Alaska Trip 2019

After a hearty breakfast of Keto pancakes, we all lined up in our vehicles to carpool to Muktuk Adventures, a sled dog destination.  Wow, I did not expect what I saw!  It was awesome.   The owners have currently 131 dogs mostly Alaskan Huskies, with a couple exceptions.  They rescue many of them, and all of them are working dogs in the winter, pulling sleds for tourists who want a sled dog experience.   During the summer, they run, play, eat, and play, and eat....   but they eat more in the winter when they are running and pulling sleds.  They love to sleep in the snow.  The owner did a fantastic job of explaining the maintenance and feeding of sled dogs, and explaining the winners and losers of the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, from Whitehorse to Fairbanks (alternating starting locations every year).  Then, his wife and crew prepared a fantastic lunch, including elk sausage with blueberries, candied smoked salmon, and bison burgers.   T...

Fantasy RV Tours does it in style.   All 42+ of us boarded a motor coach (bus), and went for a tour of Whitehorse.  First stop was on a bluff overlooking the Yukon River.  The rapids that were so dangerous during the gold rush are now not so bad, as the river was dammed in 1958 to provide hydroelectric power to the Yukon. Second stop was at the SS Klondike, which transported cargo between Whitehorse and Dawson City in the early 20th century. Last stop was the visitor center, after a tour of the downtown area.   After all the touring, Dianne and I visited the MacBride Museum, which of course houses Sam McGee's cabin, and the real story behind Sam McGee.  After the museum, we had dinner at the Klondike Salmon and Ribs.  What did I have?  Salmon and ribs! Klondike River SS Klondike Ed and Dianne aboard the SS Klondike Reciprocating steam pump on the SS Klondike Engine Room Gages aboard the SS Klondike Our tour g...

Another rainy day when we woke.  Fortunately, it cleared by 0700, and we were on the road at 0745.   I really hate breaking camp in the rain, so I was really happy that it stopped. Wildlife sightings today:  one bear, one snow rabbit, one porcupine, and Dianne saw a grey wolf. Lots of construction zones today.  One stretch was ten miles of gravel road.  Fortunately, the gravel was wet, and did not raise the dust clouds that we saw yesterday.  On the down side, the truck and trailer were coated with mud/sand.   So, another trip to the RV wash, before we went to the RV Park.  I did not even attempt to do a good job, as we will have more of the same further up the road.   We stopped in Teslin at the Tlingit Cultural Heritage Center (not a lot to see, but there was some Tlingit art on display).  Had some lunch, and on the road again.   Amazing that there were no roads here prior to 1942.  The Tlingit people still found...

Left Liard Hot Springs around 0930.  Late start, since it is such a short driving day.  Can't get into the next RV park until 1300, and it is only a 3 hour drive. Right away we saw two bears on the side of the road, followed by a herd of bison.  Later on, we came to a single bison lying down on the side of the highway, as if he were guarding the road. We passed Fantasy 1 on the side of the road, with others in our group already stopped to assist, so we carried on.   Turns out they had problems with their toad dolly (the dolly that they put the front wheels of their car onto, so they can tow it behind the motor home).   I will take this opportunity to explain the Fantasy numbers.   This tour is put on by Fantasy RV Tours.   Each rig is assigned a number, and the leaders installed large decals on the front and rear of our RVs and tow vehicles, so that we can be identified when they or others in the group see us on the road.   Dianne and I are ...

Short drive today, only four hours.   Washed the truck and trailer at the RV park before we departed.  That was a waste of 20 Loonies, as it soon rained on us.  After the rain, we came across a construction zone, one lane open, with a pilot car guiding us through.  It was about five miles of gravel road, with no construction activity, but loads of fine dust.   The dust was like fog - couldn't see through it, and it made washing the truck and trailer a futile effort!   Learned my lesson - that was the second time I washed the rig within the last week.  No more washes until we get back into the lower 48!  Maybe even until we get home! Came across some stone sheep at Summit Pass (isn't that redundant!), and a lot more on the road shortly before arriving at Liard Hot Springs.  I put on my flashers, and honked a few times.  There were a lot of females with newborns, licking the salt out of the cracks and holes in the roadway.  At one p...