Leaving Fairbanks
Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 4:53PM Well today is the day. I wanted to get one last post in before we head out of Fairbanks. We just finished picking up some last minute supplies at the grocery store and sports store, and as soon as I get this posted we are heading out to tackle the Dalton Highway.
I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared. Since I started planning this trip, I knew that the Dalton Highway (the Haul Road) was going to be the most challenging and the most dangerous. As a result of the weather it also has to be the first segment of the trip. Azure has been reading my posts before I put them up, but I am going to keep this one to myself. I know that she is nervous as I am, but I feel like she needs me to be confident to reassure her. The terrain on the Haul road will be some of the hardest that I will see all trip, oh yeah and it’s a dirt/gravel road that is usually only traveled by semi trucks headed to the oil fields, and then there is the wildlife. I am carrying bear spray for Azure’s piece of mind, not mine. I know that if a grizzly decides I look tasty, that number one Lance Armstrong couldn’t out pedal it, and two all that the bear spray will do is add a bit of seasoning to Mr. Bear’s lunch.
Hopefully, all of the wildlife we will see will be at a distance. Although, I will say it happened to me when I live up here and I am sure if I have another encounter it will happen again. When you meet a superior predator their element, wild and free, it is a life changing experience. I have never felt so scared and so alive in my life as I did the time that I came across a brown bear in the middle of the woods on the Kenai. It was majestic, intimidating, and beautiful all at the same time.
But the time has come, Azure is finished with packing the groceries and I can see her walking this way, so I have to wrap it up.
Nervous, scared, but really, really excited all rolled into one. One thing is for sure it’s going to be a wild experience. The next time we will be able to post will be upon our arrival back in Fairbanks with approximately 8 days of mountains and 500 miles of riding under my belt or bibs as the case may be.
Reader Comments (6)
Good luck EP and Azure! We are rooting for you!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall softly on your fields,
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall softly on your fields,
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand...
This one is for Azure too.
Good luck both of you!
PS - If I was a bear i would probably eat you.
I am proud of both of you. This is a worthy cause and I know you will be successful. What an adventure!
Wishing you all the favor and protection from God above.
Hi Patrick and Azure. I hope you had a happy 4th of July on the road. We missed you here on the W.I. I just read your entertaining posts and saw your beautiful pictures. What an exciting adventure for a great cause. I look forward to your update after the first week of the ride. Stay safe and have fun!