DAY THIRTY-ONE, U S A!!

Made it across the Alaska border and back into the land of freedom today!  It felt pretty awesome to have made it this far.

Let myself get a late start again today, because of the rain last night; I let my tent dry off a little.  I skipped breakfast.  Purportedly, I was only 7 miles from Beaver Creek, the most westerly community in Canada.  Somehow, that 7 miles turned into 13 . . . Anyway, after enjoying some internets courtesy of the Visitor Center, I stopped into Buckshot Betty's for some brunch and ridding myself of my Canadian money.  Had myself a full breakfast and bought 2 enormous and delectable cookies, but still had a little left over.  So, I stopped at the last establishment in town to get a few candy bars.

It's weird. For some reason, there are 20 miles between Canadian customs and US customs and neither are on the actual border.  Canada doesn't care who leaves their country; I pedaled right past that station.  The area between is mostly a tight thicket of trees.  The bizarre thing is at the exact border they have it clear cut straight down the line.  I cannot see the point of that expenditure . . . I, of course,  stopped at every sign that indicated the momentous crossing and got a pic.  There were some nice RVers who got a shot of me on the bike before the largest one. 

When I got to the customs station, it had a big sign that said wait here of light is red.   So, I stopped and waited.  The agent had to yell out,  "Come on already!"  Apparently, the light is only for cars, but there is no sign indicating thusly.  Agent Petta just glanced at my passport,  handed it back,  and then asked me about my trip.

"Where'd you start?"
"Montana"
"Where are you going?"
"Fairbanks, well,  then we're renting a car"
"Oh? Is there someone else with you?", he said craning his neck back to see if there was anyone else coming.
"No. I'm meeting my girlfriend there.  She's flying in."
"Oh. She's the smart one."

Right after the station there were all these bizarre abandoned buildings in the muskeg.  Also,  all the electrical poles were askew,  majorly, and in every direction.  It was a little disconcerting.

Well,  the place I had set out to stop at is no longer in business. So, I set out to go a little further.  Found out about some free camping in the Tetlin Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, and about a free boat to use.  I stopped at the first free campsite, and got some hiking in. But,  I can't wait for Hidden Lake tomorrow with some hiking and boating.