We made it too Alaska!

June 21,2009

Just above the 60N parallel and heading to the Alaskan Border today.

   

We saw Black Bear, Wood Bison, and Stone Sheep yesterday.  Also seen the most rain, gravel/ dirt roads, and slippery bridges of this trip.  I haven't put the rain suit on as my new windshield really does a great job of keeping the weather off me, including stones thrown by other vehicles.  Although, Miss Daisy usually puts her rain suit on to stay dry.  We made it to the Yukon just east of Whitehorse for camping last night.  Been blessed that we can communicate with you all, having wireless at these campgrounds. Also was able to run heat in our camper last night as it turned cold, probably around 5C/ 41F.  It was cold in the mountains, not cold enough for the electric suit though.  Motorcyclist if you don't like driving on gravel give it Up! 

 

Drove through a forest fire, tough breathing. Some of these picture are from the other day.

 

Griz - 4 vs bridge – 0

Possibly I should give myself another point for the scary wet metal grated bridge.  This is the most dangerous thing when riding through Alaska despite hitting a moose, even worse when pulling a trailer.  The first picture below shows you the surface of a metal grated bridge bridge, while the next one is the longest one we had to cross.  These type bridges are necessary so the snow does not accumulate on them during the winter.  The motorcycle just wallows all over the place and you just have to stay focused on the end of it.  I read about this prior to doing this trip, many have crashed attempting to cross.

  

I'm not planning on going over that again, (Ha, God is laughing at me right now) will take a picture, since it is right by the campground we stayed at.  So much more to say, hopefully the pictures give some more idea of the adventure.

   

How I wish I had my Seaplane rating (those planes were a Beaver and a Cessna).

  

Gosh forgot to tell ya all about the best part of yesterday, Liard Hot Springs.  It was great and very Hot!  It was a nice prelude to the cold we would experience later, spent 2 hours in the hot pool of mineral water.  Well got to go and eat Lunch, currently in Whitehorse, Yukon.  Its still cold requiring full leathers.  Approximately 300 miles to Alaska!

Gotta Go!

 

Odometer reads 75,910 currently, it read 75,820 when we crossed the border back into the US.  That's roughly 4,145 miles from TN to AK the way we went.  Very rough road from Whitehorse, YK to Alaska, Very Challenging!!!  Felt like I was on one of my dirt bikes, but never have done that pulling a trailer before.  Guess it is preparing me for the Dalton Highway to the top.  I saw my first Grizzly Bear alongside the road in Canada.

Well here are some pictures of the adventure.

Griz

      

Another road issue up North here is the Frost Heaves.  Frost heave is the result of pressure created from a combination of freezing temperatures and soil defrosting. The fluctuating freezing and thawing conditions heave, or lift, the soil, which is often characterized by deep cracking of the soil.  In the case of asphalt being laid down, it can generate more heat that melts some of the permafrost too, causing some serious dips and rises in the roadway.  I’ve heard of RVers bottoming out or worse breaking axles.  Think of it as hidden speed bumps and dips.  For this reason alone the motorcycle is probably the best vehicle of choice, although hauling a trailer behind one makes it sporting.