2017 Motorcycle Adventure to Alaska (Day seventeen)

It was a chilly night, just the way I like it so when I woke this morning at 7:15 am it was only 10C (50F). Because I had picked up some fresh groceries yesterday I had a delicious breakfast of grapefruit, sliced strawberries, granola and vanilla yogurt. Yummm.
Today was really the turning point for this trip as I was starting the long road home. My destination was Beaver Creek, Yukon where I'd stayed last week. It was the best choice for two reasons; it was a good days ride and they have awesome wifi so I could catch up on my blog.
The first 100 miles on the Glenn Hwy. took me into the town of Glenallen where I gassed up and headed north to Tok. Due to the geography and other factors there are usually only one way to get somewhere and naturally one way to return. I would prefer to try a different route out of Alaska but there aren't any other options. Here is a road sign just outside of Glenallen. It made me feel closer to home.

Once I reached Tok I needed another fill up and I was on my way. The weather was really turning very nice and getting warm too. I stopped after crossing the new bridge across the Tanana River for some beef jerky, water and to remove my jacket liner. The rest stop was also a mini history lesson. When the US Army engineers were building the Alaska Hwy. they had to build a bridge over this wide, swift moving river which in 1942 was a significant challenge. The original structure was made of steel and served it's purpose for many years but the 15 ft. height was an impediment as truck designs changed. Because this bridge is so important to the people of Alaska for supplies of all kinds the new bridge was built next to the old one until it's completion in 2010.

As I continued on toward the border crossing the skies began to darken and I could see rain off in the distance. Not wanting to be caught with my pants down, so to speak, I pulled over and got my rain gear on. It was a smart decision because I rode right into a pretty good storm. 

Crossing back into Canada was very straight forward. There was just one lane, one officer and one car ahead of me. I can't really explain why but I always feel a sense of relief whenever I get through a border crossing coming back into Canada. I immediately lost an hour going from Alaska time to Pacific time which made it an hour later and Beaver Creek was right there beckoning me to stay the night. Unfortunately I had to set up the camper in the rain while hundreds of tiny mosquitoes fed on my exposed flesh.

I worked on my blog, answered some messages and then wandered next door to have dinner at Buckshot Betty's. Timing is everything sometimes and my timing was way off. Just before I got there a big tour bus of seniors staying at a local hotel decided to invade the place and there wasn't a seat left in the place. The restaurant suggested take out so 45 minutes later I was walking back to the camper with a pizza. 

It's now 10:20 pm and I'm ready for bed. The rain has started up again after a brief reprieve but the forecast calls for sun in the morning so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Night all.