Day 8 – To Fairbanks
Todays Mileage: 497
Total Mileage: 3772

Today started out with that dark drama music from Long Way Round playing in my head. Last night before going to bed Kevin and I were discussing the mileage, and on my chart I have us doing alot less than we have been doing. I thought “Did I miss a day? Did I add a day, then delete it? WTF?” After he and I talked this morning we’ve come to the conclusion that the GPS seems to be off by 10-20% on the road mileage, in the wrong direction. It will tell us 432 miles and in reality its 474 miles etc… I think this same problem is inherent in the mapping software that comes with the Garmin. Next time I plan a trip, I’ll have to make sure I buy actual maps and verify my routes are indeed taking us where they should. A few days it ago it wanted to run us down a 70 mile dirt road…

Not an eventful day. We saw wolves running on the side of the road. Kevin’s anti-monkey butt powder exploded in his rear luggage. We made it to Fairbanks a day ahead of schedule. And we did reach the ‘official end’ of the Alcan Highway. I have to note that Kevin scored us a great room at the Town House Motel. At first it looked like a not-so-nice place but I’ll share pictures tomorrow. Its actually quite nice and I’m going to have to make sure I keep this as one of my favorites for a later visit.

Looking back on the trip so far. I would have to say we’re going too fast. Most of the trip has been riding with little to no site seeing. Granted, we’re seeing alot of sites, as the zip by and disappear into the rear view. Next time I’d like to take time to see more of Whitehorse, make it to Denali, see a glacier, and go kayaking near the icebergs. I will have to say I’m disappointed that I haven’t seen a grizzly bear yet. If I don’t see one before we get on the ferry in Haines I’m asking for a refund.