Thursday July 15th, Sourdough Creek Campground, Richardson Hwy, AK

100 Miles

Very little to report about today, we woke to rain and it has rained all day and the clouds have been really low obscuring any visibility. So disappointing as this area has huge views to the ranges in all directions.

We didn’t start early hoping the rain might ease, but gave up waiting, and by mid afternoon decided to call it quits for the day, hoping that by tomorrow the weather may have cleared. This is probably one of the wettest days we have had in all our travels.

We saw a little bit of birdlife close to the road, including a ptarmigan that ran up the road in front of us. It is pronounced without the “p”, and is very much like a grouse. 

Also saw several loons on a lake and some white swans.

…and we got another puncture, just 5 miles before we got to the sealed highway. It was the same inside tyre as the puncture on the Dalton Highway. Ian is getting well practiced at it now and he had it changed within half and hour. Luckily we were able to pull into a wayside area off the road.

Later…By 9pm the rain stopped, and the sun came out. Went off for a fish in the river and within a short time Ian had hooked a good little fish, but lost it. Kept trying, but no more luck. Evidently there are some King Salmon running. Spoke to some guys who were heading up the river in their boat to camp overnight and go fishing, they expected to come back with 60 lb of salmon! At least the rain has stopped.