I can't see Russia from here!

I find it amazing that it so easy to get a "famous" person's address from the internet.  Google a name and "home address" and you get pages of information.  I did this once for Tori Spelling and I found pictures and information about her & Dean's house on the TV show, the facade they used and sky images of their actual home.

So here we are in Alaska, who was the first person to think of, especially if you are on a capital tour, but Sarah Palin.  We were going to be going through Wasilla.  Why not stop at her house.  Google, Go!

The map feature gave me the spot.  I read more about actually seeing the house from the lake they live on, but decided to simply drive up to the front of their property.

I really wanted to have the opportunity of a meeting with her.  I figured I would pretend to be a fan with dogs in tow.  Luther would growl.  BJ would pee on her lawn.  Click Click!  The pictures would be something to giggle at for years.

We followed the directions to the house and found this:

Sarah Palin's Driveway

Between the video cameras and the no trespassing signs, we figured it would be busy to move on.  No pics with Mama Grizzly herself.  Maybe I should have googled Levi, instead.

We left Wasilla and, after fueling up, headed South to Anchorage.  The first stop was to the visitors service center in the center of town.  The quaint old lady was not too helpful or knowledgable, but we new what to do.  Grab a map and figure it out.  We found a campground in town, just down the hill from where we were standing.  We decided to wait for a bit and explore the town first

We stopped at Mad Myrna's, a local watering hole, for some "water."  The bartender was friendly and the beer was cold.  I tried some Moose Drool, a dark beer.  Tom had another beverage, which I don't recall.  It was a pleasant way to end a short driving day.

We walked back to the downtown area, just a few blocks away.  There was a fair amount of poverty visible on the streets.  There was even an argument between two natives happening on the street as we passed by.  Anchorage was definitely not the pleasant Alaska that we had come to know.

There were many gift shops and eateries.  Lots of bears, stuffed on the sidewalk, hanging in the air in front of stores and one laughing bear in the middle of Bear Square, where they also had one of those picture opportunities standing behind some painted plywood.

Me in Anchorage

Laughing Bear

We took a few pictures and began top walk away when a somewhat inebriated local wanted us to take his picture.  We obliged and he was quite pleased.

Stranger wanting some fun

We got back to the car and the sleeping dogs it held.  They were happy to see us with kisses and wagging tails.  We drove down the hill and found our campsite.  It was a bit past 8 when we arrived so there was no one at the check in area.  We picked up some information in some folders located outside registration ands found ourselves a place among the many RVs and pitched our tent.

Dinner and cribbage followed until we decided it was time to sleep.  We'd figure the rest of the stay in Anchorage tomorrow.  It was starting to rain and we were tired.  The dogs, too, showed signs of being road weary and it was only a little over a week since we left on this trek.

Sleeping in the sunlight, again.

All the way to the North Pole!

Waking up early and driving late has it's drawbacks.  We never got those galaxy famous buns a few days back and we never got the chance to get some meats from Delta Meats and Sausage.  I've had a hankering for some jerky, but they did not open until 10 AM.

We headed down the road and pulled into Rika's Roadhouse, a gathering place for travelers, hunters, trappers and prospectors.  We left the dogs in the car and walked the grounds.  Nobody was there, due to the time.  Just Tom and I poking around, looking at the buildings and peaking inside.

The Garden
Roadhouse guests benefitted from the bounty of Rika's garden,
which was so great the University of Alaska studied her techniques.

Chickens and sheep around the compound

The Roadhouse

Trans-Alaska Pipeline

Communications House

The history in a barn

Memories of a different era

It was great to be in Alaska.  The state may be huge, but there are not many roads.  You can't even get to the capital, Juneau, unless you fly in or take a ferry.  You can get to the North Pole, though.  North Pole, Alaska!

North Pole is a suburb of Fairbanks with an interesting history only matching it's quirky candy cane streetlights and the Santa Claus House.  Built in 1952, the Santa Claus House is everything Christmas, including reindeer behind a double fence and a huge statue of the man himself.  We bought a few ornaments and sent out a few postcards, loving the fact that they would be postmarked in the North Pole.

Tiles on the outside of the building

Tom & the Moose

Who's been naughty?  Who's been nice?

Outside the house

Great for pictures

We headed into Fairbanks after our visit to the North Pole.  It was a beautiful day.  The first stop was to a dog park.  We had to tire out these dogs as they were getting used to swimming at this time of day.  One dog park finder app later, we found ourselves in a mediocre gated dog park.  Balls and poop littered the area, but it fulfilled the desires of the Lu & BJ.

We drove around the University of Alaska, looking at the campus and then a drive around town.  Fairbanks, for us, was bleh.  It was still fairly early, so we headed to Denali National Park.  We landed outside of the park within a few hours.  We stopped for an afternoon lunch at Prospector's Pizzeria & Alehouse and it was a great decision.  The pizza was fantastic and the beer was endless, having nearly 50 beers on tap.  We tasted a few and headed into the park.

First stop; Visitor's Center to get our passport stamped and inquire about camping.  The building was packed.  It was Sunday and peoples were coming and going.  We did a quick tour of the center taking a few pictures and finding the information we needed.

Dall Sheep

Coyote?  Wolf?  Whatever it is, it made us giggle

We drove over to the camping area and paid our fees for the Riley Creek Campground.  Now to find a campsite.  Drive down loop A. Full.  Loop B, there's one.  There's one.  There's one.  Loop C.  More of the same.  Back to Loop B.  We finally find a spot in the woods we like and begin to unpack.

First thing to do is tie up Lu & BJ

Luther and BuddyJack had the best trip.  Sleep, swim, food, sleep, watch us unpack.  I really wished they had a job to do.  I wished to soon as they found a job of keeping the red squirrels at bay.  The red squirrels didn't help with their squeaking and jumping from branch to branch.  It did keep them occupied for a bit and also helped tire them out, albeit also tangling their leads.

It was a great campsite with a large pad for the tent.  Not as large as our tent, but almost.  We relaxed for a bit and then planned on catching a ranger talk.  I had never been to one before and I thought it would be fun.  We put the dogs in the car and headed out.

It was fun.  Families and hikers, all sitting on logs, listening to the lady ranger talk about bears and how they interact with the humans in their area.  She passed around some of the bones of the animals she spoke of including the claw of a grizzly and a black bear.  The grizzly claw was huge.  Not something to run into.

We built a campfire that night and relaxed.  Simply relaxed.  It had been a while since we had an early evening with everything done at camp.  The dogs were lying next to us.  Good night!  Even though it was still light out.

We explored Denali as best we could the next day.  One can only take buses into the park after the first 15 miles and with the dogs, that would be as far as we went.  We never saw a beer or a dall sheep or any other critter except the red squirrels and the porcupine that Tom ran into while walking the dogs in the morning.

Tom wanted one more stop at Prospector's Pizza before we left, so that's what we did.  Anchorage was only a few hours away.  There was one stop I wanted to make along the way, but that will be the next post.  Until then, enjoy the view of Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park.

Mt. McKinley & Denali from Route 2 between Delta Junction & the North Pole

Rolling the Dice to Alaska

We awoke early, as was becoming the custom.  Chairs in, bed in, tent in, etc.  You know the pattern by now.  We never made it to the hot springs, either in the evening or in the morning.  We just got in the car after a quick walk with the dogs and headed out to the main road.

Left or right?  Back to Whitehorse and wait until Monday for my card or head Northeast to Alaska.  We were so close, at least when one is driving thousands of miles.  We decided to head to Alaska with a broken ID and take our chances.  The worst that could happen is we would make a u-turn and wait until Monday.

A little more than a hundred miles down the road, after crossing a bridge and taking a wide bend, we saw Kluane Lake.  It was huge.  I saw a pull off and took it.  It was another opportunity for a swim for the dogs.  

The dogs were getting tired, no longer dropping the ball at our feet or barking/whining saying, "More!  More!  More!"  It was time to get back in the car and forge ahead.  Beaver Creek was less than 100 miles away and that's the last town in the Yukon.  Next stop, Alaska!

But first, the border and Homeland Security.

We saw signs for the impending border.  I grabbed the blue bag with all papers inside.  I handed it to Tom and he found the proper documents for him and the dogs.  I retrieved my indian card from my wallet and hoped for the best.

The only problem was that the border patrols were more than 20 miles apart.  I was in the US before I crossed the inspection.  I was freaking just a bit.  What if the US did not take the card?  What if they returned me to Canada.  What if they did not accept me?  I'd be stuck in this 20 mile no mans land for the weekend, living off berries and fending off bears.

I had recently heard that that the US Border Patrol had set up microphones near the borders, hoping to listen in on any problems that may arise.  I told Tom to not say a word about my ID, afraid that they were listening.

We reached the kiosk and I handed over the paperwork.  Usual questions about place of birth, work, home, etc.  He punched in some numbers into his computer, handed back our paperwork and off we went.

No problem.  The second border crossing complete.

We went off towards Tok, Alaska.

If you go to Alaska, in a car, you must go through Tok.  Not because it is wonderful, but it is the only way to get anywhere in Alaska.

We arrived in Tok in less than an hour.  We stopped at the Visitor's Center and asked a few questions to the clerk behind the counter.  She wasn't too helpful, but confirmed that AT&T would work fine in Alaska.  We also picked up some information about our next stop for the night, Delta Junction, the Official End of the Alaska Highway.

It was still over 200 miles away, so another few chapters of Carol Channing, a few more loose gravel areas and lots of new sights.

We stopped at one rest stop along a small lake in the Shakwak Trench, one of the most important bird migration corridors into central Yukon and Alaska.  It had a few signs located on a small pier telling us about the local flora and fauna.  There was a lovely family of ducks that were swimming by the pier.  They spent time with their bills in the water and their butts in the air.

There was also patches of fireweed along the shore and in the parking area.  It was a flower that we would come to see everyday, along the road, in valleys, just everywhere.  It was a brilliant color which was a sharp contrast to the ever cloudy skies.

Still more miles, dogs sleeping and Carol.  

Then, our first Moose.  He was pretty neat.  Just standing along the side of the road.  I had learned that one should fear a moose as much as one should fear a bear.  Tom stopped the car, as he was driving, and I got out.  The moose just stared at me.  The stare lasted longer than I would have liked and I hopped back in the car.  I did not want this animal charging after me, so Click, Click, Bye!

Needless to say, we arrived into Delta Junction while it was still light out.  It was just a few minutes past eight and I had found a campground that seemed like it would fit our needs for the night.  The only drawback was that it was a Good Sam Park.

I had a bad experience a few years back at a Good Sam Park and ever since I have shied away from them.  I rang the bell for Smith's Green Acres RV Park and the man's first question was, "What kind of dog is that?"

"I have two.  One lab mix and a terrier mix."

"We have restrictions here."

OK.  So here we go again with Good Sam's.  He did have a space for us, though.  He also turned out to be a decent fellow with a very clean facility.  He new his property, the people staying here and there.  Told us about another dog in the area and to watch out for the moose that came through during certain times of the day/night.

We unpacked the tent and was pleasantly surprised when his worker came by offering wood or finding out if we needed anything else.  Maybe the Good Sam's aren't too bad.

Once the campsite was set, we headed back into town to check out the Visitor's Center as well as the roadside attractions of huge mosquitos and the sign telling us we had reached the end of the Alaska Highway.

Giant Mosquitos

End of the Alaskan Highway

Alaskan Pipeline Slice

Tommy Giving Blood

David Getting Attacked

We drove around town, checking out a fair that they had going on.  I saw the sign below and had to take a picture.  Looking at it now, I should have gone for the one headed North, but oh well.

We headed back to our campsite and were surprised to see the Milepost RV in the campground.  As I stated earlier, the Milepost is the must have book while driving to Alaska.  We gave a big "Howdy!" to the woman in the RV and also a "Thank You!"

It was a long and stressful day.  We both had an adult beverage while we played some cribbage.  The dogs knew the routine and found themselves a nice spot on the air bed and napped.  I have no idea when we went to bed, as the light was still coming through the tent.  We were both tired and eventually slept through the night?!?

Swimming to Sign Posts with Carol Channing

It was beginning to be hard to tell day from night, being this far north and this high in the mountains.  If it wasn't for the clock in the car and the phone, we would think it was morning, even though we were waking up at 5 or 6.

We were becoming pros at striking camp, getting it down to less than 15 minutes.  The dogs were getting into a pattern of being tied to their tethers, watching the seamless tear down.  Bed, linens and sleeping bags folded after the air was let out of the mattress.  Rain cover off & folded.  Chairs packed first, tent poles folded and loaded next, linens in the car to give Luther & BuddyJack the most cushiest spot in the car, tent folded and pushed to get the air out and then locking up the tube on top of the car.  A few more odds and ends in the back of the car and we were off.

Today, though, first a swim for the dogs.

We were sure to pack up all possible balls we had, even retrieving a few from the lip of the PAC prior to leaving after a student had tossed a football up there that I had to retrieve.  I drove over to the boat launch area of the lake and let the dogs out, who went running straight to the water.

Luther has always been a water dog.  BuddyJack learned to like the water, but since learning, gave Luther a run for his money (or ball).

I wasn't sure how cold the water was, but if they can stand the Pacific in January, they could stand some fresh mountain water.  I generally start slowly, with a short lob.  Then further.  Then further even more.

I generally also have to start tossing to one and then the to the next.  Luther is a bit territorial about "his" ball.  BJ, not so much.  If they get mixed up, inevitably a ball gets left in the lake and I have to try to land the second ball close to the first ball so one of them will get the other or one will get them both.

We played ball for quite some time, knowing that the fresh water would clean their coats from the road dust and also tire them out for a nice long nap.  It also helped to exercise them without the fear of them running after a wild animal or a wild animal running after them if we played in an unsecured area.

The clouds were hanging around on this morning, but they did not look like rain, thank goodness!  A few more long lobs and then it was time to head out.

We were at the highest point on the Alaskan Highway, headed towards Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory.  The title of this post may be misleading.  We did not pick up Carol Channing along the side of the road hitchhiking.  What we did do was bring along a CD of Carol narrating her book, "Just Lucky I Guess."

I received it from her a few years back when she performed at the PAC.  I had always been a fan, especially after seeing her perform in "Hello Dolly" for the umpteenth revival on Broadway.  It was a pleasure to work with her on that night at the PAC.  My smile was as large as her eyeglasses all night long and I was almost gushing by the nights end as we hugged goodbye.

Anyhoo, I had planned on listening to her gift on my next road trip, but forgot to pack it.  Oops.  I made sure I brought it on this one as there would be little radio reception and I tend to get over our music library after 3,000 miles.  I figured the Alaskan Highway would be a great spot to bring her along.

Her tangents were hard to follow at first, but after a while, after she told us that it was her book and she could anything she wanted, it became quaint and humorous.  "Speaking of China..."

The dogs were fast asleep in the back when we approached a herd of Bison.  I had read about the possibility, but when we saw them, it was spectacular.  Papas and mamas and babies.  Lots of them along the road, in the road, blocking the road.  We slowed down to a stop, which always wakes the dogs.  Rolling down the windows, the dogs just sniffed and stared.  No barks, no whine, just a stare.

The bison paid us no heed.  We watched them as they trod by, looking healthy, strong and well groomed.  I was glad for the latter, but I guess animals in their natural habitats tend to live well.

More Carol and more miles.  More gravel patches on the road, at times seeing no one else on the road, feeling we were on this trek by ourselves.  Following rivers and driving through the mountains was fantastic.  We saw our first bear loping across the road a bit further down the road.  It was a black bear, seeing his snout as we drove by.  We tried to take a picture, but he ran through the brush too quickly.  I won't share teh picture we got of him jumping over the log because it is more like "Where's Waldo" than "Oh, the bear!"

Further down the road, though, there they were.  Two Grizzly cubs.  Munching on clover on the side of the road.  We stopped the car.  I was driving, but wanted a picture.  I know, I know.  Cubs?  Where is mama?  I left the car running and got out.  I nervously approached the back of the car and took a picture.  They didn't even notice me.  Got a bit closer.  Still nothing.  Click, click, click.

The grizzly bears, known by their hump on their back, where also quite beautiful to see.  I would not recommend taking pictures.  I am not sure if you had read about the mauling in Denali, but click clicks and grizzlies do not mix.

We were on a high at this point.  Bison, Bears and coming up...Watson Lake and the Signpost Forest.

I had read about the Signpost Forest in every web site, travel book and brochure about the drive to Alaska.  Started in 1942 by a homesick G.I. by posting a sign of his hometown and the mileage it took to get there, it now boasts over 70,000 signs.

I tried to get one from Los Osos, but they had none.  I tried for San Luis Obispo but it did not happen.  I should have made one, as I noticed when we got there that is what many people do.

Roadside attractions are few and far between.  We were in the Yukon!  I may be on overkill with the pictures, but there were just so many signs.  Aisles and aisles.  Forgive the excess, but hey, this is my blog.  Carol would be proud!

Tom took the dogs for a walk and I headed over to the fitness center for some free wi-fi.  I had to do some banking and check on emails.  Nothing urgent happening so after a PB&J and a fill up we were on our way.  Next stop, Whitehorse.

I figures out the mileage and the time and figured we would get there by 4:30.  The government offices to get my new indian card closed at 5.  It was going to be close.  More miles and even more Carol.

We did arrive to Whitehorse on time.  I found the building I needed to get to, passing the Legislative Building along the way.  The clouds were hanging with us and it started to look like rain again.  All will work out.  It has to.  

I parked the car out front.  I had no change for the meter, so I had Tom wait for me outside.  I find the office.  I go in.  One woman behind a desk at 4:30 PM on a Friday.  "I'd like to renew my indian card."  "Do you have your old one?"  "Yes.  Here it is."  

SNIP!  She cuts it in half.

Uh, ok.  She gets a camera out.  I let her know that I already have a picture.  She hands me the form to fill out, takes my picture from me and then says, "That will be ready on Monday after 10 AM."

My body literally trembles.  I have no passport.  I have to go through many more border crossings.  The states hate these cards anyway.  Homeland Security hates these cards.  I explain how I am heading to Alaska.  She genuinely feels sorry, but I am still shaking.

She comes up with a plan after a few back and forths.  She will just laminate the two pieces back together.  What she comes back with wouldn't pass if I owned a country.

"Thank you.  I'll call you on Monday and let you know if I am picking up the new card or having you mail it to my home."

I stop at the security desk at the front of the building and ask them what I should do if I lost my ID in a foreign country.  Basically, your screwed!  They suggested to check with Border Patrol at the airport.  I go outside and Tom is gone.  Gone!  I'm freaking out.  He just went around the block.  I wait and wait. Still waiting.  I finally see him, on his way back from the Visitor's Center after being chased away from by the meter maid.

I'm still freaking out.  Off to the airport to Border Patrol.  Friday after 5 and closed!  What to do?  What to do?  Stay til Monday and throw the schedule off?  Roll the dice and take a chance?

We stop at the local campground, a very hippie dippie stop.  Sold out!  We can stay in the field if we wanted.  No thanks.  We finally decided to go up the road to the Takini Hot Springs & Campground.  It was a short drive up the road.  They looked pretty empty but the man at the office gave us a campsite saying that he had loads of reservations.

The site he gave us was deep in the woods with loads of mosquitoes.  We quickly set up the tent.  Walked the dogs and ate some dinner.  Then went to sleep, still shaken about how the day ended and how we would carry on.  Tomorrow, decisions would have to be made.