Recharging the Aurora Borealis......and ourselves

Welcome to Tok, Alaska

      We stayed a week in Tok, loving it.  We got our mail forwarding, groceries, and even recharged ourselves and the furbabies a bit.  They have been wonderful, never complaining the entire trip as long as they get their union CBA allotment of treats and outside time each day, voile'.....we love you mom and dad.
      I swear that every time we see the Northern Lights it brings my soul to oooohs and aaaaaahs at a whole new level.  We see them in Michigan from time to time, saw them constantly in Iceland when we lived there, and now our 2nd trip to the 49th state.  God's Amphitheatre.  We stayed at Sourdough Campground just south of town; our third time here.  There are other campgrounds in the area, but most are pricey or not nearly as nice.  Great new owners and facilities that offer everything.  Our full hookup pull through 'back in the woods' cost us only $249 for the week.  Everything is more expensive here, but for this RV Park with an overnight rate of $50 this weekly price is more than fair.  It is still a little early in the season so we were never full or crowded.  We took the effort and booked our spot for our return in late August.

www.sourdoughcampground.com/  As I said we picked up our 2nd mail forwarding of the trip.  A big SHOUT OUT to our good friend, Shirley.  Thank you.  This mail bag included a  couple of graduation cards, a TON of junk mail and a couple of Medicare and Blue Cross questionnaires as well as a jury duty questionnaire.  Geez, already?  We even got Barb all set up to start her Social Security this fall.  

Three Bears Grocery Tok

       I love the Three Bears Grocery in Tok.  A typical small country store that specializes in just about any and everything their customers want.  Locals and tourists alike, they provide quality staples at a fair price.  They stock everything from food to hardware to pharmacy to some big box items (washer, dryer, stove, fridge).  Three Bears Grocery is located at several locations within Alaska.  For us this means Reindeer...….usually sausage.  Barb LOVES to vacuum seal them in individual bags labeled Rudolph, Donner, Blitzen, etc.  She's as entertaining as the day I married her.....but hell, she's having fun.  We picked up 4 pounds to get us through the summer.  We'll get much more on the way out in August.

      Tok is the first major settlement once you enter Alaska and as such specializes in the service industry.  This means repair shops, fuel, propane, motels, hotels, shops, stores, but only 3 restaurants:  Fast Eddy's, Sourdough Cafe, and Jen's Thai Food (food truck).  Fast Eddy's is the only upscale facility.  Most any thing needing fixed can be done here.  Hell, I even got a haircut.  Also, the new owners at Sourdough CG really revamped the menu and now serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check it out at the above website.  We feasted on their Reindeer Chili in Sourdough Bread Bowls.  The breakfasts are always top notch as well.

      During our stay I prepared Muffuletta, Crockpot Ham w/trimmings, Ham, Garlic Sausage and Kraut as well as a Chef's Salad. 

Muffuletta

Delicious Dearborn Crockpot Sliced Ham

Canadian Sausage, Kraut, and Taters

      We only got the one night with Aurora Borealis to enjoy, but they need the rain and we still have all summer.  With the exception of the two rainy days, it averaged mid 60s here during our week.  Diesel here was a remarkable $3.29.  6 days here and now we're OTR again,......IMPULSE POWER ONLY PLEASE.  Alaska awaits and for now the compass is tuned due south.  We look towards Glennallen and Valdez.  What awaits us?  Whatever we find, probably happiness.  

"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in 10 seconds.  See the world.  It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories"

Ray Bradbury

WiFi courtesy of Sourdough Campground