Day 21 – Tok, AK to Fairbanks, AK – 212 miles

Tuesday, July 20th

Peter was excited to see an RV-wash at the Tok campground. He happily washed off all of yesterday’s mud this morning before we started the drive to Fairbanks. It didn’t take too many miles to change his smile to a frown - more rain, more road repairs more mud!! So it goes.

Could not pass up this Kodak moment!

She was standing in the campground office.

We didn’t see any buffalo but we had our eyes peeled after seeing this warning.

After 1422 miles and $115 million, the Alaskan Highway ends at the town of Delta Junction.
Do you remember where the Alaskan Highway started?
(Dawson Creek, British Columbia)

After seeing mountains and rivers, we were surprised to all of a sudden see the signs of farming as we entered Delta Junction. In the late 1970’s, the state of Alaska made an effort to start a large commercial farming operation, primarily barley, near Delta Junction. Commercially, the venture was less than successful but many of the farms, on land leased from the state, are still in operation.

We weren’t quite prepared for mosquitoes this big!

You won’t be able to read the fine print, but this demonstrates the historical diameter of the pipes used to transport petroleum products in Alaska over time:

top circle – 1943-1947

middle circle – 1955-1971

bottom circle – 1977 to present

The city of North Pole is about 15 miles south of Fairbanks. We had to stop but only for pictures. The North Pole was incorporated in 1953. The land was formerly a homestead that was subdivided and settlers bought lots and built homes. The buyer of the majority of the homestead was a development company that thought the name North Pole would attract a toy manufacturer; that didn’t happen but the name stuck. Today North Pole is a theme city that is known throughout the world. Travelers come from all over the world to shop at their huge Christmas themed store.

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No Wildflower of the Day.
We didn't have Internet access at the campground in Fairbanks and I am behind!!
We arrived at Denali Park today - Friday July 23rd.