2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (77)

07/27/2019 No Travel Day – Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Start Location:

• Pioneer RV Park & Campground
• 91091 Alaska Hwy, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5V9
• (867) 668-5944

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  55,258.8

Cost Per Night: $34.97 CAD
Weather: 48-66 F Sunny

We got up early enough to do our laundry before our 11:00 a.m. private tour of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

Danny and Uli Nowlan created the Yukon Game Farm in 1967. In 2004, the Yukon Government purchased the Farm, and renamed it the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. You can explore the 5km / 3mi (350 acre) loop on foot. However, we opted to take the private tour which included ‘behind the scenes’ access to the Research and Rehabilitation Center.

Our guide Julie brought us to the Rehab Center first. I fell in love with the baby quail. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to photograph in the building – but trust me they were too cute for words.

Then we rode our private bus through the preserve. Since only Paul and I were aboard, we were able to stop and get out whenever we wanted. We were also privy to ask all the questions on our mind. It was a wonderful experience and we both learned so much.

As an example, did you know that horns stay with an animal their entire life, while antlers fall off every year? What I loved most about this wildlife preserve is that the well-maintained paths were open to children and their bicycles. I know that my grandchildren would love it here!

Wildlife Spotted: At the Preserve, thinhorn sheep, mule deer, bison, elk, muskox, mountain goat, lynx, artic fox, caribou, artic squirrels, phoebe (bird)

Strawberry Blite is an Edible Annual Plant

Paul with Our Awesome Guide Julie

The Artic Ground Squirrel is Often Refer as the"Parka" Squirrels

I Called this Girl Marilyn Monroe – She loved to Pose.

The Canada Lynx Look Similar to Bobcats but with Longer Ear Tuffs

This Fox Is Well Adapted to Living in Cold Environments

Male Caribou Shed Their Antlers Yearly In November Or December

The Caribou Females Also Grow Antlers

These Guys Are Known as Thinhorn Sheep, Dall Sheep, or Fannin's Sheep

The Thinhorn Sheep Blend in Well

The Sheep Predators are Wolves, Bears, Wolverine Golden Eagles & Us

Muskox Is Noted for Its Thick Coat and for The Strong Odor

Bison Are Large, Even-Toed Ungulates (Hoofed Mammal)

This Cute Baby Elk Was Waiting for Momma to Finish Eating

This Cow Saw the Dinner Truck Pull Up

The Elk Cow Gives Birth after a Six-Month Gestation Period

The Yukon Wildlife Preserve Offer Acres of Beauty

A Peaceful and Serene Place to Explore by Foot or Tour Bus

You and the Kids Can Ride Your Bicycles on the Paths

Founders Danny and Uli Nowlan’s Home

Volunteer Species – a Say's Phoebe; Photo Taken at the Visitor’s Center

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Whitehorse (76)
2. Travel Day – Destruction Bay RV Lodge (75)
3. Travel Day – Back to Tok (74)
4. Travel Day – Heading Back to the Lower 48 (73)
5. Paul’s Halibut Excursion (72)
6. Water Too Warm for Salmon (71)
7. Alaska Berries in Soldotna, Alaska (70)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (76)

07/26/2019 Travel Day – Whitehorse

Start Location:

• Destruction Bay RV Lodge
• Mile 1083 Alaska Highway, Yukon, Canada
• (867) 841-4332

Start Time:8.06 a.m.

Mileage:  54,863.1

End Location:

• Pioneer RV Park & Campground
• 91091 Alaska Hwy, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5V9
• (867) 668-5944

End Time: 11:40 p.m.

Mileage: 55,258.8

Cost Per Night: $34.97 CAD
Weather: 40-66 F Off & On Rain at Park
Route:

• Alaskan Highway (2 South)

The road was again rough but manageable. We saw plenty of livestock: Horses and Cattle.

The spots here at Pioneer are very very cramp. We had to drive in forward, and we are looking at a dirt bank. Luckily, neither of our neighbors have pop-outs so we are snug but fit.

The Pioneer also sells gasoline at a $.03 per liter discount. Of course, right as Paul was hooking up the ‘Beast,’ a down pour occurred. Great for cleaning off the vehicles, but Paul got drenched.

We did some grocery shopping at the Sav-On Food and discovered that if you inform the clerk that you live out of state, they give you the club member price. They were reasonably stock and priced.

That left us with just enough time for making dinner, showers, and a bit of television before bed.

Wildlife Spotted: Wild Horse, Moose (side road), Hopping Raven, Artic Squirrels, Juncos

Snow Capped Mountains Off the Alaskan Highway (2 South)

Whitehorse, Yukon Canada

This Canadian Pacific Airlines DC3 is the World’s Largest Weather Vane

Juncos (a medium-sized sparrow) were Feeding Off the Park Grounds

Our Spot #100 at the Pioneer RV Park

Destruction Bay to Whitehorse

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Destruction Bay RV Lodge (75)
2. Travel Day – Back to Tok (74)
3. Travel Day – Heading Back to the Lower 48 (73)
4. Paul’s Halibut Excursion (72)
5. Water Too Warm for Salmon (71)
6. Alaska Berries in Soldotna, Alaska (70)
7. Centennial Park (69)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (75)

07/25/2019 Travel Day – Destruction Bay RV Lodge

Start Location:

• Sourdough Campground & Cafe
• 1 Prospector Way, Tok, AK 99780
• (907) 883-5543

Start Time:8.06 a.m.

Mileage:  54,863.1

End Location:

• Destruction Bay RV Lodge
• Mile 1083 Alaska Highway, Yukon, Canada
• (867) 841-4332

End Time: 2:23 p.m

Mileage: 55,091.2

Cost Per Night: $40.00 USD
Weather: 41-57 F Overcast at Park Rainy Drive
Route:

• Tok Cutoff Highway (1 East)
• Alaskan Highway (2 South)

Even though we did not get to bed until 11:00 p.m., we managed to leave Tok at a decent time. Everyone told us that the road to Destruction Bay would be horrible and contain several delays. Also, it was raining pretty hard, so we were prepared for the worse. Again, we were pleasantly surprised. The roads were rough but not too bad; we made good time.

We crossed the Canadian border in about two hours. There was only an American building there and we did not even have to stop. The Canadian Customs was about twenty miles after the border. The customs agent was very friendly, and we were on our way after just a few questions.

Other than some amateurish driving from other RVs, nothing much happened. Paul did spot a Moose with her two calves. Since there was no traffic behind us, we were able to stop for a minute for some photos. The Moose was skittish while the RV slowed to a stop but paid us no mind once we were standing still.

We had the last spot in the Destruction Bay RV Park. A Caravan RV Group had reserved most of the small park (which was actually just a gravel parking lot with water and electricity hook-ups.) They had live music starting at 8:30, however, I had to get caught up on some computer work.

Wildlife Spotted: Swan, Ducks, Ravens, Moose with two Calves

River on the Alaska Highway

Crossing the Canadian Border

Waiting for Our Turn at the Canadian Custom Stop

Our RV Spooked Mama Moose at First

Once We Stopped, They Just went on with their Business of Eating.

Destruction Bay was named for a 1940’s severe windstorm

View from Our Site

Tok, Alaska to Destruction Bay, Canada

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Back to Tok (74)
2. Travel Day – Heading Back to the Lower 48 (73)
3. Paul’s Halibut Excursion (72)
4. Water Too Warm for Salmon (71)
5. Alaska Berries in Soldotna, Alaska (70)
6. Centennial Park (69)
7. Combat Fishing / Swiftwater Park (68)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (74)

07/24/2019 Travel Day – Back to Tok

Start Location:

• Grand View RV Park & Campground
• 22518 West Glenn Highway, Glacier View, Alaska 99674
• (907) 746-4480

Start Time:9:30 a.m.

Mileage:  54,644.1

End Location:

• Sourdough Campground & Cafe
• 1 Prospector Way, Tok, AK 99780
• (907) 883-5543

End Time: 3:00 p.m.

Mileage: 54,863.1

Cost Per Night: $40.00 USD
Weather: 50-75 F Sunny (Rainy Night)
Route:

• 1 East Glenn Highway
• Tok Cutoff Highway (1 East)

We got a good downpour last night. The rain washed all the tree sap (from Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park Spot) off the motorhome and tow vehicle. Just in time, because we had planned on doing it during our overnight in Tok.

We met two fellow trekkers, Theresa and husband Leonard as we dined at the campground’s little café. The breakfast was just so so, but we thoroughly enjoyed the company. Theresa warned us the road to Tok was rough.

The café hires students from other countries. Our waitress was from a small country in Europe. She spoke English very well.

The path to Tok, Alaska was rough due to several road construction projects. However, it did not compare to the roughness of Top of the World Highway nor Theresa’s caution. Our progress was slow but steady.

Just before reaching Tok, Paul had to bring the ‘Beast’ to a slow stop. A mama moose was determined to follow her calf across the Glen Highway. We were privy to an excellent view of the maternal gesture.

We participated in the Sourdough Campground Pancake Toss. This activity brings many of the campers together – very smart idea. More RV Parks should follow suit. We had lots of fun, but did not ‘bucket a pancake,’ so no free breakfast.

Met the owner of Tok RV Park – nice man also owns the Gas Station where we met him. Next time we will try his nice looking camp.

Wildlife Spotted: Dead baby Moose or Elk (not sure / laying by the side of Glenn Highway); two white swans; Mama Moose with her calf.

Low Clouds Early in the Morning

Oversized Load

Loved this Sign – Paved to Gravel

Alaska has Plenty of Scenic Rest Stops

Black Spruce is a Slow-Growing Evergreen Conifer

Close – Up of the Fireweed

Fireweed Line the Highways

Alaska is Big on Property Rights

Mama Moose Following Calf (right middle of photo)

This Contraption Keeps the Mosquitos at Bay

Paul’s Pancake Toss – We Both Missed

8:30 p.m. at Night at the Sourdough Campground

Grand View to Tok, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Heading Back to the Lower 48 (73)
2. Paul’s Halibut Excursion (72)
3. Water Too Warm for Salmon (71)
4. Alaska Berries in Soldotna, Alaska (70)
5. Centennial Park (69)
6. Combat Fishing / Swiftwater Park (68)
7. RV Trip Wizard / New Battery (67)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (73)

07/23/2019 Travel Day – Heading Back to the Lower 48

Start Location:

• Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park
• 30950 Arc Loop Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669-9204
• (907) 398.1492

Start Time:9:00 a.m.

Mileage:  54,374.5

End Location:

• Grand View RV Park & Campground
• 22518 West Glenn Highway, Glacier View, Alaska 99674
• (907) 746-4480

End Time: 3:00 p.m.

Mileage:  54,644.1

Cost Per Night: $31.50 USD
Weather: 49-68 F Thunder Clouds
Route:

• Sterling Highway North
• Seward Highway North
• 1 North
• 1 East Glenn Highway

Last night a group of campers set-up right next to us. They were kind of noisy – Paul and I were happy to be leaving today. Not that they were bad, just annoying barking dog and crying kids.

We settled accounts with Mike last night; so we just eat breakfast, hooked up the truck and hit the road. Just out of Soldotna, we drove through heavy smoke from the Swan Lake Fire. I thought that the fire would have scared off the wildlife. Not so; as Paul pulled over to let the traffic pass, I saw a mouse running along the side of the road – it was so close.

We stopped at the Fred Meyer in Anchorage for gas. With our RV Traveler 20 cents per gallon off coupon, we only paid $2.79 per gallon.

We had planned on staying at the Pinnacle Mountain RV Park. Their website featured a wonderful collection of old farm equipment and a plethora of animal to enjoy. However, when we pulled in we discovered a rundown overgrown weed lot. No old tractors – No Animal – No Stay. We pulled right back on the Glenn Highway.

About forty miles down the road was Grand View Cafe & RV Park. It featured a spectacular panoramic mountain view, great free WiFi (we are able to watch the last couple “Stranger Things) and was “virtually mosquito free.” We were so glad we passed on Pinnacle.

Wildlife Spotted: Moose, ducks, seagulls, squirrel playing chicken with the ‘Beast,’ Rabbit

Driving Through the Smoke (Right Out of Soldotna)

Spot 3 – Grand View RV Park

Beautify Landscape!

Several Gravel Roads

Kenai River

Beautiful River Views

Matanuska Glacier is a Valley Glacier

Our Grand View RV Park View

Soldotna to Grand View (Start Point = Lower Left Blue Line)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Paul’s Halibut Excursion (72)
2. Water Too Warm for Salmon (71)
3. Alaska Berries in Soldotna, Alaska (70)
4. Centennial Park (69)
5. Combat Fishing / Swiftwater Park (68)
6. RV Trip Wizard / New Battery (67)
7. Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park (66)