What a day this has been. We left Whitehorse, Yukon around 7
am heading for Watson Lake about 250 miles away. No problems getting there but
stopped for gas about every 50 miles until we were sure we had enough to get to
Watson Lake; better safe than sorry.
It was noon when we arrived at Watson lake; too early to
stop. We took some pictures at the famous sign location where thousands of
people have left signs in the past as they travel the ALCAN. We decided to
continue to Fort Nelson 325 miles away. Our estimated time of arrival would be
6 pm. With fuel stops we finally got there around 7:20 pm. I called in for a motel
reservation about 75 miles out when I got cell service. This is the same motel
Jim and I spent several days in the rain in 2012 because the ALCAN was closed
due to wash outs and mud slides. As soon as we rode into town this completed
our circle; we were back to where we stopped in 2012 AK1.
The trip over to Fort Nelson from Watson Lake was some of
the best scenery I’ve seen on the whole trip including our time in Alaska. The
last 150 miles before reaching Fort Nelson is breathtaking; rivers, huge rock
mountains, animals. I saw 11 black bears at different times beside the road
including a mother with two cubs. I had stopped earlier to take a picture of a
black bear using my camera over my shoulder. I kept the engine running just in case
I needed to speed off. The picture makes it look far away but it was about 50
feet behind me. I was going to stop to take a picture of the mother and cubs
but figured she may not be as willing to have me that close. I also saw many
moose and have a picture of one of them. I also saw several buffalo; also a
pic. Other animals I saw were swan, a mother duck with chicks crossing the road
and a porcupine just setting on the side of the road watching us go by.
Other items of interest are that we crossed the continental
divide and also crossed 4 bridges with steel grates. The bridges are important
because we have been dreading these since we started. The bike just jumps all
over the place as the tires try to find a grove. After doing the Dalton
Highway, we both just took these in stride.
I’m sure I’m missing something but will post it later.
More important is that since Jim and I have for all practical
purposes completed our round trip to Alaska (we are back to where we stopped on
AK1), we are separating tomorrow. We will complete the ALCAN to Dawson Creek together
and I will ride with him to Grande Prairie, BC where he will lay over to have
his bike serviced. I will continue tomorrow on my way to Tulsa, OK to visit my
folks and kids. I plan on heading to Calgary then Cheyenne, WY, Denver and
through Kansas to Okla. Jim will leave the next day on a shorter route back to
St Louis. Not many more pictures to post on the next few days. I will be making
miles (700-800) a day trying to reach Tulsa by Friday or Saturday at the
latest. More tomorrow as I firm up my plans.
Pics in the next post.
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