We've been off grid for awhile too, good to catch up on the 2014 Clan!
Left Valdez (Pop's, if you're in a Class C without a toad, I think we pulled in next to you in the Bear Paws II on the harbor, the day before you left. Would have said 'Hi!' if I had caught on...) a few days ago. Valdez was a nice visit, even with many days of rain:)!
We drove to Tok stopping long enough for Post Office General Delivery pickup, and topped of the fuel at the Chevron. I'll admit that we blew it, as we had eaten a bit more of a 'light snack' then we had planned along our drive, so we did not have any room for Fast Eddie's! We really enjoyed the drive in/out Valdez, one longer stretch was dirt and pilot car as we came in, and complete and fresh as we drove out. Yes, still some frost heaves, bumps, and noise the stretch from Glennallen to Valdez, but not too bad compared to say Taylor going into Chicken. The stretch from Glennallen to Tok was great scenery. I felt it was a rougher then the Valdez loop. But, as commented many times by the ALCAN area vets, going the appropriate speeds for the conditions, and it's all good! I passed no one, and pulled over and let anyone that came behind pass us. (I look at the road ahead, and when I feel it is safe, I pull over and slow down with my indicator light on, and let them go on by. I do this after two or three passes that were not wise, requiring hard braking on my part to let them cut in.)
One tip, if anyone wants to break up the ride into Valdez. We stayed in Squirrel Creek Alaskan Recreation campground. A few nice spots right on the creek, as you come in hang a left. We did a day drive from Valdez to the Trail of 98 for a day hike, and drove thru Blueberry Campground too. Looks like it has had recent work, as it was very nice. Both of these places have spots that can handle larger rigs, but the luck of the draw on if those will be open if you want to pull in.
We ended up not staying in Tok, as we were not tired and had lots of the day ahead of us. So we headed South and crossed the border, stopping in Beaver Creek.
We left Beaver Creek early, and went thru the rough sections and roadwork down to just about Destruction Bay. (We added a few more nicks to the coach and toad paint, and broke not one, but both toad's fog lights. Even pulled over and stopped, the construction trucks blew by us fast enough on the long stretches of gravel repair area, to get us pretty good. Though I think it was our tag tire passenger tire that probably knocked out the passenger side fog light. You just never know when or where it could happen, and all part of the experience!
We decided not to run in all the way to Haines that day, dry camping on a nice cut out about 25KM South of Haines Junction. Asphalt pull out area, with a large Kluane wood sign. It looks over Kathleen lake, and has a marker about the four parks coming together as one. Got a bit windy, and the wife woke up for a 6.0 quake about 30KM away. Stopping hear, made a short drive into Haines the next day.
Enjoying Haines for awhile, and we'll spend time in two parks here, so will update when we're done and heading out to Whitehorse next week.
My wife commented how it was kind of sad to leave Alaska, even though we did step back in to get into Haines. Yes, we have lots to still see and enjoy as we work our way down Casier over the weeks ahead - but a big WOW! about Alaska...
Those of you still working your way North, wish we could join you!!
Travel safe, have fun,
Smitty
