DELTA JUNCTION, ALASKA

We woke up to a beautiful day in Chicken, Alaska.  We knew the roads were supposed to be remarkably better on the day’s travel so we weren’t in any hurry.  Only 186 miles to travel on decent roads and no arrival time (or so we thought). We decided to revisit a couple of the gift shops and fill up with gas.  Also had to try one of the camp owner’s wife’s cinnamon scones.  He vowed that she made the best scones of anyone he knew.  She had made a wonderful blueberry dessert the night before for the group.  Bill ate mine also – after all it was not chocolate (or cinnamon) so not worth the calories as far as I’m concerned.  LOL

Our first stop was at the Mount Fairplay Wayside.  Terrific view of the Fortymile River and Mount Fairplay.  Great Viewpoint. 

Also along the way we passed through a large “burn” area that was ravaged by the 2004 Taylor Complex Fire.  This fire burned 1.3 million acres.  Wildfires are common in Alaska, with lightning being the major cause.  They had a total of 707 fires in 2004 with a total of 6,385,496 acres burned that year, the largest area recorded in Alaska history.  In areas recently destroyed by fire, vegetation can flourish with willows and birch springing up across this area in response.  Also I have posted many pictures of the flower, Fireweed.  It is named for it’s ability to flourish in burn areas ---- this bright pink flower shines brilliantly amongst the charred and blackened trees and brush.  Another way that God continues to bring glory and beauty to even tragic events and situations.  He is Amazing!!  I hope these pictures give you a taste of this special flower.

We have shared with you our sightings of the wildlife along the way.  We had seen three moose (1 bull moose and 2 teenage females).  Bill kept saying that the best picture of a moose is one of him/her standing in a pond eating, with water and vegetation hanging from his mouth.  Well…..here we go, we finally spotted her!  He was able to pull over to the side of the road up ahead, we got out of the RV and walked back about ¼ mile to the pond.  We were a little distance from her but she was undisturbed by us and continued to feed.  Thanks to the zoom on the camera I think we got some good pictures.  A guy on a motorcycle had stopped before us and as he drove away he said with this huge smile, “Pretty cool, huh?”  Yes, it was pretty cool, I’d say it was AWESOME!  Megan told us that Jackson especially likes the animal pictures on the blog….so Jackson, this moose is for you!  About ½ hour later we came across another female moose on the side of the road, really close.  Bill gave it everything he had to stop on the side of the road, and he did, but the noise of the motor home scared her into the woods.  No picture of that one.  That’s ok --- very exciting to see two in that short of time.

THIS MOOSE IS FOR YOU, JACKSON!

OUR MASCOTS FOR THE TRIP -- OUR TWO FAVORITE ANIMALS SIGHTED SO FAR --- MORRIS THE MOOSE & BORIS THE BEAR!!

We stopped at Fast Eddies’ for lunch – it was actually the first like “real” restaurant we had been in for some time.  It was almost like eating out at home, but then again we were back in civilization, the USA!  We enjoyed the meal very much and then stopped at a neat gift shop, “All Alaska Gifts” for a little souvenir shopping.  After that we thought we better cut down on the stops and get to the campground. 

We arrived at “Smith’s Green Acres RV Park & Campground.  Very nice – it is one we would stay at again if the opportunity arises.   And yes, they had internet and cell phones.  At this point we aren’t as excited about water, sewer & electricity hookups --- we want to be able to communicate with family and friends!! Oh Yeah!  But on top of that they had an RV & Car wash --- now it was only a low powered pressure washer, water, brush & soap – but Bill was excited.  (There was a charge of course!) It took us about 1-1/2 hours to get the worst of the dirt, rocks, bugs & grime off the RV & tow car.  It wasn’t perfect but it was so much better! 

Oh yeah --- we missed the briefing meeting that was at 4PM (we didn’t arrive until about 5:30PM).  But, a lot of the group missed this one, seems they forgot to tell us about it.  LOL.

It started raining shortly after that and we did not feel like going back out to see what Delta Junction had to offer --- saved that for the morning.  I cooked dinner (yes, I did!)!  As Bill had so much setting up to do, I figured it was the least I could do!)  We relaxed, worked on the blog, talked on the phone and started our new DVD series – Band of Brothers!! 

Next morning on to North Pole, Alaska – just a few miles outside of Fairbanks, AK. Only 87 miles for this travel day and we are going to camp there 3 nights – something we haven’t done since we left Michigan – stay in one place 3 nights!!  LOL