WOW!

So I drove for 5 and 1/2 days straight to get from Fairbanks to Vancouver(I did take the long way through Chicken Alaska, and Top of the world Highway). Staying with my cousin a few days to recuperate before hitting mainland USA. Need some sleep, but am ok, and will post pics soon

On the road again?

Well, I spent another weekend at the 7 Gables Inn, and have to say it is a great place to stay if you happen to be in the Fairbanks area. I called the shop to make sure we are still on schedule to get me back on the road. Kick-off expected early afternoon. Got some ground to make up, so I'll be heading for Chicken. It's a long drive, but then again the sun doesn't really go down, so I'm not worried about popping tent in the dark. This also means I'll be in sketchy cell coverage again, but I'll be back...
Before and after shots of Dante:

After the Arctic Circle run (before)

needs a lil more TLC before hitting the road for the return trip


GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!
Round 2... stay tuned

11th hour

Going to be real close. They may not get the Durango fixed in time, which would mean another weekend here in Fairbanks. If that's the case, this week will have $urpa$$ed either of the last 2 months on the road... Very frustrating. I just want to get back on the road

Quick update

Was going to start heading south on Monday morning, but turns out Dante blew a head gasket, so I'm waiting for it to get fixed. They are also putting in a new water pump, a new thermostat, checking all the heads at a machine shop to make sure this doesn't happen again any time soon. As much as I like it up here, I can't wait to be mobile again. It feels like it's been a really long day, Oh wait! It has been a long day... It hasn't gotten dark in about 2 1/2 weeks. That's a long day!

Top of the world Ma! well, kinda

Made it!

I will have to come back and do another post on the Arctic Circle since I don't have the time to tell the whole story. The 197 mile, one way trip, took me 6 hours on the way up, and 4 on the way back. There are 414 miles (666 km) of "unpaved road", and let me tell ya, if you don't know it... Be Careful! Dips, swells, 20 mile patches of shale and gravel acting like the roughest grit sandpaper, and all sorts of pot holes, washboard moguls, sharp turns, dust, and oncoming hardcore industrial truckers. You don't want to make a mistake up here. Dante hit a set of dips and swells at 65 mph (15 over posted limit), and got all 4 wheels at least an inch off the ground. What a rush! I'm just glad it wasn't in a turn, or I would have been done for the day. This is No Man's Land, and it was a beautiful day. Only regret is that it was a bone chilling 60 degrees at the arctic circle marker... I jest of course, it was PERFECT! I arrived just after 4:20pm, and had a little celebration. just over 8,300 miles to get to this point. It is peak season up here with swarms of mosquitoes that have no equal, wondrous vistas accentuated by large fields of purple blooms, and an overwhelming sense of being alone in the WILD. The people that set up the trans alaskan pipeline do their best to keep the road up, but no one lingers up here. There is an outpost at Yukon River, which is probably one of the only places to get gas on the whole stretch; and I would not want to be the one to hold down that fort! I can't imagine being STUCK there during the winter. I can't even fathom trying to navigate that stretch with any kind of snow or ice in any vehicle ever manufactured. TOO many possibilities of something going wrong. In fact, I don't think even the best mushers could get from Fairbanks to Deadhorse in dead of winter. Ignoring the fact that record low is set at 128 below (with wind chill), the road between point A and B is BRUTAL.
To be continued... enjoy the pics

you can catch some great air on this section of road, but you'd better hit the landing!

The main reason there is even a road up here

View from Finger Mountain, with a wonderful array of TORs

It's Life or Death up here, no in between...

Sometimes you have to go with the unconventional horizon to get a better sense of the real "picture".

Arctic circle here I come...

Minor glitch in the plans. I had to cancel and shred a Credit Card. It seems I was simultaneously charging stuff in Oakland,CA and Anchorage, AK... Bank of America was on top of it, and cleared the charges off my acct, but I'm down 1 CC so far. I hope I have better luck with my other cards.
Love it when the weatherman s wrong, it's NOT raining today. It's now or never for seeing the arctic circle. If I can get up there and back without blowing a tire, I'll be heading south next... Back through Yukon to Prince George, then Vancouver-ish and along the west coast. I just got the National Parks Yearly pass, and plan on using it every chance I get. Here's a few pics for the road. Unfortunately Mt McKinley was overcast most of the day, only got a few good shots. But then again, you can find better ones on the WWW; lol. Wish you were here,

Wake up son! That was just 1 bail, we've got to do a dozen more before the day is done...

Looks fun AND dangerous... Can I take it for a spin?

Snow Plow Locomotive? WOW! Looks like the arms push the edge of the plow bout 30 feet on either side.

Denali just before the clouds moved in and covered everything up

Hurricane Gultch you say? Is there another way across? No? Ok then...

194 miles to go...

Need some sunshine up here...

It's been raining/overcast since Mon night. The ATV trip was cancelled, and I've been essentially recuperating. I didn't realize how beat I was from the 7,500 mile trip. It's been nice not having to drive since I checked in on Sunday night. Everything is close enough to walk to (except the movie theatre, which is on the other side of town). Tomorrow and Saturday seem to be the best weather days on the near horizon, So I guees I will head for McKinley. Next weeks forecast is RAIN all week, starting on Sunday. I think it's safe to say that the northern lights are hard enough to catch in twighlight, impossible in rain or overcast conditions... I don't think I will linger too long or push too far north at this time. The Last Frontier will retain it's wild and remote treasures under a shroud of mystery for now. I definitely will consider coming back up here at a later time (booking a flight next time). Anyways, Just wanted to touch base and let you guys know that I am well, and planning the final leg of the first half of my trip. I am ready for the return journey and all the things and people I will see along the way.