At this point in the trip, in Norm and my minds, it was pretty much all about getting back to Anchorage and returning the RV’s. We have a 250 mile drive along the beautiful Glenn Highway ( AK-1 ) and have a couple of days to do it, but there isn’t much in the way of activities that interest us along the way. So we will take our time and smell some more roses.
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Traveling along the Glen Highway with yet another day of beautiful weather allowed us to enjoy Alaska as much the last day as the first, 6 weeks ago!
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The day before we had noticed a lot of bicyclists along the roadway, as we marveled at their ability to peddle their way up and down these monstrous hills. We saw them climb for miles and miles, and not one of them got off to walk! Even those that appeared older, and those that were carrying many extra pounds of body weight, these Alaskans are a tough bunch! I give them such credit!
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Participating in the Fireweed Race Across Alaska, riders chose whether to ride 50,100,200 or a whopping 400 miles over 2 days.
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This morning we saw a lot more bicyclists - this time noticing their race numbers proudly displayed across their chests. Wait a minute – could these possibly be the same people as yesterday? The ones we gaped at 100 miles away?
We were lucky enough to talk to a couple that had stopped to rest at a scenic pullout we were at. What they told us, plus what I learned via the internet, was that this event was called “Fireweed: The Race Across Alaska”. These two days actually included 5 different races, from half-century ( 50 miles ) to a jaw dropping 400 mile race, some peddling through the night. It also is both a “Road Event” ( social ride - seriously? ) and a Time Trial. The road rises 1000 feet in elevation during the very first 6 miles, testing the tenacity of 600 mighty folks.
The winner of the 400 Double Century this year was Ben Lavevers, who did it in 29hrs, 49 minutes. Peter Jackson, who rode 200 miles of Alaskan terrain, did it in 11 hrs., 41 minutes. The first woman to finish the 200 mile solo, Alisabeth Thurston-Hicks finished a mere 6 minutes behind him! Go, Girl!
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One way to stay fit is to participate in the 1000 mile Iditarod Invitational Race where people run, ski or bike the exact route as the Idatarod a week prior to sled race, with very minimal support along the way! Amazing! (internet photo)
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When you think about it, for Alaskans to physically prepare for this event held on July 8th is mind-boggling since snow doesn’t clear until a few months before, nor does it even get light outside! How do they do it?
(Perhaps the 1000 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational
http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/ where bikers, skiers and runners traverse the exact Iditarod trail one week before the Iditarod sled teams race!)
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Wrapping up this fabulous trip with another wonderful day and beautiful views along the Glen Highway
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Driving down the road, we stopped for pictures along the way to insure we have this most fabulous of places firmly embedded in our minds ( as well as saving them to our computers, phones, clouds and back-up devices ).
I had read about a Musk Ox Farm on the way, so we decided to check out one of the Arctic’s oldest living species. Co-existing with the woolly mammoth and saber-tooth tiger ( long ago extinct ) the rare musk ox possesses a soft under-wool that is called “qiviut”. This non-profit organization gives tours of the farm (don’t expect much) and if lucky, you will get to see a few of these near-extinct animals and perhaps some babies, depending on the time of year. They get very nervous around people, so the guides are very strict about our keeping our distance and our voices low.
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This beast with the softest of under-hair is called a Musk Ox. Nearly extinct, it has been around since the Woolly Mammoth and the Sabre Tooth Tiger.
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Use this word in Scrabble
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Yarn ( $114.00 for 1.2 oz. ) made from the qiviut (which is incredibly soft and 8 times warmer than wool and won't shrink no matter what temperature it is washed in) as well as knitted garments and other trinkets were available to buy there at the farm.
From there we headed into Anchorage to the campground close to ABC Motorhome Rentals. Because the following morning we had to be at the rental office prior to 10 AM, we spent the rest of the day and evening packing up our bags, boxing up the many items we would give to other campers, and tossing any food we could neither eat nor donate. The gentleman next door was the lucky receiver of many items including the gas barbecue grill we purchased with the Little’s.
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It seemed easier to pack when we were home! We didn't really buy much other than a couple of jackets and some magnets, why won't it fit?
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We obviously are not big spenders. One mug, some ornaments for the tree and 2 jackets were all we purchased. How much space could this have taken?
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We then showered and spent our last night here in Alaska. Kinda sad, but with a little convincing, I might be ready to go home.
We were lucky enough to talk to a couple that had stopped to rest at a scenic pullout we were at. What they told us, plus what I learned via the internet, was that this event was called “Fireweed: The Race Across Alaska”. These two days actually included 5 different races, from half-century ( 50 miles ) to a jaw dropping 400 mile race, some peddling through the night. It also is both a “Road Event” ( social ride - seriously? ) and a Time Trial. The road rises 1000 feet in elevation during the very first 6 miles, testing the tenacity of 600 mighty folks.
