Valdez to Tok - August 5, 2010

Still raining this day. We took our time and left about 10:30 AM. Sorry to leave this nice hotel, expensive but nice. The distance to Tok is 254 miles via the Richardson Highway and the Tok Cut-off. Because of the rain and clouds we didn't expect to see much beyond the roadside. Many of the highways here and in Canada have very wide verges, sometimes as much as tripling the width of the road itself. Of course, other times the road narrows to barely two lanes because of canyons, hills and dropoffs.
The only sight of note was some views of the Alaska Pipeline off from the highway about a mile at least. There is one pipeline pump station with warning signs all around not to approach.

On this part of the highway there are not many travelers services, two or three gas stations at Glenallen, some RV Parks and not much else. At one intersection there was a closed gas staion with just the letters ECO left on the pump, from TEXACO.
At Tok (rhymes with "smoke") we stayed ay the Westmark Inn. As we found out it is run by Holland-America Line so their bus tours have stopover accomodations. When we were in Seward last week we saw the Statendam cruise ship, also run by Holland-America Line.
After we checked in and wanted to go to eat supper, Donna decided she would walk the mile to the restaurant, Fast Eddy's, a landmark in Tok. It was sprinkling and sunny at the same time and the mosquitos and no-see-ums were out in force, the worst we've had this trip.
I drove along in a short time and picked her up near the restaurant. She had been swatting at the critters all along the walk.
In Tok and many other towns in Alaska there are paved hike/bike trails that follow the highways which Donna ands Kay took advantage of during our stay. Often on the opposite side there would be a track for ATV's and dirt bikes.
The fireweed is seen all through Alaska along the roadsides and especially where there has been a forest fire.