This is a preliminary update done at 7:50 a.m. Alaska time.   Even at midnight here, the sky is light!   

Right now, our group has split up into three ... about five or six bikers are up in Fairbanks and I believe some are going to rent a car and go up to Prudhoe Bay while some will rent a car and just go up to Arctic Circle. Four others are going to do Denali, Talkeetna, Soldotna, Homer, Kenai and Palmer. The reason for this is that the dealership told us yesterday in very clear language that only fools on cruisers and tourers try to go on Dalton Highway.  For example, one year, 47 Gold Wingers tried it and only two made it without an accident.  Some were so bad the bikes were totalled and the biker's wives had to fly up to stay with them in the hospital.  Even a "minor" accident can cost thousands of dollars, what with towing, etc.  A major one can be several tens of thousands of dollars which make my forfeited deposit in Coldfoot meaningless.

I seriously believe that an experienced cruiser or tourer biker can do this road only if (1) he/she remains 100% focused on the highway; (2) maintain a steady speed of 20-30 MPH and a steady course; (3) turns around if reaching muddy segments instead of being a gung-ho yahoo and plowing ahead; (4) takes three days for this.  Only Jerry's bike is capable of doing this but his fuel range is just 140 miles and other bikers he met en route who planned to do this Prudhoe Bay segment are doing the whole thing in just one day.  You only see bold bikers or old bikers but never both ... I rather be chicken and old (grin).

So, on future years, I will give group members an option of (1) renting a road ready bike which is $200 per day, $500 deposit and still responsible for all damages; (2) renting a car; (3) going on a van tour (which I believe is the less stress free approach); or (4) do something else such as Denali, Homer, Kenai, etc.

I plan to update this more tonight which most likely will be past midnight your time. 

My plans today is to go south 220 miles to Homer and devour some homemade seafood chowder and halibut.

As of 10 p.m. Alaska time ... I just got word that Dan Whitmore has left our group and is now heading home.  We wish him a very safe journey home.

Here is a picture of the place I am staying in Wasilla.  The RV is parked behind this quonset hut which Pastor O'Neal converted into a residence and church.

Alaska and Northwest Canada are serious about coffee.  Here is an example of one of the many places where you can pull off the road and get a hot drink.

Today I drove down to Homer.  The peninsula south of Anchorage is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. It was an extremely pleasant trip with the temperature hovering around 60 degrees.

With Alaska's long days and short nights, flowers grow in profusion.  Here are some along the roadside.

Arriving in Homer, I made a beeline for Captain Pattie's Fish House and had a bowl of clam chowder and baked halibut (with dill sauce).  This meal was worth every mile I went!  Homer is something like Key West, Florida ... a spit of land surrounded by towering mountains.

First of all, just take a look at this clam chowder.  The clams are local, fresh and tasty.

Now, look at this incredible halibut!  Captain Pattie's Fish House has every kind of sea food you would ever want.

Not only that,but this is the view from my restaurant's seat. 

Arrived back in Wasilla after 560 miles ... thanks Captain Pattie's Fish House for making the drive worth it!  See you again next year!