Two Weeks On The Dalton

After two weeks and two thousand miles of the Dalton Highway, it is time for a little R&R.

The Ice Road Truckers show on the History Channel is doing thirteen episodes this season on the Dalton and several of the truckers that I have met are featured on there. The road is not the worst that I have ever driven but you had better know who and what's around you on some of the blind corners. The conditions can change quickly and there's not much room for error. Most of the traffic that you encounter is usually bigger than the bus that I'm in and at times we have to get off the road entirely for an oversized load from fifteen to twenty one feet wide and weighing up to one hundred sixty thousand pounds.

It's a four hundred fourteen mile adventure from the Elliott Highway to Deadhorse and most of it is gravel. The beauty of the north slope and the wildlife make this the trip of a lifetime though, it is almost impossible to describe it, you simply have to see and experience it to understand.

I have to make a quick run down to Skagway next week before heading back up to Prudhoe Bay the following week, it will seem strange to drive on the pavement all the time.

This summer is going by so quickly.

Days Off

Having three days off feels good, but it's time to saddle up again.

It's cloudy, cool and raining a little today, perfect day to have a bowl of ice cream. But then again I like ice cream when it's clear and hot too. Heck, I just like ice cream anytime.

Think I'll have a buffalo burger for lunch, they are the best.

Not much else happening, waiting around for Thursday to head back up north.

A Month Without Internet Access

Well I finally got access again, been away for more than a month now.

Just returned from the first tour of the season to Prudhoe Bay, the Dalton Highway was pretty rough, as it always is this time of the year. The caribou are finishing up their spring migration and there were hundreds of them along the road, all headed north. We'll see them again in late August when they head south.

Atigun pass was breathtaking, the snow is deep and this is the time of the year when it just looks like what you expect Alaska to look like.

The trip up was fun, it snowed all the way from the pass to Deadhorse and the temp was around 25. Much warmer coming back, it hit 70 in Coldfoot.

In addition to the caribou, we saw several moose, about 50 Dall sheep, a small pack of grey wolves and thousands of geese, ducks and swans. The mosquitoes are out already too, saw a few million of them.

Will be in town for a few days now and head back up the Dalton next Thursday.

In Fairbanks

Drove over 1000 miles yesterday from Muncho Lake, BC to Fairbanks, got in around 2am.

The wildlife along the way was great, couldn't count the number of moose that I saw.

I'll get some pictures up later.

Visited With Some Friends Today

Made a stop at Scullee's place this morning, picked up some beautiful canes and bowls and had a chance to sit and talk for a while with Scullee, George and Fred (George's wife, short for Fredia).

I'm just amazed at what Scullee and George can do with a piece of wood, I ordered a dozen more canes, they'll be ready by the time I come back through here in August.

Saw a huge moose and some elk this afternoon, still a lot of snow on the ground too.

I had quite an experience on the flight Sunday but just haven't had time to write about it yet, I'll catch up early next week.

Headed to bed early tonight, got about 700 miles to do tomorrow.

735 Miles Yesterday

Long day yesterday, got snowed on three times.

Headed out to Scullee's this morning and up to the Alaska Highway in the afternoon.

Later.

Northbound

Spent four days with Bo, Brandi, Bryan and the grandkids, worked a little on the house, rode the 4-wheelers and now it's time to head north.

I'll be leaving Sunday morning for Fairbanks.