We woke up to
the unpleasant sound of rain on the roof.
Unpleasant: because it could mean soggy and slippery roads.
That bit of bad news did not turn out so
bad.
The rain stopped in a short time
and all was just a little wet.
Some were off early and some had to get fuel but all rushed
to get in line for the ferry.
It’s a
most unique landing place.
Instead of a
dock, there is just a pile of gravel the right height for the ramp.
The ferry pushed its way onto the bank of the
river just far enough for the ramp to get into place.
Sometimes there was a bit of a bump getting
on, but the crew is skilled and got us on all right.
The boat starts off like it is heading for
the swift current, and it takes its power to get to the right place.
On the other side it’s the same thing.
There is a bump and you hold your breath
until you are sure you don’t get hung up.
Those who needed to hooked up their cars, and we were off.
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| Getting on the Ferry to Alaska |
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| On the Ferry from Dawson City to Alaska |
The first few miles spoiled you because it was relatively
good black top. Then that gives way to
relatively good gravel. Then there are a
few pot holes. Next comes the
washboard. We go from 40 MPH to 30 to 15
and finally SEVEN MPH. The inside of the
coach is making so much noise you can’t hear yourself think. The windshield rattles so much we think it is
going to fall out. Then there is the
fog, or low clouds. Finally we got used
to the noise and bumpy roads. At least in
Canada there are solid shoulders and fairly wide roads.
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| Foggy Road |
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| Paut and Joan at the Top of The World Highway sign |
When we get to Alaska the road really begins
to deteriorate. There are still pot
holes and gravel, but the shoulders are soft and steep and the road gets
narrower. This isn’t bad enough, but there has to be a motorhome that
was pulling a car part way down one of the steepest banks. We would have quit, but we only had an hour
to go; 20 miles.
Finally we are all in Chicken, AK and after commiserating
with each other, some panned for gold and some toured the dredge, and that’s
only the beginning of the activities.
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| Large Chicken made old school lockers |
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| Mining Dredge |
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| Panning for Gold |
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How to pan for Gold
|
First, we had our usual travel briefing. Then the staff fixed a wonderful chicken burger meal. The high point of the evening was the Crazy Hat Contest won by Tammy.
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| Tammy and her crazy hat |
The evening ended with the campground owner serving us
delicious blueberry desert and he gave us many insights into the area of Forty
Mile Creek.
Submitted by: Rig #4
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| Paul and Joan |
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