Lowes Travels

Mile 1422: end of the Alaska Highway – Delta Junction, Alaska

The journey of 1422 historic miles along the Alaska Highway without any mechanical failures is another milestone for us (we like to complete milestones because it means we get to open a bottle of good wine). The highway begins at Dawson Creek, British Columbia Mile 0 to Delta Junction, Alaska, Mile 1422.  All our trials and tribulations driving on this highway were surpassed by the chance to explore and enjoy the most magnificent sceneries and experience its beauty first hand. Why drive ? Driving gave us the freedom and luxury of stopping where and when we want, enjoying the sights we want to see and do the things we want to do.  And by traveling on our own we can take as much time as we wish.

Alaska Ranges
Alaska Ranges seen near Tok, as we head out to Delta Junction.

Along the way historical markers and points of interests  informed us and entertained us with the highways intriguing history. It is named Alaska Highway when in fact only 20% of it is in Alaska while the rest winds through Canada. On this highway we have seen and met travelers of different kinds and sizes; cyclists, motorcyclists and motorhome caravans, all braving the elements wanting to experience the adventure of a lifetime. I even met a couple from San Jose, CA driving their pick up truck and travel for three weeks!

Alaska Highway
This looked like a parade! A pilot car was guiding us through the Road Repairs.
Alaska Ranges
A brave  Cyclist
Alaska Caravaning
Motorhome Caravan

The first thing we did upon arriving here at Delta Junction was the mandatory pose at the monument mile post marking the end of the Alaska Highway. We also posed  in front of the giant Mosquitos.  And speaking of mosquitoes, Oh my,  they are really after your blood, and swarm around you a soon as you get out.

Delta Junction, AK , end of Alaska Highway
Monument signifying end of the Alaska Highway at Mile 1422
Delta Junction, AK
A representative of the hundreds swirling around us, but this one is admittedly a little larger than most of them.

Since we are also low on food supplies we ran down to the local family run  farm and homemade sausages from reindeer, buffalo, elk beed and pork. We bought different kinds of sausage after tasting  a range of tasty samples.

Family owned sausage plant
A peek at the sausage packing plant

This was also the first time we got a glimpse of a portion of  the Trans-Alaska (Alyeska) Pipeline. The 800 mile Alaska Pipeline bisects Alaska from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. This section of the  pipeline is suspended across Tanana river en route to Valdez.

Trans-Alaska (Alyeska) Pipeline
Pipeline is suspended over Tanana river
Trans-Alaska (Alyeska) Pipeline
A section  of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Trans-Alaska (Alyeska) Pipeline
Different diameters of pipes used to transport petroleum products over the years.
Trans-Alaska (Alyeska) Pipeline
The “pig” is a device used for scouring wax and water from the inside of the Trans -Alaska Pipeline.

Our plan to hike today was hampered by rain, oh rain!  Might as well do laundry and catch up on our reading. Tomorrow we leave for Fairbanks!

 

 

5 comments

  1. Congrats are in order on driving the Alaska Highway. It’s been exciting to read about your adventure and I look forward to more.

  2. Good job you two, and congrats on the machinery holding up! More than we could say by the time we reached the end of the Highway. Keep up the good work! –Nick B.

    • Hi Nick, thought about you when we pulled into Fairbanks. Can’t believe you did this on a motorcycle! We took a trip up to the Arctic Circle yesterday, took 17 hours round trip. But I was determined to do it if we got this far. Keep in touch!

  3. Glad to hear no mechanical problems. Congrats!! Locals do claim their state bird is the mosquitoes. So have your sprays on board. 🙂 Be safe… Hugs…

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