Trouble in the Mountains

Have you heard about the roads in the Yukon and Alaska? It's true. Actually we have all felt the roads weren't that bad, but.... There are 8-10% grades, narrow roads and cliffs on the sides with no guardrails. You think you're fine, and then... Passing a bus or big truck coming the other way, particularly when they're flying, can be hairy!!!! And, also, there are many drivers who pass you on the same side - semi-trucks, RVs, local trucks, local cars, etc - going faster than you dare. You pull over as far as you can and say a little prayer. I sometimes close my eyes, getting ready for the stones hitting my windshield, or the vehicle sideswiping me. We have all learned to hug the center, and stop when a vehicle is passing. One of our rigs - the largest I think - a 43 foot, towing a small SUV - went too close to the side, as a dump truck, coming the other way, passed. His tow car went off the packed dirt into a slushy side (Yes, it was raining!) and pulled the rig off too. We heard over the CB " We've gone off the side" and then the rig in back "Fantasy 6 has gone off the road." I thought maybe they'd gently slipped off the road, but when I saw the rig, it was tilted, and ready to tumble down the cliff. The rig in back saw it happen, and thought it was going to tumble out of sight. The driver of that rig was sick all night. The tailgunner ran down and employees of the Bureau of Land Management, who were in those trucks passing, all stopped to help. They got the people and the cats out, but that was all they could do that night. People stayed on the mountain all night taking turns guarding the rig. Two tow trucks were needed: one to keep the rig from tipping any more; and the other to slowly winch it back onto the road. Two days and $5,100 later the RVers joined us for dinner. It was amazing - the rig ran with the change of a tire, a dent on the corner and side where it had been buried in the mud. Holland America had 2 buses stuck in the traffic, which could not get past the operation until it was finished. Those people missed the ship. When we were told to go by the disabled rig, and continue to the campground, we passed another of our rigs, also off the road. That wasn't nearly as bad. The tow bill there was a mere $1,500. The tow company said they had pulled 4 vehicles off that mountain the week before. The rain was worse that week. We were all happy it happened there, where there was a narrow ledge, rather than a spot where there was no ledge at all. This trip is exciting, but that excitement we can do without.

This all happened on our way to Chicken, AK, where we also passed over the border into Alaska. My rig was chosen to pull over, so the ranger could go through it. That wasn't bad at all. In fact he apologized for having to do it - but I was the randomly chosen person for inspection at that time. I was able to keep the peach I bought in Canada, since I was going to eat it immediately.

I am having a great time. We are busy with touring. Today in Fairbanks we went to the ice museum, which supports and gathers sculptures of ice, made during the international competition in March. The display is kept at 20 degrees. We then went to the museum at the U of Alaska, Fairbanks, which was most interesting, and finally to a botanical garden. There they experiment with the growing ability of different plants, bushes, etc. to see what thrives best in Alaska. Cabbages do. They are huge!!!! And we saw a moose on the way to, and another on the way back - in the city of Fairbanks!!!! Last night we went to a salmon bake, which included salmon, halibut, cod, king crab and prime rib.After that we saw a humorous show about the "history" of Fairbanks. The show had a great educational piece on the outhouse - why did they ever develop those 2-seaters? - and a parody of Who, being the lead dog, What, being in the middle and I Don't Know, in the back. Well done!!! I Think said.

At Whitehorse we toured a paddlewheel, S.S. Klondike, which delivered gold ore and passengers up and down the river. It included many stores from the days past. I included a picture of Borden milk, which I thought Barbara Adams would get a kick out of. At Dawson City, Yukon Territory, which was a great little town, we learned many "interesting" stories about people then and now. We also took a ferry across the river. People who choose to stay the winter on the other side of the river, have no roads, no stores, no water or electricity. They are truly in hibernation until the summer comes back. Also, in Chicken, Alaska there are 4 permanent residents. They are totally isolated in the winter since the roads are closed. Even in the summer, the only way to communicate is by Skype. And sometimes the satellite is "down." Life is much more isolating and challenging up here. The people who owned the RV park we inhabited in Chicken for a day had mined gold for many years. We think they did quite well with their claims.

Above Dawson City we went to the small mountain to watch the sun set at 12:33 AM. Even though it sets - and you can see it set - it doesn't get dark. We're guessing it rises shortly after. And the next night we dry-camped at the top of the world. There have been other tours, gold panning, hot springs, shows and  cookouts. One thing I have learned about this last frontier - Yukon and Alaska - is that every time you start setting up for your outside food activity, it rains. But no one is complaining about the wet food. We also have THE BEST group ever. Everyone gets along, and everyone enjoys each other.  What a trip!!!!