Road Trip 2010: Day 47 Tok to Destruction Bay

Originally, we were supposed to leave Tok and head north to Chicken and Dawson City. The rains changed all that when they washed away much of the road between those two towns. The road has been closed indefinitely and there's some concern for the folks trapped between washouts. At least four lives have been lost and Alaska's Governor Parnell has (according to Rev. Paul) declared the highway a disaster area.

So, in retrospect, it's a good thing we have been rerouted to Destruction Bay and then Whitehorse. We would have been in Whitehorse again anyway as we came out of Dawson City, but we're here a day earlier than expected.

The road from Tok to Destruction Bay wasn't any better than when we went in the opposite direction. Perhaps it was even a bit worse. Lots of frost heaves, ruts and pot holes meant slalom city and slow speeds and lots of "yee-ha!".

Still, with clear skies and sunshine, the scenery was grand. We stopped at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge again to see how Cora was making out with her beading. Otherwise, all our stops were brief ones.

View twixt Tok and Tetlin

View twixt Tok and Tetlin

Tetlin NWR entry door

Some of Cora's beadwork on mitten of
elk hide trimmed with dyed beaver

Cora's work on moccasins and mittens

Cora at the Tetlin Visitors' Center.

Not only is her beadwork excellent, she provided information about Top of the World Highway closure and activity. When we expressed disappointment at not getting up that way, she smiled and said, "Now you have a reason to come back! But hurry. I retire in two years!"

View from the Tetlin Visitors' Center deck.

View from the Tetlin Visitors' Center deck.

Model of a cache at Tetlin NWR

Tetlin Visitors' Center with sod roof.

Sod roofs are excellent insulators in the winter and coolers in the summer. They just do not last that long. Just 5 to 10 years for sod versus 20 for shingles or 30-50 for metal.

Kluane Ice Fields are j-u-s-t over the top.

Burwash Landing

Home of the world's largest gold pan. This baby is at least 12 feet in diameter.

We ran into a family heading north in a small SUV. Scrawled on the rear window was Fairbanks Alaska or Bust! A young couple with four little kids in tow the SUV had New Jersey plates so we inquired as to where they were from. SHE was full time Air Force and, after serving a stint at McGuire AFB in NJ--her home state, was headed up to the Eielson Air Force Base for the next three years. He looked like he could have played football or substituted for a grizzly bear. The kids ranged in age from around 3 up to 9 or 10. We wished them well and gave them some hints as to what they might do for entertainment and activities with the brood. We also hoped they brought some warm clothes with them.

Then it was back to Destruction Bay for the night. At least this time the wind was well below the gale we had last time we arrived.