While it was grey gloomy and cold here on the coast in Nome Saturday, it was hot and sunny inland. Loaded up the CalVin with liquid refreshments and snacks and GF on the back for the 58 mile trip up the kougarok road to the turnoff.
I have been down this road in 4x4 years past and had heard that some improvement had been done but the last 7 miles from here was quite the adventure riding 2up on the Guzzi! Steep up and downs all hard washed out gravel with rocks and at least a dozen sink holes to cross.
Stacy got nervous and decided to walk around some, took this one pic. But it may not look that bad but some of them had water over my ankles on the floor boards and darting side-side because of hidden rocks. The shinko 705s I just put on proved quite sure footed throughout.
I won't bore you with pictures of stunning remote Alaska wilderness on the way....
Okay mebe a few:
imgesA few muskox up on the hillside not paying us no mind.
The backside of the Kigalik mountains, right on the Continental devide, this an ancient volcanic zone leaving hot springs and a wealth of minerals. You may have heard about the Graphite one project very near to Pilgrim.
I won't go into the historical significance of the site but you can look here:
https://www.pilgrimhotsprings.com/ One of the reasons we came was a sort of mini festival for the season opening that included free admission, live music and Eskimo drumming/dancing featuring king and st.lawrence island. Native Groups.
Even Stacy jumped in! ( White t shirt)
I sure did get a lot of eye balls and comments of " you rode that thing here?!" Especially from all the kids.
And of course the hot spring!
I got permission to take some photos on the old catholic mission grounds, see link above for the history, very interesting to see some of the old 100 year old buildings and equipment left behind the orphanage.
All n all a great day. On the way out Stacy decided to get a ride in a car from some friends the first 7 miles which made it much easier for me to ride. As an aside while she was in that car on the rough part, it had its evac. Cannister ripped off the bottom from by the fuel tank! Lol! Rest of the trip was fine for everyone. I don't think I would choose to put that kind of abuse on the bike (or me) in the future. Just as easy to go there by truck.
