Funky towns in AK and YK

Hi, We thought it would be fun to show you some funky little towns up here in God's country. This is Hyder, Ak and the sign above Jack reads "Leaving Hyder, the Friendiest ghost town in Alaska". Right behind him is the border crossing and our campground was about 2 miles down the road in Stewart, BC. Hyder is where I took the pictures of the twin Grizzlys and Salmon Glacier.

I turned around and took this picture of downtown Hyder. Only 2 stores, 1 Pizza shop and 1 Motel. Everything else was closed or out of business.

This is in Dawson City, YK and all the streets are dirt and the sideways are boardwalks build above the streets. There is no drainage system so when it rains, the water just sits and slowly
softens the ground. Due to Permafrost, the ground sifts and sinks. These buildings are called the "Sisters" and will eventually fall into each other. In 1898 the population was 30,000 because of the Yukon Gold Rush. Today there are about 1900 residents. A lot leave in the winter to warmer climates. The town is about as big as Old Town Key West, about 1 by 3 miles.

This is Barrow, Alaska. Not much here. Dirt, dust, junk (cars, ATVs, snowmobiles), no trees, no grass and houses are unpainted Plywood and 50 year old Trailers. They do have a Mexican Restaurant! There is no road until the Artic Ocean freezes and then you can come and go via ice to Deadhorse. The only thing that saves this town is Alcohol is prohibited.

We left Tok, Ak and drove uphill on a dirt road in smokey, foggy and misty weather. It took 2 hours to arrive in Chicken, Alaska. They have a gift shop, Saloon and Cafe, all run by 3 women. They drive up every day from Tok and they said this was the worst weather they have seen yet. Someone ordered a Bloody Mary and the girl didn't know how to make one, plus they couldn't find Tomato Juice. Early miners wanted to name the town after the state bird, Ptarmigan. Unable to spell or pronounce Ptarmigan, they named it Chicken. The 2 birds look alike.
We drove another another 3 hours to the "Top of the World" but couldn't see anything until we got to Dawson City.

Back in the states and will be in Portland tomorrow. Later, Love Gail