North to Alaska

Day 23

Can a Valkyrie float?

There is no alarm to wake up to this morning.

I won’t even swing a leg over the bike today.

A day off in Whitehorse.

Homeward bound takes a new turn tomorrow.  When I had to do surgery on the itinerary a few days ago, I made arrangements to float back to the U.S. from Skagway, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

I had hoped to ride all the way back down through Alberta and British Columbia, but in order to get a National Park Stamp in California, I would have had to schedule 6-700 mile days to get home in time to get back to work on schedule.

The alternative was to book passage on the ferry – they had room for me and the bike, but the cabin space was all booked.  However, I’m told that they allow you to pitch a tent on the aft deck of the ship – so perhaps, I will be camping and floating my way back to Washington.

The ferry leaves Skagway on Monday evening about 8:00 p.m. and arrives in Bellingham approximately 8:00 a.m. Friday – so I will have four nights aboard ship.  The way the ferry scheduled worked out, I was able to schedule one and a half days of contingency time – it the event the trip to Alaska was more difficult than predicted.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to use any of that time – so I have the luxury of just sitting around – and, of course, catching up on laundry – a whole day in Whitehorse.

I am grateful for no alarm this morning – the walk along the Yukon River waterfront is refreshing – and my imagination can see the riverfront teaming with boats and travelers on their way to the gold fields of yesterday.

Tomorrow – a short drive to Skagway – some sightseeing there – then board the ferry and me and the Valkyrie will float home.

Since this is my last night in Canada, I should say how delighted I have been with the hospitality in this country – and it truly is a bargain for Americans.  The exchange rate between U.S. and Canadian dollars is about .65 – so everything, except gasoline is a comparative bargain.

Thanks, Canada for a wonderful time – I hope to see you again, soon.

So to you and Iowa Sioux and Cody, Golden, Long Island, NY – I say goodnight from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

 On the Yukon Riverfront

 Index, Day, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 thru 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32&33 34