I spoke with Mike earlier this evening. He had some questions for me. Unfortunately, he didn’t say where they’d been, nor where they were going other then they were going on a boat ride. He did say they were fine and that Sheila had several pictures she was going to send. It’s now almost midnight and there are no pictures in my in-box. haha So what’s new? I expect Sheila will send them in the morning. They had had a long day.

Finally, Sheila found the button to take pictures. lol

They are going to spend a while in Alaska and see some of the sights. Here are some pictures they took yesterday and today.

Lots of Black Bear along the road. Sheila refused to get a closer picture.

Large boat in White Horse

Very large cruise ships in Skagway.

Mike didn’t have his fishing pole, so he’s waiting patiently for the fish to jump in his lap.

Another picture of the Alaskan Highway. Looking at this road shows that it doesn’t lend itself to dodging traffic.

First view of Skagway as they come into town.

This entire building is built of little sticks.

Stone Mountain.

I know I haven’t updated the website in a few days, but decisions were being made and I didn’t want to post until they were solidified.

Mike and Sheial are in Skagway tonight.

The Alaskan Highway is narrow, no shoulder, and steep ditches. A couple of incidences happened in the last week that made everybody think about what is going on.

Last Thursday, Sheila stayed back and stopped at the top of a hill with flashers on, waving a orange flag. The Semi drivers for the oil fields are after the almighty dollar and won’t slow down for nothing. A semi passed Sheila at about 60 and then topped the hill looking at the back of the wagon. A motorhome was coming the other way. The Semi locked up all 18 and started sliding. The Motorhome took to the steep ditch (wonder if they have any plates left?), giving the semi room to go around Mike and the wagon. This was not the first occurence.

As such, the decision to leave the Wagon, the Horse Trailer, and the team in Fort Nelson, was made. Mike and Sheila continued on to Skagway in their truck and camper. They arrived today. Sheila called and said they had lots of pictures to send, but wanted to eat supper first. I told her to eat, relax and enjoy. We could wait for pictures until tomorrow.

They will spend some time in Alaska before heading back.

I for one, commend Mike and Sheila for making a tough decision.

Here’s what the Alaskan Highway looks like.

New Chassis showed up on time. Wagon box was lifted on. Wagon was ready to roll late this afternoon, but I’m not sure if they decided to stay the night and leave early, or if they put a few miles behind them this evening.

Here’s the new chassis.

Got this picture late last night. Notice the Chassis is in 3 different pieces. This is what it looked like when they lifted the box.

If all goes right, new chassis will be delivered this morning.

Just got a call from Mike. Right front spindle broke. The have a guy coming out of Fort St. Johns with a trailer and will be hauling the wagon back to there to see what they can do.

The were coming down Pink mountain when it broke. This is originally caused by the wreck Mike had when the team spooked. It tore the frame. The pacthed it but it just didn’t hold.

The promised an update as soon as they know anything.

May require a compleye new chassie.  With all the hills, the brakes are getting bad also.   Mike said if it’s too expensive, he and Sheila will saddle up and continue on.

Got my call, still have great signal. They have been making some miles. But then again, there’s no place to turn off. lol

Mike said it’s really hilly and the road is real narrow. The semi’s working the oil fields come off one hill and get a run at the next hill so the traffic is just flying by. No shoulder and the ditch is very deep. The good thing is, the further they get up the highway, the less traffic.

Currently they are camped at the local fair grounds in the town of wonowon. Which happens to be at mile post 101. Imagine that!

To date, they have traveled 1431 miles.

Sheila only took one picture and it’s of the Man Camp in Wonowon.

NOTE: I started a new map at Dawson Creek. So there will be three maps on the last page. Home to Canadian border. Border to Dawson Creek. Dawson Creek to Skaqway. My map program is limited on points they stop at so I couldn’t run one continuous map. Plus, it would be getting so small of print you couldn’t read it. 5433

Annamari Miles and her son took these pictures when the wagon rolled by their house. Many thanks for sending them in!    (The wagon in back is “Drafting” so they can get better speed and milage).

This picture was taken by Sheila when they left Fort St. Johns.

I spoke with Mike and Sheila about noon. They were in Fort St. John.

Earlier, they had to cross a steel bridge that was open. Many thanks to Everett Patterson for bringing his truck and trailer so that he could haul the wagon across. Mike trailered the horses across. This bridge was across the Peace River.  5378

The Grating on the bridge (not good for horse shoes)

The middle of the bridge.

Peace River.

One of the many people still using horses in that area.

I got word this afternoon that Mike and Sheila were getting ready to cross a open span bridge that is expanded steel type. In other words you can see through it. This bridge is just a few miles from Taylor, so I’m assuming they should get close.

Here’s a picture of a bridge the crossed earlier in the day. This bridge is all wood underneath and was built in 1942-1943 time frame. It is at Mile Post 21 on the Alaskan Highway. 5357