Day 24 - Talkeetna to Homer, Alaska. 334 miles today. 5,904 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana.

A beautiful blue sky, a shining sun, a cool crispness to the air, what a way to start the day!  The guys departed Talkeetna heading for Homer, Alaska.  They were able to take advantage of some road side scenic pull offs to see Mt. McKinley and the Denali Peaks.  At this point they estimated being 40 miles away from Mt. McKinley.  The way the sun was hitting the face of the mountain, and playing off of the snow, the views didn't seem real.  The guys said this was, "incredible."

Denali Peaks 

Joe, David, Fred, Mike and Ron tried to schedule lunch with Sarah, she was busy.

In Wasilla at the re-start area for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race.  The race actually begins in Anchorage.  Participants then stop in Wasilla, which is 46 miles from the start of the race.  The finish line is in Gnome, Alaska.  The total distance of the Iditarod is 1,000 miles, all by dog sled!

The five zoomed through Anchorage.

The Chugach National Forest is America's most northerly national forest.  The Chugach stretches across south-central Alaska from the salty waters and snow covered peaks of Prince William Sound to the fishing (trout and salmon) streams of the Kenai Peninsula.  The Chugach is about the size of the state of New Hampshire.  I bet that made Joe feel right at home.  Believe it or not this is one of the few places in the world where valleys are still being ground out of the hard rock of the earth by glacier activity.

Time for a seat break, and Joe's afternoon snack.

Must be time for Mike's snack time too.  Dots, his favorite candy!   He says it gives him a boost of energy.

These two mountains are contained within the Lake Clark National Park.
These two mountains are actually active volcanoes.  

Both volcanoes slightly exceed 10,000 feet.

Something, something, something, burning ring of fire....how does that song go?

Mt. Iliamna- Gases are frequently seen venting near the summit of this volcano.

Mt. Redoubt-on the other hand is more active.  What is the recent activity from this volcano?

On December 14, 1989 Mt. Redoubt experienced an awakening.  Large volumes of ash were dumped on the surrounding areas ruining the holiday and nearly causing a crash of a jet liner.

In March of 2009 the thing erupted again sending hot ash, pyroclastic flows (dry, hot rocks) and mud flows everywhere.  The eruption ceased in April when a lava dome plugged the vent of the volcano.  Seismic activity is monitored by the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Fred and David, "you can't make this stuff up, it's real!"  And, they are not holding hands.

The fellas remarked, "this was a great day of riding."  The weather was nearly perfect.  The mountains, ocean and waterways combined to make for spectacular scenery that entertained the group at every turn and stop.

They arrived in Homer, Alaska where they will be spending the night. 

In case you didn't know, or were wondering, Homer is the Halibut Capital of the World.  It is well known in fishing circles as the place to go for great Halibut fishing.  In order to celebrate that, the guys were planning on Halibut for dinner.  Just for the hell of it.

Day 24 - Fairbanks to Talkeetna. Distance today 293 miles. Total from Indianapolis - 5,569 miles.

The morning brought a change to the Iron Horse Alaskan Adventure.  Heeding medical advice, Stu made the prudent decision to withdraw from the group.  There will be more on Stu's plans later.  From here forward, five guys will advance on their way home.

Appropriately under gloomy skies, with a light rain falling, the six had to say their goodbyes.  Leaving Stu in Fairbanks, Mike, Fred, Ron, David and Joe would work their way south towards Denali National Park.  

They will spend the night in Talkeetna, Alaska.

When they arrived in Talkeetna they had no cell phone service and very limited internet access.  These photos were sent one at a time.  That process was very slow.  Check back on this day, images will be added when the group reaches an area with better services.

Road construction and more warnings of safety for motorcyclists.

Hello, who's calling?  Uh, that would be Mother Nature.

Mike took advantage of the port-o-let in the construction zone.  

Ron was so kind to hold the door closed for Mike.  Must have been a bad latch on the door.

This trick, never gets old.

Just outside Cantwell, Alaska the guys spied this giant Igloo.  This structure was built in the 70's as a hotel.

Unfortunately because of not being able to meet building codes the building/hotel never opened.

This building is so large it is visible from airplanes at 30,000 feet.  Vandalism has taken its toll over the years.

At the entrance of the igloo.

Did anyone check these guys for spray paint?  Toilet Paper?  Silly String?

David

Mike

The five are sitting on the wall at a scenic over look.  

What you are seeing is the South Denali Viewing Point.

Joe, in the same location.

Joe

These guys had lined up a special adventure for the afternoon. 

They found the bed and breakfast and hurriedly dropped their gear.  Next up, off to the airport.

David, Joe, Fred, Ron and Mike reached the airport.

They chartered a sightseeing plane for a tour of Denali National Park.

It is difficult to tell what specie of animal that is in this picture. 

 The guys saw these two Moose hanging around in that marsh below the plane.

After returning from this tour they all thought that taking pictures was a huge waste of time.  

The beauty of mountains, glaciers, sky, snow and well, everything did not translate well to the camera.

That would be Mt. McKinley, or Denali.  Either name for this mountain is correct.

David and Fred appear to be enjoying the plane tour.

Collectively the guys agreed that this was the coolest thing they have done so far.

In some areas the ice in the glaciers was estimated to be one mile thick!

David, Joe, Fred and Mike with pilot Doug (pictured right in the middle of the group).  Doug with Talkeetna Air Taxi or TAT for short took the guys up on their flightseeing tour of Denali.  He was full of information and has been flying in Alaska for 27 years.  Having taken skiers, fishermen, hunters to destinations in and around Talkeetna Doug was full of interesting stories.

Sunshine B & B - located in a White Birch woods.

David, Joe, Ron, Mike and Fred arranged lodging in Talkeetna at Sunshine Lake Bed and  Breakfast.

Even though the cabin the boys had reserved had their own kitchen and grill, Nancy the owner, insisted that the fellas dine in her kitchen!  She fixed a delicious meal.  Everything was made from scratch.

 Fred, Mike, Joe, Nancy, Ron and David

The guys thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Sunshine Lake Bed and Breakfast.

Day 23 - Fairbanks, Alaska. Zero miles ridden today.

Can you imagine how dirty those bikes were after being in all of that rain and mud the day before yesterday, then the dust today?  Well, today those filthy things finally got washed.  The guys also took them to the Harley shop to have the oil changed and the bikes serviced.

Using the down time wisely everyone caught up on their laundry.

There have been some long, hard days of travel for these six adventurers.  It was great to have a day of rest up and be able to re-charge before being on the road again.

There he is!  Stu is up and about.

Stu has ridden an impressive number of miles on this trip.  

Originally starting this trip from Key West, Florida, riding to Fairbanks, Alaska he has logged 6,916 miles!

Out of the group of six, this has been the most miles traveled by motorcycle to date.

Dr. Wendy Boucher and her fantastic assistant!  They fitted Stu with that fine looking Orthopedic appliance.

Thank you for fixing up our Stu!

Tomorrow's plan is to leave Fairbanks heading south towards Denali National Park.

Day 22 - Fairbanks, Alaska to the Arctic Circle and back to Fairbanks. Day trip miles - 412. Total miles since leaving Indianapolis - 5,271 miles ridden.

Mother Nature decided to smile on the guys today.  Yesterday's rain yielded to a clear, blue sky.  There was a 0% chance of rain in the forecast.

The group's excitement level ran high with the hopes of making the ride to the Arctic Circle.  To make this trip everything must work exactly right.  The weather is absolutely critical, 120 miles of the route that the guys planned to take is hard packed dirt.  It is almost impossible to ride on this surface even with a light rain shower occurring, let alone a long rain.  This area is mountainous.  In a moments' notice the weather can change.  If you make the ride to the Arctic Circle, you must return on that same 120 mile stretch of dirt road in order to get back.  There is no other route.  As excited as the guys were to make the trip, their hearts were heavy too.  A piece of the group was left behind as Stu remained in Fairbanks.

Many motorcyclists come to Fairbanks hoping to make the run to the Arctic Circle.  Bad weather might make them have to wait four or five days, or until, the weather breaks.  Even with the long wait, some still don't get the chance to make the trip.  Given the weather conditions yesterday, along with Stu's injury, today we were blessed with the perfect day.

It was Joe's turn to lead the group today.  They were preparing for a dusty ride.

The road is called the Dalton Highway.  This is known to the locals and truckers as the Haul Road.  This is the only road from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay.  It passes the Arctic Circle.  The Dalton Highway is also the service and construction road for the  Alaskan Pipeline.

The road runs almost parallel to the Alaskan Pipeline.

The guys approaching the Yukon River

Vast, open country.

Six hours, and 206 miles later, the group arrived at the Arctic Circle.

 Joe and David at the Arctic Circle.

Joe has ridden 6,189 miles from his home in New Hampshire.

From Memphis, David has ridden 5,632 miles to this point.

During the geography session, Fred points out their location on the world map.

Fred has traveled 5,475 miles from Canal Fulton on his motorcycle.

 

Proof indeed that Mike reached the Arctic Circle.

Since Mike left Bemus Point, he has ridden 5,631 miles.

 Fred, Mike, David, Ron and Joe

Having arrived at the Arctic Circle, the five were now 5,631 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, which was the official starting place for their Alaskan adventure.

Documenting that he also arrived at the Arctic Circle, Ron stands by the sign.

Ron and his bike are now 5,216 miles from home in Sunman.

The five guys represent their buddy Stu, at the Arctic Circle.  He was truly there in spirit!
Will somebody please tell Fred and David that their mustaches are on upside down?

Hey Mike!  Did somebody say picnic?

Actually, Ron's been talking about picnics for several weeks now.  

It's a wonder they haven't bound and gagged him over the subject.

Mike, Joe, Fred, David and a swarm of mosquitoes.
  David's smiling with the hopes that RP will finally stop talking about picnics.

Heading back towards Fairbanks down that same long, dusty dirt road.

How many guys, dressed in black leather, does it take to hold up a section of the Alaskan Pipeline?

Answer - This has never been done, so nobody knows for sure.

Everybody else reads the No Trespassing signs!

Busted by the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Doyon Security Guard.

He has to explain to the guys that the sign meant them too!
These guys really need chaperons.

The guys have made the return trip on that same 120 mile dirt road.  They are back in Fairbanks.

Safety is a must on this road.  There is a fair amount of semi traffic on this road.   Drive it like you stole it, is the motto for these truckers!

Have you ever watched the television show Ice Road Truckers?  Well, if you have, this is the road that they drive on.  Only this road is full of ice and snow.