But, after the next exit sign it made sense. We're near North Pole, Alaska.
We also saw Bullwinkle Drive, Snow White Lane, Cold Foot Road, Flying Squirrel Lane, and other similar choices. Apparently, the long dark winters have some strange effect on people!
The pipeline came up again as it was bridged over the Tenana River.
Mardi is beginning to believe that there really are Moose in North America. Saw one in a pond by the side of the road but it's taking me over fifteen minutes to upload each picture so you'll have to take my word for it.
It's more important to show you today's BST. They grow their mosquitoes big in Alaska.
We reached Delta Junction, the Alaska end of the Alaska Highway and proceeded to Tok, to complete our end-to-end. Bucket list item checked off. All in all, the highway was excellent. A few miles of repaving and the permafrost slumps being the exception.
We then deviated from our planned itinerary. Rather than repeat the Alaska Highway from Tok to Whitehorse, we headed north on the Taylor Highway to Chicken, Alaska. It was named after the Chicken Gold Company, without which there would have been no need for a road. Excellent highway all the way to Chicken.
Let's consider this tomorrow's BST.
We then turned east on the Top Of The World Highway to Dawson City. This is more what I expected the Alaska Highway to be like. Over 100 kilometres of dirt and gravel - it was more challenging than the Beartooth Scenic Highway north of Yellowstone Park, but less scary than the Road to the Sun in Glacier Park.
Much of the highway was above the tree line.
If you ever decide to take this route leave yourself lots of time. Progress is slow on the road - probably averaged 50 kilometres per hour - and Customs closes at 9 p.m. Yukon time (8 p.m. Alaska time).
We were actually leaving Alaska (for a day) but National Geographic calls this the most beautiful road sign in America so we took the picture. They remove the sign for the winter to extend its life.
Canada Customs is a lonely spot on top of the world.
A free ferry across the Yukon connects the highway with Dawson City. It comes in sideways to combat the current.
Dawson City is my new favourite town. Other than the main street through town, the streets are not paved, sidewalks are wood, and the buildings downtown are maintaining the gold rush theme.
The building above left is the theatre/dance hall. It is being updated with new HVAC and safety features.
We also saw Robert Service's cabin. He was a Yukon legend and was beloved in Alaska as well.
And, down the street was the temporary home of author Jack London. The Yukon influenced his books far beyond his short stay.
The British Commissioner's home was on the edge of town, apart from the rowdy downtown.
Tomorrow we head for Skagway, but before we close off, a tip of the hat to Maureen Barlow who celebrates her birthday July 13, when you may be reading this. Happy Birthday Maureen!
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