Happy 4th!
I was up and at 'em early, intending to spend a little more time around Skagway before getting on the road to Valdez. I returned to the Haven Cafe for a cup of joe and to update my journal for about an hour before they temporarily closed so the employees could attend the 4th of July parade on Broadway.
The parade was a lot of fun! It included the local police and fire departments as well as floats from local businesses. Even the Canadian Mounties crossed the border to join the festivities. I got a lipsticky kiss and beads from one of the float girls. For a town of only 862 people, the streets were absolutely packed. Following the parade, I returned to the cafe for short while to finish business. As I drove out of town, the clouds opened up and a little rain started to fall.
I crossed back through Canadian customs at the beautiful White Pass on Highway 2 and zoomed through Yukon's capital, White Horse just after turning onto Highway 1. The drive to the northwest back towards Alaska was beautiful as I passed along the northeastern edge of the Kluane National Park Preserve and Game Sanctuary. This area had not hit my "things to see and do" radar, but I put it on my list for next time. The roads deteriorated the closer I got to the Canadian border. The last 100 miles or so before the Alaska border were either under construction or in need of construction. There were axel-busters everywhere, so it was slow going. Despite the road conditions, I was surprised at the lack of traffic. I was stopped by a cute (and bored) flagger at one point. During the 10 minutes I was stopped and while we chatted, no other cars ever approached!
Just before the border, I passed the "Silver Dream Machine"; a woman walking and pulling a cart behind her. There was a support truck in tow. I googled the dream machine later and learned this woman, Rosie, was walking around the world! (http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/). Wow.
The choppy road was dotted with numerous rest stops and scenic pullouts, but I passed them by because I wanted to get to Valdez! I started to feel like a rally car driver. All I needed was a helmet, a cage, and a navigator by my side. I finally hit the US border again much later than anticipated. The highway was very quiet, but there are definitely benefits to this. Just after the border, I encountered a coyote on the highway. He crossed the road as I approached, but stayed close. I stopped the car for some pictures. He got a little nervous and scampered away, but returned when I whistled at him. Eventually, he began to howl. I howled back and he came closer until a biker on a Harley Davidson crossed through the area.
I was up and at 'em early, intending to spend a little more time around Skagway before getting on the road to Valdez. I returned to the Haven Cafe for a cup of joe and to update my journal for about an hour before they temporarily closed so the employees could attend the 4th of July parade on Broadway.
The parade was a lot of fun! It included the local police and fire departments as well as floats from local businesses. Even the Canadian Mounties crossed the border to join the festivities. I got a lipsticky kiss and beads from one of the float girls. For a town of only 862 people, the streets were absolutely packed. Following the parade, I returned to the cafe for short while to finish business. As I drove out of town, the clouds opened up and a little rain started to fall.I crossed back through Canadian customs at the beautiful White Pass on Highway 2 and zoomed through Yukon's capital, White Horse just after turning onto Highway 1. The drive to the northwest back towards Alaska was beautiful as I passed along the northeastern edge of the Kluane National Park Preserve and Game Sanctuary. This area had not hit my "things to see and do" radar, but I put it on my list for next time. The roads deteriorated the closer I got to the Canadian border. The last 100 miles or so before the Alaska border were either under construction or in need of construction. There were axel-busters everywhere, so it was slow going. Despite the road conditions, I was surprised at the lack of traffic. I was stopped by a cute (and bored) flagger at one point. During the 10 minutes I was stopped and while we chatted, no other cars ever approached!
Just before the border, I passed the "Silver Dream Machine"; a woman walking and pulling a cart behind her. There was a support truck in tow. I googled the dream machine later and learned this woman, Rosie, was walking around the world! (http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk/). Wow.
The choppy road was dotted with numerous rest stops and scenic pullouts, but I passed them by because I wanted to get to Valdez! I started to feel like a rally car driver. All I needed was a helmet, a cage, and a navigator by my side. I finally hit the US border again much later than anticipated. The highway was very quiet, but there are definitely benefits to this. Just after the border, I encountered a coyote on the highway. He crossed the road as I approached, but stayed close. I stopped the car for some pictures. He got a little nervous and scampered away, but returned when I whistled at him. Eventually, he began to howl. I howled back and he came closer until a biker on a Harley Davidson crossed through the area.
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