Day 20: Alaska At Last!

Almost Beaver Creek, YT to Tok Alaska
Our Trip so Far-- 7/28 (Conifer, CO) - 8/16 (Tok, AK)

 After 20 days of travel (with some stops along the way of course) we finally made it to Alaska.  As shown above on M's Trip Computer that is: 77 hours and 46 minutes of driving, 3782 miles driven at an overall average speed of 50.5 mph (No, I don't care what that is in Kilometers--back in the USA!), and most impressive, even with all the bad roads and construction, better than 28 mpg on average.  Go M!

The last stretch of the Alaska Highway in Canada was by far the worst-- huge frost heaves, giant potholes, and tons of loose gravel-- to say nothing of one lane construction zones without any flaggers at all. (I guess they are so polite in Canada that for short zones they figure you can just handle it yourself.)

 We we also surprised that the Canadian border on the Alcan Highway (aka Alaska Highway) was about 20 miles away from the US border-- not sure if we were in Canada or no mans land, but from the state of the roads, we were in no one cares land.

 We went through US customs without me missing any questions. (For the record, in the US we call weapons "Weapons" not "Personal Protection"-- so nailed that one.)  We were supposedly selected for a "Random Search" which consisted of the customs agent opening the trunk, closely examining my frying pan, and then closing it up.  (Just not sure what to make of that one.)

 But, over the border the roads got a bit better, but the scenery has not yet hit spectacular.  Here are the first few yards of the Alaska Highway in Alaska (we took GoPro down to cross the border).


So, not too much more video or pictures for this post.  Our first stop was the Tetlin National Wildlife Reserve Welcome Center, where we watched a short video on the area migratory animals.  This picture was taken off their deck:
From the Deck of the Tetlin National Wildlife Reserve Welcome Center

And, I can't think of a better way to end than our very first Selfie in Alaska:
First Selfie in Alaska

 Tomorrow we hit the road for Palmer, AK where we have a house for the week.

 Until then....

 --Lisa

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