Thursday, September 27, 2001

Hello from Kluane Village, Yukon Territory!

Start time: 0830

Start odometer: 14593

Weather: Sunny morning, 18 F at start of day, up to 52 F.

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Highlights:

This Village is located in the Kluane National Park, which is adjacent to the Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska. If I remember my facts correctly, these two parks combined with a third area adjacent to Wrangell in Alaska make for the largest park and refuge area in the world! The views of the Kluane Mountain Range are wonderful to see as you drive along the Alaska Highway.
Had an interesting morning. I did not see Northern Lights, but the stars were bright and several satellites flew by. What was really interesting was the cold air. I was cool for most of the night, but at 4:30am.when it was 23 degrees, I decided to leave the tent and head for the car! I could not get comfortable in the sleeping bag. When I bought the bag, I did not realize I would still be camping in Alaska at the end of September! You live and learn!
While the car warmed up (enter your wimp comments here!) I did some DXing on the AM band. Most stations I picked up were from Washington or Oregon, but at 1320, I found what I believe to have been a Chinese station. Unable to understand the conversation, I listened to the music.
When I finally got up, the temperature had dropped a bit further. I had a reading of 18 degrees before it started to warm. There was quite a bit of frost on the tent, so it is spread out in my motel room tonight to dry. Still, it was a crisp and beautiful sunny morning, and another great sunrise!
Today was a day to drive. To first thirty miles were on gravel, to exit the park. I stopped by a jeep from Wisconsin that had passed me just a few minutes earlier. He had just gotten a flat tire, but stated his spare was good and said he needed no assistance. Of course, I slowed down a bit as I continued my drive! This reminded me of driving on the Dempster Highway. Whenever I saw someone with a flat, I always slowed down. Guess it is good to be reminded of what these kinds of roads can do.
Fording one of three streams along the Nabesna Road -
I continued my drive to Alaska 4, then onto Alaska 2. the Alaska Highway, in Tok. For about twenty miles, I returned on my route taken when I arrived in Alaska. At Tetlin Junction, I continued my journey on the portion of the Alaska Highway I missed by going to Dawson City and the Top of the World Highway. The drive to Whitehorse will be the only portion I did not take on the way up. This will allow me to have traveled on all sections of the highway, including some of the old segments that have been replaced!
This portion of the drive is very pretty, with many more views of mountains, lakes, and rivers. And the sky was beautiful with the temperature steadily improving.
Early this afternoon I reached Canada. I was a bit sad to leave Alaska,, as I have learned to appreciate and love the state. I already have plans of things to do when I get back!
Leaving Alaska, entering Yukon Territory -
After losing and hour and adjusting my clocks to Pacific Daylight Savings Time, I approached the Canadian Customs Station. I had heard some warnings that it could take up to three hours to cross. As I stopped in the line of five vehicles. I prepared for an extensive delay. However, twenty minutes later, the customs official asked me several of the usual questions and let me go. I think the interior of the car gave away my purpose, as he undoubtedly saw my cooler, maps, food, and Mile Post magazine!
Stopped by Pickhandle Lake. Very pretty area -
Again, many beautiful scenes along the Alaska Highway - And the traffic is low this time of year, making for a quiet drive!
Tomorrow I continue driving, heading to Whitehorse, then possibly a trip to Haines, Alaska. Also, while in Whitehorse, I hope to stop at the Log Cabin for internet access and upload these pages! I have not had a phone to connect to in a few days. I thank you for your patience and that you stopped by to read my pages! Hope to hear from you soon!