Friday, June 11, 2010

June 10, 2010 Tok to North Pole

This morning we left the campground and after filling up the fuel tanks we stopped at the Visitor’s Center along the Alaska Highway in Tok.  As we started to leave the parking lot a gift shop with a sign about windshield repair was seen.  Larry had gotten a chip in his windshield a couple days ago so he said he would check into getting it repaired.  Of course, Joanne and I jumped at the opportunity of getting into this nice gift shop.  The windshield was repaired and we were on our way heading towards Fairbanks.  Almost immediately outside of Tok we saw the evidence of a forest fire that was currently being extinguished. 

From Alaska 2010-06-10
We continued on the highway driving in the direction of the Alaskan Mountains.  The road, being much better than the road of yesterday, had numerous frost heaves.  About halfway of our 200 mile journey we came to Delta Junction, the end of the Alaska Highway at mile 1422. 
From Alaska 2010-06-10
We stopped at the Visitor’s Center which had exhibits outside and inside.  Leaving the Visitor’s Center we passed a section of the Pipeline as it crossed the Tanana River. 
From Alaska 2010-06-10
A few miles further we stopped at Rika’s Roadhouse restaurant for lunch.  Another gift shop was in the same building as the restaurant so we had check it out.  This shop was unique in that it carried furs.  Joanne was admiring a $5000.00 plus fur coat and was told go ahead you can try it on- well that led to both of us trying on different coats, jackets , capes and hats.  What fun- but no purchases of furs although we all ended up with souvenir jackets. 
From Alaska 2010-06-10
From Alaska 2010-06-10
From Alaska 2010-06-11
Moving on we continued on the Richardson Road stopping at Santaland RV Park in North Pole where we plan to stay for 2 nights as we do things in the Fairbanks area.  After eating dinner we walked the short distance to Santa Claus House, another gift shop, and saw Santa Claus .