Arctic Ocean Round Trip, day 2

We should have known it would be a bad omen to wake up in a bed… we couldn’t imagine what the rest of the day would hold for us!  Upon reaching the U of A – Fairbanks parking lot, Harper had lost his key and my bike had leaked out some horsepower in the form of motor oil.  So we did what any good scumbucket would do, cook a big ‘ol pancake breakfast on a picnic table @ campus.

Luckily, some of the other bikers found the key, and placed it on Harper’s bike.  Lost key, check.

First stop, auto parts store to get an education on Alaskan politics and a new drain bolt crush washer.  Parking lot repair, check.  notice the oil drops on the ground, my bike had only been there for a few minutes.

 Second stop, glorious photo op, check.

Third stop, Harper runs out of gas.  Luckily we prepare and bring extra, as we know this is going to happen.  We notice a radio tower.  Figure we might as well climb it.  Amazing sky in this country, if you don’t like how the sky looks, turn around and it’ll be different.  

This is 180 degrees from the previous picture.  Sunny, with big clouds everywhere, even on the ground?  Well, that’s where those firejumpers must be now...

Lunch at the Yukon River Bridge.  We met some fighter pilots from Italy, who were, um, cough, there, training.  Flew fighter planes from Italy to AK, how awesome is that?  And we thought we were in for an adventure!  Notice the old-school awesome stove that runs on gasoline...

This was our first opportunity to get up close and personal with the engineering marvel, business cash cow, and some would say environmental hazard known as the pipeline which has constantly been alongside us.  Notice how un-impressed Harper is.

It is huge, and they are thinking of putting another one right next to it.  We love oil.  I know it makes my daily life easier. 

Scumbuckets @ Arctic Circle! 

Once we crossed the Arctic Circle, it would be 24 hour sunlight.  The wildflowers were busting with color, due to the short growing season up here, they all bloom close together time-wise.  It is amazing and you should probably check it out.

Coldfoot, AK.  Last truckstop before the oil fields, it was midnight-ish.  The big rigs around here are no joke.   Need coffee to push through Atigun Pass to our campground, its getting pretty cold, maybe 35F.

Coldfoot, AK

Do you take your coffee like an Alaskan?  sugar, non-dairy creamer, and mosquitoes to make it tolerable....

tiedown hell

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!

Firejumpers

The Firejumpers post. Alternatively: Don't party with people who jump out of planes onto the burning earth for a job post.

Due to the crazy terrain, lack of pavement, pull-outs, and wildlife in Denali, the Park Service does not allow private vehicles along the one road into the park.  All tours must be by bus or on foot.  this was a good thing for me because I was having trouble walking the morning of my tour, and certainly was in no position to drive.

We met some firejumpers in the parking lot since we had to walk into camp.  They had been on the job in the brush for the past few months.  Due to heavy rains they had the weekend off and came to see Denali and take part in the bluegrass festival.  They were real dudes, super cool and hooked us up with some beer jerky.

We set up camp and decide to grab the shuttle bus to the nearby pizza joint to eat, have a chill night and wake up early to go on our pre-purchased tour.  Along the way we saw the firejumpers again, apparently the bluegrass festival was a bust.  Now its a group of dudes headed to the Bar-grill chugging beers, with pocket reserves.

The shuttle driver wouldn't let us take beers on the bus, something about responsibility? So we did the responsible thing and chugged a few each.  Ordered food, round after round came through.  Next thing we know, the firejumper is taking off his shirt and dancing.  Then trying a shirt nailed to the wall on for size!  Each and every girl comes through our table.  morebeers, more shots and we are sitting in the middle of a wedding party.  after seeeing the brides (there were 3 right?) we decide its time to go, the firejumpers are still the life of the party... waiting outside in the rain for the shuttle bus, not sure which way is up. all the sudden someone steals the shuttle van!  people are running and yelling outta the bar.  The wedding party can't wait to get back.  Can't blame 'em, I guess.  somehow we make it back, not quite sure how.

Sometime the next morning I make it to the Denali Park tour bus, as seen in pictures here.  Thankfully I could seperate myself from the families during this time.  I get back @ 9 pm to find Harper still sleeping in the tent, and this on my motorcycle, courtesy of the firejumpers....

A big, hearty Thanks, firejumpers.  You guys rock, all the important things to make our life, a HighLife.  Also, Thanks, US taxpayer, for supplying us with the above necessities via firejumpers.

finally, a note to self and suggestion to you, don't party with people who jump out of planes onto the burning earth for a job.