Denali National Park (revisited)

Wildlife Viewing Area

We stayed for the first time in this trip in a motel, the decision was made to remove the monotonous being inside the Wanderlust all the time and be able to get ready in the morning to take the bus tour going inside Denali National Park. Private vehicle is prohibited after a certain mile inside the park.

It was not such a good decision because the motel room was cold even with the heater on, but at least we can get up and go as compared if we stay in the RV Park. It was also really cold within the park; the sun was barely out that day.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/denalipark

Fairbanks (revisited)

Watching bush pilot take-off and landing

We stayed three nights in Fairbanks, we went to Arctic Circle, Riverboat Discovery and we replenish our pantry after more than eight days on the road, we buy fresh fruits and bread. Since everything is barged here, things are generally more expensive than in the lower 48 or Continental US.

You would have think and it will be cold up here, the opposite is true. It is warm and pleasant in Fairbanks while we were there. Next we went to Denali National Park.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/fairbanks

Alaska Highway (revisited)

Dawson Creek, British Columbia

It took eight days and 7 nights to reach Fairbanks, Alaska. The distance from Portland, Oregon is about 2,500 miles, that’s 4,000 km in metric. The distance alone made Pokie not wanting to go back to Alaska, but I still want to go back at least one more time, the next time we make the trip, we will take our time. This whole trip was about 6,000 miles plus in 43 days. We had to change the engine oil one time in Fairbanks.

We encountered an engine problem in which I could fix (the air filter got loose and the engine would not start), we also had a flood at 3:00 AM inside the Wanderlust (water intake was broken) in the heavy rain, and trying to shut the water faucet was a nightmare; we had it fixed in Whitehorse. Also the door’s locks open by themselves in the middle of the night, the simple solution is to unplug the fuse temporarily. The Ford dealer in Whitehorse could not fix it. But at last we made it all the way to Fairbanks.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/highway

Arctic Circle (revisited)

Arctic Circle, June of 2006

This is the farthest north we have been during our Alaska Grand Tour 2006. We took a bus tour from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle. Dalton Highway is certainly the roughest road that we encountered during our trip; the distance from Fairbanks is less than 200 miles. We started the tour at 6:00 AM and we did not get “home” until midnight, but we still have plenty of light. The flora is certainly much different up there.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/arctic

Skagway (revisited)

Yukon & White Pass Railroad

This was the second time we have been to Skagway, the first one being in 2005 when we took a cruise line. I just love Skagway, the old look is still preserved and the Yukon & White Pass Railroad made me want to come back. During the winter month this town has a population of a mere 800 people, when the workers come in the summer, the population swells to about 2.000, but when the cruise ships dock, Skagway population jump five fold to about 10,000. By 8:00 PM, all the tourists are back to their cruise ships and Skagway becomes a ghost town. This cycle is repeated day after day during the summer and tourist’s season.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/skagway

Haines, Alaska (revisited)

Haines, Alaska

We drove from Valdez to Haines in three days; it is just shy of 700 miles. We stayed overnight in Tok, Alaska and Haines Junction, Yukon Territory for the second night. It was indeed a long drive, and not to mention when we encountered the dirt and dusty road. We had to do two border crossings, once to Canada (Yukon Territory) and back to Alaska going to Haines. Haines is the home of the white bald eagles, the symbol of America. We stayed two nights in Haines, and the next adventure is Skagway.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/haines

Seward & Whittier (revisited)

On the way to Seward

Welcome to Seward, the home of Mile “0” of the famous winter dog sled races of Iditarod and Alaska Sealife Center. I decided to camp at the city RV Park, the view is magnificent but the bathroom facility is down right dirty, it was on the weekend and the park is full of kids as well. This prompt Pokie to require that the next Wanderlust has a decent bathroom. We also visited Whittier for the day before we head back to Anchorage to take a break.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/seward