DAY 13 - Jun 26:  ALASKA - HERE WE ARE !!

Another example of Canadian  permafrost. When we
reached Alaska, we could drive 65 mph instead of 35.

The roads are so much better here than in Michigan. You couldn't get much more freezing, thawing, and extreme condition than here, and yet the roads are in great shape. Permafrost is still an issue, but we've been told that the roads will continue to improve the further we go. What's been a delight is the way that Einstein handles even the most challenging mountainous terrains. There's been plenty of long ascents (6% grade or better), and equally long descents; twisting, winding roadways. No matter the course, Einstein forges ahead with no complaints. As long as we feed him periodically. And even the tires are fairing well.

We discovered why Larry Rejniak's friend gave us octane boost for our gas. After Whitecourt AB there is virtually no premium gasoline available at all. Fortunately, Larry, we had your friend's gift and have been able to continue our trip with ease. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Not exactly a "friend", but certainly a part
of our travels. And, they seem to be larger
in Alaska.

There are "comrades-in-travel" that we see at least once a day, and others who must be on our same refueling schedule. There's lots of "how ya doin'", "good to see you again", and almost always a "be safe".  We met a couple from Grand Rapids today, Dusty & has wife, who have volunteered for a couple weeks each summer at a different Alaska fish and game site for the last 13 years. Today we met them at the Tetlin Wild Bird Refuge. (Rhonda, you gotta see this one. Enough said!) Many bird species that were near to extinction, like the Trumpeter Swans, have been rejuvenated and can be observed on their migratory flights to and from Western Alaska and Russia, due to the efforts of about 1000+ Important Bird Areas (IBA's) worldwide.

We touched our first moose hide, cross fox, beaver, wolverine, and wolf hides at the refuge center. And we made animal tracks in sand - wolf, lynx, bear, human, buffalo. The Athabasca Indians had several of their crafts displayed, including double needle beading. I got the instructions; we'll see if I can make something .

When we emerged from the car at Tetlin we could smell smoke, and the distant mountains were shrouded in haze. Turns out there was a wildfire about 15 mile south of the bird refuge visitor's center. When we left the center we drove through about five miles of haze and the smoky air before we got beyond it. But by the time we reached Delta Junction the air was polluted again and the mountains could not be seen. We washed Einstein in a self-service car wash (the diesel truck bay) and a local cop stopped by to wash his vehicle as well. We talked about the fires and he said there were 90+ fires in the vicinity. Because of the winds, the entire area was choked with haze. 

This evening we are camped at the Cheny River Recreation Area, North Pole, Alaska in a densely forested birch and poplar campsite, where you can't see more than about 20 feet into the woods. We were told bears are not a problem, but there are moose in the area. Tonight (after dark, ha ha) we're going spotting for wildlife since we haven't seen any in two days. Dark, however, doesn't happen here this time of year. It does, however, get dusky around 4 AM. We're going out long before that. And, I, for one, plan to be asleep at 4 AM.

Cotton from the cottonwood trees. They are larger
in Alaska, too, and the shed from the trees is all over.