After sleeping it off in Tok, we were anxious to get down to Anchorage.  At 317 miles, this would be an easy day down Al-1 we thought. We’ve booked a rental car to get some needed time off the bike. It was dreary and cold as we rode. The road surface was not too bad but there are few gas stations and even less food until you get close to Wasilla, so do not pass up gas.

About midway there is one gas station with porta johns and 3 small food truck type vendors. There is no indoor seating but luckily the coffee shop had standing room. We chatted with a nice couple while drinking a mocha and eating a $5.00 3 inch square frozen cheese pizza…and we were glad to get it and be out of the drizzle and cold for awhile.

Coming in to Anchorage seeing an expressway with more than one lane each way made us rejoice at the thought of getting a good cup of coffee but instantly miss the solitude we had for the last 5 days. For the first time in a long time, we paid at the gas pump with our credit card!

We checked in to the Hampton Inn, split to get the rental then headed to Girdwood for dinner at Jack Sprat. We had no reservations and got lucky to get a table in 30 minutes or so. Make a reservation if you go. They’re on the Opentable App. Girdwood is a ski town about 30 miles south of Anchorage that courts summer tourists with glacier views and great food.

The weather cleared and the drive along Beluga Bay was stunning. This was also the first time we really noticed how light it was at 10:30 pm. We also noticed that the mosquitos weren’t quite as bad as they had been in Canada.

The food was delicious and scenery made our first night in Anchorage memorable.

Waking up in Teslin, Yukon looking forward to making it to Alaska. Our goal was to make it to Tok, AK (pronounced with a long “O”).  After a muffin, coffee, and gas we start out on another long day on the Al-Can. Its a cloudy day with rain and cool temps in the forecast. The ride will be long and will take us along the border of Kluane National Park and around Destruction Bay.  The rain and fog settles in on us and I’m grateful for my heated jacket and gloves along with my waterproof Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket and pants. We have lunch at a small bar/cafe in Haines Junction and meet two other adventure riders from Seattle heading home but looking for a new route because of the raging wildfires in Brittish Columbia. There was a pinup map on the wall and for the first time, we realized just how far we had come and how much further we had to go on this adventure. The fog was so thick we could barely see the tall peaks of Kluane. Kluane National Park shares mountains with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska (the largest national park in the US). Ever heard of it? I hadn’t either until planning for this trip.

On we rode, knowing Alaska was possible today.  Eventually the sun came out and warmth returned. The Al-Can highway for the last 100 miles up to Beaver Creek, Yukon were unpredictable. There were lots of weird construction zones but since it was Sunday they were unmanned. Lots of gravel, mud and sharp hills and turns in the construction zones as they detoured you off the road. Be warned, when you see an orange flag or sign, slow down. Remember to use only your back brakes  on gravel.

There’s one stop for gas in Beaver Creek that has high octane gas. The 1202 Motor Inn and gas station offered us a chance to get a much needed water and rest. When you pull in the gravel lot, you’re greeted by dusty motorcyclists sitting on the porch or readjusting their gear on their bikes.

Whenever I pull in somewhere people always notice I’m a girl. A conversation strikes up and my favorite man and I listen to the stories from the riders. A guy from Chicago walked up as we were admiring an older BMW motorcycle. He proudly told us he was from Chicago and that the bike had been rescued from the junk yard.  There was so much pride in his face. Then he showed us the kickstand he fashioned from a stick.

There’s a couple of good lessons here. Recycle, be creative, be adventurous. Get out there. Make friends.

We left the store for the Alaskan border and on to Tok, Alaska where a comfy cabin was waiting on us. Reaching the border felt good. Something that once seemed impossible was not only possible, it was done.

We ate at Fast Eddies in Tok. It’s the only restaurant there really. The Burnt Paw Cabin was clean and comfy and I was grateful for sleep.