My trip to Alaska 2000
He also installed my 403 wind generator, which I'd been really looking forward to use. I couldn't believe it when I later dropped the blades and broke one ... On Saturday, July 29, it was another 100+ degree day and it felt great to finally be heading North. I had never taken the road from Flagstaff to Page, and it turned out to be a beautiful drive. On the way to Navajo Lake I encountered the first rain in several months.
It got ice cold driving up into the Dixie National Forest, it
rained and thundered and occosionally hailed.
There are many roadside turnouts with fantastic views.
I'm sure you heard about the fires. Once on I-15, I saw smoke
almost the entire drive up to Canada.
Soon after I got on the freeway, the truck started to overheat. It was the strangest thing, I'd been driving in 110 degree temps in AZ with absolutely no problems, made it across the mountain passes allright, and all of a sudden the needle was nearly in the red. Once I stopped and looked at the enginge. It didn't feel or smell hot at all. Another time I was about to take the exit because the needle was right up by the red again, and just as I looked at the gage, within about 2 seconds, it dropped back down to normal. I couldn't figure it out. The outside temperatures didn't seem to make much of a difference.
Just like last year, Salt Lake City was one huge
construction. Fortunately, traffic was very light on this Sunday
evening.
Butte, Montana, and new home construction everywhere.
A beautiful drive, through the mountains, to the
fields with the oil rigs, with lots of thunderstorms along the way. I didn't get any pictures of the border, got there late afternoon and it was still around 100 degrees. While the Canadians didn't even look at my truck/camper, it took about 45 minutes to do the immigration. Unlike last year, I had to go inside, and they checked my California criminal record as that's still the drivers license I'm using. Since I've never been arrested, that's what I had told them. Finally the guy came back and asked if I was sure about that. Obviously, I'm sure about it. I'm sure I'd remember if I ever was arrested. It turned out that the Canadians got my California finger printing records. I've been finger printed several times, for my real estate broker license and I was a notary public. California is one of a few states who code those finger printings the same as arrests. Once that was cleared up, I couldn't wait to get going. The dog was cooking in the truck. And the diesel stations on both sides of the borders were closed, so I coasted into the next town on fumes.
Agriculture is big in Alberta. I was surprised to see so many kids riding their horses along the freeway, sometimes waving at me. Friendly people. Getting through Calgary on Monday night was a challenge. No freeway bypass, and the Canadians don't seem to believe in construction or any signs. It was lightning and raining like there was no tomorrow. I was just glad it wasn't rush hour and that I made it through the city without causing an accident or taking a wrong turn. The truck was running SOOO good when I was about 45 miles north of Calgary. Ever since I'd gotten fuel in Canada, the temperature gage was staying just as cool as I was used to. I was calculating how many miles to Alaska and when I'd get there. Then I heard this awful noise, something breaking, there was a smoke and lots more noise. I pulled over, hoping for a blown tire, broken belt, something easy. It barely rained anymore as I walked around the truck. No flat tire. So I looked under the hood and saw nothing wrong. Bad news, real bad. Whatever broke was inside the engine. I checked the oil, and it was way overfilled with "something." My little solar/crank radio/emergency flashlight came in handy. Big trucks were speeding by at 70+ mph, splashing rain water on me, while I was still barefoot in my slippers. I had no idea where I was and started walking back towards Calgary. A young couple made a u-turn and offered a ride. They had been storm chasing and were heading back to town. I got a ride to Wendy's or Dennis (can never tell the difference) in Calgary, where I called a tow truck around 1 am. |
I had planned on taking the
road through Mt. Zion Natl. Park, but apparently there is a tunnel
and according to the signs I would have had to be escorted due to
the camper, and especially the wind gen height. It also looked like
it would cost $20 just to drive through, so maybe I'll go there
next year when I got more time.
