The Beginning of the End
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2005
1
14
15
Trip End
Oct 02, 2005
Tok,
Alaska,
United States
Sunday, October 2, 2005
I left Whitehorse at a conservative 9AM, stopping by to get gas and falling in on the urge to eat some greasy McDonald's. Shortly after Whitehorse, there was a pullout and I stopped to admire the view and read the sign. I tossed the McD's trash out and an eagle flew over me. Finally, the sun came out.
Today, I discovered the meaning of a "frost heave." The road developed waves. And I'm not sure if anyone ever told you this, but driving a loaded car 60 mph over waves usually results in a slightly uncomfortable jolt. So the going became slower and slower as the little red flags marked the dips
dirt road
. Before I got to Haines Junction, I ran into more construction. The road crew guy ushered me to the left side of the road, told me to pretend I was in England, and away I drove on the dirt and gravel mess. I figured it was only for a short distance- more like a few miles. My car was brown.
Haines Junction has been one of the best parts of the trip. As I approached, the mountains- covered with white- rose up before me. I took a right into a gas station to pick up a coffee and snap some pictures before the turn. And then I got to Kluane Lake- the day couldn't have offered a better view and I took advantage of the perfect reflection of the mountains. As I rounded the lake, the road turned to gravel and dirt again.
I passed into the U.S. around 3:00... and then it turned into Alaska time so it gave me an extra hour of drive time. I ended up in Tok.
Tok is an odddddd place. I initially passed through it because it was early and I figured I could make it somewhere to camp. But as I drove on, I realized that everything was empty, closed, and/or non existant. I flipped on the radio- there was gospal and there was a preacher. That kind of gave me the idea that Tok may be a little strange. But I went back anyway. The lady that checked me into the hotel was strange too- neither mean nor nice- but seemingly annoyed by my desire to stay the night. I wondered around the town a bit and into the grocery store. Alaska at last... but my trip is almost over.
