Day 18 - Aug 21: Ceremony, Airstrip, and Fire

Today, the AC'12 Convoy traveled from Paxson, Alaska, north on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction. From there, they will head down the Alaska Highway to Tok.

Delta Junction is the official end of the Alaska Highway at Milepost 1422. A ceremony was to take place in Delta Junction to mark the convoy arrival. From here, the convoy will begin it's back-track of the Alaska Highway down to Milepost 0 at Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

AC'12 Day 18  travel route

As an aside to today's adventures, just west of their travel route is Delta Creek Airstrip. This airstrip was constructed in 1982 under Mike's direction when he was a young 1st Lt. at Ft. Richardson. The airstrip is on Ft. Greely. I've indicated it's location on the travel map above. Check out these SPOT satellite images. Apparently the satellite imagery used by Google caught an active fire burning at the airstrip location.  A check at the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center indicates this was the Oklahoma Range #2 Rx (prescibed) fire from June 2011.

Notice smoke column along Delta Creek side of fire

Distinct N-S diagonal is the Delta Creek Airstrip
Bright orange is active fire
Dark orange is burnt area

- Ellen

Day 17 - Aug 20: Denali Highway to Paxson

The AC'12 convoy back-tracked down the George Parks Highway to Cantwell, Alaska in order to drive the Denali Highway from Cantwell to Paxson.  This should be a neat experience across the wilds of Alaska.  It is only 155 miles, but is likely to take them all day.

AC'12 Day 17 travel route

- Ellen

Day 16 - Aug 19: Mt. McKinley

A mid a mix of sun and rain, the AC'12 convoy had a rest day. Some took the bus tour up to the Mt. McKinley view point. Mike told me the group saw lots of wildlife.

Mike and Greg had to make a round-trip into Anchorage. Apparently it was sunny in Anchorage, but elsewhere, they encountered lots of rain.

Mt. McKinley, 1981

Be sure to check out the Paper Doll Blog, RV Adventures blog, and the AC'12 facebook page. There is a nice variety of pictures of the roads, wildlife, towns, BBQs, and the Alaska Veterans Memorial posted on them.

For those that might have missed seeing Mt. McKinley, here is a photo I took back in 1981 from the bus view point at Wonder Lake.

- Ellen