Friday, June 11, 2010

June 9,2010 Top of the World to Tok, Alaska

Tom and I left the Gold Rush campground in Dawson City,Y.T. about 8am this morning to go to a gas station for fuel.  Larry and Joanne, after getting the 5th wheel hooked-up, went to the ferry dock to be transported across the Yukon River.  After getting the fuel we then went to the ferry dock.  Larry and Joanne were 2 RV’s ahead of us.  The ferry only transports a few vehicles at one time.  So Larry and Joanne were loaded on 2 other small RV’s and across the Yukon River they went. 

From Alaska 2010-06-09
When the ferry returned it was our turn so we were loaded on with a semi truck and then we crossed the very swiftly moving Yukon River. 
From Alaska 2010-06-09
This is a free ferry, only taking a few minutes to cross the river. 

We were now on the Top of the World Highway which climbed to heights that we felt like we were indeed on the “top of the world”.  The views were just beautiful in every direction.  There were areas that snow, now brown with road dirt, was on the roadside.  Many of the mountainsides were covered densely with spruce trees until we were above the timberline.  

From Alaska 2010-06-09
The roads were for the most part paved and in good condition through the Yukon Territory.  Crossing the Canada/USA border the roads changed to gravel, dirt roads  with washboards and mud puddles as we headed to Chicken,Alaska. 
From Alaska 2010-06-09
The scenery continued to be mountainous but there were large areas that forest fires had destroyed sometime in the past.  We drove through the town(?) of Chicken and continued on until we reconnected with the Alaska Highway to Tok where we stopped for the night.

The weather today started out being foggy in Dawson City but as we travelled up the Top of the World highway it was sunny and became warm.  Then as we passed through the area of Chicken clouds became dark and there were claps of thunder,

From Alaska 2010-06-09
finally it began to rain and then there was sleet mixed in.   Tok felt warm at first but then it stared raining here and became chilly- 50’s. 

We are staying at the Gateway Campground next to Fast Eddies restaurant, how convenient!   We did have dinner at the restaurant which we all enjoyed.  Good food and sizable servings.