The Goslings are Going

South Canol Rd, Johnson’s Crossing, YT – May 30, 2014

Plans are in turmoil. Concerns fill the air about the 11 percent grade into and out of Skagway. New people show up adding more possibilities to the mix.

The original plan was for the group to head to Skagway Alaska. 
Dennis, our Loosey Goosey Gang organizer, wanted everyone to have the opportunity to see and immerse themselves in the history of the town. After all, it was the jumping off point for the Klondike Gold Rush.

Already one in the group had experienced transmission problems.  A lot of anxiety filled the air about that long steep grade into and out of town. Few were willing to risk it for fear of creating more mechanical problems. Some of us had already seen Skagway and didn’t feel like dealing with the cruise ship crowds. So they were going to bypass that leg of the trip.

The Putnam’s current plan is to pass through Skagway via Haines and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry on the way back to the US in late August or September. But that too, may change.

So, alliances began to form and individual plans were laid. the Goslings were beginning to test their wings. Dennis had gone out of his way to let everyone know this was not going to be a trip with every little step laid out, reservations made at every RV park, and every detail planned. It was to be a loosely formed group that would ebb and flow, meet and separate, as the adventure progressed.

Some wanted a little more structure and split off into groups of like minds. Some wanted to explore more and to pick up the pace. Dennis had done an admirable job in getting the group to this point and now it was time to let the Goslings go.

Segueing into a new subject, Taz continues to be a part of our lives. This morning we got an email from John back home, letting us know that Taz’s ashes had arrived in Orange Park, but were being held captive by the USPS. She was being transported by US Mail instead of UPS or FedEx as we had expected.

This opens a new can of worms as her package requires our signature for delivery and obviously we weren’t there. We made sure the Vet in Black Hawk, SD knew we were traveling and that we wouldn’t be back until later in the year. So why they sent it signature required we don’t know. But we spoke with the Post Office, e-mailed the required paperwork to John, so hopefully that is now straightened out. Taz will be waiting for us when we return. Thank you John, for staying on top of this.

This required us staying past the posted check out time at the RV park, but Frank asked if it would be OK if we stayed until 1PM to work all this out and they said it was OK.

After we got Taz squared away, we had time for one final picture before we left Watson Lake, the Sign Forest City on the Alaska Highway under the posted Loosey Goosey Sign of course.

As for us? Well, we’re headed to a boondocking spot we used once before on South Canol Road near the Alaska Highway. We’re traveling alone because we stop at everything that looks interesting, and we like to stop and stretch our legs with hikes to scenic spots off the road. But we will miss the daily 4PM happy hour until the next meet up.

The scenery along the way never fails to amaze you. Driving along and around the corner something like this appears.

On our way we stopped at Rancheria Falls and enjoyed the walk to the Falls. It is a really nice area.

Getting late and we thought we might stop in Teslin, but the rest area says No Overnight Parking. So we stick to the original plan and cross the bridge. This is the longest bridge on the Alaska Highway.

Finally  made it to Canol Road and settled in for the night.

Stay tuned!