Friday, June 22, 2012

there is not enough room!

Seriously, this is the smallest ferry I've ever been upon! Can that Camper get any closer to the commanders domain? I'm pretty sure that the vessel guards snugged it close enough to fit us on! I just hope that we don't capsize crossing the mighty Yukon!


Whew, we're on....with just inches to spare. The river pulled the tiny ferry downstream a bit before it powered itself upstream to land. See that little piece of dirt on the right side? Well, that is where we disembark. Who said Seattle needs docks! And who was to know our adventure was about to begin....

So folks, this is the renowned, "top of the world highway." This journey follows many mountain ridges with vistas to die for. Wait, maybe I ought not say that! They were quite stunning! If you look a bit closer, you will notice a small flag on the right side of the road. They signify a dip or a frost heave, and if you aren't slowing down, it could rip the windshield right off whatever you are driving!  We could see for miles and miles...the road and the mountains.

We spent the majority of the day all alone on the TOTWH only to be confronted by semi that was determined to arrive at it's destination yesterday.....watch this...

the dust out that occurred once the truck passed us! We not only slowed, but was forced  to a complete stop....and even with the windows rolled up we could smell the dust permeating our cab.


The Yukon Territory is a vast land of lumber, and gravel. Yes, that is the road on the upper left corner with a small glacier jutting down to the valley floor. We kept looking for an end in sight.....it was miles and miles over terrain so unbelievable the our eyes soothed to a sedative effect.


 
The border crossing is literally at the top of the pass. Though not high in Washington's standards, the incline steeped to slow us to 10 miles per hour! At this point, even if you were in a car, it would have taken you 2 hours to get to reach this destination. Imagine the isolation these custom officials deal with. there were small rustic cabins adjacent, I assume that was their lodging.

We had been sitting patiently in our abode before we were summoned to proceed beyond the stop sign. At this point, my nerves became distressed and sweating prevailed because I just realized that the trailer that had passed us ( see behind the inspector) miles ago, had been pulled aside for a thorough inspection. Were we to be next? As it was, the established standards were- no firearms, no wood, and no citrus. A few questions later and we were promptly cleared and we safely arrived back in the jurisdiction of the United States!  

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