Day 63: North Pole to Tok, Alaska

Saturday, July 02, 2016
Tok, Alaska, United States
Rain again this morning and we overslept!! Woke at 10:45 and jumped up thinking checkout was 11:00 - quick dressing, unplugging, pulling in the slide, stabilizing all objects, and driving out in 20 minutes - only to discover that checkout was 12:00, not 11! Oh, well, needed to get on the road to Tok as we wanted to stop at Farmer's Market in Delta Junction - still searching for more of that good arugula. We drove through spots of heavy rain and ugly weather and arrived Delta Junction about 1:15pm - market was a bust, but the little IGA grocery was having a tent sale of fresh fruits and veggies (all high prices such as $20 for 3 lbs blueberries) but we couldn't resist their grilled ribs - 2 portions for $7 and we even had 1 leftover! Best deal of the day! The rest of the road became eventful for construction woes and moose sightings - 1 single big moose by himself, and then a mother with 2 babies!! We tried turning around to go back for pictures and they were gone by the time we got back :( But the most wildlife we've seen on any road in Alaska, and it wasn't even one of the places where they are expected! It might be our departure gift from Alaska since Tok is the last town in Alaska on the Alaska Highway. We saw some pretty lakes and rivers on the Richardson Hwy into Tok, but with all the rain we didn't feel like doing pictures. Then 10 miles outside Tok, the sun came out and we checked in at 4pm under beautiful skies. First order was dumping our tanks since we left too quickly to do it this morning, and then settled in at Tundra RV Campground - just water and electric, a nice wooded pull through site, receiving 1 TV channel, and laundry/showers - pure luxury! We had worried about finding a campsite on July 4th weekend, but need not have worried - only about 10 other campers here and it's a big campground. They are planning a July 4th parade, and we have a flag, so I guess we're ready for anything. Linda did ask about fireworks (I had said probably none due to risk of forest fires), but we both laughed at ourselves when the campground host had to explain to us that you need darkness to appreciate fireworks!!! Duh! Maybe we could light a sparkler between 2-3 am when it's deep dusk! Tourists!! We had a sandwich before walking Linda to the local Catholic Church, Sara and I exploring the town - a Visitor Center, Hotel, 2 bars, a liquor store, post office, school, and about 5 RV parks, 1 stop sign. Can't wait to see their parade! Linda met 3 other couples from Ohio at mass, 3 people from town, but their priest had retired and took his RV to Mexico! Could be an exciting 4th here!
Other Entries

Comments

2025-05-22

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank