Fairbanks Alaska to Whitehorse Yukon

Tonights post is going to be a quick one because I'm beat and have only

limited internet.

So here goes:

We left Fairbanks and began our South and Eastbound Trek towards the lower 48.

Our first stop Monday July 7 was the Tundra RV Park just west of Tok, Alaska.

The reviews on it said think of a state park that is privately owned.

It was that description that intrigued me.

We like state parks.

The description was spot on.

For a private RV park this place was great.

The were well spaced, in the trees and seemed like we were in a government park.

We burned the wood that we had left over from Denali as we are not allowed

to cross over into Canada with it.

On Tuesday the 8th we moved a couple hundred miles further east and south to

Kluane Lake in the Yukon.  I've been looking forward to coming here since before

we left and I was not disappointed.

Just no tents allowed as the Bears love the berries that grow here.

The Congdon Creek Yukon Campground was beautiful.

It was sunny when we arrived but clouded up and started to rain so we had to cancel

our campfire which was a shame since all the Yukon Provincial Campgrounds include

free dry firewood.

This is our site

John and Ron were down the road, John headed out early to get to Whitehorse for

some maintenance on his truck.

This is looking the other way from our campsite.  The green building is the outhouse.

The Yukon Govt campgrounds (and outhouses) are immaculate.

Our campsite was lakefront and behind us was the lake.

On a sunny day Klaune Lake is a bright blue green just like the Caribbean.

Suspended glacial rock causes the colors.

Unfortunately by the time I was able to get the camera down to the lake

the clouds had closed in.

It's still a beautiful sight none the less.

On the way to Whitehorse this am we stopped at the east end of the lake

for the next two shots.

Magical is the only way I can describe this place.

A German man that I met a while back at Fox Lake in the Yukon explained to me

that he - like many - came to the Yukon to visit and never left.

His words continue to ring in my (and Kates) ears.

There is just something very special about this place.

I'd be remiss if I didn't give some mention to our companion the past two days...

The Frost Heaves.

Frost Heaves are the nemesis of the northern road engineer.

Here in the north where the permafrost lives - roads are subject to a set of

challenges not found further south.

Permafrost is ground that is permanently frozen.

Here the ground only thaws about 4' down.   Below that it is frozen solid.

In some places that means the ground on top becomes a gooey mess of mud and water.

The road might sink in that mud.

The ground below then might freeze and push another section up.

The road becomes a virtual roller coaster.

In some spots it might drop 2 or 3 feet.

The picture below - if you click on it you can see two frost heaves ahead.

The car in the distance is approaching the farthest.

A second heave is closer.  See the red flags?

Look at the white and yellow lines.

As I drive I intently scan ahead for telltale signs.

The heaves between western Alaska and about 30 miles west of Kluane Lake

were the worst.   It was so bad that some of the wood trim around the large

living room slide fell down.

It would help if the manufacturer would use real screws or nails to put these things 

together rather than these ridiculous staples.   

So - I have some more work to do to correct that Amish Craftsmanship

that the Montana RV line is so proud of.

We are now in Whitehorse for the night and tomorrow

continue our journey south.

The days will get shorter and at some point it will again be dark at night.

I'm going to miss these long endless days.

It will seem strange to see dark at night again.

Wonder when that will be.

Any guesses?