Day 19. Today was quite the adventure. We got up early, ate a quick breakfast at the campsite (juice, breakfast bar, fruit, coffee), and headed out for the Dalton Highway (the "Haul Road") and the Arctic Circle. The Dalton Highway, which goes all the way to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean, bisects the Arctic Circle around mile 200. It was some of the roughest road we have ever driven. To be sure, some if it was paved (although broken up with frost boils). But the majority was packed dirt and gravel. It took us five hours to drive the 200 miles, and I felt we made pretty good time. At the Arctic Circle there is a pull-off with rest area and signficant display marking the spot. We set the camera on the tripod and got a couple of good shots of us there. On the way back we got certificates authenticating that we have been to the Arctic Circle. By the time we got back to Fairbanks (7 p.m.) the car was covered in dirt. So the first order was to get a car wash, followed quickly by food. Needless to say, we slept very soundly last night, even with light rain falling. I'm happy to report that our tent is water tight and nothing got wet inside the tent.
Mileage for the day: 511 miles
Mileage for the trip: 4,584 miles
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An easy way to get to the Arctic ocean is to take a flight from Fairbanks to Barrow. It is an interesting tour but not some place you want to live (or at least I wouldn't). On the tour they give you the opportunity to be part of the 'real' polar bear club & take a plunge in the ocean. You are so cold in the water you feel warm when you get out! :-) Enjoy - River's Edge (Bend? View?) CG booked tours for this.
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