June 30 - gw

We made it to Alaska! All safe and sound.

Temps: 50's and 60's all day. Very cloudy and overcast but only a few sprinkles for the day.

We departed the hotel in Dawson at 8 a.m. and headed for the ferry which is on the edge of town about 1/4 mile from the hotel. Had to wait for 30 min to get on the ferry to cross the Yukon River. The river is very fast moving and takes a skillful hand from the ferry captain. But the crossing went well. We then headed up the "Top of the World Highway" heading for Chicken then Tok. The first 110 miles to the Alaska / Canada border was all gravel. We saw our first vehicle heading the opposite direction at about 100 miles. No houses, facilities of any kind at all; just alot of twisty turns up, down and across the mountains all with no guard rails. Once up there, you understand why the road has the name Top of the World. We rode through the clouds, at times barely seeing the person in front of us. Great fun! Very cool though. As we crossed the border, the gravel turned to muddy roads for the next 10 or so miles; a bit slippery. And this is where Mikes tail bag came off his bike. We had to pick it up and re-mount the bag. All is well with the bag. We rode the last 80 miles into Tok, washed the mud off the bikes, clothes, etc., had dinner and are now kicking back. Heading for Fairbanks in the early morning.

I guess you have to "be there", but the expanse of land we viewed from this highway is a site to behold. Janet asked if we were getting tired of riding, which I said no. Looking forward to seeing Janet, Lea and Pam is just a few more days.

Rusty posting pics.