Now to Day 10
P-Rock and I had a conference this morning about the schedule - the original ferry (Skagway to Haines) was not going to work due to a ferry schedule change. We ran through some options, also considering P-Rock's brake issue and possible service in Fairbanks. We wanted to preserve a water passage, but it was clear Skagway was not going to work out. After some discussion, here is our working plan (subject to change yet again):
Today: Tok AK
July 11: Fairbanks
July 12: Arctic Circle and back
July 13: Cantwell
July 14: Tour Denali and travel to Anchorage (late night)
July 15: Maintenance - schedule and P-Rock brake fix (confirmed this evening) - on to Soldotna
July 16: Homer run, back to Soldotna
July 17: Ferry - Whittier to Valdez (Prince William Sound)
July 18 - toward Dawson City....
Today's ride started with overcast weather, the mountains hiding in what has become a familiar haze (which makes for a photography contrast challenge). Sun did come out, and the temp was 60's before too long. NO RAIN all day - that's right - first day with NO RAIN!
Either P-Rock is shrinking, or the mountains ARE getting bigger:
As we approached Haines Junction, we were treated to a spectacular sight:
I'll let P-Rock fill in the gaps. As for the bikes - bugs, dust, lingering farm truck residue and rain have them looking rough - we expect to treat them to a wash this weekend. 
Anticipating this sort of thing, I had the video camera mounted and ready - filmed 30 minutes of National Geography quality stuff. Sadly, when we stopped for lunch and viewed the opus, a bug splat on the lens filter was all I got (the camera locked focus on the big bug, not the scenery). Video continues to be a technical challenge - but I am determined...
Post lunch, we could feel Alaska getting closer. We rounded Destruction Bay YT, encountered heavy construction, but worked through it. By coincidence or design, Destruction Bay is aptly named as the road from there to the Alaska border is less a road and more a beating. The men and machines were bounced, bumped, looped, bottomed.... literally 40 miles of bad road...
That said - WE MADE IT!
My trip odometer was 4200 miles when we crossed the border. To say we are feeling good to be here is vastly understating the situation. Even better, the road beatdown turned into a great set of hills, sweeps and smooth - some minor construction. First Alaska shot:
My trip odometer was 4200 miles when we crossed the border. To say we are feeling good to be here is vastly understating the situation. Even better, the road beatdown turned into a great set of hills, sweeps and smooth - some minor construction. First Alaska shot:
I'll let P-Rock fill in the gaps. As for the bikes - bugs, dust, lingering farm truck residue and rain have them looking rough - we expect to treat them to a wash this weekend.
Thanks for all the following and comments....
Blackie out.
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Tok is cool! They have great pizza, a wonderful bar and great conversation...I met two very interesting gentlemen in Tok last night. They claim they are bikers...HA! I think they are...awesome gentlemen!
ReplyDeleteP & J...be safe, enjoy and remember, Mutt welcomes you anytime!