Day 20 July 21, 2025 Tombstone Campground Yukon to Pelly Crossing Yukon 173 miles
Today is cloudy and some rain began to fall. It stopped for a few minutes but started up again. Rob has decided to try driving all the way home in second gear. That means going about 30 mph maximum. If we can get 180 miles a day it will only take us 12 days to get home by using the freeway from Pendleton Oregon on.
Since the gas tank is nearly empty and we have about 45 miles to the next fuel point, Rob added the Jerry can which should give us enough to get to the fuel point.
While we were eating our breakfast of granola bars we saw another fox headed into the campground. They are so pretty and their tails are huge.
We managed to get to the “Corner” which is the start of the Dempster Highway. We would not have driven more than 30 mph anyway. Mostly flat for this part but lots of washboards. We really bounce on those. Since this is a good fuel point we filled up. It was nearly noon so we pulled into an empty space and ate lunch.
We are a big draw. A car stopped and asked if they could take a picture. The driver was an actor. The passenger seemed to be his father. He wanted a picture in the car. He was dressed in red one piece pajamas and a black cowboy hat. He stood on the running board and waved. He was very excited. He told us that he makes an annual calendar for family and friends. We don’t know what month we will represent. They had seen us at the campground but we left before they got to us.
The Swiss couple we talked with in Tuktoyaktuk stopped as well. They gave us a card and said to come visit them the next time we were in Switzerland. They live 30 km from the Bernina factory.
We are now back on asphalt so at least the dust shouldn’t be as bad. We saw a motorcycle with a sidecar. We wondered why we had not seen one before now. We certainly saw lots of motorcycles. We also saw lots of pickups with campers on top.
Some of the drive looked smokey. We understand Alaska has lot of forest fires.
We came to one of the big construction areas. They run multiple pilot cars all the time. The construction goes for several miles. The part we drive on is about as rough as the Dempster. The new road should be much wider based on the amount of mountain they are removing. We were glad the pilot car was going slowly. We were able to stay with him. For several miles after that the road was not paved but appeared to be ready to do so.
We got to Pelly Crossing about quitting time. We thought they might have lodging. Either they were full. We were welcome to try the campground across the road.
We went over there. This is a free campground. We had stayed there last year. More gravel has been put down. We found a spot we could park off the road but not a pull through.
The outhouses here could use an upgrade. They needed new paint on the inside and a broom to get out the dirt and leaves on the floor. The toilet seat was sticky and the rest of the seat could use a new coat of paint a hook on the door would be nice too.
The driver’s side rear tire is low. Rob got out the tire pump and filled the tire. If it is down again in the morning he will change it. Several men came over and talked about the car.
A couple that had parked at the same turnout as we did were also at this campground. Amazing how many of the same people you see at other places on the trip. Everyone we have met have been very friendly and helpful.
Spoffords Travel 