First, I had to get the propane detector working -- fairly simple,
install a new one.
Rev. 07/16/01
Alaska & beyond - continued 7/16
Fairbanks to Tok, AK
First, I had to get the propane detector working -- fairly simple,
install a new one.
Then to take care of my moose mishap. As you can see, the left front panel is crumpled, the hood wrinkled, and the tire mount bent back against the hood so the hood wouldn't open. This all took a few hours -- and cost a few bucks. The shop owner said it would probably cost $1500 to $2000 worth of body work to repair. So, called my insurance company, explained what happened, and told them I'd like to wait until I got back to Las Vegas, where I store the RT, to get the body work done. They were agreeable.
After
that was completed, I had a few nicks in the windshield from rocks that needed
to be sealed.
Finally, about 3:00 in the afternoon I got started out of Fairbanks.
Driving down the highway to Tok, a pickup with a camper pulled behind me. Looked in the rear view mirror and took a double take. These guys up here, during their long winters, must spend most of their time dreaming up stunts like this. From a distance it looked real. They had mounted the bare torso of a red headed manikin on the top-front of their camper, with her red hair blowing it the breeze and .........
The
drive down to Tok keeps the snow capped Alaska Mountain Range to the south,
almost in continual view. It is quite a sight.
It was late when I got into Tok, so I treated myself to a restaurant meal. As I was standing there, waiting to be seated, the man behind me asked, "Are you Bob Graham?" That really took me by surprise, I'd never seen him before in my life. He then explained that he and his wife also had a Roadtrek. My web page is listed as a link on the Roadtrek owners private, password protected, web page. They've been following my travels. When they saw the cartoon of me on the rear spare tire cover with my e-mail address, his wife bugged him to ask me if I was me.
Darn, I wish I was quicker, should have gotten their name and taken a picture with the little digital camera I carry -- too slow. But it was a compliment that someone out there enjoys my web page.
There are very few recommendation for businesses on my web page, but once in a while I encounter something outstanding. I think my greatest luxury is a hot shower, and I mean hot. I turn the hot water up a notch until can't stand it, wait, then another notch, another, another -- ahhhh ....... Most campgrounds showers either have pressure reducers to limit the flow, there is not a good supply of hot water, or the water is not hot enough. But I'd recommend the Tundra Lodge & RV Park at Tok. The showers are great. The RV sites are each in it's own slot in the pine wood -- some pull through, some back-in. And they have laundry, dump site, and other amenities. It's located about a mile and a half, two miles west of Tok on Highway 2, the road to Fairbanks. If you enjoy a hot shower like I do, you won't be disappointed.
Bob & Carol Graham's Home Page