February 07, 2005
Setting up the tents for a camp at the Arctic Circle, Todd’s beard got caked in ice. This scene is typical of these parts…and we’re getting used to it.
(photo by Mark Cope)
D2 ran out of gas (distance between stations too great), and when he pulled over to get in position to fuel up, he fell off the shoulder into crotch-deep snow. No problem recovering this vehicle with a tow strap.
The sun goes down over the Dr. Seuss trees along the road south to Fairbanks.
Photos by Nancy Olson
| Logbook for Feb. 7th, Day 465. | ||
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Start: Arctic Circle, Alaska Time: 12:00 p.m. N: 66* 33.363 W: 150* 48.641 |
Finish: Fairbanks, Alaska Time: 6:00 p.m. N: 64* 49.987 W: 147* 42.935 | Mileage: 193 |
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Notes: This morning, we woke up in a snowstorm. Of course, it was no surprise, seeing as how we bedded down in a snowstorm, but it was bewildering nonetheless. At least two people on the team fell into a drift up to their crotches on the way to the toilet in the middle of the night, and the winds and snow caused everybody quite a chill. It was crazy. The zippers on our tent were frozen shut. We worked for almost an hour to get everything buttoned down and ready to go in the morning. Well, we finally got in the way, and we all silently cursed Alaska’s weather for the next hour or so of driving through blowing snow. But when we saw our first moose of the day, we were back to loving the place. (By the way, we’re at moose number 18, now.)
We drove for 200 miles before D2 ran out of gas and pulled over to the shoulder. Pulling onto the shoulder resulted in a serious sticking of the vehicle. There is no shoulder, when the snow is removed…so D1 tried to park on it, and we suddenly had 2 cars stuck…and one was out of gas. ANYWAY, we got’em out and arrived at the gas station before the others went empty, and all was good. In Fairbanks, we checked into the Best Western, ordered pizzas, and sat down to tell lies about our camping experience. These are the things that make expeditions, well, expeditions, and by the time we get home, we will have embellished the camping story in many ways. Suffice it to say, it was COLD and ICY and MISERABLE, and we LOVED IT!!! Tomorrow, we head further south into Canada. Unfortunately, we will lose Luke, who has become a wonderful teammie, and we already miss him. So, tonight, we will finish saying goodbye to him in proper LONGITUDE fashion, and tomorrow we will bid him a fond farewell. Until next time…Fondly, Your LONGITUDE Team! (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
