Day 18 July 19, 2024 Galbraith Lake Campground to Deadhorse Alaska 142 miles
No one ever came to collect the camping fee and there was no place to deposit it. The mosquitos were terrible already this morning. Rob wore the black netting over his head to do all the outside chores. Even though we were close to the bathroom we heard very little noise.
While Rob was beginning to pick up a Canadian couple stopped to look at the car. They have been using a van to do their traveling. The guys compared notes on what to bring and what to use. They also suggested we get on the web and book a tour to the Arctic Ocean. We did have limited internet access but it didn’t seem adequate to get the booking completed.
We refigured our gas compared to the distance and determined that we were carrying enough to get us there. We think we can get a room at Deadhorse Camp which is a couple of miles from town.
We had not gone far before reaching the next construction stretch. We were the last car in line and didn’t wait too long. The pilot car was driving much faster than us but some of the construction crew called the pilot car and got him to slow down. The construction goes for 16 miles. A stretch of that was a little slippery and was the area where a couple of days ago the mud was so deep that some people were turned around. We did manage to get through it. Most of the construction crew took our picture. At the end, one of the motorcyclists cheered. Other than the one section this was some of the best road of all.
The car in front of us stopped to check on three dark spots off in the distance. We didn’t stop and about one mile down the road stopped to photograph two musk ox right by the road. Sure beat the whistle pigs that have been going across the road.
A helicopter circled overhead for a minute or two. We think they were also photographing us. By this time most of the truckers know about us too. Many slow down and most have their phone out.
The day started cloudy but is now mostly sunny with a lot of wind. The wind is good for clearing the dust brought up by the trucks. Bad thing is the road is literally blowing away.
We finally found a pullout for lunch and to add fuel. The rest area at milepost 354.8 is no longer there. Fueling took some effort. The shape of the containers doesn’t match the pump very well. We could only get out about half. Then that could be poured into a similar one. Then use the pump again. We got in what should be enough to get us there. Then we ate lunch. A trucker who’s last name was Ellsberg stopped. He grew up in Middleton, Idaho. He offered to haul us back if we wanted.
Once again we came to asphalt this time the road condition was terrific except for about three gravel patches. We could almost drive regular speed.
The terrain today has been hills covered in short green brush. No trees anywhere.lots of small ponds, lakes and rivers. The Brooks Mountain Range is behind us. You can see for miles but it all looks the same.
We arrived at our lodging which is more like one mile from town not two. The rooms are in a double wide trailer with shared bath. The men have five showers the women just one. Two nights was $438.00 but the hot showers were worth every cent.
We ate a buffet dinner at the camp and then caught up on internet stuff.
Spoffords Travel 