Parked In Paradise – Mosquitoes Take Over Our Campsite | Far North Calling – Episode Three

Previously on Far North Calling. [Music] [Music] [Music] Well, all right folks. We are at a construction stop here about an hour north of Fairbanks getting ready to work our way towards Pruda Bay at the very tippy top. We’re going to be breaking it up over a couple days or a few days I should say. And uh for right now we’re just kind of getting north of Fairbanks in in search of camp. Uh, unfortunately just south of Fairbanks, there was a massive fire, the McDonald fire, I believe it was. And looking it up on the mapping system, it was over 50,000 acres in Gulf. So, a lot of smoke, a lot in the area. So, we wanted to push north and get ahead of all that and kind of get into some better air. Uh, but we made the best of our stop. We got restocked on groceries, more gas, propane. Um, what else did we do? We got uh lunch. We got lunch. We got We basically used the opportunity of the last city and got all the supplies and goodies that we needed for our trek. Uh going north now. [Music] Well, it’s official. We are at the start of the Dalton Highway here. Um, it’s not cold by any means, even though I have a jacket on. It’s just my one extra layer of protection with the mosquitoes. As you can see with our headnetss, they are out in full force. We’re literally parked for just a matter of seconds and they just swarmed out the car. So, camping is going to be a little rough as compared to last time when I was up here uh with Camp Chef Mom. So, yeah, we’re here. This is the official start. Looking forward to what’s ahead. Oh, yes, the famous last words once again. More on that here in a second. Though in the meantime, views along the Dalton Highway certainly did not disappoint. [Music] Just after crossing the Yukon River lies the Yukon River Camp. A must-stop retreat, not only for fuel, but can also serve as a great spot for food, lodging, and even gifts. This particular destination would mark the near end of today’s travels as just up the road is the 5mm campground in which we were planning to stay for the night. However, something tells me we were in for a rude awakening once there. All righty. So, it is 10:20 and we’ve got to camp. Um came back to a familiar spot of the five mile campground. Um just past the Yukon River camp once you cross the river. Uh Camp Chef Mom and I stayed at this spot a couple years back. So it’s a nice one to come to. However, as you can see, I don’t remember it being as buggy as it is. Even leveling out the uh 4Runner just now, it’s insane. It’s a solid mix of gnats and flies and mosquitoes. It’s just it’s a whole other situation. So, I’m taking a minute waiting for the sun to drop below this uh tree line here because they’re all in the sun rays right now. And then we’re going to get camp set up. This is This is no joke. Well, time to brave the mosquitoes, get camp set up. Oh, and somehow figure out a very late night dinner where we won’t get eaten alive at the same time. Don’t worry though, babe. I got this one. Yeah. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Well, it is currently a little past 2 in the morning and as you You can see we’re sitting inside the 4ERunner now as we were slowly getting ready to go to sleep and doze off and putting on a nice little movie on the tablet inside the rooftop tent. I have no idea how. I have no idea where, but one by one mosquitoes were literally starting to come inside the tent. And I figured we’d let at least maybe one, maybe two, maybe three in just going through the front entry when we needed to get into the tent, which is fine and acceptable. and we’ll smush them dead once we’re in there. But we probably collectively have killed over a couple dozen since being inside the tent. And I think they’re finding a way somewhere inside. I don’t know where. Every zipper’s closed, every uh little crevice, even the folding part of the tent, like the two side hinges are stuffed full of things so they can’t crawl through. So, I have absolutely no idea where these mosquitoes are getting inside the tent, but we called it quits. We’re inside the 4Runner, fully contained, and it’s a little embarrassing because everybody seems to be doing just fine in their setups. And we literally have like an army of mosquitoes just swarming the truck here. It’s It’s absolutely insane. I’ve never seen anything like this. So, I don’t know why we were selected as the chosen one, but we’re in here and it’s past 2:00 in the morning. I I don’t know what else to do cuz obviously I can’t sleep inside that because you hear the little all night long and I I smacked myself trying to kill them at least a few times. So, I I don’t know. I think we should go sleep with those people in the RV. Uh man, we Yeah, we definitely need some type of knock on their door fully enclosed thing where I can go from the driver’s seat to my bed without going outside. Uh this is insane. So I I don’t know. It’s going to be a rough night. Rough morning. Now rough morning indeed. So much so we decided to just get what sleep we could from the front seat of the 4Runner and figure out a game plan from there. But I tell you what, for as long as I can remember, mosquitoes have flown from different zip codes to come find me. And now being this far north, we knew it was only going to get worse from here. We ultimately decided to pull the plug and headed back towards the Yukon River camp to gather a new game plan, refuel the truck, and see how we truly wanted to spend the remaining portion of our time here in Alaska. Now, I’m all for embracing the adventure, but there comes a point when enduring the misery is just not fun anymore, especially knowing there are countless other things and places to experience. So, together, we ventured back south to regroup and pivot our travels elsewhere. Just outside of Fairbanks, we found a great Airbnb cabin as a place to reset, shower, charge up electronics, etc. Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t record a whole 5-minute clip explaining why we decided to not pursue further north on the Dalton Highway, but after the last clips at our previous camp, I think you get the point. Regardless, we wanted our trip to be one of enjoyment and discovering new places together versus meeting expectations of others. So, with that said, we plugged in direction to new territory and decided to venture towards Chicken, Alaska. Needless to say, I was more than excited for a change in scenery. [Applause] [Music] I can feel it. I can feel it right now. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] After a long day of driving and pulling in around 10:00 at night, we finally reached the small community of Chicken, Alaska. While we’ve never been here before, it is an area I’ve witnessed other fellow travelers experience and certainly one I’m excited to learn more about. So, with the late evening and feeling like a win for our new direction of travel, we headed into the town’s local watering hole to make some new friends. [Music] Well, all right, guys. Call us chicken, but we are here in Chicken, Alaska. It’s currently 10:30 p.m., and uh after chatting with the locals at the saloon, they said it’s totally fine to just camp right outside downtown Chicken, which we currently are, which comprises all of three or four stores. But we’re here. We’re setting up camp, getting dinner, a very late night dinner ready. And uh honestly, I’m a true believer in everything happens for a reason. And while I would love to have completed the Dalton Highway, which I will do in due time, I think due to the circumstances, it’s nice to be here and experiencing something brand new with Shelby for the very first time together. And uh such an awesome town. I’m so excited. After chatting with the locals, I kind of got this whole new energy and enthusiasm and inspiration to get back to our trip and have some fun. So, we’re here. We’re camping just outside of the area. And uh I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings as far as really diving deep and checking out all the history of what this place has to offer. So, let’s get some dinner made, get some camp set up, enjoy the far less bugs and mosquitoes, and uh have an awesome time. [Music] The next morning brought us one store over, or more like 30 ft from our camp to the Chicken Creek Cafe. Needless to say, breakfast was on point and certainly hit the spot. While we try to watch our expenses on eating out, sometimes not cooking or dealing with dishes is a major win in my book. [Music] [Applause] From here, we took on a self-guided journey to learn a little bit more about this area and the history it is known for. Tucked away along the Taylor Highway in the remote eastern interior of Alaska, this quirky off-grid community was born out of the gold rush days in the late 1800s when hopeful miners swarmed the area chasing fortune. This town was officially established in 1902. And when it came time to name it, the locals wanted to call it Tarmagan after the local bird. But there was just one problem. No one could agree on how to spell it. So instead, they settled on the next best thing, chicken. Mining shaped everything here. The scars of the gold rush are still visible and the massive steel relics left behind. Like the old bucket line dredges that once chewed through miles of riverbed, pulling up gold and reshaping the land as they went. It’s a surreal sight. Heavy machinery frozen in time, surrounded by wilderness. Today, Chicken is home to a small group of year-round residents, a handful of buildings, and a whole lot of character. There’s no cell phone service, no rush hour, and no nonsense. But what it lacks in population, it makes up for in personality. And every summer, the town comes alive for the biggest event, Chicken Stock. That’s right, a full-blown music festival in the middle of nowhere where travelers, locals, and musicians gather for a weekend of live music, dancing, and laughter under the midnight sun. Perhaps in the coming years, we’ll be able to check out this event for ourselves and see what it’s all about. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] After an incredible experience in chicken, we had our sights set for crossing the border into Canada and exploring the famous Dawson City. However, we later found out that our decision in venturing to this area turned out for the better. A wildfire report had shown that at mile marker 28 along the Elliot Highway just north of Fairbanks had all lanes closed due to this wildfire. Had we been on the Dalton Highway any longer, we would have been stuck just north of this for a while, being that these highways connect to one another. Thankfully, we were far east of this with our travels continuing towards Canada along the Top of the World Highway. The landscapes here were simply stunning. Even with a rainy day, we came across countless campsites with views in every direction. Definitely pinning this area to explore more on a future visit. [Music] Well, we are officially here on the top of the world highway crossing into the Yukon territories from Alaska, uh, chicken Alaska last night where we stayed was amazing. Awesome little town. So, uh, we ventured all the way the rest of the way here, officially crossing into the border and, uh, seeing what Dawson City has awaiting for us. So so excited. Brand new area for both of us. Yeah. As far as exploring the new area. So awesome stuff. [Music] [Music] [Music] At around 7:00, we finally made it to our destination. Though, just one final thing to check off. Separating us from Dawson City is the mighty and powerful Yukon River. Getting to the other side requires driving aboard the free 247 ferry service, which takes you across the incredible river. And boy, was this a treat in it of itself. To show you just how powerful this river truly is, the captain of the ferry must hold a particular line traveling almost up river to ensure we meet our ideal drop off destination on the other side. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Once in Dawson City. We were soon on foot exploring the area. Now, if you’ve ever seen videos from fellow overland travelers, you may have come across one showcasing the infamous sour toe cocktail. The story goes that in the 1920s, rum runner Louisie Lyken froze his big toe during a blizzard. His brother Otto amputated it and preserved the toe in alcohol where it would stay in the cabin as a relic of survival. Fast forward to 1973. A local riverboat captain, Dickto Stevenson, discovered the jar, brought the toe into Dawson’s sourdough saloon, and declared, “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips got to touch the toe.” He launched the sour toe cocktail club. The original toe lasted just 7 years, lost when a patron accidentally swallowed it, and has since been replaced by donated toes from frost bites, accidents, and medical amputations. Today, over 100,000 people from around the globe have braved the ritual, proudly touching lips to human toe in a unique Yukon bucket list tradition. Yeah. Wiggle it back. Really good back. [Music] You got to follow it. [Music] [Music] Oh yes, another check on life’s bucket list complete. A big thank you to Craig and Brooke of Alaska Overlander for encouraging us to partake when we initially had our doubts. From here, we did a little more exploring of the area before deciding on where to camp. Even with nearby wildfires causing dense smoke in the air, overlooking Dawson City was still an incredible sight to see. Eventually, we made our way back across the Yukon River and found a cozy nearby campground to call home for the evening. With being about halfway through our trip so far, I can certainly say it’s been one for the books, and I can’t wait to see what else we have in store next time on Far North Calling.