ALCAN 2024 Day 24 Denali

 July 29, 2024  142 miles

Got up to a very nice morning, overcast but calm. After taking Zac for a lap around the pond we packed up and headed to the Denali Park area. The weather turned quickly to rain. One stop was to view the pipeline. We also stopped at the town of Nenana. They put a triangular type "sculpture" on the ice of the Tanana river which is tethered to a clock to record Ice Out on the river. There is a lottery to enter for this https://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/ . Then onto Denali.  Once at the park we drove the 15 mile park road (you are only allowed to drive the first 15 miles of the road). on the way we spotted a bull and cow moose. Then it was on to the RV Ghetto for the next two nights, then we go to Talkeentna (the town that "Northern Exposure" is based on).

The Nenana "Ice Sculpture" exhibit 

A tug the plied the Tenana and Yukon rivers

The Nenana visitors center

Next years Ice Scupture

Bull Moose in the park

Sorry no pics of the cow

ALCAN 2024 Day 23 Fairbanks

July 28, 2024  26 miles

It's been a rainy 24+ hours and the temp is below 60 (at the beginning of this trip it was near 100 every day). Today is laundry and showers and the checking a few sites of Fairbanks. We went to Running Reindeer Ranch. Very interesting to walk with the reindeer. Took Zac to the Fairbanks dog park, where he had a great time running with several different dogs. Then was time to find a camp for the night. We found a spot about 10-15 miles north of Fairbanks, Olnes Pond State Rec Area. It has about 15 sites and we are 1 of 3 here. It's 10 pm and still bright outside (sunset 11, sunrise 4:30).

Museum of the North on the U of Alaska Fairbanks campus

Raindeer

more Raindeer

even more Raindeer

our campsite for the night

ALCAN 2024 Day 22 Tok to Fairbanks

 July 27, 2024 ~185m

After leaving our campsite west of Tok we drove to Fairbanks. Basically an uneventful drive. First major stop was Delta Junction, the end of the "Official ALCAN". We stopped at Delta Meats and Sausage to buy some protein for our frig.  Had lunch at the Buffalo Center Drive-in. Lynn had a buffalo burger and I had a regular burger. There we talked to a couple that camped next to us last night. They told us about Jasper being destroyed last week from wildfire. Without Internet it takes time to hear the news.This was next the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum, a very interesting place because it was an authentic Alaskan roadhouse with a rich history. Then it was on to Fairbanks, where we stocked up on food and liquor, and finally to the Rivers Edge RV park (yes another Ghetto). Much of the day was rainy and overcast so the views were limited. The one major view we had was the pipeline crossing  of the Tanana river.

FYI  we have been listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin's book "An Unfinished Love Story" a personal history of the 1960's. Little did I know about Richard Goodwin's role in the JFK/LBJ era and how it really affected our lives!!!!!  This man was about poetry, philosophy, politics and cigars.

Knotty Shop along the road

Knotty Shop along the road

Tanana valley gold rush road side maker

Tanana river

The pipeline 

End of the ALCAN

One more night in Fairbanks then it is onto the Denlai area.

ALCAN 2024 Day 21 Moon Lake State Recreation Site, Tok, AK

 July 26, 2024  ~264km/164m

Interesting drive to the border and beyond. Yesterday and today we were in permafrost heave country. The road was generally good, but stretches  of 100+ yards were frost heave sections that caused for SLOW going. Most of the road until now have been much better than most roads back home. These short sections were very challenging, but this is the ALCAN and it is to be expected!  At Beaver Creek just before the border we ran into two antique cars driven by three people from Argentina and Brazil. They had driven from their countrues and were on their way to Prudhoe Bay. They were a hoot! The border crossing was totally uneventful. Then onto Tok. A brief stop in Tok for gas and the visitor center and it was on to our overnight at Moon Lake Camp Ground.  This was an oxbow of the Tanana river. A very nice campground. Then it's on to Fairbanks.

Burn area along the road; Purple flowers (do not show up well) are on of the first thing to regrow.

The South American's cars

Zac at the border

the clear cut of the border

the Alaskan range

Two trailers that formed and abandon "cabin" at the campground