Roadtrip Continues

Haines Junction is situated at mile 985 of the Alaska Highway and we were heading for the town of Tok (rhymes with Poke) at mile 1314. Along the way the scenery just seemed to get better and better

More reflections in still early morning lakes

Silted up Glacial Rivers

Tok is a small town at the junction of 4 major roads. The Alaska Highway comes in from Haines Junction and continues on to Delta Junction and Fairbanks while the Taylor Highway heads north to Chicken and Dawson City. We were to leave the Alcan at this point and take the 4th route called Tok Cutoff/Glenn Highway south west to Anchorage. This was not before we found a small local garage for an oil change in the motorhome. Wish it was quick at home as we pulled in, asked if they could do it and 15 mins later we were on our way, new oil, new filter, filled up with petrol and topped up the propane tanks on board. A stop in a small RV site bought some fun and games as they have a "toss the pancake into a Buckit" competition each night.

Aiming for the Buckit Spelling correct

Still the locals don't have a lot in the way of entertainment, and after that it was back to cooking on our (t)rusty portable travel stove.

Rusty old stove in the woods

Whilst looking in the area we were also searching for investment opportunities and plenty could be found

Couple of nails and a lick of paint is all that is needed

One owner taxed and MOT'd

Lots of businesses seem to have closed

Cartwheels everywhere

We were now heading down towards Anchorage and still more mountains and Glaciers. The scenery really is stunning and you never know what is round the next corner.

Glacial River Valley

Snow capped peaks

In front of another Glacier

Stormy skies

We stopped again for the night just before Anchorage at a town called Palmer. Here were remnants of the old road with one of the World War II bridges, now closed, alongside the more modern bridge

Old and New Bridges over the Knik River

After surviving the metropolis and traffic of Anchorage were were now onto the Kenai Peninsular and along the sea inlet called "Turnagain Arm in the hope of seeing Beluga Whales but none could be found.

Beluga Point on Turnagain Arm

Other wildlife while in that area was seen but sadly no bears which we were hoping for and signs all around. It is the main salmon running season so bears should be at the rivers. Care had to be taken when walking as it is not good to surprise one and warnings are posted all over. Have a read of this one

Bear Instructions

With the salmon run in full flow lots of fishermen were out looking as well and when walking to falls you came across other animals as well

Combat Fishing

Salmon Running

Salmon at the Falls

Sockeye salmon

Trumpeter Swan

Female Moose

Other sites along the way are the old Roadhouses and Trading Posts, some with history back to the Goldrush years

Bus service at the Downtown Mall

Village Hostelry

Michelin 3* dining

Not to be outdone and knowing that President Obama had renamed the Taylor Highway in honour of our visit, Jan was pleased to find that he had also ordered Anchorage to be renamed as well and ordered that flags must be flown when we passed through

Jan at the newly renamed Anchorage

We were now on the Kenai Peninsular, an area of backwoods, wildlife and big mountains and glaciers so more next time and continuing on back past Anchorage and pinto Denali National Park