Chapter 5: What Does the Fox Say

Day 1 

~Wanting to get our wheel issue figured out we left camp at 5:30 AM Friday morning and pulled into Watson Lake, Yukon around 7:30. Watson Lakes biggest attraction is the Signpost Forrest started in the 1940s by an Alaska Highway worker and now boasts over 80,000 signposts.

~The early morning drive to Watson Lake finally got us our wildlife fix as we saw several herds of Bison grazing beside the road and Nathan was able to get a selfie with a black bear. In Watson Lake, Dan dropped us off at a laundromat and took the Ole Hezzie, seems to be the name we've settled on for the RV, to the Signpost Tire. Turns out we've got a bad right wheel bearing. They've got the parts in Whitehorse, about a four-hour drive. A greyhound bus could deliver but they tell us some folks they know are coming sooner and can bring it down.

~Satisfied, we grab some lunch at Kathy's Kitchen, pick up some fishing license and go in search of a campsite with expectations to have the part Saturday and be on our way again in the afternoon.

~Our stay tonight is the Watson Lake Campground, the lake supposedly stocked with good pike fishing, but we again struggled to cash in. So we instead grilled some chicken wings, potatoes, and carrots while testing our ax-throwing skills. Nathan and Jared were able to recruit another person for our late night swim in the lake as Matthew joined.

 We slept in this morning knowing our parts for Ole Hezzie wouldn't be in till later in the day.

Day2

~6 o'clock comes early in search of fish, but once again to no avail. They once again came back empty and headed for bed. All of a sudden around 10:30, Dan had enough, we put away our fishing rods and headed back into town.

~After breakfast in town we went out in search of good fishing spots. Billy, our very helpful mechanic, told us to head to the end of the runway on the opposite side of Watson Lake so we checked it out. Once again the fishing was left wanting so we headed back to town to check on the parts. Around seven in the evening we find out that the delivery folks decided to stay in Whitehorse to attend a wedding but assure us they will have it there between three and five PM on Sunday.

~We are beginning to get desperate to get out of town and Dan begins checking if there is a vehicle he could rent or even buy to drive the four hours to Whitehorse and pick up the part himself. Eventually, Matthew, Jonathan, and Nathan end up on the Alaskan Highway with the intent to hitchhike up and back for the parts. After 30 minutes of rejection, they're still trying to recover, they give up and we head back to the airport and our free camping spot for the night.

~On our way we spot a fox and stop for pictures. Nathan soon exits Ol' Hezzie with Oreos in hand. The fox seems to love the taste of the sugary Oreos and Nathan eventually can get it to eat right out of his hand and getting a selfie with the wily fox. Afterward, he comments that he feels bad for feeding it a GMO food.

 

~It's already nine PM by the time we arrive at our campsite and we decide to fry up our catch of fish from the trip so far and add in some baked beans and chips. After supper and clean up we head out for more fishing. It's already eleven PM, but still full daylight. We fish until 12:30 being swarmed by mosquitos and bringing back just one 30” pike. While Dwylin did indeed catch a fish, a White Fish, which isn't good eating. So we eventually decided to name the fish “White Trash”, and we through him back in the lake.

~The sun has set by now, but it doesn't sink far below the horizon so there is still some light and pink hues in the sky. Jonathan and Dwylin join Nathan, Matthew, and Jared for a late-night dip in the lake, Dan took his earlier, and we headed to bed.

Day3 

~We sleep late again Sunday morning and waste the day throwing a frisbee in the lake and exploring the woods. We begin to head back to town at 2:30 to check on our parts but our interrupted by another wildlife sighting.

~We park and run after what we think is a raccoon, hatchet, and sticks in hand. Turns out to be a porcupine, that we affectionately named Charlie. We played with him long enough for Nathan to get his next wildlife selfie and were again on our way.

~We parked Ole Hezzie in front of the Signpost Tire shop hoping the bearings would arrive sooner rather than later. Around 8 we finally get a call that they are five minutes out. We call Billy, our super helpful mechanic and he is willing to fix up the Ole Hezzie and get us out on the road again.

~Jonathan found an old wooden ore while exploring and we all carved our names and added it to the signpost Forrest.

~ Around 10:30 we head out still Alaska Bound!!! Yes, we still going to flippin' Alaska.  Because of the delay, the plan is to drive straight through to Fairbanks, an 18-hour drive, but you never know which way the road may turn...

Boy did it turn fast. Early this morning we had a bit of cell signal and it lasted just long enough for us to wish that it had not ever worked. Learning of the death of our friend Shadrick Miller has drained most of the excitement out of our morning, the morning that we are to enter Alaska. One of the worse parts of the whole ordeal is finding out while we are so far away, and knowing that we can't celebrate in his life with his family and friends. Shad, you were a great friend, but we hold on to the hope and promise of seeing you and our other friends and family again. Please keep the Sam and Cathy Miller family in your prayers.

Shadrick Miller

1993-2016