Day 12 - Top of the World Highway to Alaska

What an experience today. We left Dawson City on the ferry this morning and crossed over to begin riding on the famous Top of the World Highway in Alaska ..... unbelievable scenery on a gorgeous sunny morning.... complete wilderness ... high in the mountains ...  no guardrails and all on 140kms of unpaved roads. Actually this highway is only open from late May to October. STUNNING scenery.... actually felt like we were on the top of the world... almost riding on clouds. Once we got to the US border... they told us the next 15miles were rough... that was an understatement when you are riding a motorcycle... very rough, lots of potholes and windy roads.

We stopped for lunch at Chicken, Alaska (yes... that really is small town)... and once we left there... we hit torrential rain... we stopped to put on our rain gear... but we already looked and felt like mops by that time... we were so wet. We persevered and once the rain stopped... arrived at a neon sign that told us warning... forest fires ahead.... the smoke was so dense we could hardly see.... but we made it out of there ok.  The last part of our ride into Fairbanks, Alaska was stunning... beautiful sun came out again. We had one bike break down as soon as we hit city but all is good as we have a day off here tomorrow so we can get to the Harley Dealership. So how is that for a mixed bag of events in one day. Phew!!!We rode just under 700kms... no needless to say... everyone will sleep well tonite.

Roberto is still smiling ear to ear... and growing a beard while we are away!

Will send pics tomorrow

Day 11- Should of, could of, would of.....

We had the best of intentions today. Before leaving for Dawson City we talked about filling up the spare gas tank that we have on the trailer as gas is hard to come by in the Yukon... gas stations that were there last year... close up shop and even though they are on the GPS ... they no longer exist. We talked about filling up the tank.. but never did!

We had a great ride to Dawson City.... sunny weather, cold again but with the heated gear... easy to deal with. We started looking for gas and the two gas stations on GPS were closed. We had Jesse run out of gas on the road and both Walter and Dave coasted into the gas bar in Dawson City on a complete empty tank. Roberto and I must of had someone looking out for us... because we both made it with a little gas to spare. Glad to report the gas tank is filled now!

Dawson City is just like a scene out of the movies.... all the buildings are old western style and all the streets are unpaved ... a typical western town. We had a great dinner at Klondike Kate's and then went to see the show at the casino. Came out at 11:30pm and still light out... unbelievable... you can never sleep out here... lots of pics to share ... will get them out to you by tomorrow hopefully.

Day10 - A day in Whitehorse

We spent the day relaxing in Whitehorse... what a great little city. It has a terrific vibe... people are so friendly and helpful. We went to see an eagle's nest just out of the city centre (Thanks Patti for the heads up on that). Saw the male, female and one offspring. Impressive.. gosh I think you could fit a couple of  humans in that nest it is so huge. Will send photos as soon as we can as we are having difficulty sending. We had a real good day off ...Roberto's back is better so that is great news!

Day 9 - Thank you Roberto!!!

OMG... that man of mine is wise. He made me pack clothes for cold weather....including heated gear.... and did we need it today. Great sunshine but COLD!! We arrived in Whitehorse at 2:30pm. Before leaving Watson Lake we went to the Sign Post Forest... see pics below.

We have ridden 5600 kms so far and taking a day off the bikes tomorrow to visit Whitehorse and area. Heading to Dawson City on Saturday. Likely won't post tomorrow but leaving you with some wonderful shots of today.

Sign Post Forest

 The Boys Again... left to right - Jesse, Roberto, Dave and Walter

 The Girls - Left to right - Peggy, Heather, Linda

 Roberto bought himself an Alaskan keepsake to bring back home... Go figure!!

 

Day 8 - Freedom of the Open Road

Hi Everyone - I would need a couple of pages to talk about everything we saw today. Simply put....there is nothing like the freedom you feel when you ride a motorcycle on an open road through the wilderness. The smell of the forest, the colors.... everything is so vivid! I cannot count the number of times we came to the crest of a mountain today to a spectacular view below.... it took our breath away. It has rained quite a bit here over the last month so everything is so lush with various tones of green... add blue blue skies and cotton ball white clouds to that... and what you have is amazing!!!! Lots of winding roads.... all through wilderness... so relaxing and humbling when you look at what mother nature has created.

We had some up front and personal moments with wildlife as well. We came across a herd of over 100 buffalo crossing the road, black bears and stone sheep (native to the area)... and as the pics below show... the sheep were not interested in talking to us :)

Off to Whitehorse tomorrow.... the adventure continues!

Day 7 - We are still pinching ourselves -- A dream come true today!

Hi Everyone....a dream came true today! Just before Roberto got diagnosed with ALS 3 years ago this July.... we were planning a motorcycle trip to Alaska with our group on friends that we are with on this trip. If someone would of told us at that time that we would be in Alaska on July 2, 2013.... we would of never believed it!

We are blessed.... Look at this photo below.... here we are our entire group at mile 0 heading off on the Alaska Highway this morning. Roberto and I are in the middle. Truly amazing to be here... life is great!!!!

Spectacular riding today from Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson. Beautiful winding roads and great weather. Went from 31 degrees yesterday to quite cool today due to high winds. Lots of sun... perfect riding weather. We are off to Watson Lake tomorrow.

 

 Roberto and I on the historical curved wooden river bridge near Kiskatinaw Provincial Park.

 

The Boys!

 From left to right... Dave, Jesse, Roberto and Walter. And YES... they are always smiling like that.

 

Day 6 - Alaska Highway

Another gorgeous riding day. Sunny and 31degrees. W arrived at Dawson Creek, British Columbia just after 3:00pm.....nice and early. We have now travelled a total of 4191 kms...unbelievable....it seems like yesterday we left home.

Roberto and I are both amazed on how well he is doing. He had some concerns before leaving home due to lower back pain and leg pain.....but it has almost all disappeared. That is the majic of the 'open road' and being on a motorcycle.

Today we tested a helmet camera that our children gave Roberto for Father's Day. With the help of our group photographer, Jesse Clement, we have it ready to go tomorrow so in addition to people pictures....you will start receiving scenic views as well. We begin our journey on the Alaska Highway tomorrow. CAN'T WAIT!