Sunday, June 30, 2013

Day 26 Tok, AK to Kluane Lake

Day 26 we got up at 7:30 AM and it was 62 degrees.  During the night you could hear thunder in the distance, and as time went by it got closer and louder.  At one point there was a “knock you out of bed” thunder boom.  Dad said he didn’t hear it.  Mom and I both heard it, but neither of us looked at the clock to see what time it was.  It rained hard for a little bit, and then the thunder slowly moved away.

We ate breakfast and was on the road by 9:20 AM.  It was still smoky and hazy.  We crossed the border from Alaska into Yukon at 11:06.  Because we were in heavy traffic two weeks ago when we arrived, we did not stop and take pictures.  This time there was nobody there, so we decided to stop and take “Welcome to Alaska” pictures.  The only problem was Cathy was missing.  Maybe we can have Grandma glue on a Cathy face.

We had good roads until we reached Canada and then the frost heaves and construction slowed us down and re-arranged everything in our cupboards.  It was slow going, but we finally reached our favorite campground.  Cottonwood RV is on Kluane Lake.  A husband and wife own and operate this campground.  They had bought the land and built a house 50 years ago as a summer get away.  Over time they added some camping spots and now there are over 80 spots.  What make this place different are the operators.  It feels like they have invited you to stay over at their house and you are their guests, not that this is their job and you are a customer.  Everyone should stop here.

We had been keeping an eye on the tire on the right rear axle.  It had been wearing on the outside and was about down to the cord on the outside edge.  We decided to put on the spare that came with the trailer.  We are thinking the spindle is tweaked.  The tire is worn out at 5600 miles plus the trip from Indiana to Iowa.  My temperature gauge that I checked tire pressures with always showed that tire 10 degrees hotter than the rest.  It is running down the road cockeyed and scuffing.  I will try and get them to look at it under warranty when we get back home.  We are probably going to ruin another tire on the way home.

We saw our first Open Range Light 5th Wheel here.  It was a 30 foot rear living room and he was pulling it with a half ton Ford.  He told us he was having no problems pulling it.  Well, except for the red pole at a gas station that jumped out and raked the side of the trailer.  See the picture.


We ate dinner and then took a walk around the campground and along the lake.  What a beautiful place.  I am sure glad they decided to share it with us.

Click here to see Day 26 route and pictures.


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