Lifemagician's 2009 Summer Road Trip

[UKCraig]

Presumably the risk of a traffic ticket for covering the lights was less of a concern than the cost of replacing one of the lights broken by a stone thrown up from a car in front?

Funny that your trip from Dawson to Chicken was pretty much the same as ours. All I remember was the various tankslappers as we powered our way away from the ferry back towards Alaska. The number of times the trailer tried to overtake us was interesting shall we say. Didn't see a thing on our trip either and then drowned at the border crossing.

As soon as we made it into Chicken for a rest stop the weather cleared and we enjoyed a pint of Alaskan Amber in the sunshine before buying tacky souvenirs next door. It was a fun place but it was essentially just a Disney style roadhouse so I wouldn't worry that you missed anything! Did you do the pancake toss in Tok? :) Where is your next port of call??

[Mark Sedenquist]

Presumably the risk of a traffic ticket for covering the lights was less of a concern than the cost of replacing one of the lights broken by a stone thrown up from a car in front?

That traffic law was not created as a money-making gambit by the local authorities. I am not a fan of day-time running lights in most applications, but I'd never drive the AlCan without running lights anytime -- day or night.

Mark

[Lifemagician]

Driving with headlights on is mandatory by law in most of western Canada and all of Alaska.... at all times. And like Mark, I would not drive without them on. Many of the Bentleys had their headlights covered.

It is disconcerting sometimes, especially in the damp weather we have had, to see a car coming towards you..... at the last moment, just because the headlights were not on.

The concern of a flat battery seems to be the main reason why some do not switch them on, for fear of forgetting to switch them off. Very few of even the modern cars seem to have the function which my car at home has, of the headlights out when the key is removed.

Lifey who always drives with her headlights on for safety

[Lifemagician]

Where is your next port of call??

This is being posted from the library in Dawson Creek. Tomorrow Edmonton, next day Shelby MT and then straight to St Paul... Wed or Thu.

Aim to spend some time catching up on my postings.

[UKCraig]

That traffic law was not created as a money-making gambit by the local authorities. I am not a fan of day-time running lights in most applications, but I'd never drive the AlCan without running lights anytime -- day or night.

Mark

Sure, sure. But the type of person who can afford to own an old rust bucket like that will often feel their money excuses them from the law. Whether that law is for their protection or not...

[RainMan62]

Hi Lifey,

I am brand new to this forum (just registered a few hours ago) and have really enjoyed reading about your adventures. I was in Whitehorse for a few days in 2006 and made a side trip to Skagway. Emerald Lake along the way was spectacular. Hope to visit Dawson on my next trip to Yukon and possibly drive up the Dempster--I look forward to searching for any field reports.

Glad you are having a safe and enjoyable trip.

[Mark Sedenquist]

In addition to Lifey, (who I guess is actually back in the states by now) Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak is on the AlCan right now and headed north. You can read her short dispatches here -- Scroll down to the table with the heading: More from Alice & Jaimie If you click on any of the subject headings you can see the complete report and photos too.

Mark

[UKCraig]

Hope to visit Dawson on my next trip to Yukon and possibly drive up the Dempster--I look forward to searching for any field reports.

Dawson City is kinda fun but the Dempster is HARD going and with little reward at the end. It's up to you but personally I'd spend an extra few days elsewhere...

[Mark Sedenquist]

Craig, If you look at post #44 she's back in the Dakotas someplace and headed east....

Mark

[UKCraig]

Was actually responding to RainMan62 ;) But I feel for Lifey... the idea of heading out of Alaska is not something that would fill me with joy!! :(