Day 15: The Last Leg

From: Tok, AK

To: Anchorage, AK

Well we did it! We arrived in Anchorage, AK 15 days after setting out from Asheville, NC. Total millage was about 5680 and we have seen more than we could have ever imagined!

We got up this morning in Tok, AK and ate at the Grumpy Grizz, one of two eateries in “town.” We’d have to say though, it wasn’t far off from the Country Kitchen in West Asheville and was quite fantastic.

On the road we went, bellies full and happy. The drive south toward Anchorage was to re-use an over-used word, BEAUTIFUL. It lasted about 6 hours; but in that time we saw another mountain range, at least two glaciers and the sun move mostly sideways through the sky. The sun in the “high-noon” position doesn't happen after the summer here.

For most of the drive we could look, literally, in any direction and see huge mountains. Snow covered most of them, and on some mountains they were snowy on the shaded side and green on the sunny side. This was a cool effect. The highest peak around was completely white, more so than any other. Between two mountain ridges we noticed what looked like a motionless river flowing, but not moving, through them. It was a glacier. We stopped to take some pictures and take in the wonder of it all.

We also learned about a new kind of glacier: a rock glacier. One information sign pointed us toward the side of a mountain that appeared to have suffered a landslide. In actuality, underneath the over grown moss and dirt was a hidden glacier. Ice mixed with rock and soil was slowly moving down the mountainside seemingly underground. It was some fanciness!

From here, Heather took over the helm, driving the second leg of today’s journey into our destination city. We entered Anchorage around 5pm local time and began the daily hotel hunt. With a little advice from Kenny (Momma T's cousin who lives in Anchorage) we headed toward the airport and found prices to be much better than in Canada. Microtel was our choice, which turned out to be a good one, because they have a laundry facility in house (something we’ve been needing).

We tried to find a pharmacy for Heather, but that became frustrating on a Sunday so we moved on. McDonald’s served us our three course meal for dinner and Walmart provided us cash out of our own account with which to exchange for laundry quarters. While out, we drove by one house for rent to get a look-see. On our way back we stopped in for a quick gas station style laser wash and got Jayne a much needed bath. He was so dirty that when Heather walked out of one hotel into the parking lot she couldn't tell Jayne was the truck right in front of her.

It already looks like we are getting a grasp of how the city is set up. Navigation should be no problem in the days ahead. Next task: find a place to live.

For two weeks and a day we’ve been driving, sight seeing and having our hair blown back by all kinds of God’s creation, wildlife and general awesome-ness (for which there is no charge). From our home state, North Carolina, Alaska is like a different world. It was a trip of a life-time and will be unforgettable. We left North Carolina, homeless, with our destination in sight, declaring, “Alaska, here we come.” It’s hard to believe the trip is over and that we’ve made. But, believe it or not, we’re finally able to say to our new home state, “Alaska, here we are!”