Wiseman to Atigun Pass, AK

​

Well, today was a blast, as I headed back to Coldfoot. I stopped for gas at the truckstop which included a restaurant gift shop and modest accommodations. $72.00 gas bucks later, I was enticed by their breakfast, even though I ate it in my RV, I couldn’t get over the portion sizes, as I watched others eating, and the prices were incredible. For $15, I got not a 1, 2, 3, but a 4 egg omelette with bacon, turkey, onions and peppers, hashbrowns and a homemade potato bun which I plan on eating for at least 4 breakfasts! It was like an Amazon breakfast that I’ve never seen before. I guess one should go to a truckstop for these portions! How can you beat the price, and it was home cooked right there in the café. I did a little designated trail to the pipeline, much of which can be seen along this highway. After a brief stop again at the visitor center, I went to the minors cabin and historic cemetery. I was told to go to the town of Wiseman, just 13 miles back up the road north, and just past my campsite at Marion Creek. An old miners town with turn of the century log cabins that have remained to this day, and are privately owned. So I found Wiseman and walked around the grounds and visited a museum. A fellow there told me about the findings along a creek, as he just donated a large quartz crystal, that he found, which he left behind a case. Holy cats, It was a huge crystal! There were plenty of oddities here, and the museum looked more like a pile of stuff, then an organized museum, but it had its charm, where you could sign the GEST book, and view an old pack of birth control pills. Hmm, quiet the oddities here. A woman was playing a piano out in the open, in the field, as I strolled through the rusted mining equipment. It almost felt like a movie set or a TV show in the making. When suddenly a man with half of his teeth missing, and a ripped t-shirt, asked if if I could join them at the table where they were finishing up celebrating a Fourth of July picnic. They were enamored with Jo Jo and wanted to meet him. Well of course they were!  So, I brought Jo Jo over who is nesting in my pouch, and had a lovely conversation with these folks who live here in the town of Wiseman, and otherwise in Fairbanks for the winter. I guess you would not call them snowbirds. I was told about a winter tour, and to come back to experience the aurora borealis. One of them showed me photos from his phone camera that were taken right there in Wiseman, and since it is in the Arctic Circle, the aurora borealis is straight up overhead. They were lovely visitors and welcomed me with open arms. I was so taken aback with their hospitality, and was offered food, even beer, and finally excepted a chocolate brownie. Some of these folks celebrated Fourth of July early, so I guess I had my little picnic for a brief moment with these folks. They talked me into driving up to the Atigun Pass, a 60 mile drive north. I had made up my mind to go back south from Coldfoot but after this experience, I rethought the idea, so I headed up north. Well, it took a little longer than an hour more like two hours until I climbed up to a summit, where it was starting to rain, and the temperature dropped to 60. Snow can happen here in June and July, and at this point I don’t do snow. I had waited on a late lunch, so I prepared some food and decided to head back down to lower elevations towards a camp. I loved my drive here, but it turned from pavement back to dirt road and I just started feeling a bit worn out driving on dirt. I planned on reaching Marion Creek Camp again, but kept my eyes open throughout the entire drive for other options. I stopped at one spot as it was starting to drizzle, which was really close to the river. I wanted to pick up some gorgeous colorful rocks. As I continued on, I noticed a rather open space, then down a private drive towards the river. So I turned to check it out, and this is where I am camped, right along the river, overlooking these gorgeous mountains. I scored another picture postcard space! I walked through the wash to find a few more fun and beautiful rocks. I had a pretty full and busy day today and I’m feeling good!