I let Mom write today's blog! The trip was too scary for me to take notes!!
Taking the Top of the World Road to Chicken, AK seemed like a right of passage in AK or one of those bucket list items. We had been forewarned to go in good weather, but with 4 weather forecasts all different as to what time rain might start we decided to leave early. We had to start with a ferry trip across the River and the day before RV's were backed up 10-15 deep due to caravans and only one RV can go at a time! Although we thought most caravans were gone we didn't want to take any chances so up we got at 4:00am to leave and with 24 hr light it really didn't matter except to our internal clocks! We had to stop at a fuel card lock which was very empty at that time of day...except for the two coyotes sniffing around. I sat with my hand on the horn as Wayne pumped fuel concerned that he might be their breakfast!
The ferry ride was a non event as we were the only ones onboard and soon we were on our way...and it started to rain
The road runs across the top of the mountain and cuts a trail from Yukon to AK like no other! Not a great road, but pretty scenery, even a little snow and we were the only ones on it so we took our time...
We neared the Top of the World Summit...
And what do you know, a moose! Didn't think they would be up that high!...
As we reached the border crossing it was very foggy and we thought we'd have about 10 minutes to wait as it is only open 8am-8pm. Little did we know they were paving the road and we were held up an hour waiting for asphalt to cool!
While we waited, Remy entertained us but then grew bored himself!
By then a significant backup was behind us so with a typical unfriendly U.S. Customs Agent we were quickly ushered through with minimal questions. The first 13 mi were a dream with a freshly paved road.
And then it abruptly ended and the road to Chicken we expected reared it's ugly head.
Now a dirt road wouldn't be too bad for 4 wheeling, just our 4-wheeler was 40 ft behind us! The road got quite steep and narrow at times in addition to very bumpy! At least the rain had stopped and sun was out!
Finally, hours later we made it to the Town of Chicken.
We couldn't fit in our 30a spot so we settled for 20a in our new luxury park that has to generate it's own power...
Obligatory pictures with THE chicken had to include everybody, even Homer!
Then Homer went panning for gold too!
We decided to make our way to the rest of Chicken, first stop the Post Office, no electricity here!
Next we decided to hit the town center
Okay, done! Yep, three stores, that is it!
And back to our humble spot that included a mining dredge from long ago!
I can't say that I ever want to return to Chicken, nor would I recommend it to others, but it is a slice of Americana way different than we have ever seen and finally, we are in Alaska! Bucket list checked, now on to Tok!
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