Monday, July 5, 2010

Day 25 - July 4th

Travelled from Tok, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon
Before we head out each morning it is routine for everyone to check their tires. Today Will noticed that his back tire was almost flat and found a sharp little rock lodged into the tire! Will and Andrea patched the tire in the pouring rain and kept the rock for a souvenir! We then headed towards Fairbanks and the rain eventually stopped. Here the landscape made you think you were in the “Land Before Time”. There was not much greenery, mainly the ugly dull Black Spruce and flatter lands. As we were driving there were some huge black clouds above us and we figured that sooner or later we were going to be poured on!!
We made a quick stop in “Chicken, Alaska” with a large population of 11 people!! It was the cutest remote little place and if we were not in a hurry to beat the rain, I would have loved to stay here for a while. Just as we were getting ready to leave the skies opened up! Because the road was not paved we decided to wait till the rain settled a bit and left approx 15 mins later. We headed out on to the famous “Top of the World Highway” which climbs from the western banks of the Yukon River and ascends into the mountains. There are many tight bends and steep hills along the way as well as large potholes,and wildlife (which we didn't see any of). There is no other way to describe this ride other than “The Most Horrifying, Magnificent Adventure”.
We had decided to take this road to Dawson City and as we had heard how spectacular the scenery was and decided to be adventurous. The problem with this road is that it is nearly 167 km of dirt and gravel, not pleasant to drive on in the best conditions when your on a motorbike, let alone in the rain. Initially the road wasn’t too bad, but as we drove it just got worse and worse. It was like driving on slick elephant snot, and if you can‘t imagine that, imagine driving on crunchy peanut butter on toast!!!I think you get the picture!! Lots of slick, gooey muck and pot holes. As we were driving along, I had to wonder why it was called the “Top of the World” as the scenery was pretty, but not spectacular. But, then we came to the boarder to cross into Yukon, NWT, then it was an instant wow!!! And I mean WOW!!!! We were literally on the peak of a mountain that looked like we could touch the clouds!!! It was raining so hard I could not take pictures from there, but as we continued along the road the rains calmed a bit and out came my camera. Once again this black cloud kept following us. We were so relieved to see the sign for Dawson City!!! There were several times our stomach jumped into our throat as we rode along this road and we were so happy for it to end!!
We entered Dawson City crossing over the Yukon river on the George Black Ferry and stayed in a nice B&B. We have really had good luck with our B&B’s. All have been very nice, nice hostesses and food!!. After supper we walked around the little town. Lots of old buildings that have been here since 1901 during the gold rush. I love these old towns with history. If the walls and streets could only talk!! Some of the buildings they have left as historic building because they sunken into the ground over the years due to the permafrost. The heat from inside the buildings melted the ground, causing the foundations to sink. Population here is approx 1,000 except during tourist season.

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