Arctic Ocean Round Trip, day 1

We wanted to get to the North Slope oil fields, located on the Arctic Ocean.  From Anchorage it is about 2,000 miles round trip.  Half of which is on the Dalton Highway, or North Slope Haul Road, made famous mostly by its awesomeness, but also in popular culture by the ice road truckers.  Since we had a fishing trip to planned for the evening of June 29th in Seward, AK, we had four days to do the round trip.

The only people who normally make this trip are paid to do so.  Paid alot.  We met one trucker who gets $1,200 to haul a single axle truck with propane up.  So a 18 wheeler?  one can only guess...  Of course, the scumbuckets are doing it for free, but we got nearly free tires so its cool.

We left Brad & Emily's in Anchorage after sufficient pizza nutrition and beer hydration.  We drove past Denali again, this time in the sun!  The sky got big as we passed The High One, and large friendly stratus clouds escorted us northward...

Top Gun crazy eyes already?

After we passed Denali, the ominous storm clouds scared away the friendly stratus clouds as we started towards the alley of rain.  The air began to reek of rain and wind, not allowing us time to take shelter.  Before we knew it, we were wet, the temperature plunged and one motorcycle started acting funny.  hmmmm, maybe this isn't a good idea?  nawww, it'll go away.  Onward, scumbuckets!!!!

Mt McKinley, maybe?

We approached Fairbanks the storm clouds left, and the sun began to set.  At 12:47 AM.  June 26th 2010.  Every sunset seems better than the previous.  I can't say anything about the sunrise, because we were usually sleeping by the 3 AM sunrise.  every day, riding a little longer into the morning and sleeping a little later into the afternoon.  Nearly 24 hour sunlight has made schedules obsolete.

We spent the night (or morning, actually) in the University of Alaska - Fairbanks dorm rooms... easy to find, cheap, clean, showers, on a beautiful campus.

first day of North Slope route

View Larger Map

Recovery Day

After 36 hours of sleep recovering from the firejumpers, some physical activity was required to make sure all our  extremities still worked.  So we did what any person in Alaska would do and hiked to the top of a a mountain.  Nothing big just a mountain...

from the top, we could see the village where the previous shenanigans took place

all the above photos from Harper.

the delay in my posting was caused by virus infestation on my computer.  re-install one operating system, and its all good.  whew!

Denali National Park

If you haven't been here, go.  At the soonest time possible, I think they have some flights available tonight.

because these pictures don't do it justice.  In fact, if you haven't been there, why are you looking at them?  You should be on your way to the airport.

Denali is just behind those clouds underneath the blue hole. supposedly, according to Ranger Rick

Upon entering the tour bus only section of the park, we see Dall Sheep waaaay up in the mountains

and carnivore central

the days solo, hungover bus ride

View Larger Map

update: entire trip map located here

Last Smelly Meal

We'd been subsisting mainly on beans and rice, but in a moment of cold-induced weakness bought some overpriced bacon and eggs aka comfort food.  Before Entering Denali Nat'l Park, we though it would be wise to eat all the smelly, powerful scenty, bear-attracty food.

It was sunny and we made it to Denali Nat'l Park with no bacon and a six pack.  nuff said.

the day's route about 80 miles.

View Larger Map