Today (5/31/14) we got up at 6 am and made breakfast. We headed to the ferry at 7:30 and were on way to Chicken on the other side of the Yukon River just before 8 am! Sky's were grey but visibility was pretty good, although not great for picture taking. As soon as you leave the river you climb to the top of a mountain and stay at a high elevation, hence the name "Top of the World Hwy". The road is often dirt with no shoulders or guardrails and hair pin curves and narrow stretches! I was not comfortable at times. This went on for 60 miles to the border crossing.
Note: Population 3 at the top! We passed thru the border without any difficulties. On the way, we came upon a moose and her baby. They were trotting up the road the same direction as we were headed and wanted to continue on their path at their own rate of speed. The sides were so steep the baby couldn't get off the road so they kept going up the road. This went on for 1 to 2 miles. The baby was very tired and they took several short breaks. Three times the mother got off the road but the baby would not follow because the brush on the side was too thick. Finally when another on coming vehicle approached they had to make a move and after 2 more attempts the mother convinced her little one it was time to move through the brush on the side. She seemed exhausted.
After the border crossing, the next 13 miles were what Bob was most concerned with. The road was being completely rebuilt and is very rough. Much of this section was 10/15 mph. By the end of this summer it should be paved. (The road crew has already spent over $30,000 on tires!) After this section most of the rest was in better shape than we had expected and we made pretty good time. At a pull-off before chicken we stopped for lunch. I had started a crock pot of chili when we left in the morning (it was ready) and Bob says it was quite good! We got into Chicken around 1 pm. We found the main downtown business district.
All three businesses are owned by Susan. (She was there, though she says she now spends her winters in Nevada.) She is the Baker and all around task master. At the Chicken Creek Cafe we bought brownies. At the Chicken Mercantile Emporium we bought post cards and momentos. Bob really liked a T-Shirt but "enough was enough". Bob had to go into the Chicken Creek Saloon and have a beer. Excellent Alaskan Beer on tap. It was quite the Bar! Like none we had ever seen. It made Pixie's place look like a classy pub. I must say Bob wouldn't mind going back for a longer taste. You can camp for free in their parking lot. 80 miles later we were in Tok. Checked on Tires. Perhaps in Fairbanks we will find our size. We washed the truck and settled into a small campground (Alaska Stove Campground, the cheapest in the area!) $15/night, Free showers and laundry for campers it was a steal! We spent the next 2 nights here doing cleaning chores and taking a break. Monday, June 2nd we picked up our mail. Did another wash and our banking then after lunch the rain that threatened began and we headed off to Fairbanks, 205 miles north-west.
Note: Population 3 at the top! We passed thru the border without any difficulties. On the way, we came upon a moose and her baby. They were trotting up the road the same direction as we were headed and wanted to continue on their path at their own rate of speed. The sides were so steep the baby couldn't get off the road so they kept going up the road. This went on for 1 to 2 miles. The baby was very tired and they took several short breaks. Three times the mother got off the road but the baby would not follow because the brush on the side was too thick. Finally when another on coming vehicle approached they had to make a move and after 2 more attempts the mother convinced her little one it was time to move through the brush on the side. She seemed exhausted. 
After the border crossing, the next 13 miles were what Bob was most concerned with. The road was being completely rebuilt and is very rough. Much of this section was 10/15 mph. By the end of this summer it should be paved. (The road crew has already spent over $30,000 on tires!) After this section most of the rest was in better shape than we had expected and we made pretty good time. At a pull-off before chicken we stopped for lunch. I had started a crock pot of chili when we left in the morning (it was ready) and Bob says it was quite good! We got into Chicken around 1 pm. We found the main downtown business district. 
All three businesses are owned by Susan. (She was there, though she says she now spends her winters in Nevada.) She is the Baker and all around task master. At the Chicken Creek Cafe we bought brownies. At the Chicken Mercantile Emporium we bought post cards and momentos. Bob really liked a T-Shirt but "enough was enough". Bob had to go into the Chicken Creek Saloon and have a beer. Excellent Alaskan Beer on tap. It was quite the Bar! Like none we had ever seen. It made Pixie's place look like a classy pub. I must say Bob wouldn't mind going back for a longer taste. You can camp for free in their parking lot. 80 miles later we were in Tok. Checked on Tires. Perhaps in Fairbanks we will find our size. We washed the truck and settled into a small campground (Alaska Stove Campground, the cheapest in the area!) $15/night, Free showers and laundry for campers it was a steal! We spent the next 2 nights here doing cleaning chores and taking a break. Monday, June 2nd we picked up our mail. Did another wash and our banking then after lunch the rain that threatened began and we headed off to Fairbanks, 205 miles north-west.
I pinned my bra to the ceiling in Chicken Creek Saloon in 1982
ReplyDeleteYou should have seen it now! ;-)
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