Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 7: Dawson City to Glennallen
We left Dawson City at 9 a.m., crossed the Yukon on the tiny car ferry and ascended
straight to heaven. The Top of the World Highway goes right across the tops of the moun-
tains, with a view that rolls out to the edges of the earth. On the east are the Olgivie
Mountains, to the west deep river valleys unfolding one after the other in lush green mys-
tery. There is nothing between you and the sky but a narrow ribbon of road that “winds
ever on and on” like the one leading from Bilbo's house. We crossed the border at Mile 66
and congratulated the customs agent on having the best view in the world. “I have the best
job in the world,” he replied. We didn't argue.
After an afternoon detour to Eagle we drove south on the Taylor Highway to Tetlin
Junction, turned right on the Alaska Highway and left on the Glenn Highway and so to
Glennallen to spend the night. 464 miles, but at the end of the day I finally got rain. Even
if it did look like it would clear by morning.
Day 8: Glennallen to Anchorage
…with a stop in Palmer for breakfast at Vagabond Blues. Lots of road construction but
we rolled into my driveway around noon. We unloaded my junk and I waved Sharyn off
to Seward, where her husband Lucky was waiting.
Seven and a half days, 2,868 miles, about a quarter of the Milepost, twenty CDs, five and
a half topics between the two of us, and only one stop at a laundromat. Scenery to which
no poor words of mine will be able to do justice. A sense of history that is rare in a place
as new as the north. Canadians and Alaskans both who seem genuinely pleased to have
you walk in the door, whether you're there to spend money or not. All this, and a warm
camraderie with the other people heading north, and a shared sneer and a back of the hand
to all the U-Hauls going south.
Truth to tell, I don't do a lot of driving. I'm my father's daughter, I prefer to fly. But it
is also true that you miss a lot from 30,000 feet up.
We didn't miss anything this trip.
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