Alaska, finally.

[the deputy]

Day 20 - Talkeetna...rainy.

Train departs from here.











Day 19 - late afternoon, sunny and clear view of Denila.





Stayed in Talkeetna two days, nice little village.



On Day 20 - had a burger and fries from the Burger Barn for dinner...raining again.

 

[FAW3]

Enjoy your retirement. This is a great trip report! Safe travels!

 

[the deputy]

Enjoy your retirement. This is a great trip report! Safe travels!

Thank you. It's been a life style change for sure. Even believe, the "working mindset" kind of harmed my trip. After 46 years of transporting students to school safely and the responsiblity of 150+ pieces of equipment...your mind from the moment you get up is..."what has to get done today, followed by, what needs to get done today, followed by, what would l like to get done today"...in that order. My brain was still functioning like that throughout the trip. Sure, l'd have forced moments where l could convince myself...that l didn't 'need' to be anywhere or do anything that day...but for the most part...my brain kept saying...we 'need' to keep moving...or 'accomplishing' something today.

 

[the deputy]

Day 21 - had steady rain throughout the night, so no coleman coffee this morning. Had to drive twenty minutes...and like the Mighty Fitzgerald...'does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the roads (waves) turn the minutes to hours'...fortunately, was able to 'put the fifteen more miles behind me', before my caffine addiction was pacified.

Also found a nice little, well stocked IGA just cross the intersection, so loaded up on some necessary provisions.

Heading towards Vadez today.

 

[aknightinak]

Don't know what this was, but kept my bear spray handy...joking.

You found a pika! That's cool as all getout, might even be the coolest critter you've seen so far (and I only half joke). It's a species currently being hit hard by climate change, in particular, greening of the tundra and alpine. I've lived here 30 years and seen bears, moose, bears, moose, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben...but I've only seen a pika once.

The bird, definitely a black-billed magpie. I'd have to see side-by-sides of the plumage, but my first guess is that the duller ones were one of this year's broods.

The red Mercedes in the park photo is one I saw down here sometime within the past couple of weeks. I saw another Defender like yours, also, but you haven't mentioned Anchorage, and I haven't been out of Indian much this summer except to get groceries and attend the office once in a while.

 

[the deputy]

You found a pika! That's cool as all getout, might even be the coolest critter you've seen so far (and I only half joke). It's a species currently being hit hard by climate change, in particular, greening of the tundra and alpine. I've lived here 30 years and seen bears, moose, bears, moose, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben...but I've only seen a pika once.

Well, if that ain't the coolest thing ever! To know that l saw something rare, means a ton more than the rest. Granted, the wolverine and lone wolf were cool. We don't see the Magpies here in Michigan, unfortunately. They were very striking, in my opinion. Thank you, for the info.

Skirted Anchorage, made a hard left just north and made my way towards Glacier View.

In total, saw eight Defenders, all 110's. 3 - newer ones 1 - 2014, 2 - 2016 (or lets say towards the end of this body style, quit making this type in 2016) and 5 - older ones like mine (1988/1994 range - mechanical/no electronics).

 

[the deputy]

Day 21 - continues. Left IGA with ample supply of vittles...and stuck the rovers nose south.

 

[the deputy]

 

[the deputy]

Day 21 - continues.









Oh, and DON'T park on the grass. Could have sworn the asian lady (very broken english) working inside said..."just park on grass in site"...wrong...lol.



Airing things out, after the drizzley-hike at Denila Park and all the rain over the last couple days...getting somewhat musty smelling inside.





Yes, that's my fancy-dancy/designer/Northface knockoff/flannel coat hanging there...that l'd "runway modeled" around Denila. Everyone else looked like they just rolled out of GQ or LL Bean magazine...and me, with my styrofoam coffee cup and flannel...looked like l just came in from milking the cows...and might have smelled that way too...lol...hense the airing out.

Moved off the grass...next time Brian...just read the sign on the post...lol.



Yes, a man can live on cigars and coffee alone.


Thought l better read the direction on the bear spray, too. Seemed simple enough.

 

[the deputy]

Day 22 - heading towards Valdez. Had planned on making this destination yesterday, but called it a day early.

This was a very enjoyable ride, very scenic.

Stopped at a fuel station (Eureka Roadhouse maybe?), and they had a pretty cool snow machine.















Make the turn south towards Valdez at Glenallen and once past road construction, you can tell you are heading downhill most of the time.

 

[the deputy]

Day 22 - continues.

Get to Keystone Pass, amazing view.





Kept moving back to capture the scale of the rock formation.





Looking nearly straight up.



Bridal Vail Falls.





You have me and a few others...and then the rest.



VIew from my site.



Watched an eagle catch its dinner from my backdoor.

 

[the deputy]

Day 23 - continues.

Valdez harbor.













Day 23 - was time for another engine oil, grease and trans fluid change...and check transfer/axles fluids. Goggled a couple places and after a short bit got a response...being Saturday...wasn't sure if it would happen.

Well, after the owner/mechanic (and l use that last term loosely) arrived and pulled Victoria in, it was 4.5 hours later before l was on my way...and quite a bit little in the wallet. As l mentioned before, it's extremely painful handing over the keys to Victoria...especially, since Land Rovers are a little fickle. Now, the youngman was very nice and asked several questions about how to check or where to find something...but l'm like???...l'm basically paying to 'teach you' what l'm paying to 'have done'. And again...he was a very nice youngman and l hate even mentioning it...but if you offer a certain type of service, know your business...and 4.5 hours? I mean, l'm not young...thought maybe l should start making my funeral arrangements.

They say, "Folks go to Alaska to either find themselves or get lost and are never heard from again." As l sat there, was beginning to think the latter were just folks that stopped for an oil change and were never heard from again...lol.

Anyhow, all's well, that ends well...right?

Well, not quite. And like Paul Harvey use to say..."and now the rest of the story." But, not right this moment.

And, l don't want to come across as a negative person or someone that is never pleased about anything...because that is not the case or how l roll. But, the truth is sometimes painful to hear...or in this case...tell.

Short drive round the bay, spotted some Sea Lions.







They, and we all know who 'they' are, were calling for rain for the next six days. I'd planned on staying in Valdez for a few more days, but with this forecast...decided to leave early the next morning. Which was disappointing, since the town had just the right feel to it. Not to big and not to small...and the surrounding area was just beautiful.

 

[the deputy]

Day 24 - heading back towards Tok.

It's weird, kind of like the overcast days, especially picture wise, and driving, the photos look more dramatic, in my opinion.


















Back in Tok. Pulling into fuel station and what do l see...another Defender 110 pulling in. Was like???...these odds are even higher than the other sightings...l mean...the same gas station, at the same time...in Tok? At first l thought it was the couple l'd met in the Fort Nelson traffic fatality scene, who were heading for Vancover Island.



This couple was also from Germany. They'd just made their way across Canada, from Halifax. Pretty sweet rig, with pop-up roof.

After a visit, we bpth headed in opposite directions. Felt like treating myself to a restaurant meal and beer. 5 - Stars!



Pulling out of the restaurant, Victoria makes an odd noise. A loud chripping sound during acceleration. Kind of sounds like the turbo fins are hitting turbo housing. Figured these hills and mountains had finally taken their toll on the old girl. Not good, not good at all. Yes, fortunately, l have a brand new turbo at home, off my original engine that l unbolted before l left, just in case; that l ccould have shipped. Actually, l layed out several parts on the work bench and went over each one with my wife before leaving. Finding/getting Defender parts is not an easy task...or cheap. So, when you have your own supply, you make sure to have them ready.

Well, it's raining pretty good...so in between down pours l sneak out and check the turbo. Pulled the inlet hose, and the turbo spins freely and looks fine. Good news, for sure. Noticed a lot of exhaust soot on the firewall. Hmmm? I'd had a small tick, very minor, before l left...but thought it was the exhaust down pipe from turbo. It was an aftermarket pipe that never seemed to seal right from the get-go and l'd thought about replacing it before l left...but didn't. Well, all along it must have been the exhaust manifold gasket...cause that's where the soot was coming from now. Well, at least this issue isn't serious and it can be driven.

Stayed at the Sourdough Campground, east of town. No comment.

 

[the deputy]

Day 25 - well, after the engine cooled down during the night and the gaps opening up a bit more...the rest of the gasket blew out on stray up and she got pretty loud...and stinky. These things aren't very air tight to begin with...so l had to get moving quickly...or die of fumigation. Once moving, just cracked the drivers window and that kind of sucked the fumes right back out.

Heading for Whitehorse.

Destruction bay and Silver City area.





















Arrive in Whitehorse with a pretty stiff head ache, from fumes. But, we arrived...that being the silverlining.

 

[the deputy]

Day 26 - left Whitehorse at sun up...after my morning phone call from my wife...and made tracks for Watson Lake.

When my wife got me the pup...l specifically mentioned to her that l didn't want this to affect my trip. Because, l had two and a half months to play with, originally. She was like..."Oh no, l'll have him all potty trained by the time you get home."

Well, as they say...the best laid plans...just never seem to go as planned. About three days after Dalton arrival, my mother in law has some issues that need to be dealt with...so, l was getting the vib that l was going to be needed home. And at the moment...l'm about 3000 miles from home, driving a vehicle of top speed...65 mph.

Get to Watsons Lake Campground at dusk. And park at my, lucky for me, elevated camping spot.



As l'm eating dinner, at the pinic table. Which is on a lower section of site, notice the rear differential housing is wet. After inspecting closer...see that the fill plug is about to fall "into" (not out of) rear diff housing. The plug is a tapered fit, similar to pipe threads. Anyhow, someone, not mentioning any names...but just think of Paul Harvey here...must have overtighten the plug so much it ruined the threads in the diff rear cover. I'm just thankful l caught this...if that plug would have fallen into diff while going down the road...it's game over.

Well, luckily l have diff fluid and an sortment of tools. Remove plug, with my fingers. Took a rubber mechanic glove and
used it as a sealant around plug, snugged it up as best l could, after filling it naturally, and staked the outer threads of the plug so it couldn't move. Even added a heavy magnet, to ensure the plug would not, could not fall into differential housing. This should at least get me to town, where l can buy correct sealant.