Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
(and Professional Travelers)
RV - AWO eyes of the two RV Gypsies

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see travel photos of the two RV Gypsies and the history of how they became two RV Gypsies
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Entering Alaska & Tok
The boundary line between Alaska and the Yukon was originally described in an 1825 treaty between Russia and England. The U.S. accepted this version of the boundary with its purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. But after gold was discovered in the Klondike in 1896, a dispute arose between the U.S. and Canada, with both claiming the seaports at the head of lynn Canal. An international tribunal decided in favor of the U.S. in 1903.
Welcome to Alaska sign
Welcome to Alaska sign
Time Zone: Alaska observes Alaska time, Yukon Territory observes Pacific time. Alaska time is one hour earlier than Pacific time.
Border sign speed sign
sign- Tetlin Visitor Center scenery in Alaska
The first scenery photos taken by the two RV Gypsies in Alaska - there is wildlife in this field, but they are so far away that they can barely be seen with binoculars. The visibility here (and on many roads) extends for many many miles.
scenery in Alaska scenery in Alaska
 
Tok: Population: 1,415 - Elevation: 1,635 feet. Tok began as a construction camp on the Alcan Highway (now known as the Alaska Highway) in 1942. Highway engineer C.G. Polk was sent to Fairbanks in May 1942 to take charge of Alaska construction and start work on the road between Tok Junction and Big Delta. Tok has more hotel rooms and comping spots based on a per capita ratio than any other town int he state.
sign - Tok - mainstreet Alaska sign - Tok Civic Center
The name Tok (rhymes with Poke) was long believed to be derived from Tokyo Camp, a road construction camp that sprung up in 1943 as part of the straightening and improvement projects on the Alcan Highway. During WWII Tokyo Camp was patriotically shortened to Tok. Another story - perhaps the real story - is that Tok was named after a husky pup on August 15, 1942 when the U.S. Army's Corp (the 97th engineers - an all black corps) were breaking trail north from what is now the Tok cutoff. The young pup was their mascot and upon their arrival at where Tok now is, it was unanimously decided to name the junction after the pup.
 
BELOW: Tok R.V. Village is a nice family-run and owned campground. It does have Wi-Fi but you only get one hour and one minute free, then you pay for the Wi-Fi use.
sign - Tok RV village
Tok RV village porch
The campground has vehicle wash for the car and RV (at an additional fee of course) and that was sure a welcome sight for the two RV Gypsies. But that's when they discovered all the damage to their car and RV from the roads getting here.................
- see previous web page - Bumps and Gunk
Lee washing the RV of the two RV Gypsies
 the new yard of the two RV Gypsies
BELOW: leaves on the tree next to our RV - each leaf had a different design on the underside
leaves on a tree leaves on a tree
 
Tok is the major overland point of entry to Alaska, and is primarily a trade and service center for all types of transportation, especially for summer travelers coming up the Alaska highway. Tok is the only town in Alaska that the highway traveler must pass through twice - once arriving and again on leaving. The governor proclaimed Tok "Mainstreet Alaska" in 1991. Townspeople are proud of this designation and work hard to make visitors happy. Tok has 8 churches, a library, a K-12 school, Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Club and Chamber of Commerce. Tok is also known as the "Sled Dog Capitol of Alaska" because so many residents are involved with dogs and dog mushing - Alaska's official state sport. Judging by the number of Alaska Highway travelers washing their cars and RVs in Tok, it may also qualify as the Vehicle Washing Capital of Alaska as well. No joke -
see the page on Bumps and Gunk.
No politicians live in Tok. There is no state tax, no property tax, or tax of any kind in Tok. Tok has had winter temperatures of -58F and summer temperatures of 100F. Quite a difference.
 
Tok is 254 miles from Valdez - the next stop for the two RV Gypsies- after a quick side trip to Chicken - see menu below
The two RV Gypsies took a side tour to Chicken, Alaska. Photos and history of Chicken, Alaska are posted on a separate web page to allow faster loading of photographs.........................
CHICKEN, ALASKA PHOTOS AND HISTORY
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