07/21 Since there is no town within a few miles I suppose referencing this place by the driving distance from Dawson Creek works just as well. Tonight I’ll camped out in a sweet little spot next to the Lower Rancheria River. I’m not right next to it since that’s a bear no-no but it’s close enough to walk over and get some water. Some other people have stayed here as evidenced by the couple fire rings. There are also surprisingly few mosquitoes and flies.
Had it not been for the wind I would have pushed on another 20 miles and stayed at the Rancheria Lodge but it wasn’t getting any weaker and I’m not getting any younger. Overall it was a great ride after my rest day. It’s amazing how much better I felt today compared to the day before yesterday.
About 15 miles outside Watson Lake is the junction with the Cassiar Highway. This would be the road I’d take back south if I decide to ride back out of Alaska instead of taking a ferry from Anchorage. It’s all going to depend on when I get done in Denali. The cook who works in the bakery in Nugget City (close to the junction) said it usually starts snowing in mid to late October. I still think I’ll have enough time but it would also be a lot cheaper for me to take the ferry down to Seattle or Vancouver. Not sure what to do. I’d hate to miss riding the Denali or Cassiar Highways but my lottery numbers haven’t been coming up either. 
The weather has been great for the last few days. Party cloudy and light rain here and there, including today, but when the sun is out it’s just about perfect. In fact this would be the first time I’d be comfortable shipping back my cold weather clothes. I’ll need them again in 2 months so what’s the point I guess.
Throughout the day I could see the snow-capped peaks of the next mountain range within the Northern Rockies getting closer. Tomorrow should see a few more climbs and then I follow a river valley through the range so I don’t think there’ll be any huge climbs. Didn’t see any other touring riders today going either way. The 3 people that I knew were going north are MIA. The only company I had today was this crazy little white bird that kept flying toward me like it was going to ram into me and then at the last second pulling away. Not sure what its problem was. Maybe some chicks nearby?
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Congratulations Scott for making it to Alaska with all your body parts intact… I’ve been keeping some of my friends posted on your adventure, but I’m not sure where to tell them your heading to next ?