June 16th, 2009 | 
Author: 525 miles
I was pretty tired last night, so it was more a picture post, Went to bed late last night, around 12:30 am, These long days start to play tricks on you. It didn’t get dark till about 10:30 pm, and even at 11:30, there were still scrapes of daylight left in the western sky.
We got up at 4:30 am., not because we wanted to, but because the sun was up already! But still, we didn’t roll out till 6:00 am. We are slowly getting our packing down, but not yet… plus we were still tired….
Dean called us to verify that the SPOT was tracking- Our Head Stromboli has been indispensable on this trip – thanks Dean!!!
The ride west is still rather a busy route for up here – there is a bit of traffic between Prince George and Prince Rupert, BC with numerous small towns – so gas was not a concern – but Dean warned us about heading north – gas will be farther apart and not as dependable. So we picked up a couple of 2.5 gallon “Jerry Cans” (gas cans) for later in the town of Telkwa.
Our goal today was to get to Hyder Alaska, the southern most town you can get to, before turning north to the main part of Alaska (via Canada).
We stopped several times to amp up (BS with Monster and me with Coffee or Double shots, if I can find them) because we were yawning way too much. The scenery was great- glass lakes, trucks, boats, slow cars, deer and bear… But by 3:30 pm we arrived in Hyder for our “Money shot” and a glass of cold Alaskan beer.
BS in Hyder
The weather was great for most of the day, with some drizzle as we arrived into Hyder and some more drizzle as we left Hyder to start north again on highway 37. We had to stop at Bell II – because the road was closed due to a mud slide from earlier in the week and when the work crews go home – the road is close. It will be open at 6:00 am tomorrow – but this resort is awesome!
Keep the comments coming – we enjoy reading them when we get in for the day.
What views!
Which way to Head?
Closed due to mud slide
p.s. We have lots of pictures, and when we have a better connection – we will post – but tonight we are on a satellite connection
Posted in Day 04
I'm at a loss for words and green with envy! I wondered about the little 'detour' into Alaska…That's some border crossing!! I watched you head back north while Skyping with Joyce. Even 3,000 miles away you can't get our from the watchful eyes of your sisters! I'm still in awe over the technology – SPOTreally makes it a vicarious trip. My guess is, satellite internet from here on out…I remember how sucky it is for uploads. Go safely…have enough fun for us all. Much love.
Hi to JimmyV sister's.
It seems like a decade ago when JimmyV and I visited all of you when we rode our USA Four Corners. Wait 1998 is a decade ago and we rode Harleys!!!! I have great memories of stopping at the little farm in Michigan and eating lobster in Rhode Island.
Wish I was riding with them but I had my Alaska adventure two weeks ago. However, being a couch potato "command post" for JimmyV and Big Steve is almost like being there.
The glacier photo is "Bear Glacier" 25-miles outside Stewart/Hyder.
Internet communications will get better if they stay in any of the large cities/towns in the Yukon and Alaska. Wireless internet is available in many of the motel/hotels in Whitehorse, Valdez, Seward, Homer, Anchorage and Fairbanks.
And hello to you, too, Dean!
I was just thinking about the time you 2 came by (I'm the one in Michigan). I can't believe it was 11 years ago!! Time sure flies. And you both have put on many miles since then with lots of adventures.
Thanks for 'commanding' our bro (dare I say Baby Brother?). Staying home has a useful purpose 🙂 I followed Jim's link to your trip – haven't read the entire blog, but have viewed all the pics.
Glad to know there'll be good internet coming up cuz I'm sure enjoying this vicarious trip and the pics make all the difference. It's so amazing to just watch them go. When I left work today, they were still in BC just south of the Yukon border. When I got home & checked back in, they had crossed into the Yukon and were heading west on the Alaska highway. I start and end my day out west with them.
So, thanks, Jimmy V and Big Steve, for giving this ol' fart a trip of a lifetime in the comfort of my home (and office).
Hey guys, looks like you are enjoying the trip! However, I am a little puzzled as to why you haven't talked about the food since both times I went to Alaska the food was great and never ending… Is it because I was on a cruise ship and part of a 5-star tour or the food up north just isn't that good? Anyways, just take care and have a blast!!!
Jimmy: Glad to see you are making such good time and even better seeing so much good stuff. Things at the ranch are very shakey without you, there is talk about shutting it down until you get back. Have fun, i will do my best to hold down the fort.
Hi to Jim & Steve way up there in spectacular Alaska – and Hi to Dean at the California Command Post.. I'm the Rhode Island sister. It was so cool to see the pictures of Hyder since Jan and I couldn't figure out why you seemed to do a little back tracking. That glacier picture was unbelievable. With more unbelievable pics to come, I'm sure. Bears? You encountered some bears already!??!! Hope you got a few pics of them too. Hope there is good internet connections yet to come. This technology is great. I feel like I can tell people about the time I went to Alaska with my brother! You can almost feel the bumps on the road and the drizzle on your face. Goodspeed.
So should we all head back up there in August for the Stewart Annual Bear Festival – good times! It looks really pretty, I'm jealous – however, I am totally loving this nice FULL CUP of afternoon coffee………yummmmmmmmm!!
wow what a great photo
Whoa are you serious??? 10:30pm and still some light outside – that's soo trippy!?! How you guys holding up? I love the photos! I can't get enough of the fantastic photos!!! The fist Hyder, Alaska photo is amazing!