Tok and Gakona AK

On Monday July 3 we continued north and west on the Alaska Highway and crossed back into Alaska.

Back in Alaska once again.  Matilda says "So what?"

Straddling the international border

Once again our border crossing was uneventful

View from near Tetlin

We stopped at the visitor center for the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.  Unfortunately the center was closed this day.  Dorcas was disappointed because when we were here in 2011 there was a lady doing craft beading, and Dorcas hoped she would be here again.

Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

I've seen red-winged blackbirds.  Are these black-winged redbirds?

A swallow on the nest at Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Visitor  Center

Drunken poles caused by permafrost

Frost heaves on the Alaska Highway make driving adventurous.  It also creates marital stress.

Our destination today was Tok AK.  All overland routes to Alaska must pass through Tok.  Tok has been called the "Car Wash Capital of the World".  Everyone coming off the Alaska Highway or the Top of the World Highway stops in Tok to wash their rigs.  Most RV parks and fuel stations in Tok have wash facilities for their customers.

After camping off the grid for over a week we elected to splurge and check into the Tok RV Village so we could charge the batteries, do some laundry and take some long hot showers.

Our camp at Tok RV Village

Tok's 4th of July parade passed by our campground.   We were invited on several occasions to be judges for the best floats award.  We declined.  I can say I've never seen anything quite like it.

After the parade, we spent an hour or so at the Tok fairgrounds for the 4th of July festivities.

Tok is also known as the Sled Dog Capital of Alaska.  We saw a few huskies.

The US Forest Service hosted Smoky the Bear ring toss

There was live gospel music

Prepping for the greased pole climbing event

By mid afternoon on the 4th we left Tok and headed south on the Glenn Highway, also known as the Tok Cutoff.  We found a wonderful pullout near Gakona overlooking the Copper River and Mount Sanford.  This is perhaps the most scenic roadside camp at which we have ever stayed.

Our camp at Gakona on the Tok Cutoff

The following photos show views from our camp.

Copper River

Mt. Sanford in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park rises to 16,237 feet

The Copper River at dusk (i.e. after midnight).

Campsites like this one will spoil you quickly.  Tomorrow we continue southward.