Develop an inner candle flame that won’t flicker even when the worst goes before you.
For most of my stay, Bill had to work during the day but was nice enough to leave me his car. I wouldn’t normally take him up on his offer, but it pretty much rained my entire trip. He recommended I take it down to Exit Glacier near Seward because it’s supposed to be a beautiful ride. The entire time down I wished I was out on my bike, but I was happy to be inside away from the rain.
Bill had set me up with a fishing charter through Rust’s to go salmon and trout fishing. I met up with my float plane at 7am and took a half hour flight to Riversong Lodge on the Yentna River.
I was pretty disappointed about how much wildlife I had seen since I entered Canada. I was determined to see a bear before I left. To guarantee this, I went to the zoo. Luckily, the zoo was having a special event for donors, which Bill is, where you get closer encounters with the animals. Somehow we timed every animal exhibit at the best time. We got to the wolf exhibit as they all started howling.
I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.
Fairbanks –> Anchorage (358 miles)
I had been staying at an Airbnb in fairbanks with an old couple, Dolly and Andrew, who’s kids had moved out. Dolly was an amazing host and made me biscuits and gravy, my favorite, for breakfast.
I woke up to it still raining, but luckily the pavilion kept me dry. I met up with Nathan and Errin to grab breakfast at the campground lodge. Their speciality was sourdough pancakes and reindeer sausage. Rudolph never tasted so good.
There is no accumulation of strength without making choices that stretch you.
I ended up leaving Whitehorse a bit later than I had wanted because I was waiting for a light shower to die down. The ride to Haines Junction was pretty uneventful until I got closer. In the distance I started seeing mountains from Kluane National Park, but I also saw a grey veil that indicated heavy rain. I kept riding and luckily made it to the junction without a drop on me.
Rest and be thankful.
Teslin –> Whitehorse (110 miles)
I woke up to it raining outside my tent. I was in no rush to get moving since I was taking a rest day in Whitehorse, which is only two hours away. I laid in my tent until the rain died down and grabbed breakfast, complete with caribou sausage, at the motel near my campsite.
Since entering Canada I haven’t had too much of a problem waking up early considering it’s light out most the day, but this morning I overslept. I heard my 8am alarm go off and was surprised because it still seemed dark outside. I opened my tent and the sky was filled with dark clouds ready to dump on me. I got ready as fast as I could and hit the road hoping to stay ahead of any rain that may come my way.
In willingly facing the unknown, we offer trust in a greater purpose to life.
Meziadin Junction –> Bell II (177.5 Miles)
I was woken up early by some dogs barking near by. Apparently, a wolf had wandered into the campsite. There’s a ranger on patrol all the time and she scared it away by firing off some blanks. I was kind of thankful that wolf showed up because it gave me an excuse to get an early start to the day. I was heading towards Hyder, AK where I heard you could watch bears fish in the creeks.
And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.
Hixon –> Meziadin Junction (430 miles)
I woke up refreshed after one of my best night’s sleep while camping and it was a good thing because I had a long day ahead of me. It got down to 40°, which helped me get into a deep sleep. I wasn’t able to find an area free of roots to pitch my tent so I ended up using my thermarest pad for the first time. I had been too lazy previously, but I totally regret it. I will be using my sleeping pad every night going forward.
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén