Day 338. July 10, 2014. Top of the World Highway

LOCATION:  Top of the World Highway between Dawson, Yukon and Chicken, Alaska

WEATHER:  Sunny and warm. Highs in 70s

Normally our breakfasts aren't too exciting....cereal or eggs.  However, we bought some smoked salmon while in Skagway and have been enjoying a different breakfast this week....toast with the salmon and some delicious cream cheese that Aunt Martha told us about.  A Canadian brand makes a Greek cream cheese..really lovely

We scurried around and took the ferry back over to Dawson to go on another guided tour.  We are taking advantage of the Canadian national park pass, so all these tours are free.  

The town has been preserved to look like the 1890s

The tour guides are excellent.  Through them, we learn a bit of what life is like here in the winter.  The population dwindles and people keep active through music, festivals, etc.

Usually, the line for the ferry is not too bad.  This morning, however, there was a caravan of RVs waiting to cross.

They waited about 5 hours, as the ferry can only hold one of the big Class C rigs (the kind that are like buses).

We just hopped on the next one over, back to the campground, loaded up, and hit the road.  This Topf of the World highway is famous for its views and poor driving conditions.  We were above the tree line most of the way.  Most of it is unpaved, very narrow, no shoulders, no guard rails, and sides that border on steep cliffs.  To add to our excitement, our gas gauge said we had 99 miles left, and Chicken (first gas station), is 109 miles.  Luckily, there wasn't too much traffic.  We crossed the border ok, but with a grouchy customs person.  Why do they all seem like that?  

Our last 10 miles were dicey.  There was absolutely no place to pull over.  We passed a big Class C camper that had toppled over the highway yesterday and was lying on its side.  Miraculously, we saw a sign for gas in Chicken in one mile, and our gauge said we had one mile left.  Whew!  George says it is due to his excellent driving skills to conserve gas.  I say we were just lucky.  

We are staying in Chicken for 2 days.  It is a quirky gold mining village.  

It is interesting that the father north we go, the warmer it gets.  Also, the says are getting even longer.  It really doesn't get completely dark.

DINNER:  Pasta with sautéed zucchini, onions, pepperoncini, bacon in a cream