Reflections From the Fence: We Done Did the Alcan, Rika's Roadhouse, North Pole: The Estate Takes on Alaska

Sunday, July 7, 2019

We Done Did the Alcan, Rika's Roadhouse, North Pole: The Estate Takes on Alaska

July 5, 2019

Early moving. Had breakfast at the campground restaurant. They specialize in sour dough pancakes. They also have good blueberry pancakes.

On the road by 8:45. Headed to Fairbanks area after much contemplation of the “smoke” factor.

Robertson bridge. Long. Skinny. Fab views of river below.

Sleeping biker, was taking a rest in a pull over. We see quite a few bikers, long distance bikers, with all their equipment. Tough, strong souls.

Yes, more bridges - -

Lots and lots of fireweed - -

Delta Junction , end of Alcan. 1422 miles from start to finish. So many pine trees, who knew there were that many? I am still processing my opinions, but, first is, that is a whole big ole bunch of pine trees. We met someone who claimed between himself and his wife, they have done this 74 times. I am still aghast at that! I cannot imagine.

They do love to brag about the skeeters. I did kill one the other day in the shower, and, yes, it was fat and large and healthy. Was healthy. Now dead.

Rika’s Roadhouse at Big Delta State Historical Park. What a nice stop we had here, walked around, took tons of photos, this is a well done, and maintained state park. Right along the Tanana River. So glad we stopped.

Look at the size of the plants growing on that sod roof!

Loved this all wooden interior. This was in another building on the property.

Inside the homestead, too bad there was no docent to explain this old floor (wooden?).

The "hip tub". Man was taken aback by the size.

The property sits on the bank of the Tanana River - - the color is the silt from glacier melt, etc.

A pipeline crossing Tanana River. That bridge in the far distance is the pipline bridge/crossing. Nearby is a vehicle bridge, two separate entities.

As we drove along, soon we start seeing white mountains, tall, white mountains. I pulled over for a photo and there is a plume of smoke/fire. I was informed by a docent at a Visitor's Center this is not Denali, but another range.

We stopped at Knotty Shop for a ice cream and stretching stop. The knots are otherwise known as burls. Must do some follow up research, I remember, does not necessarily kill the tree and another reference to a "cancer" like event for the tree. Anyway, they sure can do interesting things with these trees, can't they?

Welcome to North Pole, Alaska . The sign says:

Welcome to the North Pole. Sunrise 3:24 Sunset 12:24 Length of Day 21 hours. Todays Record high 90. Record low 35. Average high 80, Average low 55. Current Temperature 65 F and 20 C. (Note: I can guarantee the current temp was NOT 65, it was over 80 by the time we arrived there.)

We spent some time with an extremely knowledgeable docent at the Visitor's Center and then drove round the corner a bit to get this photo - -

Leaving there we see a Wendy's and immediately pull in. It may have been back in Grande Prairie we saw the last Wendy's. They have holiday, Christmas decorations up, I'm gonna guess all year round.

Campground that guaranteed us a site, no reservation needed. Arrived. 5 sites left. The owner guaranteed. Created a bit of anxiety. Campsite is nice.

We went to a presentation "Alaska Legends, Tall Takes & Outright Lies". Down by the river, lots of good laughs by the serene Chena River. A light and refreshing way to end the day.