Donald DymerThe trip is going very well except for one thing – poor wifi. So sadly that means I can’t upload pictures.
We are now at Valdez, Alaska, the scene of the 1989 Exxon Valdez tanker disaster. Since I last posted any pictures we have traversed the Alaska Highway, from its beginning in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Fairbanks, Alaska. This is a good enough road and is 1,426b miles long. It was built in one year in 1942 when president Roosevelt decided the United States needed a supply route to the northwest in case of a Japanese attack. Of course the Russian threat followed. Instead of taking the route the whole way, we took the “Klondike Loop” via Dawsonn City, the old gold rush town which still looks like it did then. We asked people why when the gold came out there have they not made proper roads in town? It’s to preserve the ambiance for tourists – all town roads are dirt roads with some boardwalks. During that stop we went to a A Can Can show – just like the early 1900’s.
Then we took the “Top of the World” highway across the Klondike which is obviously a beautiful area but was socked in by cloud and smoke from wildfires. We had stopped and taken some great picturs of helicopter water bombers etc at a fire on the way from Whitehorse. We stopped overnight on this road about 10 miles from the US Border (you can only enter between 9am and 9pm). A herd of Caribou made this worthwhile – you’ll have to believe me till I can post pictures.
Fairbanks, Alaska was socked in by smoke so we decided to drive 340 miles down to Valdez and this is looking a better place to be. After this we go to Denali where we have nothing, no electric, water or sewer for the RV so we will be really camping.
Again, sorry I cant post pictures at present but will do so soonest.