WE MADE IT! 31 years of waiting…..ALASKA.

Outside of Chicken, ALASKA!!!!  United States of America :) 

Taylor Highway “Top of the World Highway” - Dawson City, Yukon Territory to Tok, Alaska

June 15, 2016

So as we were all together for a couple of nights in Whitehorse, 4 of us decided to try our luck and drive the “Top of the World Highway.”  We have read and studied the various books and blogs of those that have ventured this way, and decided to try our luck.  Saying goodbye to the Jackson’s, Barretts and Palls at Whitehorse, J & B, the Murphy’s, the Polks and us decided to head off toward Dawson City.  

The highway as it left Whitehorse seemed alright other than some Frost Heaves, which we have got pretty could at maneuvering about.  Lots of the same.  RIVERS, LAKES, CREEKS, TREES, more TREES, signs of big Forest Fires from the past and lots of Marsh lands, where we were fortunate to see a Momma Moose and her baby.  Very sweet.  The road here is lined with Fire Weed (very pretty purple) unlike the yellow dandelion that has been along the entire Alaska highway for miles and miles.  

J & B and Kevin and I stopped for 1 night at a Yukon Govt Camp, Moose Creek.  Quite nice other than the big time BEAR Activity.  

When one plans to drive the Top of the World Highway there are some pretty important things to consider.  Most importantly is the weather.  Oh they tell you to ask in the Visitor Center, or the locals or try the radio.  Well, everyone of them says something different and the weather seems to change every hour, even if the forecast is for NO RAIN, just wait, it will RAIN.  So on Day 2 in Dawson, it did rain.  We had planned on leaving on Day 3, according to my weather man (Kevin) whom we all trust.  Our rainy day was quite lovely, taking the paddle boat, walking the town, pub hopping, happy hour in the campground, museums….you can easily spend 2 days in Dawson…no problem.  Our strategy was to leave EARLY.  We had to wait in line for the Ferry and with only 100 miles to go, it would take us at least 3 - 4 hours on a dirt, gravel, frost heaved road for the entire section to CHICKEN.  

crossing the Yukon River with our pod

It was all it was said to be.  BEAUTIFUL.  Our timing was perfect, we could see for hundreds of miles.  The Bering Sea was just behind the furthest mtn range and the North Pole, well it was to the North.  The Tundra was so fragile at the top.  We tried to stay together as a group just for safety sake. 

Our radio’s worked well.  No Cell anywhere. At one point in time, Lynda was hanging out of her sunroof in the truck taking video of our Silver booties driving along the dirt road….pretty sweet.  After about 3 hours, we reached the ALASKA BORDER!  Now that was exciting.  After driving over 4500 miles….we MADE IT.  

Border Crossing at the top of the world

After crossing, it was less than 40 miles to CHICKEN, Alaska.  Oh my gosh, I have been reading about Chicken for some time now.  POPULATION is 23 in the summer and 7 in the winter.  There are 3 business’ in Chicken and there is the ‘Chicken Lady.’  No cell service, no city water, no sewer or electric services.  The few residents have to provide their own water for drinking and showers and must generate their own electricity.  What a hoot this place was.  

The FAMOUS Chicken Lady!

All of CHICKEN

The Saloon...MFD hat is up there

We are staying at a BLM campground which is very nice.  West Fork BLM.  Free wood.  All 4 of us are here together and we have established a “cocktail shelter” for this evenings recreation.  Brownies and Dominoes are on the schedule.  I’m excited. 

We leave tomorrow for TOK.  Tok is at the end of the Top of the World Highway.