Day 5- We woke up that morning in Fairbanks, where we drank our morning coffee and headed into Planet Fitness to get a good workout in. As we walked by the front of the Ohana we decided we should also give her a bath at some point before we left town.
The first stop we made was to Alyeska Tire- where they kindly did a lug nut and tire pressure check for us for free. We are glad we checked because the lugs already needed some snugging up! Unfortunately they didn’t have their mechanic in that day- so figuring out our dash and running light issue was still going to fall in my ballcourt during our trip.
The next stop was one for fun- where we went to Pioneer Park. When we had traveled in 2020 the whole park had been closed; this time it was alive and busy. We wandered the park for a bit and soaked in the sun, but the highlight was the train doing laps around the perimeter of the park. For four dollars Laura and I were able to ride a few laps! I totally geeked out over riding the train! 🤓😆
We also came across some cool features that had been shut down on our previous trip. In the railroad museum we got to see a Velocipede; a one man rail cart that spanned between the railroad tracks. There was also a presidential train car that had been locked last time; where the president had traveled up to Alaska to put a golden spike into the railroad.
Afterwards we went to spray off the Ohana, where I finally got to use a carwash set up for Semi trucks. The raised steps on either side made the job way easier!
Next we were headed out of town and on our way to Tok. Along the way we got to experience the longest straight stretch I had ever been on again, and passed the mosquito bowl we had stayed at so many years ago.
Late that evening we arrived in Tok. Here we sat and watched our last Alaskan Midnight Sun as we tried reading the character creation rules to each other for a new game we brought with us. ☀️ When Laura made salmon patties with dinner she found a small piece that looked just like a heart in the package. 🧡
Day 6- The next morning we dumped our tanks and filled all of our water, fuel, and propane to prepare our attempt to cross the border into Canada.
I have heard a lot of legends about how bad the roads are in Canada along the Alcan Highway, but I will give the spoiler ahead of time; the roads on the Alaska side are waaaaaaay worse! That stretch of road definitely stole the “worst road” award from the Glenallen to Tok road from 2020. 🏆
Eventually we stopped for lunch at the true border line between the US and Canada- where I saw the familiar site of the chopped trees rolling out over the hills into the distance. Years ago I had been on a crew that cut that border further down to the South.
Awhile more down the road we arrived at the Canadian Border Station. We were a bit nervous- we had heard many bad tales of this experience as well; of the Canadians disassembling vehicles during their inspections. That wasn’t our experience at all, the border guard was extremely friendly and it wasn’t that long of a process.
Not even two minutes on the other side of the border we came across a black bear with a couple of cubs.
When we stopped for fuel we found out one Canadian legend was true; gas was expensive! And look at the price of the little apple Laura bought while we were there. The funny part is it’s still about equivalent to Alaska prices.
Next we headed further south- with our original plan being to hit Haines Junction for the night. Along the way we saw some very beautiful moments.
In the beginning we had thought we were seeing a green cloud of smoke or fog, but it turned out to be pollen blowing from all of the trees! Be glad you weren’t there Michael Ferrete!
Also we drove along the largest lake I have ever seen; Kluane Lake. In June it was still covered in ice. 🥶
Once we were back in cell reception we pulled over for a break.
We decided to modify our plan a bit and passed Haines Junction and drove all the way to Whitehorse for the night.
Laura took a pic of the rearview mirror trailing dust behind us as a reference from the song “Golden” I wrote. In it the song says, “I was supposed to leave this town, dust trailing behind my van; escape this tiny town and drive until the road had no more miles to drive man!” Well, that dream was actually happening!
That evening we pulled into a familiar sight- Walmart! Where we were surrounded by some pretty cool rigs of other worldly travelers. We had done it- we had finally escaped Alaska!
Geoff Murphy 6/6/2022
When you were at Pioneer Park or Alaska land to me. Did you try the salmon bake. What an awesome meal. I helped build Alaska land which it is still that to me and most old time Fairbanksons. Canada is a beautiful place. I hope you take the route through the Canadian Rockies. The most beautiful mountains I have experienced except maybe the Tetons.
Unfortunately the bake was closed until the evening and we had miles to go. We went in 2020 and it was hands down awesome. Pretty cool you helped create such a neat place! We are cutting into the top of the Rockies after Liard Hot Springs. 😊