we are in alaska. its funny, the entire trip we have been talking about going to alaska, and when we get to alaska. now we have to check ourselves and replace it with anchorage.

we are only 3 more riding days out. Monday is A-Day.

the ride has been going well. there was a 19 mile race for the border. no big breakaways and the ending was a little botched cause noone knew which sign they were racing for. the border is a little unceremonious. there is a forest, and you can tell where the line is because all the trees are cut away.

the roads have been better here. there havent been the huge gravel patches we had to cross in the yukon. its also pretty warm in the afternoons. everyone starts the day in winter tights and usually have to take them off before we even leave.

right now we are in chitochina (sp?) we had a sweet tribal pot luck dinner...complete with moose meat! kind of tastes like brisket. one of the men told us a little about thier clan and background, it was interesting.

they also told us about a trail to go try to see the salmon running up stream. our real motivation was that there is a black bear running around and we wanted to try to see it (dont worry mom we didnt). a few of us tried to go, but wound up being attacked by so many mosquitos that me, viggo and lorig tured around and went tearing back for open ground and the calamine lotion i so lovingly got in my last care package.

ok, gotta run....next stop ANCHORAGE!!!

(well in 3 days)