Yippee Alaska

We left the Tetsa River Recreational Area and drove a little distance on the 97 North to Tetsa River Services. We had heard about their cinnamon rolls and we had to get one. They were the best cinnamon rolls we have ever had.

We got back on the 97 traveling North. The road appears to be the old road with lots of curves and bumps. We passed by a beautiful lake, called Muncho Lake, on our way to Watson Lake.

We came across 2 black bears just North of Liard Hot Springs, and several Bison near Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

We have been surprised that they are very few rigs heading towards Alaska. We were near Irons Creek the first time we saw multiple rigs heading that way.

 

We stopped at the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake and what an amazing site. Our friend was here in the 70s and there were only 3 rows of signs, from these pictures you can see that it has grown exponentially.

Continuing North on Yukon 1 we had terrible roads – concrete that had been ground down so all that was left was loose gravel. We spent the night at Big Creek Campground in the Yukon Territory. It was right along the river, but lots of mosquitos; more than any other place so far.

We continued driving West towards White Horse. From the Cinnamon Roll place to just past Big Creek the roads were the worst we have driven on this trip, but great views.

The longest water span on the Alaska Highway at 1,917 feet is the Nisutlin Bay Bridge.

 

We continued on to Whitehorse and from Day’s End we stayed at the Pioneer RV Park, in the overflow area, for $12, which included free dump and water and 3 cents off a gallon of gas.   We drove into Whitehorse and walked around. A very cute, touristy town.

I got a great picture of the rugged snowcapped peaks of the Kluane Icefield Ranges, which are Canada’s highest and world’s largest nonpolar alpine ice field.

We had heard there was quite a bit of roadwork being done between Destruction Bay and Tok, so decided to spend the night at a great campground called Cottonwood RV Park and Campground, right on Kluane Lake. Very nice place with free showers, but poor electricity (by their generator) and no cell service

 

There was definitely road work being done – frost heave repair, and grinding concrete roads while leaving behind the rocks. Of course 18-wheeler trucks don’t care if they pass you going fast and throw rocks on windshield. Luckily we didn’t get any rock chips – yet!!!

Finally we hit the border of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. It took us 11 days to get to this point, and we didn’t stay but 1 night at any place.

That night we reached Tok, Alaska, and spent the night behind a Chevron Station (from Day’s End). You could get a brochure at the Visitor’s Center that had 10 cents off the gas and free overnight parking. It was very quiet and the next morning John used $3.00 to wash the dust off the rig (10 minutes).

From Tok we headed North on Alaska 2 towards Delta Junction. We crossed two cool bridges. The first one crossed over the Johnson River. The second one is the Gerstle River Black Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was renamed in 1993 to commemorate the 3,695 black soldiers of the 93^rd, 94^th, 95^th, 97^th, and 388^th U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their contribution in constructing the Alcan Highway.

 Gerstle

Continuing on Hwy. 2 we stopped at Delta Meat and Sausage. They raise and make all their sausage. They had reindeer, yak, bison, and caribou sausage, as well as pork brautwurst. John tasted all of the, but I only bought the brauts.

At the Visitor Center

in Delta Junction, we got a certificate stating we had driven the Alcan, and got a picture of the ending point of the Alcan.

 

We spent the night at Quartz Lake, just outside Delta Junction. It was nice, and quiet, and even had a bear warning. But, we didn’t see one.

Our next stop was the North Pole, Alaska. This was right along Hwy. 2.   First we stopped at the very unusual Visitor Center.

Then on to the official North Pole and Santa Claus.

Next is on to Fairbanks and beyond.