2005/07 Alaska Trip - North to Alaska - Mukluk Annie's |
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The Alaska Highway is a good two lane road at this point, with wide shoulders and the forest cut back far enough to give a broad view of the surrounding mountains. Last year, this area was lined with big stands of pink fireweed, but there was little to be seen this time. I think it must be that the fireweed does very well for a couple of years after the ground is disturbed by a fire or road works, but then it gets crowded out by grass and other plants.
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Alaska Highway (Watson Lake, Teslin, Mukluk Annie's) |
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We ran into some rain and hoped that it would wash the mud off, but all it did was move it about. We stopped for a short walk to Rancheria Falls, a small waterfall and rapids, but mostly we spent the rest of the day driving west to Teslin, the next town on the highway. Teslin is a one-street town, mainly populated by Tlingit Indians. There are two good museums in town, but we were too late to get into either of them. Last year we’d laughed at the cardboard police car and officer set up to slow the traffic, but, sadly, we have to report that they have been run over and look much the worse for wear.
We’d seen an ad for Mukluk Annie’s, offering free camping, so thought we’d take a look, though we are always 
dubious about “free” offers. Mukluk Annie’s turned out to have a good campground overlooking Teslin Lake, and it really was free unless we wanted electrical hookups. Also, we were offered a free boat trip and a free camper wash if we bought one of their dinners, so we took the excuse to stuff ourselves to get all these benefits.
We went out on the boat at 9pm with Mukluk George. He took us across the lake to feed the herring gulls, who were obviously used to seeing his boat as they came out to join us. George didn’t mess around with safety too much: no chat about life jackets, and we were sitting out on the stern in ordinary chairs right next to the water. As he doesn’t charge for the ride I guess he can be more casual!
George and Annie come from Minnesota. He ran a bar and strip joint in St Paul, and said he was “well known” to the police until he “found Jesus” and came to the Yukon. So we had to take a bit of preaching from George, but it was worth it for the scenery and sunset.
Sunday July 17th
Sunday began wet and dark. John and I washed the truck and the trailer. All we had was a hose and a worn-out 
broom, but that was enough to make a big improvement. We could now see out of the windows! Enough to see the rain anyway.