Tok, we just can't escape.

Just one night of listening to Ken, the owner of the Sourdough RV park in Tok, we had to escape. Hearing about how much he enjoyed 'camping' was driving me to distraction. C’mon, let’s be honest now, being set up in your ½ million dollar luxury RV is hardly camping guys. Camping is when you need to do yoga just to untangle yourself from your sleeping bag and the hard ground in the morning, not to mention having no shame when you get up in the middle of the night to make a dash to the toilet wearing fluffy socks, your saggiest thermal underwear and not forgetting the motorcycle boots with laces trailing in the dirt. But let’s face it, no one is up to see you at that time of night anyway.
The only thing to say for Ken was his way of dealing with children. The sign read ‘Any unattended children will be given an espresso and a new puppy’.

Angie, Bob and Mike in a hurry to leave Tok!

After riding through the vastness that is Alaska, the Yukon and BC, we had agreed that we deserved a break, to put our feet up and let someone else do the steering. Our plan was to take a ferry on the Alaskan Marine Highway through the Inside Passage instead of retracing the paved highway. But once again the RVs were organised and we weren’t. No room on the direct ferry for us. I’m sure these things happen for a reason though and we made the most of our delayed departure from Alaska by taking a side trip down to Valdez which included a scenic, off road, detour with a river crossing and a few tricky bits, complete with fresh bear scat just to keep us amused.

Mike looks for the old Valdez!

Is Mike taking the scenic detour, or is he running away from the bears!

Brian and Vanessa own another camping ground in Tok, (We just couldn’t stay away, that, and Tok is the junction of all road routes in and out of Alaska). This camping ground was more our style, no RVs, just motorbikes and a sauna. What else could you ask for!
Mike had been wanting to get some flying in, be it just a one off flight or lessons. Where better than in Alaska where people flying planes is as commonplace as if they were driving their cars! We liked Brian, Vanessa and the sauna so much that we opted for a day off while Mike tried to sort out something with the planes. Funny, although he could have been ready to sit his license in 3 weeks, the US, for some strange reason has a 3 month security check on any applications for learning to fly. A bit like closing the gate after the horse has bolted, me thinks.

Top of the world highway

With that it was time to ride the Top-of-the-world Highway to the peculiar gold rush town of Dawson City and home of Diamond Tooth Gerties. One night was enough to savour the delights and for Mike to find a new girlfriend. No need to worry though, Diamond Tooth Gertie was flirting with all the boys. Mike may tell you different but I wasn’t too worried, after all, it was me who he went home with.

That's Diamond Tooth Gertie on the left. At least Mike didn't have to get busy with his teeth on her.