Father and Son Alaska Tour

Dalton Highway to Coldfoot, Alaska

August 2, 2008
by floracycle

At the time we were here the interior of Alaska had experienced unusual levels of flooding.  Some locals at a truck stop we visited just before getting on Dalton Highway suggested we wait four or five days before we try.  That did not fit our schedule.  We would give it a shot anyway.  If it got tough we would slow down.  If we couldn't hack it we would turn around.We picked up gas just after crossing the Yukon River.  Can you see the price?Here we are crossing the Arctic Circle.  I chuckled at the signs that pointed Arctic Circle this way as if it was in just one spot.  Of course it led is to this sign were everyone takes their picture.

I left my helmet on to protect me from the mosquitoes that were swarming here at the Arctic Circle.  The one good thing about the rain is it certainly suppressed the little pests who tried to taste the sweet nectar of Floracycle.

When we got to Coldfoot we were a bit peeved at the locals who insisted we wait.  About 70 percent was black top and the rest was hard pack gravel.  Somehow we felt let down and unchallenged.

We paid the going rate of $179.00 to sleep in a dormitory style mobile home.  These things are modular and connect to one another.

We stayed in this one twice going and coming.  They have developed a pretty good business serving the cruise lines who ship one group up to Prudhoe, fly them out then fly in another group and ship them back down.  We got to know people from all groups who were always interested in our choice of travel.  Some were envious but most were scratching their heads for sure.  One of our admirers said he'd rather be on a bike than stuck inside a bus with dirty windows you can't see out.

Tags: Motorcycle, Mountains, lakes, rivers