Fairbanks to Deadhorse return - Alaska and Points North: Tips and Tales from the Road - page 150

We've had a series of mishaps today.
1) The awning, cranky at the best of times was not happy gyrating over gravel. It vibrated
itself into a total collapse over the door, preventing me from getting out. For now it has
been duct taped to the roof.
2) There had been a small leak from the water tank. Today this became a persistent leak
that looked like it was going to drain the tank during the night. Steve crawled around in the
mud under the van trying to figure out where it was coming from. Duct tape won't fix this
one so we filled all the containers we had with water so we wouldn't run out.
3) The fridge dial likes to travel so today it bumped along over the potholes to a super cold
“7” again and froze the groceries. So much for the salad greens I'd splurged on in Fairb-
anks.
4) While we bounced from pothole to pothole the milk carton danced around the fridge
causingthecardboardbottomtodisintegrate. Fortunately Igotthemilkdrainedandcooked
into a pudding before it totally collapsed.
Nothing serious, just trying at the end of a long dreary day.
WepulledoverforthenightatMile239.Thisisafreewayside.Thesereststopsarelocated
at regular distances onall ofAlaska'smajor roadways. Some are scenic, located onlakes or
over glaciers. Others like this one are strictly functional, built to give truckers a safe place
to rest. Self-contained campers are welcome.
Mile 239 is just short of the biggest, baddest, steepest hill on the Haul Road; the Atigun
Pass. Since returning home we've gotten hooked on Ice Road Truckers . This reality show
follows big-rig truckers as they manoeuvre over the icy roads of the far north. At 1422 m
/4739ft,theAtigunPassisoneofthemostfearedportionsofthetoughestroadinthenorth.
It is cool to realize we had our own real life encounter with it - twice! Fortunately in the
summer.
But this night, after 10 hours of slipping and slopping through the greasy mud we are ex-
hausted. We are not going to attempt the pass while we are so tired. Lying in bed I was not
heartened by the sound of rain pounding on the roof. We need the sun to come out and dry
up the roadbed. But no matter, there is no way but forward for us. In the morning we will