Day 14 - 15 – Wrapping up Alaska

Day 14 started out with a little touring around Anchorage and then over to the Anchorage Harley dealer to get an oil change and a new back tire. I didn’t get my bike back until about 6 pm but at least they were able to take care of it. Then it was off to Wasilla for the evening to see my cousin and his wife whom I haven’t seen for 23 years. It was good to see them and catch up on the years.

Even a visit with family can turn into an adventure. While riding to some sightseeing opportunities we came across a motorcycle accident that just happened. Someone tried to take a bend just a little to fast and went off the side of the road and down a soft bank. Her brand new Buell landed on her left leg and may have broken her leg or knee. We helped keep her calm and the mosquitoes off of her until the ambulance arrived and then I rode her Buell back to her mother’s house, which was just up the road. We continued up into the mountains for some beautiful views and near the top they were restoring an old gold mining operation.

The next morning after we had breakfast together and said our goodbyes I headed back north to the Artic Circle, which is about 200 miles north of Fairbanks. It goes without saying that it rained again going past Mt. McKinley and I couldn’t see it yet again. After reaching Fairbanks I secured a room for the night and headed onward for the last 200 miles.

The Artic Circle, just an imaginary line, but I wanted to reach that point. That quest will have to wait for another trip to be fulfilled. I tried my best and made it the 75 miles to reach the turn off. The road from that point turned into a dirt and gravel road for the next 486 miles to Prudhoe Bay. I started up the road for a few miles but then it started to rain again. The road became very slick and to make matters worse there are truckers flying past kicking up mud and stones in the rain. When I started up this one side of the mountain I found myself going up side ways due to the way the road is curved and the slippery mud.

There is a time common sense wins over desire and this was such a time. I had to admit I wasn’t going to make it even though I was only about 100 miles away from my goal. I had another problem, gas. I had enough to get me there and about a half way back if I used the 2.5 gallon spare that I brought. I wasn’t sure if there would be a station somewhere along this dirt road and I just couldn’t take a chance. That last 100 miles would have taken me about another 4 hours to traverse in the rain. I waited for a straight stretch of road and gingerly turned around and headed back in the rain. I was disappointed but then I saw a number of rainbows and I knew it was the right thing to do. God is good and watches over each step of my adventure and gave me wisdom to rule over the fleshly desires to push past common sense.

So ends my visit to Alaska. I will make a return trip to reach that stupid line and I also want to do it when the Northern Lights are in full array. That is one thing I really want to see and experience. So to my cousin, I’ll be back!

Saturday I will be starting my marathon ride out of Alaska back to the lower 48. I don’t plan on stopping in Canada if it can be helped except for gas. My next update will be when I hit Washington State in a few days.

One other note, I broke the 5000 mile mark on day 15.

Total miles for day 14 was 102 miles.
Total miles for day 15 in an unfulfilled quest was 497 miles.