Tok Alaska, Aug 20th
Tok Alaska, so I’ve made it to our 50th state, north the rush is on. Well, guess I was already where the rush was on in Dawson City, the gold rush, but the song is for Alaska, so it’ll work. The sleeping at the hostel wasn’t too bad, at least I didn’t hear anyone snore, but should’ve used my sleeping bag instead of the hostel sheet and blanket, cuz the blanket didn’t cut it for a cool Dawson City night. Decided to sleep in cuz after yesterdays run and going in the afternoon after things had a chance to warm up thought that might be the ticket today since it rained most of the night. Yep, was wet when got up so if I can just wait a few hours before going, just may clear up. Ok, this morning I had to work for my shower, I mean cowboy bath since there wasn’t any fire in the shower room and no warm water. Had to cut some wood and start a fire to warm up the place as well as the water, but man, what an experience taking a bath/shower where you just pour the water over you, soap up and pour it again to rinse off. Did remind me of the shower in Sturgis where I said two was better than one and worth sharing with someone, that hey, you could have a hell of a party in a room like this.
Had time to waste and gas to get that had to take the ferry to town and can you believe the only gas I could find was 2 miles out of town, the way I came in yesterday, but didn’t bother paying attention to that yesterday and figured I’d fill up in town. Ok, back to Klondike Kate’s for breakfast cuz at this time of day it’s the only place still serving breakfast and look who I met, Melinda…never did ask if she goes by Mindy, but that’s a whole other story. She was there with her son Josh who was flying to Vancouver while she was heading back to camp, mining camp, but had a great time chatting and thanks for picking up my breakfast Melinda, you didn’t have to do that, but it was greatly appreciated. Weather still looks questionable and according to the visitors center, today is suppose to be overcast while tomorrow is rain that I should really make the run to Fairbanks sometime today. The lady at the visitor center suggested watching the videos on the area to kill some time and they were definitely worth seeing instead of having to head to each site and have them try to describe it. Ok, so that took about an hour that if I can wait until later in the afternoon like yesterday, I’m sure the sun will be out and it’ll be a great day for a ride. It was at least starting to warm up, which might make a difference riding the next few days to wait a while for things to warm up to ride thru. Figured I better hit the road soon since it hasn’t started raining and down the valley looked like it might be clear that headed toward the ferry where I noticed everyone heading up the hill that I asked a couple of ladies if that’s where the party was and sure enough, they had a bog run going on. Never seen one that ok, kill more time and it ain’t gonna get any colder, but warmer and maybe I can still count on that sun coming out. So, the bog run, or the little of it that I watched wasn’t worth it, that it’s time…time to make my way toward Fairbanks.
One last ferry ride in Dawson City and it didn’t take me long to figure out why they call this the ‘Top of the World’ highway. Felt like all I was doing on the way out of Dawson City was climbing and pretty soon could see why cuz it looked as though was at the same level as all the mountains in the distance and the valleys below, well, they looked awesome. Ok, I’m sure the pictures would be something else had I had a sunny day like yesterday afternoon, but the scenery is definitely worth seeing. For me, pretty cold that today might be a day to leave the soul behind and see the scenery in comfort, but hey, I’m doing something that most will never do or experience, riding it by bike. So someone said that 40% of the road is paved, but they must’ve been talking about all the way to Fairbanks cuz I haven’t seen much pavement since Dawson City and the weather isn’t getting any better. The more climbing the colder it’s getting and I’m still looking for pavement and fortunately the rain is holding off, but not for long. I must’ve hit the peak cuz there were some stretches that the wind was blowing so hard and with the little drizzle felt like a thunderstorm that it was time to don the rain gear and hey, I feel warmer already cuz it keeps the wind out…maybe I won’t need that heated gear after all, cuz the rain gear’ll do. All geared up and finally made it to the US border which I thought would give me break from the riding to warm up and dry out, but can you believe there’s nothing there, but a building for both border patrols and a couple of shack’s, well, believe it. The patrolman asked for id, but I just wanted to warm up first, but was able to pull it out of my pack…it would’ve been really nice if they had a shelter you could drive into to take care of what you have to, but just tried to get out of the rain and wind to answer his questions. Ok, I have a question, how far is that road I see ahead of me go, a clay road and can you imagine how slippery that might be when wet?…his answer 40 some miles – which I thought, rain, rain just go away. Ok so you don’t get a lot of pictures but while riding thru the rain with rain gear on and these cameras really don’t like the rain, just deal with it cuz I have to ride thru it. You cannot imagine how slick a clay road can be in the rain until you try riding it by bike and I was on edge the entire trip. So 40 miles doesn’t sound too bad, but when you’re holding on for dear life, even at only 30 mph, you’d know what I mean.
Finally made it to Chicken so gassed up and have to check out the Chicken Saloon. Heard too much about it to pass it up even in the rain and hey, I think I recognize that bra hanging from the ceiling. Everyone apparently leaves their mark so I had to do the same. Like the lady said anything from underwear to bras, panties and business cards, that today, my card will do. She was interesting to talk to and wished I would have gotten her picture, but ok, sometimes you just want to talk with someone than always asking them for a picture and that’s what I was enjoying right now. Did ask how much more clay I had to ride and she said will hit good road about 2 miles up that I’m gonna head for pavement. Finally, pavement, but again in the rain can’t get going too fast and check out how muddy that clay road left things, not only my bike, but a good thing I have those gators otherwise these boots would still be a wet mess.
Am cold and wet that Fairbanks can wait so Tok will be the place to stay that all I have to do is checkout the visitors center and find a dry room for the night…hostel, don’t even think about it cuz it’s dirty, cheapest hotel is $70, but the B&B just outside of town is only $50, even though they are dog musher’s. Ok, is that a bad thing, but apparently they are just different that ok, I’ll drive out there and check it out and they are an interesting couple. He’s in to old cars and is working on a 67 Impala and she’s into birds of prey, a couple of killer owls, and they are both into dog sled racing that when I was pulling up, heard all the dogs making noise and there are a lot of dogs. Had an interesting visit with both, but told them I was going to stay closer to town cuz I’m still wet and cold and just want to relax in a dry warm place that I don’t have to worry about making a mess in, a hotel room. That’s because tonight is the first time I’m washing my rain gear, but after the clay ride, it needs it. Ok, the best place to eat in town is Fast Eddies which was good, and next door, the Husky Lounge. Ok, so now the locals are comparing who can do the splits and one hand pushups in the lounge and the lady next to me is making sure I say how crazy people from Tok are, but hey, the scenery in Alaska is amazing, even in the rain and hopefully tomorrow will be a dryer day that I can capture more pictures for you…for me, they’re up here – the main head. So Tok is a muddy mess like Dawson City, but tomorrow’s a new day…without rain would be great. Alaska Shots.
Had time to waste and gas to get that had to take the ferry to town and can you believe the only gas I could find was 2 miles out of town, the way I came in yesterday, but didn’t bother paying attention to that yesterday and figured I’d fill up in town. Ok, back to Klondike Kate’s for breakfast cuz at this time of day it’s the only place still serving breakfast and look who I met, Melinda…never did ask if she goes by Mindy, but that’s a whole other story. She was there with her son Josh who was flying to Vancouver while she was heading back to camp, mining camp, but had a great time chatting and thanks for picking up my breakfast Melinda, you didn’t have to do that, but it was greatly appreciated. Weather still looks questionable and according to the visitors center, today is suppose to be overcast while tomorrow is rain that I should really make the run to Fairbanks sometime today. The lady at the visitor center suggested watching the videos on the area to kill some time and they were definitely worth seeing instead of having to head to each site and have them try to describe it. Ok, so that took about an hour that if I can wait until later in the afternoon like yesterday, I’m sure the sun will be out and it’ll be a great day for a ride. It was at least starting to warm up, which might make a difference riding the next few days to wait a while for things to warm up to ride thru. Figured I better hit the road soon since it hasn’t started raining and down the valley looked like it might be clear that headed toward the ferry where I noticed everyone heading up the hill that I asked a couple of ladies if that’s where the party was and sure enough, they had a bog run going on. Never seen one that ok, kill more time and it ain’t gonna get any colder, but warmer and maybe I can still count on that sun coming out. So, the bog run, or the little of it that I watched wasn’t worth it, that it’s time…time to make my way toward Fairbanks.
One last ferry ride in Dawson City and it didn’t take me long to figure out why they call this the ‘Top of the World’ highway. Felt like all I was doing on the way out of Dawson City was climbing and pretty soon could see why cuz it looked as though was at the same level as all the mountains in the distance and the valleys below, well, they looked awesome. Ok, I’m sure the pictures would be something else had I had a sunny day like yesterday afternoon, but the scenery is definitely worth seeing. For me, pretty cold that today might be a day to leave the soul behind and see the scenery in comfort, but hey, I’m doing something that most will never do or experience, riding it by bike. So someone said that 40% of the road is paved, but they must’ve been talking about all the way to Fairbanks cuz I haven’t seen much pavement since Dawson City and the weather isn’t getting any better. The more climbing the colder it’s getting and I’m still looking for pavement and fortunately the rain is holding off, but not for long. I must’ve hit the peak cuz there were some stretches that the wind was blowing so hard and with the little drizzle felt like a thunderstorm that it was time to don the rain gear and hey, I feel warmer already cuz it keeps the wind out…maybe I won’t need that heated gear after all, cuz the rain gear’ll do. All geared up and finally made it to the US border which I thought would give me break from the riding to warm up and dry out, but can you believe there’s nothing there, but a building for both border patrols and a couple of shack’s, well, believe it. The patrolman asked for id, but I just wanted to warm up first, but was able to pull it out of my pack…it would’ve been really nice if they had a shelter you could drive into to take care of what you have to, but just tried to get out of the rain and wind to answer his questions. Ok, I have a question, how far is that road I see ahead of me go, a clay road and can you imagine how slippery that might be when wet?…his answer 40 some miles – which I thought, rain, rain just go away. Ok so you don’t get a lot of pictures but while riding thru the rain with rain gear on and these cameras really don’t like the rain, just deal with it cuz I have to ride thru it. You cannot imagine how slick a clay road can be in the rain until you try riding it by bike and I was on edge the entire trip. So 40 miles doesn’t sound too bad, but when you’re holding on for dear life, even at only 30 mph, you’d know what I mean.
Finally made it to Chicken so gassed up and have to check out the Chicken Saloon. Heard too much about it to pass it up even in the rain and hey, I think I recognize that bra hanging from the ceiling. Everyone apparently leaves their mark so I had to do the same. Like the lady said anything from underwear to bras, panties and business cards, that today, my card will do. She was interesting to talk to and wished I would have gotten her picture, but ok, sometimes you just want to talk with someone than always asking them for a picture and that’s what I was enjoying right now. Did ask how much more clay I had to ride and she said will hit good road about 2 miles up that I’m gonna head for pavement. Finally, pavement, but again in the rain can’t get going too fast and check out how muddy that clay road left things, not only my bike, but a good thing I have those gators otherwise these boots would still be a wet mess.
Am cold and wet that Fairbanks can wait so Tok will be the place to stay that all I have to do is checkout the visitors center and find a dry room for the night…hostel, don’t even think about it cuz it’s dirty, cheapest hotel is $70, but the B&B just outside of town is only $50, even though they are dog musher’s. Ok, is that a bad thing, but apparently they are just different that ok, I’ll drive out there and check it out and they are an interesting couple. He’s in to old cars and is working on a 67 Impala and she’s into birds of prey, a couple of killer owls, and they are both into dog sled racing that when I was pulling up, heard all the dogs making noise and there are a lot of dogs. Had an interesting visit with both, but told them I was going to stay closer to town cuz I’m still wet and cold and just want to relax in a dry warm place that I don’t have to worry about making a mess in, a hotel room. That’s because tonight is the first time I’m washing my rain gear, but after the clay ride, it needs it. Ok, the best place to eat in town is Fast Eddies which was good, and next door, the Husky Lounge. Ok, so now the locals are comparing who can do the splits and one hand pushups in the lounge and the lady next to me is making sure I say how crazy people from Tok are, but hey, the scenery in Alaska is amazing, even in the rain and hopefully tomorrow will be a dryer day that I can capture more pictures for you…for me, they’re up here – the main head. So Tok is a muddy mess like Dawson City, but tomorrow’s a new day…without rain would be great. Alaska Shots.
posted by Dalej Webb at 12:19 PM
2 Comments:
Wow! What an adventure you are having! Have a couple of beers in AK for me. I used to live there and have some fond memories! Angi
PAULETTE SAID - DALE GET A JOB - ENOUGH ALREADY
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