Wayne & Sherry's Alaska 2000 - Thanks for Visiting. Please use your browsers "Back" Button to return to the Travelogue page. All Wayne & Sherry's Alaska 2000 Travelogues are currently in order of date on this text page. Copyright © 2000 Wayne & Sherry's RV Page. All Rights Reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: June 5, 2000 The Great Adventure Begins...... June 5th we leave Dubuque IA on our adventure. We arrive at the Canadian Border on the 9th. We spend our first night in Canada at Leftbridge, at an RPI park. When we get to Canada, I turn on the Map-N-Go 5.....nothing loads correctly. I have a corrupted file. So I need to reload the disk. It's in Fort Worth in storage. I have to buy a new disk. I'll just stop in Calgary, should be easy to find a MNG. Everyone stocks Street Atlas, no Map-N-Go. They say everyone wants US maps. The clerk at Compu-Smart calls their store in Edmonton and they will hold the disk till I arrive. We drive to Edmonton and arrive at 5:30. Will-Call has already closed for the day...come back tomorrow he says. You don't understand I plead. Come back tomorrow (Sunday)... We boondock in their parking lot for the night. Next morning, sign says open at 11 AM. So, I look around and see an Office Depot. Hummm!! Open at 9. I go over and they have the MNG that I need....back to the coach, load the new software, and we're on our way, well before 11. We stopped for the night near Valleyview at Sherk's RV. A nice small park for $18. On to Dawson Creek and Northern Lights RV Park. It had rained for the past 5 days and the park was muddy, but we were able to get parked. We then went downtown to check out all the sights and get a picture of the Milepost "0"...the start of the Alaska Highway. We visited the train station, drove around town, bought a 33" TV Dish. More about it later. Next morning we leave Dawson Creek. It's cold and raining as we pull out. Just south of the Peace River Bridge, we see our first Black Bear, as he crosses the road in front of us. He sure took a chance with me driving. We make the 283 miles to Fort Nelson, and stop at Husky's 5th Wheel Fuel Stop and Campground. $24 full hook ups. Modem in office for email. We leave with Watson Lake our next stop, a distance of 330 miles. About 30-40 of those miles are bad, rough, dirt roads south of Watson Lake. We had to detour around where the construction crews were building a new road. We saw more Bears and lots of Stone Sheep, but were glad to get to Campground Services to rest. We had to take 5 tent sites and boondock for only $10 as lots of rigs on the road. RV's of all description everywhere. No modem service, so used Pocketmail. We rolled out heading for Whitehorse at 282 miles. At Teslin, we stopped at Mukluk Annie's Salmon Bake we had heard so much about. Dinner for both of us was $26. They served us baked salmon and BBQ ribs. The ribs weren't bad, but not Texas ribs.On to Whitehorse, and Hi Country RV. I had called ahead, otherwise we would have been outta luck. Nearly every CG we stopped at, had at least one or more caravan's staying there. We had water and electric for $17.33 the first night, then moved to full hu as someone moved on and we stayed another day to look and rest up. We were out early heading to Tok, a distance of 387 miles. After the first few hundred miles of travel, it all starts to look alike. We got to the Slims River and noticed some big bear tracks in the sand. Stopped and took a photo. Moved on and soon came upon a Grizzly in the roadway. We stopped, more pictures, and he went his way. Didn't seem to mind us at all. We arrived at Tok RV Village after driving in the rain all day. We went next door to Fast Eddy's and had dinner. A nice meal to finish off a long day. The park has 2 modem ports so got my mail. Next morning finds us on our way to Fairbanks and Chena Marina RV Park, only 206 miles. The park is small, but on a lake used for float planes. We enjoyed watching the planes come and go. This lake is used by a lot of the bush pilots in the area. Cost for full hu's is $25/night, and they have a modem port in the office. We only stayed 2 nights as we had reservations at Denali RV Park and had to move on. It's 121 miles from Fairbanks to Denali, an easy trip, good roads most of the way. A few pavement breaks as you go. Arrived and checked in at Denali RV Park, located 8 miles N of the park entrance. We drove the toad to the visitor's center, and bought our shuttle tickets into the park. We were lucky to get tickets for the next day, as most of the tours are full. Our trip went into the park a distance of 68 miles and cost $42 each. For details of our trip into the park, see "Denali" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: June 20, 2000 Denali..... We arrive at the Visitor's Center at 6:15 AM to get on the shuttle bus, for our trip into the park. Our bus driver/guide is Elton. The day is very gray and rainy, and somewhat cold. The first 15 miles is on pavement, then we are on gravel the rest of the way. For the public to drive past this point, a permit is required. The shuttle bus takes us 68 miles into the park to Eielson Visitor's Center. Elton tells us we all have to be the animal lookouts, as he has to watch the road and drive. If anyone sees an animal, just shout "Stop" and he will stop, so everyone can get a look. We used the clock system to point out the animal. 12 o'clock was always the front of the bus, 3 o'clock was the right side, 6 the back and on around. The system worked to perfection. As we entered deeper into the park, caribou were plentiful on both sides of the road. Then someone shouted that word...Stop!! Our first Grizzly Bear was spotted. We sat in the roadway for a good 10 minutes just observing. Ample time for all to get photo's. Then, we moved on. Now it starts to rain harder, cutting our visibility to almost nothing. But we continue. We know that with the rain, we won't get to see Deanli. Or as some still call it, Mt McKinley....just past the Eielson Center. Wonder Lake is as far as the shuttles go, but we couldn't get on one without a couple of days waiting. There are lots of folks hiking in the park. The hikers can flag down a park bus for a ride, if there is room. If not, they wait for the next bus and hope, as there are many buses every day. To give you an idea of the size of Denali Park and Preserve....if you could explore a thousand acres a day, it would take over sixteen years to finish. It's huge, but so splendid and awesome. The overlooks are gorgeous. If you're sitting on the outside of a turn on the mountainside, there are no guardrails between you and the bottom. Some places are several hundred feet down. Easy Elton, Please watch the road.!! When we got to Eielson Center, we stopped for a sack lunch that we all brought with us. This is the turnaround point and gives a good panoramic view of the mountains and valleys. On the way back, we see lots of sheep high on the sides of the rocks, to far to get a close look, but very visible. By the time we returned to our starting point, we saw 14 grizzlies, some with cubs, many caribou and lots of sheep. But all through the trip, not one MOOSE. I think they moved to Yellowstone to work for the summer This was a very interesting trip, and for the price of $42, would be hard to beat. June 21, 2000 Today Wayne takes a whitewater raft trip down the Nemana River. Mz Sherry stays behind, hasn't been to long since surgery and is still a little sore. A ride through rapids might be a little bone jarring in a rubber raft. There are 40 of us going in 5 rafts, with 8 in each one. We get our cold weather, waterproof gear on. Very bulky, and not easy to move around. We load onto a shool bus to begin our trip. They haul us 7 miles south of the park to the Princess Lodge, to get on the rafts. We get instructions on how to float in the rapids, feet first, if we should turn over. Also learned how to recover, get back onto, or into the raft....and how to drag people back in. All this is happening in water that is 33-35 degrees. This water is about 3-4 hours off the glacier, and hasn't warmed much. With rubber boots on, we step into the water to board. Yipes!!! the water is COLD. This loading point is 7 miles by road, but 11 miles by the river back to where we started from. We push off and are floating. The water speed is 7 MPH and this part of the trip is called the Canyon Float, as it goes through the canyon. Beautiful scenery, we round a bend in the river, and there stands a moose in the water. He watches us get closer, then decides it's time to move on and scrambles up the rocky bank, and disappears into the brush. We see eagles sitting in the trees, and as this is glacier water, there are no fish in the river. Eagles must eat small animals and such to survive, and that being the case, not many eagles stay in the park. We make the 11 miles without incident, and stop for a rest and snacks. About 15 minutes later we are floating again. The fun begins....the first whitewater. Hey!! We're all awake now, a big wave washes over us and soaks our heads. Wow!!! COLD. We're having to hold onto the ropes on the raft to stay in it. Now our hands are in the water and they are COLD. I'm glad now that Mz Sherry didn't make the trip, but knowing she would have enjoyed it. It's another 11 miles through the rapids and whitewater. We experience Class I-IV whitewater rapids, and boy it's a thrill. Up and down, backwards, all around...it's like staying on a bucking horse. I will remember this trip a long time. Wait, we pull to the river's edge and it's over. We pick up the rafts, and load onto the bus and return to our cars. A day well spent. Cost for the 22 mile raft trip...$75. Tomorrow we leave Denali, and head to Anchorage. -- Waydar & Mz Sherry <----------driving the rolling bird cage Puter & Scooter...The World Famous MH Traveling Parrots mailto:waydar@earthlink.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: June 23, 2000 On to Anchorage..... Morning finds bright sunshine as we head toward Anchorage, hating to leave the beauty of Denali. By the time we reach Cantwell, Denali is in view. It's the only mountain that has snow year round. We stop at several pull outs to take photo's and marvel at the pure beauty of Denali. We get to Anchorage and following the advise of Fred my GPS guy....I had the CG already programed in...so I turn where Fred tells me to....and find myself at the entrance gate to Elmendorf AFB. A nice man in uniform stops me and ask me where I'm going? To the campground I respond. And he tells me it's not in here...! Fred reassures me it is, and I tell him to hush. By this time I have cars backed up forever, so the nice man lets me pull onto the base and make a u-turn. Whew!! I turn Fred OFF and proceed on my own. Soon I find the CG, and it is a nice park, about the best we've been in since arriving in Alaska. The Birdy Boy's need food so we go downtown looking for the birdy place. I notice lots of people walking. Soon I find out why. We are in the middle of a street festival, and so is the birdy place. We get our bird food and make it back to the park. I go to the office to download my email....there sits Dave Damouth at his computer. We visited a bit to catch up on everything, last time we had visited was at Oz III in May. Later, Dave brought Helen over, and we had a great time talking about everyone not present. We decided to have dinner out Saturday night, and Sourdough Mining Co was where we made reservations. The entrance was taken from a mine shaft. A really neat place but very busy... Sunday found us watching what on TV??...Right-- Nascar races!... After the races we drove around town and stopped at the local Pizza Hut. June 26, 2000 Monday finds us pulling out and driving to Seward along the Seward Highway, a distance of 127 miles. The highway winds along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet. Snow capped mountains on both sides. You run beside the water for about 40 miles, then climb up into the mountains. Lots of rivers and streams cross the road, and the water is moving fast. Plenty of places along the highway to pull off and look, or take pictures. We round a turn and find cars stopped in the road, people out looking up on the side of the mountain. A herd of sheep on the rock ledges. We ease on by and continue toward Seward. Soon we find the orange diamond shaped signs I dread. Yup...road construction. Traffic was backed up and stopped. We had one way with a pilot car leading the parade. We made it to Seward and pulled into Waterfront Park. The park is owned and operated by the city of Seward. They have about 400 camp sites for boondocking right next to the water on Resurrection Bay. They also have 20 or so hook ups with electric and water only. Boondocking cost $10. The electric and water go for $15. First come first served. No reservations allowed, so we boondocked the first night, then managed to get electric and water the other 9 days we were there. There is a dump station a block or two down the street. While here, we take a trip to Kenai Fjords National Park on the Wildlife Quest, the only catamaran in Seward. We viewed orca's and humpback whales up close. We saw otters, seals, and all sorts of sea birds. The trip carried us up to one glacier, and past two more. A very interesting day at sea. Cost for the tour was $99 per person. That price included snacks, drinks, and a small lunch. Friday the 30th finds us going to Exit Glacier. This is an inland glacier and is in Kenai Nat'l Park. You can drive to within a half mile or so. With Mz Sherry on her electric scoot, and me following....off we go. About half way out, the trail ran out at the water's edge, so Mz Sherry sat and waited for me to hike to and from the glacier. We are coming up on July 4th and they hold the Mt. Marathon race here. The city draws about 800 entrants for the race. All total, about 40,000 people are there for the race, the street festival, and the fireworks show at midnight the 4th. The race up the mountain is about 3 miles. It's very steep. They run up, then slide down. The record is just 43 minutes. Not for me I can tell you. Seward is a town of 3,000 population, but they have the Alaska SeaLife Center located here. It's a 50 million dollar 115,000 square foot facility. You can view the habitats of marine birds, Stellar sea lions, seals, fish and otters. A really interesting place to spend the day. Admission is $12.50 adults, $10 youth. July 6, 2000 We make our way to Soldotna today. It's 97 miles from Seward. There are several road breaks with gravel. Dusty, but not too rough. We pass through Cooper Landing and see the fishermen lined along the Russian River trying to catch fish.... Fishing in Alaska is really bad this year. So bad, the Governor has asked the President to declare Alaska a disaster area because of so few fish. The people are afraid they won't have enough fish to carry them through the winter. So far, I haven't heard a decision yet. Don and Rita Robertson are camp hosting at Johnson Lake, so we drove down for a visit. Rita cooked a great dinner over a roaring campfire. Sure tasted good, and the heat from the fire was good to. The wind blowing off the lake was bone chilling cold. You can tell I'm not from this area. Neither is Mz Sherry. With the fish not running, we decided to move on. We arrived back in Anchorage with no CG to spend the night in...everywhere we called, they were full. We drove on to Wasilla, and stayed on the parking lot at Fred Meyers. We tried the Fred Meyers at Anchorage as we passed, but already about 30 rigs in the parking lot, so we didn't stop. We awoke to the sound of rain Sunday morning the 9th. We struck out early, having been this road before....decided to make Fairbanks our next stop. It's only 316 miles and good paved road except for a little construction north of Denali at Healy. Got on the cell phone and located a place that would take us. Riverview RV Park...sits on the bank of the Chena River. It's a Good Sam Park and a really nice place. Full hook-ups are $23 with the GS discount. The Artic adventure is our next project. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 10, 2000 Fairbanks Monday is a relax at home day. Clean the inside of the coach, do the wash, and just be lazy. Getting ready for the trip to the Artic on the 11th, described in travelogue "Top Of The World" July 12, 2000 We drive downtown to explore a little. We park and walk to the Visitor Information Center. We watch as a worker mows the grass on the roof, then waters it. We talk to the folks working inside, and look at the brochures they have displayed. We go outside to look at the marker celebrating the End of the Alaskan Highway. Mile marker 1523. It list how far it is to several cities around the world. Next to the Visitor Information Center log cabin is Golden Heart Park, site of the 18-foot bronze monument, "Unknown First Family." >From there we walk to The Alaska Public Lands Information Center. It's located in the lower section of the historic Courthouse Square. They have a free museum and information center that features some of Alaska's natural history, some artifacts and quite a bit of recreational things to do. They have very good information on hunting and fishing in AK. Also some very detailed maps. A good place to spend an evening. Now back to the car for a drive to the University of Alaska, and a drive around the campus. The UAF has a great view as it sits high on a ridge. The University sits on 2,250 acres and overlooks Fairbanks. UAF has a World Class Museum, it was closed when we got there, and we said those three words, "We'll Come Back." Well, we didn't make it back...sigh! Behind the campus is the musk-oxen and caribou farm, a nice research facility. Wednesday's and Saturday's in Fairbanks is Tanana Valley Farmers Market Day next to the Fairgrounds. The vendors have Alaska grown veggies, lots of Alaskan made crafts, syrups, honey, and oh yes, baked goods. By now, it's time to eat, and we'd heard of a great BBQ place. Time to locate Big Daddy's BBQ. After a little searching, we were there. The BBQ wasn't bad, but they should come to Texas to learn the art of BBQ'N. We stopped by Creamer's Field Migtatory Waterfowl Refuge. The center is closed on Sundays and Mondays. From June through August, guided walks start at the Farmhouse Visitor Center and tour the area. The Alaska Bird Observatory is also here and they have bird banding demostrations from July 16-August 31. You can spend days looking around Fairbanks, but as our time was limited, we headed back to the coach to get ready to leave for Haines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: July 11, 2000 Top of the World Hi All Y'all.... We "survived" the Dalton Highway.!!!! We went to the Artic Circle (66 degrees 33') but not all the way to Deadhorse. The road was in excellent shape...but it rained all day, some of it very heavy, the rain was reason to turn back....we knew with the heavy rains, the gravel road would wash out and be bad to return on....it was a long 19 hour round trip as it was. You might want to fill up in Wyo diesel at the Artic is $2.55/gal. The Dalton Hwy starts 84 miles N of Fairbanks and goes to Deadhorse, 414 miles of gravel. There are lots of sharp turns and grades, the steepest grade is 12%. The bridge over the Yukon River is a half mile long and a 6% grade. Dalton Hwy is a haul road, so the monster trucks have the right of way, it's their road. They're on the CB telling you they're coming up to you, so you slow down and pull over and let them blow by. Most of the truck drivers are very nice...just trying to make a living. After seeing the hardships the builders of the road and pipeline faced, I have a new respect for them. They were a tough bunch to do what they did and survive. The 414 miles is the most remote, wilderness area a human can imagine. Not a trip for the faint at heart. A neat trip seeing the Brooks Range and the sun that doesn't set, and... walking on the Tundra. It felt like walking on a mattress. I was a little reluctant to go because there are no medical facilities at all. If you have a medical emergency, it's hard to get medical attention. Not much in the way of fuel service either. Cell phones stop working 35 miles N of Fairbanks, and don't work till you get in the edge of Deadhorse, and only 2 payphones that 400 miles. Everything is done over the CB radio if you break down or need help. We were leaving for Haines later today...just heard on the TV, the highway is closed south of Fairbanks because of high water. May be closed 2-3 days....have to rethink our plans, huh?? It's been a very long day....so long for now. Waydar & Mz Sherry <----------driving the rolling bird cage Puter & Scooter...The World Famous MH Traveling Parrots -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: July 13, 2000 Fairbanks to Haines..... This day finds us moving again. This time on our way to Haines. We have good roads and the day is nice as we arrive at Tok and stop at the Tok RV Village. A nice park with nice people. We arrive just in time as not many sites advailable. Electric and water only, but that's ok with us. We dumped when we left Fairbanks this morning. They give us #409 and we find it occupied. Back to the office and we move to #501. I knew it was open, I was parked in it.... They have 2 modem ports here, one in the laundry room, and one in the office/restaurant building. Only one channel on TV here....but one is better then none for the tubites. Fairbanks to Tok is 206 miles. July 14, 2000 Leave Tok driving to Haines Junction, then on to Haines...a distance of 450 miles...we find the road in good condition, only about 11 miles of gravel. But hey!!! we're used to the gravel runs now. It's a beautiful drive between Haines Junction and Haines. Lots of flowing rivers, most are bank full after the heavy rains and are moving fast. We pass waterfalls and snow capped mountains....the views are breathtaking. We're so thankful we decided to go out of our way and go on to Haines. We're not worried about a CG, I called ahead and made reservations at Haines Hitch-Up RV Park and our site will be waiting. The air cools as we climb into the mountains. We stop to take some pictures and have to get our jackets. After all the stops along the way, we arrive at the CG at 8:30 PM and get set up for our stay. We're paid for a week, but that can change at any moment with us. We have tickets for the Skagway Water Taxi and the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow gauge train ride on Monday the 17th. Looking forward to it after hearing so many good comments about it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: July 15, 2000 Haines and Skagway...... Today we spend in and around Haines. We drive to the ferry dock, watch people kayak in the Lynn Canal. The air is cool and the water a little choppy. Mz Sherry wants to see the Chilkat Eagle Preserve, so we drive the 19 miles out and sit awhile. Not many eagles in the area, as there's not much salmon activity in the river. The fish wheels are turning, but every time we go by...they're empty. With the heavy runoff from the rains, the water in the Chilkat River is very muddy. We were hoping to see the eagles fishing the water. Drove to the Skagway Water Taxi in the small boat harbor to see the area where we could park, how far we'd have to walk, etc. A few people loading "stuff" on the boats in the harbor. We drove out Mud Flat Road to the Chilkat State Park about 8 miles from Haines. They have 32 RV sites and 3 tent sites. Skagway is a city of 816 people, located 90 air miles northwest of Juneau. It is 13 miles from Haines by water...359 miles by road. Lots of cruise ship traffic around both cities...and don't forget the Alaska State Ferry System. July 17, 2000 We wake up to raindrops on the roof. Today is our trip to Skagway and the White Pass & Yukon Rail trip. It's cold, so we dress warm we think...jackets, raincoats, and pull over caps. Down to the dock to get on the Water Taxi.....there's 8 people for this trip, no trouble getting a seat. Not much to see with the rain falling. Maybe it will clear by the time we get on the train. An uneventful trip up the Lynn Canal. When we arrive in Skagway, Galaxy Cruise Ship is unloading people. People are everywhere. It's about a quarter mile walk to the train station...for Mz Sherry, that's a long ways. As we're walking in the loose gravel, Mz Sherry turns her ankle and falls flat, face first. I tried to grab her, but missed. She turned over, and I let her lay there while I checked to see if she broke anything. She bruised her cheek, skinned both knees, and almost broke her right wrist. Luckily, that was all...but that was more then enough. Now we have a problem....the water taxi has returned to Haines and won't return till 5 PM. There is no way for us to return to our coach. We finally get there and have a couple of hours to shop the stores. Mz Sherry is hurting all over, give out, and it's raining...so we just sit in the station and people watch till train time. Now it time to board the train for the trip to White Pass.....a young lady says "Follow Me!" We walk 3 long blocks to the train down on the main line. They loaded the cruise people at the ship, and didn't come to the station. Folks, by this time, we are not happy train riders. The train pulls up and stops in front of us....the young lady singles out a few of us to load on the first car. The second car was reserved for a group from the Good Sam Caravan #5....rest of the people go on to other cars are we disappear inside. Feels good inside out of the wind, rain, and cold. Mz Sherry says she's ok, but I know better...her glasses were bent out of shape, so I re-bend them so she could see. Her glasses must have been made by Timex, takes a lickin' and keeps on...never mind!! Our guide welcomes us to the WP & YR trip to the summit. The car jerks, and we're moving. Picking up speed as we head out of town toward the mountains, we're rockin' and rollin'.....We're being pulled by 2 diesel engines as the steam engine only pulls on Saturdays. Bummer for sure. The trip to the summit would have been better if not for the fog and mist. We could see down, but not up. The views of the canyons and rivers below were awesome. I stepped out on the platform between the cars to get some pictures. A bit difficult because of the mist. Seeing the train cars behind us wind around the turns was a neat experience. We looked out at Bridal Veil Falls, where water cascades down 6000 feet from the glaciers on Mt. Cleveland and Mt. Clifford.... We could see Dead Horse Gulch, so named for the 3000 pack animals that met their end because of overloading and neglect in the stampede of 98. The summit elevation is 2,865 feet. U.S./Canadian border, mounted police turned back stampeders with less then a ton of supplies...enough to survive in the North for a year. It's a 20 mile trip to the top of the pass. At the pass is an American Flag, and a Canadian Flag, with a marker post between. That is the American/Canadian Border. Riding outside the car was like riding a motorcycle....COLD! But even with the cold and wet, it was a ride to remember. It takes 3 hours for the round trip, and to soon it ended as we returned to Skagway. We stopped, unloaded, and had the walk back to the boat dock. Our boat was late returning to pick us up, but did make it. We had whitecaps and mist, so we just sat and waited to unload at Haines. Then we had the climb up the stairs at the floating dock to get to street level....the tide was out. Those of you that have made the trip know what I'm talking about. We finally made it back to the coach and crash for the night. We just want to get warm. Now some trivia from "All Aboard"...a train give-away book. What does the WP&YR have in common with the Panama Canal, The Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty? They are among only 29 engineering feats in the world to have been declared an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Certainly the WP&YR has earned the distinction. Not only was the railroad's construction considered impossible, but it was blasted through the Coastal Mountain Range in record time...an astounding 26 months. The climb to White Pass Summit is one of the steepest railroad grades in North America. From tidewate at Skagway the line climbs 2,865 feet in just 20 miles...with grades up to 3.9% and cliff hanging turns of 16 degrees! To all this, Mother Nature threw the workers a few curves of her own...shrieking snowstorms that brought drifts of 35 feet and tempertures of -65 degrees F. Hats off to the men who engineered its design and those intrepid workers who presevered in its construction. July 18, 2000 Today it's raining and cold again......Mz Sherry is sore and stiff from her fall, and we're ready to leave Haines. We clean the inside of the coach, wash clothes, and I work on pictures. We'll leave -------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 19, 2000 Haines to Whitehorse.... It's 151 miles to Haines Junction, and 90 miles to Whitehorse. From Haines to the Canadian border is 38 miles....the trip is easy, no traffic today. We stop at the border and the Inspector ask the usual questions. Do you have any alcohol, tobacco, or guns? I answer no sir. He ask where we're from and do we have any pets? Without thinking I answer Texas, and we have 2 parrots. He ask would we mind if he came inside and had a look? Come on in we said. Now with us being from from TX...we must have guns Right? !! He visits with the Birdy Boys and then opened several drawers. He didn't disturb or tear up anything. I asked if he'd like to see my CITES Permit? He says no, wasn't necessary. He came to the front, said he hoped we had a nice visit to Canada, and to have a nice day, and a safe trip. He waved us on our way. A very polite, sharp looking fellow. Whew!!!! I drive away without looking back....a few miles and I'm back to normal?? and looking at the snow capped St. Elias Mountains....we slow as we reach an 11 mile stretch of gravel...it's just been brushed and was very smooth. But very dusty. While we creep along, I see a black bear eating beside the highway and he (or she) ignores us as we pass. I take a passing photo. A little farther down the road, a moose is standing belly deep in the water, so I pull over and take a couple of photo's. Wow...a bear and a moose, Mz Sherry and I do a high five and let out a holler.. Puter ask "What'cha doing?" I called earlier for reservations at Hi Country RV Park in Whitehorse, and when we arrived, my space was waiting for me. A caravan from Quebec is in the park and the park was turning people away. He's full. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: July 20, 2000 Whitehorse to Watson Lake We had planned on staying another day to see more of the downtown and things we missed on our way North.....but it was raining again (still)....I disconnect the coach between the showers and pull out towards our next destination, Watson Lake Yukon. Its a good drive, very little snow on the mountains....lots of lakes and rivers along the way. The road is wet but in good condition, no road breaks, and, as we top a hill....I see red & blue lights flashing, and a Trooper motions us to slow down. A big truck/trailer is sitting in the road, his double trailer is destroyed and in the ditch. All kinds of boxed goods are scattered along the right of way, many boxes broken open. It looked like the double broke away leaving the jeep wheels and part of the trailer floor, still connected to the front trailer. The driver probably got into a wiggle from a cross wind, and lost it on the wet road. Just one of the problems pulling a double trailer. We don't see any animal activity on our trip today...sigh! It rains most of the way, and is hard not to go to sleep. In fact, Mz Sherry and the Birdy Boys do just that. I pull into Watson Lake and stop at the Downtown RV Park. They seem to have some vacant spots...yes, we can get full hook ups for $17. And, they have a free car/rv wash....a place to wash 7 at a time. Most places charge $15 to wash a rig, and only have one hose so you have to wait in line. As it was raining I decided to not wash mine. This park has modems on 2 pay phones next to the office. I'm glad to find this place, as the cell phone only works with a credit card in the Yukon. This is one of the better parks I've been in so far. Its a gravel parking lot, but its clean. While getting email, a man asked for help getting on AOL....we talk, and I find out he's in an Airstream Caravan going to Alaska. I remember seeing lots of Airstreams going the other way today. He says there are 2 caravans...one left the park today, the other one is still here. He tells me they will be staying in AK. till late Sept. Maybe by then, the rain will stop. Tomorrow, we move on to Fort Nelson, about 330 mi. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 Dawson Creek BC - End of Alaska 2000 trip Hi All Y'all....... We are back to Dawson Creek BC. We saw some beautiful country. Lots of bear, moose, caribou, stone sheep, but not many eagles. We had 40 miles of very dusty dirt and gravel roadway just south of Fort Nelson. The drive from Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek is tiring. Many ups and downs and tight curves. Boo-coos of RV's traveling North. As we are at "0" mile marker of the Alaska Highway, we're both glad to be back, a little disappointed not seeing as many animals and birds as we had hoped. While shopping at the Safeway here, found something I hadn't run across before. To use a shopping cart in the store, it cost a quarter deposit. All the carts are connected to each other, by a short chain, connected to a gadget on the handle... You insert the quarter into the slot, push a key that is attached to the chain in that slot, and presto...the cart is free. After you're done shopping, you reverse that procedure and retrieve your quarter. We're on our way to Yellowstone NP, and on down to UT, to do some fly fishing. Stay tuned. -- Waydar & Mz Sherry <----------driving the rolling bird cage Puter & Scooter...The World Famous MH Traveling Parrots mailto:waydar@earthlink.net http://home.earthlink.net/~waydar Dawson Creek, BC ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wayne & Sherry's Alaska 2000 - Thanks for Visiting. Please use your browsers "Back" Button to return to the Travelogue page. All Wayne & Sherry's Alaska 2000 Travelogues are currently in order of date on this text page. Copyright © 2000 Wayne & Sherry's RV Page. All Rights Reserved.