TeamD Adventures

I’m writing this while we drive. It’s about 7 PM, only the smallest hint of dusk remains in the western sky since we lost sight of the sun nearly two hours ago (dusk lasts much longer this far north), and the headlights are shellacked in mud, rendering them mostly useless as we follow TeamD’ers Jeff and Marvin’s taillights up the Alaska Highway. We’re a bit over an hour from our hotel in Whitehorse, and we’ve put over 600 miles and 12 hours behind us since we pulled out of New Hazleton in the dark this morning. And, so, here we are, still driving (I write slowly, and it’s closing in on 8 o’clock), with another 15 or so miles to go. The idiot light now comes on when we go uphill but goes off downhill. Oh, wait, the light now stays on constantly. Hope we make it without dragging down our own fuel can.

The Day three map is uploaded and available.

Of course, neither Jeff nor I (Car 10) are novices. Dan and I did our first touring rally in 2002 (No Alibi), and Jeff and I teamed up in 2003 (No Alibi again). Renee and Marinus Damm (Car 20) fill out “Novice” portion of TeamD for the Alcan. And usually not in time to do much correction.

Alcan is very different beast from the standard touring rally that I’m used to. In many ways it does feel like being a novice again, trying to figure out exactly what is going on behind the scenes (for scoring and route instructions). Luckily we’ve got some experienced teammates to help us out. Eric and Steve (Car 4) have done Winter Alcan a number of times and worked in at least one Summer Alcan (possibly more) and Dan competed in 2004.

Our Day 1 scores were okay, but I thought they should have been better.

The Alcan Rally stopped in Burns Lake, British Columbia today and TeamD rally competitors Marinus and Renee Damm bought lunch for all rally competitors and staff at the New Leaf Cafe. The cafe owner Nathan is an old friend of Marinus’ and how could we pass through without stopping to visit.

It would be easy to say that any free lunch is a good lunch but our host Marinus is only the starting point of the story. I might guess it was filtered and chilled, showing attention to every detail.

The other sandwiches were equally well received. Roast beef, salmon with artichoke heart, and vegetarian options were all receiving raves.

Someday you will find yourself in Burns Lake, perhaps on the way to the Alaska Ferry in Prince Rupert, to ski in Smithers, or just to take a little drive.

Day 2 is done done done! You’re all sad because you didn’t get to drive the Blackwater road. It is the best and funnest way to get from Quesnel to Vanderhoof and that includes winged vehicles. one way or another.