“There are worse places to be
stranded” seems to be the saying of the day. You see we have been
talking to various patrons of the motel we are staying in here is
Skagway about road conditions. There was a mud slide yesterday that
has closed off the highway between here and the rest of the world,
actually between here and Carmack in the Canadian side of the border.
Plus there is another slide north of Watson Lake – our next
destination – so we are effectively stuck here for a couple of
days. Like I said there are worse places.
Although Skagway is a tourist town it
has lots or real history that has been preserved and lots to do.
Yesterday we road the steam train from Skagway up to the Canadian
border. A very unique experience that Mark has been waiting to do for
nearly a decade. For him it was a ride of a life time, much like a
your first visit to Disneyland as a child, he could barely contain
himself. He actually spent more of the ride on the outside viewing
platform between the train cars where he could take pictures and
really enjoy the experience. Good on you Mark !!
The trip takes you up the Chilkoot pass
to only an elevation of 2888 ft (who measures these things) but the
terrain changes from coastal woodlands like we have at home to almost
a barren tundra like landscape. Have a look at some of the pictures
we have uploaded to see what we mean.
By the way we also ride through this
terrain on the motorcycles as well. Up and through the pass that
still has snow banks 8 ft high, and it is the second week of June!
“Spring is late this year” we hear quite often from the locals.
No shit.
Due to the delay and my ongoing issues
with a serious cold we have decided to head south after this. Well
actually I decided to head south as I have been feeling like crap and
riding each day in rain and cold weather has not helped my cold and
probably has prolonged and enhanced it (now into it's 5th
week). Mark has decided to stay with me to make sure I make it back
to the Island in one piece instead of carrying on alone to Dawson.
Although he is more than welcome and encouraged to go north as a true
friend that he is he would rather accompany me just in case. You know
the old saying “ a friend will help you move; a good friend will
help you move the body”. Well Mark is the kind of guy who would
bring the shovel if asked. He noted last night at dinner that we have
accomplished what we had started out to do: ride the steam train and
make it via motorcycle to Alaska.
We will both come back and visit the
north again due to the beautiful vistas, great riding and nice
people. If you have not been north I would encourage it. If you have
been here before come back again before it become too civilized.
Have a look at the picture link as I
have added some new photos.
Cheers
Ibby
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