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Day 5 - 8:00 AM
So long, Whitehorse
Our first day with the new group of journalists starts early over a hearty breakfast at the Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse, where we become acquainted with the Italians responsible for conceiving this venture. This is just another chapter in a series of events that has taken them across Italy and through Norway, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland to date.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
Almost all are Porsche Club members, and hail mainly from the Adriatic Coast. They're a friendly group, but unfortunately our conversations are limited to smiling, nodding and hand gestures, since only two of their group speaks English.
Spoiled urbanites, we Canadians are horrified that what appears to be the Yukon's only Starbucks is not open on Saturdays. Oh the horror!
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
Losing one of the Cayennes during the previous leg meant a bit of juggling to accommodate everyone. I'm assigned to the tow vehicle with Tony Morris and Howard. After fuelling, I climb behind the wheel of the Cayenne S, and we bid adieu to Whitehorse.
Lesley
Day 5 - 10:30 AM
Breathtaking scenery
The Cayenne's a large vehicle, but it feels nicely planted. On the flat smooth surface of the road leading away from Whitehorse, it was easy to forget the heavy load behind. Roughly 1,000 lbs, the trailer was loaded with at least another half ton of personal gear, extra windshields, tires and gas.
With 400 horsepower at our disposal, we have no trouble keeping up to the unladen Cayennes.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
There's not much point in using the Nav system, since there's only one road-the Alaska Highway-and we're on it for the next 640 kilometres. The panorama developing around us defies my range of superlatives.
We're entering the Kluane mountain range, and they're National Geographic centrefold material - jagged, snow-capped peaks wreathed in mist, they're all we can see in any direction. Traffic is almost non-existent, and we use most of the road to complete the sweeping turns in order to avoid upsetting the trailer.
About an hour into the journey, the smooth highway sprouts cracks and fissures and it becomes a challenge to avoid the potholes and buckled pavement. Then, like a calm sea that slowly builds up rolling waves, the road begins to dip and undulate. I adopt a gentle slalom method of tackling the rises, much like a boat diagonally crossing the waves, to lessen the angles and help maintain the trailer's stability.
We stop for a break in Beaver Creek, Canada's western-most point. The V6 Cayenne that had been overheating on the previous leg is now running fine, although the fuel range indicator is off (or "buggered" as our Brit colleague put it). Porsche's fleet manager, Rick Bye, believes it's probably a computer-related glitch, rather than a mechanical issue.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
We're surprised to learn that our Cayenne S, despite its big engine and large tow load, is only using 16.4 L/100 km.
Other than an unfortunate caribou embedded in the guard rail, the wildlife has so far eluded us. With any luck, we may catch a glimpse of bison, wolves, or moose... and hopefully at a healthy distance from the roadway.
Lesley
Day 5 - 5:15 PM
Yeah, we got chicken
After a slight delay at the border when the customs agent's computer crashed, we were finally waved through into Alaska.
As we head further north, the forest is thinning out, and the towering coniferous trees give way to scrawny specimens sadly reminiscent of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. It's hard to describe just how remote it is up here: there are thousands upon thousands of acres completely undisturbed by roads, buildings or even fences.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
Where the Alaska Highway meets Junction #5, we see a sign for "Chicken, Alaska". Howard, who'd been there on a family RV vacation, explained that it was so named because the residents were unable to spell ptarmigan. Hmmm...
Lesley
Day 5 - 9:30 PM
Weird motel, weird food
We finally reach our destination of Delta Junction. Our accommodation is of the Bates Motel variety, and while the rooms are clean the decor is rather interesting. Rough tongue-and-grove pine clad walls meet in an arch overhead, with the section over the bed consisting of individual mirrored tiles. The effect is rather like being under an upside-down boat with a giant kaleidoscope.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |
Dinner seems to be a puzzling fusion of Greek and Italian, my gyros sandwich is smothered with an authentic home-made Tzatziki packing a serious garlic punch, but the greek salad is layered with salami, ham and porcini.
The Italians settled for pizza. Curious, I asked co-ordinator Stefano how it compared to their pizza in Italy.
"We don't eat pizza back home" he said.
Lesley