of the garage is sure colorful though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Reed, his brother, and his dad Jesse have been gold panning
in Nome for the past few weeks. He said they are doing fair, but it is tough
dirty work and he has had his fill. He had dreamed about giving it a shot, and although
glad he did, he is crossing off gold mining on his list. “You have to be built
a certain way” he said, and “I’m not built that way.” He talked about how
wonderful it was to come back to civilization (he was referring to Nome) and
missed his children. He has been living in a plywood shanty on the beaches of
Nome. He was struggling with separating the black sand from the gold, but took
comfort in the fact the old timers were having the same problems. We chatted
about the nice things in life like pizza and coffee and 4<sup>th</sup> of July
parades.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJrvbgmLZEXA6qarEqmnX3iMsE5B0EZTncK3CXuW6a_Cy5M6ejq51FRreFgXGa93DOwUQiWVQ4W2LBKMi4PpzNJLZ6Owe1J6L-jMnPV4atcUNxoFU8uRVk5ZtWvWEoza9Titqj-0ZVo/s1600/Gold+Miner+in+Nome+Coffee+shop.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJrvbgmLZEXA6qarEqmnX3iMsE5B0EZTncK3CXuW6a_Cy5M6ejq51FRreFgXGa93DOwUQiWVQ4W2LBKMi4PpzNJLZ6Owe1J6L-jMnPV4atcUNxoFU8uRVk5ZtWvWEoza9Titqj-0ZVo/s1600/Gold+Miner+in+Nome+Coffee+shop.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed enjoys quiet time with his latte... welcome back to civilization!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael and I moved on to watch the 4<sup>th</sup> of July
parade on Front Street. Everyone was so excited. I have not seen people so genuinely
excited about anything in a long time. Everyone was smiling and greeting us
with “Happy 4<sup>th</sup> of July,” kids were screaming and dancing and
dressed in costumes, and all ages kept looking down the street for the start of
the parade. We had a great time watching a small town parade with no frills - fire
trucks and cop cars, walkers, horses, miscellaneous animals, bikes. About the
only thing missing from the parade were the gnarly guys on Harleys… ohhh wait
for it… they were here, except on 4-wheelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Mormon missionaries were even on 4-wheelers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Pjx3sBI-dWgk7P5gb7g3GZ8dEPkdeYmI8a-EMjQFuVjg9VtYs7Cj4GlFDvZ0-tH93vMRn4k-NPyusqdRSgw1RZPJYT5FnDgGXcYgGgZFnZwp3CsPXbB_kfivv1ESO36FU4jToKLieU/s1600/Latter+Day+Saints+4+wheelers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3Pjx3sBI-dWgk7P5gb7g3GZ8dEPkdeYmI8a-EMjQFuVjg9VtYs7Cj4GlFDvZ0-tH93vMRn4k-NPyusqdRSgw1RZPJYT5FnDgGXcYgGgZFnZwp3CsPXbB_kfivv1ESO36FU4jToKLieU/s1600/Latter+Day+Saints+4+wheelers.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mormans on Wheels?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRgkCcnX2FsRtkaOMlv5Z5NLiniijpPsWkDoSBRzWVzg705yO530U0ao12OQhL_ABVkSdf6LeA4kBPHAMYUSDM3OeFk0_ZbJNVlDNdC49zW2ITvNjF0DD6MNscdNQrcmmofMGDm6XOXo/s1600/Nome+parade+bikers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRgkCcnX2FsRtkaOMlv5Z5NLiniijpPsWkDoSBRzWVzg705yO530U0ao12OQhL_ABVkSdf6LeA4kBPHAMYUSDM3OeFk0_ZbJNVlDNdC49zW2ITvNjF0DD6MNscdNQrcmmofMGDm6XOXo/s1600/Nome+parade+bikers.JPG" height="290" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other chopper is a 4-wheeler...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS_kpPs8QqRernmRx-TSA0_j1yNrvX5Xd3SkbESH7PcWiLctEtCZ7jhqxNPSSBk5TNWWGkOL2nAsOG_Ljd5fhFFoJ9XP3EVM1GtVSqLrEy9igOdEBaNmWud5U5qKndQgvWC66v-WPnqI/s1600/Nome+parade+watchers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS_kpPs8QqRernmRx-TSA0_j1yNrvX5Xd3SkbESH7PcWiLctEtCZ7jhqxNPSSBk5TNWWGkOL2nAsOG_Ljd5fhFFoJ9XP3EVM1GtVSqLrEy9igOdEBaNmWud5U5qKndQgvWC66v-WPnqI/s1600/Nome+parade+watchers.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nomites enjoy the parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSy5vymPXoW4pANXPwqy5U0X95826Kh9U6aEU0yGrinQu7FIq6sLPb-QnQ2Y-RdCNCp-JTKQvhpwMqaahkLujOMjrk7V-F1GHeY97-QGt5Wb8eNSWss9ntmECwp2nsuZMOPzj_XRcNtM/s1600/Nome+parade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSy5vymPXoW4pANXPwqy5U0X95826Kh9U6aEU0yGrinQu7FIq6sLPb-QnQ2Y-RdCNCp-JTKQvhpwMqaahkLujOMjrk7V-F1GHeY97-QGt5Wb8eNSWss9ntmECwp2nsuZMOPzj_XRcNtM/s1600/Nome+parade.JPG" height="306" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade participants </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6itVjo25DGbmQfoTzwzt31eBHa2cmHYDA5MkjJUkA8VCvEuq0Alx8BRdLO1gtJBWSNLyS4I9dSHTrnTPlXsDXT5fAIrsqrt1uWAhKIgwVTdSQQaxYEWL828DxeK1b7ULn04ZxhjvHnc/s1600/Gnomes+of+Nome+Alaska.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6itVjo25DGbmQfoTzwzt31eBHa2cmHYDA5MkjJUkA8VCvEuq0Alx8BRdLO1gtJBWSNLyS4I9dSHTrnTPlXsDXT5fAIrsqrt1uWAhKIgwVTdSQQaxYEWL828DxeK1b7ULn04ZxhjvHnc/s1600/Gnomes+of+Nome+Alaska.JPG" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gnomes of Nome...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the parade ended we headed out of town on the first of
3 roads to explore this weekend, the Teller Highway (officially called the Bob
Blodgett highway). The dirt road stretches about 75 miles north to the Inupiat
village of Teller. We had been warned the road was in rough condition, and
there were no services at the end including gas. We packed a lunch and the
camera and headed north.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7NHCpa7uspWNQ05cRJNsmBFFcCbKDl8X8qx8Tye8wl1ArPMqMkSWbmh220mYRd-yeU6QsUVbHh_r_vhp6akuFEV1FxHlJ3oFtUsio_tQtLNanFGsTku0pMCqJXc6IGZCLfr4sQJB2Ek/s1600/IMG_7556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7NHCpa7uspWNQ05cRJNsmBFFcCbKDl8X8qx8Tye8wl1ArPMqMkSWbmh220mYRd-yeU6QsUVbHh_r_vhp6akuFEV1FxHlJ3oFtUsio_tQtLNanFGsTku0pMCqJXc6IGZCLfr4sQJB2Ek/s1600/IMG_7556.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teller Highway stretches north into vast wilderness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlnk4dVGG4LAAlXoBfYXI697VRxKMjDNMo9W5MQtDM2GMNp5n8cEywQjaISIW8mAvtUfr9Lf2Hv1rpi3ibdCszMReMG1sMlhCrYP5-9II1064DHc6GXAfzzRV1YD12ThWnQDhfgAj5_4/s1600/road+marker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlnk4dVGG4LAAlXoBfYXI697VRxKMjDNMo9W5MQtDM2GMNp5n8cEywQjaISIW8mAvtUfr9Lf2Hv1rpi3ibdCszMReMG1sMlhCrYP5-9II1064DHc6GXAfzzRV1YD12ThWnQDhfgAj5_4/s1600/road+marker.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road marker for a fishing camp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The scenery was spectacular and wildlife plentiful. Aside
from Musk Ox, we saw grizzly bears (too far to photograph well with my crappy
camera), moose (too skittish to stay put for long), and a large Eagle’s nest
that was occupied. All the wildlife had something in common… it was the largest
we have ever seen in Alaska. In the case of the eagle, we were sure that if the
bird flew off with a dog it could handle a German Shepard instead of just a
terrier!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The road was not too bad (either that or we have developed a
tough scale), although in one section the washboard ruts were so bad the airbag
light went on, and we lost electricity to the speedometer and RPM gauge
completely. I fretted, because the last time that happened to me the alternator
went out shortly thereafter. We checked the mileage: we could still turn around
and head back. Michael smacked the dash and everything came back on. He
declared it a problem with the dash, not the alternator so we kept heading
north. We saw few people – maybe 6 the whole ride up (half were fishing or gold
panning, the other half we passed driving the other direction). The land was
made up of gentle rolling hills, barren landscapes, and lots of water. It
reminded me of a desert (minus the water part), where the colors are subtle and
the vastness is great.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjM7B8Ef1cI3YHJ2lnpfhYqLZmndWb-4AEWhNa15SVAXvgTKSe3kmpr-Y8FZfuhmY5LgJ3A41zqhyphenhyphen1Q7iGB-sIJHcE-fAiIwhH0BKsTw0mMpfZZEsiqmpNZww695zNdGDts6tAukwP4Q/s1600/Reindeer+history.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjM7B8Ef1cI3YHJ2lnpfhYqLZmndWb-4AEWhNa15SVAXvgTKSe3kmpr-Y8FZfuhmY5LgJ3A41zqhyphenhyphen1Q7iGB-sIJHcE-fAiIwhH0BKsTw0mMpfZZEsiqmpNZww695zNdGDts6tAukwP4Q/s1600/Reindeer+history.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned reindeer herding corral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once in Teller, we rolled through the small community of
about 270 to get a sense of the town. The beach was filled with drying fish
racks, most loaded with fresh salmon. Boats were parked, nets were drying. No
adults were present. We saw a couple of children walking in the streets. One particular
boy was walking in a way that attracted my attention. He had that gait about him;
head held down, shoulders slumped, walking with no purpose as if he was beaten
down. When we passed he looked up and we saw his black eye. It reminded me of
the challenges a lot of villages face in Alaska. It reminded me that sometimes
Alaska is not just gorgeous scenery – she has significant problems. We wanted
to be respectful of the community and minimize our presence – we headed out
quickly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDWbTYakSso6mj9XdBzKKlwon49aUQsWVSO9zOsPgYUCLkdIpTvG3bKD3MPFZXvBky6MW5t6j6vBWSIkhG9S1LTjQEHMiLsldcfZgdinp4ZpySoYhOVUFzlMu01I8Wzd63TOQ-noavBc/s1600/Teller+Alaska+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDWbTYakSso6mj9XdBzKKlwon49aUQsWVSO9zOsPgYUCLkdIpTvG3bKD3MPFZXvBky6MW5t6j6vBWSIkhG9S1LTjQEHMiLsldcfZgdinp4ZpySoYhOVUFzlMu01I8Wzd63TOQ-noavBc/s1600/Teller+Alaska+%25282%2529.JPG" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller from a distance. It sits on a spit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7akNC7jrjGqU3vOxz_gnE2Ss9v1SpXu6D2__OA9HLKmHJYfth_tDrU61zDRNewSen2rKXMmW-h5skMtl2uITCmo05oV3DHmXShCdeGiX7HzwLWOW0Eb4wVmeFDmhtadj8OLiaEsoARo/s1600/Subsistence+in+Teller+Alaska.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7akNC7jrjGqU3vOxz_gnE2Ss9v1SpXu6D2__OA9HLKmHJYfth_tDrU61zDRNewSen2rKXMmW-h5skMtl2uITCmo05oV3DHmXShCdeGiX7HzwLWOW0Eb4wVmeFDmhtadj8OLiaEsoARo/s1600/Subsistence+in+Teller+Alaska.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small catch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ-te5NJovDZiqSnUn_8-_nBVKx5t03iFausbzyU6ANqEdO4m204Bhm1GVIPde183-soon9hIdIQQj7_oPfvIQuTYxbfzUAgywSJ8PGiKb3G6qa4AuBJQP9YuLAD-5iMKmuFvS2ZCMG4/s1600/Salmon+on+drying+rack%252C+Teller+Alaska.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ-te5NJovDZiqSnUn_8-_nBVKx5t03iFausbzyU6ANqEdO4m204Bhm1GVIPde183-soon9hIdIQQj7_oPfvIQuTYxbfzUAgywSJ8PGiKb3G6qa4AuBJQP9YuLAD-5iMKmuFvS2ZCMG4/s1600/Salmon+on+drying+rack%252C+Teller+Alaska.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon drying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDWbTYakSso6mj9XdBzKKlwon49aUQsWVSO9zOsPgYUCLkdIpTvG3bKD3MPFZXvBky6MW5t6j6vBWSIkhG9S1LTjQEHMiLsldcfZgdinp4ZpySoYhOVUFzlMu01I8Wzd63TOQ-noavBc/s1600/Teller+Alaska+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtustJjV5iMHdS1KxTfVFgtw_t5g3k-Z9hLbiqmRCmBTbe5EiPTeHoEoXPn6mJOs2wT3-OiybOiiX8ce2ZZrqGZ-ebYmxmGWyCapo9SMpO3LgaWYCuTI4L0RR2gDVF3xlKJR71FV_hHiU/s1600/Teller+Alaska.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtustJjV5iMHdS1KxTfVFgtw_t5g3k-Z9hLbiqmRCmBTbe5EiPTeHoEoXPn6mJOs2wT3-OiybOiiX8ce2ZZrqGZ-ebYmxmGWyCapo9SMpO3LgaWYCuTI4L0RR2gDVF3xlKJR71FV_hHiU/s1600/Teller+Alaska.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller streets, Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFUts_Xi6_cET8y0dyIP4f6ivSAirDfWMA-uDKjJNgIElxp-vOZnMdVzH3F8s7PWDf8fSxptfb5lbQyIvo_Nad2AVzeVMIPgwO-fpiiLaS2xrAOBWcHXwQO-WGFgEiAKHpdsnAn1JxCw/s1600/Teller+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFUts_Xi6_cET8y0dyIP4f6ivSAirDfWMA-uDKjJNgIElxp-vOZnMdVzH3F8s7PWDf8fSxptfb5lbQyIvo_Nad2AVzeVMIPgwO-fpiiLaS2xrAOBWcHXwQO-WGFgEiAKHpdsnAn1JxCw/s1600/Teller+home.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBbSQjN_BsYMrbiIr5kSey39A-4UFWd8ancE0p_1DlSseyizYNkINyFOwg5BYOenmI1lBkY3dVtS0M6rZxOauZcDslx194DW19CQk-5pUfaM0JdDY5KIshnTTKtD21ig3rI6Vn5nWgQc/s1600/Teller+Trading+Co.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBbSQjN_BsYMrbiIr5kSey39A-4UFWd8ancE0p_1DlSseyizYNkINyFOwg5BYOenmI1lBkY3dVtS0M6rZxOauZcDslx194DW19CQk-5pUfaM0JdDY5KIshnTTKtD21ig3rI6Vn5nWgQc/s1600/Teller+Trading+Co.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller business</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 20 miles outside of Teller the jeep got a flat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_R7eWMk_68LO8sliKsleUa8Ntm1BntwTAANo9SBjrIOCDUf6dW4ar3hBdVun9AWFTK0Ir_upd0eaeJboK3oPF0krhaJUNFSllH9qkq9EcoinSuZsqJynsgL7T2OPwJ8GoztnD_zw_o/s1600/Flat+Tire+on+Teller+Highway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd_R7eWMk_68LO8sliKsleUa8Ntm1BntwTAANo9SBjrIOCDUf6dW4ar3hBdVun9AWFTK0Ir_upd0eaeJboK3oPF0krhaJUNFSllH9qkq9EcoinSuZsqJynsgL7T2OPwJ8GoztnD_zw_o/s1600/Flat+Tire+on+Teller+Highway.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flat in nowhere...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael said he heard the “Psst Psst Pssssst” but told
himself it was nothing. In addition, the road surface had just changed from
gravel to wet clay. Surely, he said in his mind, that was the reason why the
steering felt wishy washy. Then I commented “It seems like the jeep is squirrelly,
what’s going on”? Too many things to ignore, Michael pulled over and checked
the tires. Confirmed – we have a flat. Michael made quick work of changing out
the tire and we were back on the road. The rental contract clearly states we
are responsible for all flats. We were now operating with no safety net and we
have 2 more roads to travel before the weekend is up. In addition, we are
pretty sure the tire went flat because all the tires are suffering from dry
rot. We wondered all the way back what our options were.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Eb8SDh1uEYUXn1ymlX14qAguOgBWs0LyZcC7i5gJLfq67PztNxfXA83B1fSWJ4agw8U7d5kCZsz1H1VtowAqAwK83rmSVLlAXj_B-MW5swXurpd1SnYkNsV89YyJUgR8oZExsZ20nA/s1600/map2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Eb8SDh1uEYUXn1ymlX14qAguOgBWs0LyZcC7i5gJLfq67PztNxfXA83B1fSWJ4agw8U7d5kCZsz1H1VtowAqAwK83rmSVLlAXj_B-MW5swXurpd1SnYkNsV89YyJUgR8oZExsZ20nA/s1600/map2.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the hell is Teller, Alaska?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-Q0doxMhmdDNJYJW21coU0JMXDHcTdosfs7-WlrlJksjRG30YwqDuE9eVM5HDug-Hia6yoOSdosTO2Y-6G05k80_TbzWNHWduZkauAMLacsN7f7Foi91lOPd3Y8ANGlV3tyLISjeQTM/s1600/map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-Q0doxMhmdDNJYJW21coU0JMXDHcTdosfs7-WlrlJksjRG30YwqDuE9eVM5HDug-Hia6yoOSdosTO2Y-6G05k80_TbzWNHWduZkauAMLacsN7f7Foi91lOPd3Y8ANGlV3tyLISjeQTM/s1600/map1.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller Highway as it relates to Nome, Alaska.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We rolled into town and stopped at the pizza place for
dinner. We figured we would deal with the tire in the morning; it was after all
“Happy 4<sup>th</sup> of July.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PJx0z2tNCWi2Hi2BNOAzGgEIUWM5Xp5T4trQbeSSJL6O8XGDQbmocF3CZbVLxbQoLyNJr0ztI3rK1HkbDdjEKvtLSe27KvvrjGliZ5shtddpBTK2qhl5sIlTG-x_qKPe93GwlnNgZyM/s1600/Clothing+style+in+Nome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PJx0z2tNCWi2Hi2BNOAzGgEIUWM5Xp5T4trQbeSSJL6O8XGDQbmocF3CZbVLxbQoLyNJr0ztI3rK1HkbDdjEKvtLSe27KvvrjGliZ5shtddpBTK2qhl5sIlTG-x_qKPe93GwlnNgZyM/s1600/Clothing+style+in+Nome.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Nome attire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-11542839196519672162014-07-04T10:39:00.002-07:002014-07-05T12:32:02.104-07:00No Place Like NomeYou can’t be a Wandering Alaskan if you don’t wander. In
addition, I really should wander in my home state a lot before I wander
outside. I have done pretty well in the last 24 years, managing to wander in
almost every nook and cranny this great state has to offer. There are only a
few places left off the beaten path. It was time to visit Nome.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQt2jd74quORh2WGEc616pWIrhnbvNJcIEgLNyXHrDtI6-6rekjyOMnPK7T48psY-kpRmHtao30iBNTqURhtzl7YD7FPoocj-f9WEYGEhHUE1Ni5UQKcWp0y3O-sZukPqk_pZTKvip2g/s1600/map2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQt2jd74quORh2WGEc616pWIrhnbvNJcIEgLNyXHrDtI6-6rekjyOMnPK7T48psY-kpRmHtao30iBNTqURhtzl7YD7FPoocj-f9WEYGEhHUE1Ni5UQKcWp0y3O-sZukPqk_pZTKvip2g/s1600/map2.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teller, north of Nome by 75 miles is one of the destinations this weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciNM3RNJ-IDM3hLwFl8hWszvnMiYO_zxglaQHK61FPqA_DinHBzyE-y3iAPrrpgdc90IGd7D0NNnAtr4XkWV-4OYdDTPo3RsMSC-D95sa0XUDCZwh1UoHyLS9g6xrzmhb0-pvNAptA0/s1600/map3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmciNM3RNJ-IDM3hLwFl8hWszvnMiYO_zxglaQHK61FPqA_DinHBzyE-y3iAPrrpgdc90IGd7D0NNnAtr4XkWV-4OYdDTPo3RsMSC-D95sa0XUDCZwh1UoHyLS9g6xrzmhb0-pvNAptA0/s1600/map3.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">300 miles of road form a pitch fork near Nome. We intend to cover them all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Originally, Michael and I were going to ship the mototcycles
up here with us – there are over 300 miles of remote dirt roads to explore
divided into 3 roads (basically a pitchfork). It looked very doable until we
learned the shipping company needed a two week buffer on each end of the trip
for shipping. Add the week we were going to be in town, and suddenly Nome was
going to tie up nearly 5 weeks of short motorcycle season. We opted to not ship
the bikes and instead rent a jeep. Our intention is to still explore the remote
area, take it easy, photograph, and blog. Our plans to camp also altered into a
B and B just outside of town on one of the dirt roads. After a bit of research
and tips from friends, we settled in to a very nice (by Alaskan and Nome standards)
place, the Dredge 7 Inn. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We checked in at the airport and noted the airport
abbreviation for Nome is “OME.” We moved on to security and watched the TSA
scan fishing cooler after fishing cooler, and settled in for the wait. A woman
in front of us had a child that was testing out her lungs to see how many
strangers she could make wince. “Waiting with the wailing” – hmmm there is a
name for a blog, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael
scanned her carry-ons to determine if she had tags labeled “OME”… she didn’t
(thank god).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our flight out of Anchorage stopped in Kotzebue. While
waiting at the gate in Anchorage I couldn’t help smile at the folks getting
ready to board the plane. You can definitely pick out the locals from the
tourists. The locals are wearing shorts and rubber boots (sometimes together),
sweats and tee shirts. The tourists looked like Indiana Jones, ready for an
expedition – hats generally included. Either that or they are dressed in
head-to-toe camo, the price tags still dangling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE7pXrclOpXHX-ZVOv75D48aYTUinwXDhLq4GPBiS95yUPsKN7Mh4seIfqVt_cMskpljOjnXgGb_X8wQwTnzHRCLcK4jM6KNxmS1RAqcDp_Be6A-UE3kwohz3rp631iTQK2zWaKhToH8/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE7pXrclOpXHX-ZVOv75D48aYTUinwXDhLq4GPBiS95yUPsKN7Mh4seIfqVt_cMskpljOjnXgGb_X8wQwTnzHRCLcK4jM6KNxmS1RAqcDp_Be6A-UE3kwohz3rp631iTQK2zWaKhToH8/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying into Kotzebue, Alaska. I am always amazed at how different and gorgeous Alaska can be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvO03zi1eJqryeVU9SJQzaCCzMHC6K8N45Eg0tzYFw2AIPcUTagLGxq8wKqfYseqekuGEGaNMQ8W09701CB8VCcZkjDCcOmucM_-Z0Ncq3t8m0qJwkMI-WOEcne3J4y9gsUf6CNpS3bM/s1600/IMG_7453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvO03zi1eJqryeVU9SJQzaCCzMHC6K8N45Eg0tzYFw2AIPcUTagLGxq8wKqfYseqekuGEGaNMQ8W09701CB8VCcZkjDCcOmucM_-Z0Ncq3t8m0qJwkMI-WOEcne3J4y9gsUf6CNpS3bM/s1600/IMG_7453.JPG" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Kotzebue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMbDjryX_xwPnLo3oaACjDmerWcBBQquhS6SlaFdT8wcixXOLQL6dti1kGPWXrbh1p-VKFcMJvW2gkCG7r5nTiikWPCZV_VErJJKR55CX846bpAH0ZeFqA98BoOIWAvxp81eY-ltai5w/s1600/IMG_7462.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMbDjryX_xwPnLo3oaACjDmerWcBBQquhS6SlaFdT8wcixXOLQL6dti1kGPWXrbh1p-VKFcMJvW2gkCG7r5nTiikWPCZV_VErJJKR55CX846bpAH0ZeFqA98BoOIWAvxp81eY-ltai5w/s1600/IMG_7462.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Nome, Alaska.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In Nome, we participated in “combat luggage retrieval” in
baggage claim, my first in Alaska. The Barrow airport made the Nome airport
look bad (but then at least there was a building here)! Very small airport to accommodate
fewer flights, two chutes – luggage pounded into the space, people gathering to
grab in such a small area…. Reminded me of fishing on some of the rivers in
Alaska!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAeIB8ZQ3Isg5jaLPLR0GoApTIDo26-h0SGcKttITkwD8O27VFFstPGT9MtZJlMwCYuoKpk17NfSvExWrEfMUmytOYEtlAte4D1Q05jJl8-cS-3oFGZWicvuM8ZtzMAdSEEWY20kVvlQ/s1600/IMG_7470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAeIB8ZQ3Isg5jaLPLR0GoApTIDo26-h0SGcKttITkwD8O27VFFstPGT9MtZJlMwCYuoKpk17NfSvExWrEfMUmytOYEtlAte4D1Q05jJl8-cS-3oFGZWicvuM8ZtzMAdSEEWY20kVvlQ/s1600/IMG_7470.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Combat Luggage Retrieval" at the Nome airport.</td></tr>
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We quickly grabbed a couple of seats in one of the cab vans
(there are only a few and once they are filled you might have to wait until
they drop everyone off and return). Our cab filled, we headed out the parking
lot down the wrong way on a one way. This was mitigated by the cab driver
driving off the road to the side – in case right way traffic showed up. Michael
glanced at the dash (he is a mechanic) and noted that every warning light that
could be on was on. Michael was hoping this was not insight into the condition
of the rental vehicle we were picking up in the morning. We got to see the
other lodging options in town as the driver dropped all the passengers off one
by one. We made a great choice!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLFC5FdEY0ZxKrrdBifMWqALW_KLvCiS1hAt9H0vQSZWYfFbr77_zbE8W2zyLfNJZAInLVsGIQxTJ7bKScXgiWxy8pu0Xv8j11QcBC6hqlWPO69UEIrzrncuUUwXZ54CzSD7Sp09t_R0/s1600/IMG_7471.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLFC5FdEY0ZxKrrdBifMWqALW_KLvCiS1hAt9H0vQSZWYfFbr77_zbE8W2zyLfNJZAInLVsGIQxTJ7bKScXgiWxy8pu0Xv8j11QcBC6hqlWPO69UEIrzrncuUUwXZ54CzSD7Sp09t_R0/s1600/IMG_7471.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every light on in the dash.. taxi cabs if Nome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The last guy in the van needed chew and asked the taxi
driver to stop so he could fill his pockets. We dropped him off at one of the
mining operations. He lives in Oregon and works in Nome as a mining engineer, 4
weeks here, 2 weeks off in Oregon.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived to our B and B and saw a small herd of Musk Ox
grazing and resting just across the road. A sign greeted us on the door of the
B and B:</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlZCxsGGDTTR7Ad04xkKSKWdGwgT_3IqRxmJLKYi6_nhn53d12cAsG4vYFx9y3liAj6eAB65WNASLf0WgfTrn6hDE9Yty0QQ_D8bGUtIV9wjL8z2u_AbySGdFyzR-pwYyzQap5FtjdBM/s1600/IMG_7472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlZCxsGGDTTR7Ad04xkKSKWdGwgT_3IqRxmJLKYi6_nhn53d12cAsG4vYFx9y3liAj6eAB65WNASLf0WgfTrn6hDE9Yty0QQ_D8bGUtIV9wjL8z2u_AbySGdFyzR-pwYyzQap5FtjdBM/s1600/IMG_7472.JPG" height="446" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beware of Musk Ox.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We settled in and realized we had no food or worse… beer.
One of the guests in the B and B offered to run us down to get a few items for
the room. We have set a new record for a six pack of beer:</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT_Z_ka-6qG6xlmTAv4_bfdwgdM0LiQ62Yyow5aMT1TjdLFPO0zzggiP9ylxRrIpbD8M6fFKoE815AXmyBmZaOVg4p-0gKxgLB5xYULN0wQAD0ijICd3EiEAHhQ8Y-6ZWqAAhgovUAYY/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT_Z_ka-6qG6xlmTAv4_bfdwgdM0LiQ62Yyow5aMT1TjdLFPO0zzggiP9ylxRrIpbD8M6fFKoE815AXmyBmZaOVg4p-0gKxgLB5xYULN0wQAD0ijICd3EiEAHhQ8Y-6ZWqAAhgovUAYY/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG" height="640" width="558" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six pack in Nome - $19.00.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Welcome to Nome.</div>
The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-33284923424187271662014-07-04T10:06:00.006-07:002014-07-04T10:06:52.645-07:00Down AgainThe Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4647804615211939889.post-26278805581455403602014-07-04T10:06:00.003-07:002014-07-04T10:06:16.841-07:00Overland Expo 2014The Lost Alaskanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12363379197812776035noreply@blogger.com0