McCarthy

I wanted to top off our gas tank before we head to McCarthy, but there is no longer a gas station near the turn off to Chitina.  We have plenty of gas, just would be more comfortable with a full tank.  No AAA out here or much cell service. But soon after we turn down the road to Chitina we come upon the Kenny Lake Mercantile Campground and they are have gas pump and a nice general store. Expensive gas, but we only need a ¼ tank to top off. The road is normally fully paved to Chitina, but we have a section being dug up and repaved and have to wait 10 minutes before a lead car to take us through that section.

Getting gas

Once we get through Chitina, I thought the road was going to be gravel for the final 60 miles to McCarthy, but find the first 10 miles is Chip Sealed. The often used much cheaper than Asphalt alternative quickly gets pot holes, but still faster than ungraded washboard roads. This road is the old railroad that serviced the Kennicott Copper mine  After we drive over the high span Kuskalana railroad bridge, it turns to crap. 20 mph max if we don’t want everything in the RV flying all over the place or risk a high speed pot hole hit. This road is notorious for creating flat tires and a spare tire is highly recommended. When they occasionally regrade, old rail spikes come to the surface. Less of a problem these days I think, although a ranger told me he did pickup a nail this summer.  Speed and potholes and side wall damage are probably the greater tire killers.

The guards rails are a recent addition, sure makes it less exciting

Well, our 60 mile drive turns into a 3 to 4 hour ordeal.  Linda’s back is sore and I am exhausted, not a pleasure drive on this party cloudy day. I find our campground which I reserved for two nights after a little confusion. There is a more primitive one at the foot bridge over to the town of McCarthy, which would of been the better choice.

Walking Bridge to McCarthy

Anyways we are tired and were happy with soup for dinner and in bed by ten. Our one pleasent surprise is they have adquent Verizon cell service. I book Linda and I for a guided tour of the Kennicott Mill tomorrow at 11:30 AM before I go to bed.  Linda was not too interested in going on the tour of a copper mill. How boring !