The day I dreaded arrived at 7:30 a.m. I woke up thinking that I didn’t want to do a road trip. Rather, I wanted to stay home and continue doing what I’ve been doing.

Last night I could not find my wallet or my passport, two items that I needed in order to get through Canadian customs. I tore up the house and bitched and moaned as I looked for both, simultaneously. The passport, well, it wasn’t lost. I located it and presumed that it was my expired passport. This occurred when Pete found my two other expired passports. It was right where I always leave it, tucked in the corner of my work area bookcase.

This morning, before packing, I cleaned the horse pen. It hadn’t been cleaned since the morning before. I did not clean it last night because it was raining so hard. As I was hurriedly scooping poop, Bill Schmidtkunz came and got a load of manure. I felt stressed because I didn’t have the time to even talk to him.

Becky's monster sculpture

After breakfast (with Pete there is always breakfast), I began packing – packed clothing, camping gear, and food. Pete brought the camping gear down from the Black Hole, and I dragged the boxes containing dehydrated food from the living room closet into the kitchen. I packed really hurriedly, thinking that as far as food goes, I would pick up what I was lacking in Tok.

Becky appeared at the door as I was finishing up. I decided to look one more time for my wallet, which I surmised might be in DGNPNY. I just happened to glance at the compartment on the passenger side door, and lo and behold, there it was.

It is amazing, I said to both Pete and Becky, that all items are in the last place one looks. I guess (and this is the only answer that comes to mind) that my subconscious knew where it was – I just had to accept the fact that it was missing.

So I left Palmer with my passport, credit card, covid card, and cash. Melina Sevigny lent me $350.00 Canadian, so I had funny money on hand.

Becky (after I asked) agreed to drive Pete’s truck. This way, her house sitters could use her car in her absence. Both our cell phones had the information needed by Canadian Customs. I would not have been able to do this myself. Pete is far more patient about such things than I am.

It was raining hard when we left. The sun appeared around Eureka (as it always does) and then disappeared when we turned onto the road to Tok.

Becky and I, while driving, did some hard core brainstorming. She creates garden sculptures for the Alaska State Fair. This year, she created monsters and unicorns, which complement the fair theme, which is, “Experience the Wonder.”

We agreed that next year she should create muskox sculptures. I said I knew of a funding source. We were then, on this car ride, no pun intended, on a roll.

Oddly enough, as I write this, I’m feeling as though the weight of innumerable books has been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe it is a good idea to do this trip.

Next: 226. 8/19/22: Day #2: Congdon Creek Campground