Day 30 Ready to roll

After being here longer than anywhere so far, we are all ready to roll on. Both of us got trucks serviced, laundry done and groceries bought. Its been fun but it is time to run and see a few more sights at Denali. No pics for today except i will show you one from last night at 1100 pm. This is about as dark as it gets and my old cell doesnt do well once lighting is low, so you can see still plenty of light and they said gained 6 more minutes today!

Day 29 There is gold in these hills!

You just cannot come to Alaska without panning for gold. We took a train ride up to an old gold mining operation, learned a little about the history of gold in the area and taught how to pan.  Woohoo  i found $24 dollars worth and had a ton of fun!  Also, on the way out we went by the alaskan pipeline and learned so much about this extensive line. The told us 90% of money in state comes from this pipeline. Here is a look out our day. 

Well after a big day out we decided we needed a few groceries before heading back out to less populated areas on Wednesday.  What a different world here where 7 mos out of the year are truly frozen. Most businesses shut down and people take winters off. The businesses that are open have these post in their parking lots with connections for cars. All the cars here have engine heaters they have to plug in during the cold. So funny seeing cords hanging out of all cars. Here is what I am talking about in these pics

Day 28. Fairbanks

This is a largest city we have seen since Calgary. It has a huge Air Force base right on the road coming in. We got up and went first to the visitors center. What a great place. Not only information but a wonderful cultural museum. We spent an hour or more enjoying the place and made reservations for the afternoon riverboat cruise. So off we went to catch the boat, wow it was awesome, nothing like we expected. We got to watch the sled racing dogs and meet the daughter of the first woman to win the Iditarod. Those dogs were beyond amazing and she demonstrated how they train them once snow is gone.  

Then we got to watch a bush pilot take off and land on the water beside our boat. 

They took us on to a aboriginal village with demonstrations and the history of the two tribes from the area told by natives. It was great. 

It was certainly more than a riverboat ride!  Sure hope Fairbanks is full of more great surprises.  Well about time for bed although I don't feel like its time yet. This continual daylight is really strange.  Its almost 10:30 and I still see the sun. Although it will be down shortly you can sit outside anytime during the night and read its so light. 

Day 27 End of Alaskan Highway

We left Tok and hopeful for better roads, well they did get better, but still had our fair share of construction. Frost heaves are for real!  We did finally make it to the official end of the Alaskan highway also known as Alcan. Of course we had to take advantage of the photo op marking the end of this historical highway. I cannot begin to imagine the sacrifaces these men made to complete this in only 9 mos!  Here are some pics of the site plus a pic of state bird. 

State bird, these mosquitos are for real!

After a few pics we enjoyed a great lunch and a little museum all in walking distance. 

We were now ready to hit the road again, destination Fairbanks. But one more stop was required before we called it a night....the North Pole, I saw nothing good coming from passing up Santa so a stop at his workshop was in order. 

And of course we had to visit Rudolf and crew. 

After a full day we found us a spot in Fairbanks, probably stay a few days. 

Day 26 ALASKA!!!!!

We finally made it to Alaska. Twenty-six days and thousands of miles in all kinds of weather we finally crossed that state line!  We spent last night at a great provential campground on the Alaskan highway after we became worn out. The last few days have been tough driving, Lots of gravel, pot holes and generally just a bad road. We traveled many miles doing 10 mph. We got up this morning ready to cross the border back into USA. We started out back on the same rough condition as we had been dealing with but after crossing the border it got much better.  We are now stopped in the village of Tok. I might also mention this is the first time since we left Montana that we have had cell service. The only wifi has been at business hotspots, so today has been good. Also the camper and truck got a much needed bath.  Here are todays pics. 

When you see red flags its the sign of bad areas in the road. There are usually one in view.