When we crossed over the border from the Yukon Territory into Alaska (albeit at a very delayed, slow pace), it was, as it has been most of the trip, drizzling. We bought some groceries ane washed the van in Tok, and headed towards Fairbanks.
After passing on one campground (all gravel, lots of construction supplies lying around), we decide to drive up the and thought that the camp sites offered by the Snowhook Club, outside of Delta Junction, sounded promising – smoked meats and spirits.
We pulled into an empty campsite (only one other was occupied), and went over to the main building for a beer. The Inn was closed to the public, but was running a private banquet. It was a dinner for Dave Roever who was scheduled to talk at the high school the next day, sponsored by a conglomeration of Delta Junction Christian Fellowship churches.
While we sipped beers at the bar, they finished dinner and Dave said a few words. He runs an evangelistical organization out of his home in Texas, and bases his inspirational talks on the combination of his horrible disfigurement during service in Vietnam and a message of hope. He is a “booster” kind of speaker, drawing on feel-good movie references and “chicken soup” type aphorisms to appeal to a broad audience.
Marshall and I got to talking with the Snowhook owner and chef during all of this post-dinner blather, who swayed us to buy plates from the smorgasboard. (Note: the smoked chicken was superb, the ribs very tasty, the baked beans amazing, the macaroni and cheese excellent, and the salad fresh. Oh yeah, the fresh bisquits were great too!). After everyone left, we spoke more with Rick - and I expressed my desire to see the sled dogs he kept out back.
An hour or so later, we visited them – and for a couple of hours we both talked about dogs, and I got to meet his team, their back-ups and the pups he is raising. I had the good fortune to also meet his cohort in the enterprise – the place (restaurant and all) is changing fast – and will be great! It was a most enjoyable time – stop by and say hi to Rick, eat and drink – and wish him good luck on next year's Yukon Quest!
After passing on one campground (all gravel, lots of construction supplies lying around), we decide to drive up the and thought that the camp sites offered by the Snowhook Club, outside of Delta Junction, sounded promising – smoked meats and spirits.
We pulled into an empty campsite (only one other was occupied), and went over to the main building for a beer. The Inn was closed to the public, but was running a private banquet. It was a dinner for Dave Roever who was scheduled to talk at the high school the next day, sponsored by a conglomeration of Delta Junction Christian Fellowship churches.
While we sipped beers at the bar, they finished dinner and Dave said a few words. He runs an evangelistical organization out of his home in Texas, and bases his inspirational talks on the combination of his horrible disfigurement during service in Vietnam and a message of hope. He is a “booster” kind of speaker, drawing on feel-good movie references and “chicken soup” type aphorisms to appeal to a broad audience.
Marshall and I got to talking with the Snowhook owner and chef during all of this post-dinner blather, who swayed us to buy plates from the smorgasboard. (Note: the smoked chicken was superb, the ribs very tasty, the baked beans amazing, the macaroni and cheese excellent, and the salad fresh. Oh yeah, the fresh bisquits were great too!). After everyone left, we spoke more with Rick - and I expressed my desire to see the sled dogs he kept out back.
An hour or so later, we visited them – and for a couple of hours we both talked about dogs, and I got to meet his team, their back-ups and the pups he is raising. I had the good fortune to also meet his cohort in the enterprise – the place (restaurant and all) is changing fast – and will be great! It was a most enjoyable time – stop by and say hi to Rick, eat and drink – and wish him good luck on next year's Yukon Quest!
Hey! You guys are great! Thanks for the post. Nice review. Enjoyed your visit and hope to meet more folk like yourselves. Did not get to run the Quest this year. But the dream is alive and well. Perhaps next year. Take care and cheers!
ReplyDeleteRick