Day 41: Taylor "Highway", Chicken and Tok

May 25, 2014

This morning it was a cool 41 degrees and partly cloudy.  It stayed overcast for most of the day.  We walked Scout, had breakfast and then pulled in the slides, pulled up the jacks and were on our way again.  We continued on the dirt/gravel Taylor "Highway" towards Chicken, AK.   We seemed to meet more oncoming traffic when we were on the "drop off" side of the road.

 

While crossing the south fork of the Fortymile River we saw 2 hovercraft.   

They looked to be preparing to launch but not soon enough for us to wait and watch.  Later we saw several more of these boats.  Looked like folks were going to be out on the water enjoying the Memorial Day Weekend.  Hope no one falls in because the water in these rivers is cold!  Yes, we know this to be true but we won't say which one of us knows for certain or how she found out.  

The community of Chicken (supposed to be named Ptarmigan but no one knew how to spell Ptarmigan and the Ptarmigan is known as the Alaska chicken) has a population of 30-50 in the summer and 15 in the winter.  

All there is to know about Chicken, AK

It has developed sort of a cult following with people coming to Alaska.  There are three businesses and of course since the local people could not support the 3 businesses they survive/thrive on the Alaska travelers.  There are places to camp in your RV, 3 places to eat, one saloon, a gold dredge, and gold panning.  Of course they sell all things chicken themed in the three gift shops.  There is now also Chickenstock “Top of the World” Music Festival – the 8^th annual June 13-14, 2014.  Too bad we will miss it.  Anyway – we found our first Alaska geocache in Chicken, AK.   

We thought the “chicken poop” outhouses were pretty funny.  

Also the big chicken sculpture was made from recycled high school lockers in Homer, AK and transported to Chicken by truck (averaging 20mph.)  

Shortly after saying goodbye to Chicken, low and behold we were driving on real pavement!  And pretty good pavement at that.  The dirt portion we were driving about 20mph due to the rub boards but on the pavement it wasn't too long before we were actually in 5^th gear again.  Before we reached Tetlin Junction we were actually driving 55mph in 6^th gear.  It seems like we haven't done that in weeks.  Ok, we know it's only been about 6 days but it sure seemed longer when it took 1 hour to go 13 miles 3 days ago.   There was a lot of haze today so the views while good were not spectacular.  Also many miles of the drive was through the area of the 2004 Taylor Complex Fires that burned 1.3 million acres so not the prettiest drive.  That fire was 10 years ago but this far north and at that elevation regrowth is very slow.  There are some small willows and a few small birch slowly making a comeback but no spruce yet.  We are told that the area is lovely when the fireweed is blooming but that won't occur until sometime next month.

(rant) While stopped at a roadside pullout we again observed just how sorry some people can be.  In the box with the trail maps and highway information was a piece of toast with strawberry jelly!  

Notice sign at top right

Some people!  Do they want the bear to tear up the kiosk and do they want the bear to die when he comes back looking for food when people are there?  We did clean up the mess and throw it away. (end rant)

We rejoined the Alaska Highway at Tetlin Junction and were soon in Tok, AK.  Tok is the first community after the Canadian border on the Alaska Highway and everyone coming to Alaska by ground has to go and come thru Tok.  It is a small community, population 1,435 but has multiple fuel stations, RV parks, a few motels and cafes and at least one grocery store – The Tree Bears – that we checked out. 

When we approached Tok with our phones charged and ready – we started receiving email again and very soon had phone service.  We stopped and called our Mom's and checked in on everyone.  Sure was good to talk to them and find that all the family is doing well.  We are staying the night in Tok – actually behind the Young's Chevron because he welcomes RVers to dry camp overnight in his parking lot if they fill up with fuel.  While we could have saved a little/gallon down the street, we did the math and figured it was less than the RV park would be so we took on some fuel and stayed the night.  There are currently 6 others here with us.  For those coming this way, there is also free dump station use with fill up. 

We will spend a good part of tomorrow cleaning and washing Fred and the truck.  The dust from the past 6 days has them looking pretty bad and while we know we will be on more dirt roads while in Alaska it is time to do some cleaning.  After that we will head down the Richardson and Glen Highways toward Wrangell-St Elias National Park.  Don't know if that will be Monday or Tuesday.    Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend!  Stay safe.