JULY 23RD, TOK, ALASKA

Nice lazy start to the day. We had no electrical hook-ups, so we had no air conditioning, but it didn't really matter. We were so tired we fell sound asleep around 9 and slept until almost 8 this morning. What a treat! I did wake up when Rudy jumped off the bed. He was so cute laying on the tile floor on his back with all 4 paws up. Even he was exhausted.

The staff had a pancake and sausage bkfst. for us and we all just chowed down. Denny, Stuart, Bev and I walked across the street to "Beautiful Downtown Chicken", which consists of a gift shop, saloon and small cafe. The Post Office (which receives mail by air on Tuesday and Fridays) was 1/4 mile down the highway. After that, we pulled out of Chicken for our 78 mile trip to Tok. We still had 2 miles of rough road, but not the steep drop-offs and small, soft shoulders. Our friend Dave let out a big Hee-Haw on the CB when we hit pavement. Man we felt like we were on an Interstate.

When we arrived at Tok, our WM said if we filled up with gas at the station across from the RV Village, we got free car washes. Was that a deal!. After a week of dust and gravel, we couldn't wait. It was a lot of fun because we all lined up and the guys and some ladies, all descended on the RV's and helped wash each others. We all got wet but had so much fun. Anyway, we couldn't believe the RV's were different colors, they had all looked alike with all the dust!!!

After settling in at the campground, Richard and Karen walked over to Fast Eddie's for dinner with us. I had Halibut (my favorite fish) and Denny had a hamburger. I couldn't believe it. It was a short walk back to the campground where we enjoyed the local talent of Dave Stancliff. He sang and played the guitar and was really good. Had a lot of cute songs about Alaska. We purchased 2 CD's to use as background music for our pictures (If I can figure out how to do it). After that we had our usual drivers meeting. At 9 o'clock, I started cleaning the inside of the RV and boy did it need it. Of course it was still broad daylight outside. I just can't get use to that.

Tomorrow, we head out for Fairbanks. We will be there 5 days counting our travel day. I made Rudy a grooming appt., he looks like a wooly bear. It will be nice to have several days in one place although the first 2 whole days are spent on tours. Sarah Palin is going to be there at a picnic Saturday to swear in the new governor and I am going to be stuck on a boat. Just my luck! So close but yet so far! Must close out. We leave at 8:30 in the morning and that comes fast!!!