DAY 35, July 18, 2010

Left camp at 6:45 for the remaining 37 mile ride to Chicken, AK. Lots of hills on the way to the summit and then gradually down hill to town. We thought we would have to ride back over the same road to Tok, but soon after we arrived, we discovered the road to Dawson (Top of the World) had reopened today. We were soooooo relieved because we didn't want to back track over those hills again. We learned that the road is still under reconstruction and a pilot car was required for about 10 miles of it. Most of the road is now new loose gravel and just as many hills as we had just covered between Tok and here. We immediately set out looking for a portage across the new construction area. Thanks to our son, Travis, we discovered that one of his high school friends is now living in Chicken. We sought him out and, wow, we are in luck. He has agreed to take us to the Canadian border tomorrow. He also gave us a private tour of the old town site and Tisha's school (for those of you who have read the book). We also had a wonderful dinner at his cafe. His wife is a great cook!!! More rain, so off to the tent early.