Day 14 - Denali to Tok

Moose!

Fire.... maybe

Jolie was too excited to keep the camera still, but wanted to share!

Notice the stash!

Day 14 -

Kinda less stressful and more low key day. We woke up an hour late (as usual) and starting milling about pack cleaning up camp and showering. The 3 tokens would give you 7 minutes of hot water. Cool by me because I am usually pretty fast. The water temp would rise and then cool off, so I battle that for a bit and was done way before my seven.

Back to camp to say my good-byes to Joe. Sad to see him go, but it was great to see him. 10 years and we picked up right where we left.

Got in the car and headed to the Gatlinburg of Alaska. Went to about 20 gift shops and I got some funny moose underwear and Jolie got a funny moose helmet thing.... not really but got some stickers and the usual stuff for kids.

On the road to Fairbanks...... It is about a 119, but after Jolie stopped to get jerk (on the side of the road) coffee at the quicky mart, make-up at the make-up store and get a new outfit at the dress store, we were way late.... I mean way late.

The road north was filled with construction and it took us about 3 hours. When we got there got and oil change and drove around looking for a camping store. It's Alaska, it looks like there would be a camping store on every corner. We found it got the back and back on the road.

Another few hours and we are in our home for the night in Tok.... a wide place in the road we had lunch the other day. Residing at the Golden Bear motel or Bear foot or something like that. The lady who check us in was real nice and cool and told us about free internet at Fast Eddy's.... a local eatery..... Ate chicken Par and Jo got spaghetti.

Wierd to be in the car today but feeling good about the bike. The clutch was going fast or gone, the tire would cost a good amount and the light would be spendy...... I feel good, but more important I am with Jolie and that is the best part.

Jo is eating and says hi, but the restaurant is closing and we have to go.

Peace
Sam

Day 13 - Denali from the air

Day 13 Denali, Big Day

After seeing the mountain yesterday we were feeling lucky and we did a flight into the park hoping to see the mountain closer.

Before we left I put my bike for sale (kinda serious, kinda not. I did not think anyone would call) out in the front of the campground on the Denali Highway. Literally 12 minutes later I get a call and a guy Dave was asking about the bike. Asking specifically about the busted light..... I told him about falling over and he laughed. We drove back and sold it right there. I got $200 less than I wanted but I have no worries about having the bike in the truck back to Haines and then home.... riding or in the truck. I was real excited and we had not even got on the plane.

We got to the plane and got right on to a perfect day.... Sunny skies and almost too warm for long pants. Not only did we see the mountain, we flew real close several time. Got cool images and video.

We landed in Kantishna, about 80 miles into the park. Beautiful, breathtaking and a perfect wonderland. We sipped a cold beer on a deck that overlooked the everything.

Caught a bus from there by Wonder Lake and through the wilderness getting back to town about 11pm. We saw 5 grizzle bears, a couple moose, eagles, falcons, elk..... A great dinner and back to camp.

I asked the pilot if it is usually like this and he said, "No, you must be living right!" Jolie looked at me my mom always says that to me...... Mom you are right.

Anyway, GREAT DAY!

We are now on the way back. It will be so nice to be with Jolie for the remainder.
Talk to you soon
Sam

Midnight!

Day 12 - Anchorage to Denali

Spent the night at Joe's house nestled in the mountains right outside the city. We woke up to a sunny cloudy cool day that turned sunny and warm fast. After messing around the yard taking in the beauty, I looked up to the backyard and saw a HUGE moose and baby taking a morning stroll through the backyard. Of course I did not have my camera on (cause I am cool like that) so I ran inside and out the back door to see them walk into the wood. Mama moose was literally over seven feet tall. It was a morning to remember.

On to Denali....... The clouds lingered and when got the road to Sarah Palin's town, the one where you could see Russia.... it must have been too cloudy, we did not see Russia....... North toward Denali. I kept telling Jolie we were going to see the mountain..... It is rare that tourist see the mountain...... I think we read that it can only be seen about 30 % of the time due to clouds storm, etc. I work here for a summer and only saw it twice....... Going do the road we saw it and then stopped and took pictures. Totally cool!

We don't make reservations because that takes planning so there were no camp sites in Denali, so we headed a click north to the town called Healey and found a real cool campground.

The wide place in the road is where the guy in the movie Into The Wild supposedly actually went into the woods. Cool fun fact!

Anyway, We got in about 11:30 and I was still wearing sunglasses. Set up camp and Jolie cooked mac and cheese. Still light, but getting cold. Peace for now
Sam




Day 12 cont.-

Slept in this morning and it was fantastic. Slowly got ready, did a load of laundry
(thank goodness- i was running out of the important things), packed up the truck and again headed north- hitting up IHop on the way out of town
.
As we headed up the road to where we were going to be camping, sam kept talking about the mountain and how big it is and only like 30% of the people who come here actually get to see it all (because of the clouds). The whole time, on the inside, I was thinking "it's a mountain, aren't they all big."

Then, we rounded the corner, and the clouds had cleared and holly mountain. There it was- Denali. It's huge and magnificent and truly something to see!!

I think what really made today special though, was how excited sam was. It made me enjoy it so much more, just seeing him that giddy.

What a good day!!

Love you Sam!!

- Jolie


10 years...
10 years since I last saw my friend Sam and what a joyful sight it was to see him and Jolie drive towards my house. Waiting was I with a big smile that could only be brought on by seeing an old friend. After a night at the Tap Root and catching up, the next came all too quickly and I found myself unwilling to let him leave so soon. So unwilling that I did my best to suggest alternate routes to their journey.

No success.

The route remained unchanged. Denali was to be seen.

Only 30 percent of the people that visit Alaska have an opportunity to see the mountain unabated by clouds. A 30 percent chance that Sam was willing to bet upon. A 30 percent chance that his feeling that Denali would be seen today was true.

So I humbly asked to be included on this portion of their epic journey. As I looked to the North, the clouds were discouraging. But I packed my tent and sleeping bag, loaded up some fire wood and guided the way North to Denali.

The clouds gave way to a glorious sight.

DENALI

Sam was right.

The mountain, Tallest in north America, Denali 20320

Bubby, aka. Stevens, aka. AK (attack kitty)

Joe's House

Joe in Anchorage

Day 11 - Anchorage, alaska

We made it to Anchorage this evening. We fell a 100 miles short last night, which made us late tonight, but none the less we made it. We met my friend Joe and we are staying at his place outside of town in this great spot. We went and had a late dinner at this cool place with lots of blue grass. Now it is real late and the sun has not fully set.

Left Beaver Creek in the Yukon about 11 am this morning. Crossed the border back in the old USA and had more bad roads. Not as bad as yesterday, though. Really great ride this afternoon. Great tuns and nice pavement, cool temperatures. Brian and PMR said the back tire would go fast..... and it did. I have been looking at it randomly and it has been fine..... Today I looked at the tire and it is bare, I mean bear. Made it 189 more miles.... Will have to figure that out soon.

Beautiful weather today. Right as I was turning onto Joe's street my gear shifter fell off. Made it!