The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at Delta Junction
Elevation of Delta Junction- 1,180 feet
(the end of the Alaska Highway)
July 20, 2009

-------- plus photos of the Alaska Pipeline --------
Driving on Richardson Highway heading toward Delta Junction, the two RV Gypsies came across The Knotty Shop, an Alaskan gift shop and wildlife museum. It was settled in the Tanana Valley 32 miles south of Fairbanks in Salcha, Alaska, open since June 3, 1989. The Knotty Shop had an unusual burl construction plus Alaskan wildlife displayed in a natural setting, and handcrafted Alaskan gifts. If you have the Alaska Tour Saver book (which your should buy if you go to Alaska), use the coupon to get a free ice cream, (if that particular coupon is in the newest book).
The Knotty Shop sign
burl carving mosquito
burl carving
burl carving
burl carving
burl carving
The two RV Gypsies made Smith's Green Acres RV Park and Campground on mile 268 Richardson Highway their new home for two nights. The campground had Wi-Fi, but no TV/cable.
sign - Smith's Green Acres RV Park
the RV and toad of the two RV Gypsies
Delta Junction is known as the 'End of the Alaska Highway,' as the famous highway joins the existing Richardson Highway here to complete the route to Fairbanks. Named after the nearby Delta River, Delta Junction developed into an agricultural region as the result of state land disposal programs designed to encourage development. The area now is home to 37 large farms and more than 160 small farms. The area presents a picturesque rural setting complimented by spectacular views of the Alaska Range and the Delta River. Clear days allow stunning views of Mt. Hayes, Mt. Moffit and a number of other peaks. Accommodations: Three hotels/motels, fourteen bed and breakfast; ten restaurants.
sign Welcome to Delta Junction
sign Welcome to Delta Junction

The aboriginal inhabitants of the Delta area lived along the Tanana River, north of the present town. The community of Big Delta came into being just east of the junction of the Delta River and the Tanana River. A ferry there brought travelers across the Tanana. With the coming of the Alaska Highway during WWII, a community grew up at the junction of the Richardson Highway and the new Alaska or AlCan Highway. That community is now the City of Delta Junction. Today Delta Junction is a vibrant and friendly community with an economic center near the junction of the highways, but stretching far to the east and adjoining the US Army Fort Greely community to the south. It is also the official end of the Alaska Highway. From here, Richardson Highway leads to Fairbanks and connects Valdez at tidewater with Fairbanks in the interior. It predates the Alaska Highway by 20 years.

painting on bldg - end of the Alaska Highway
sign anbout the Alcan Highway
Laughing clipart dudeLee Duquette got attacked by a giant mosquito
Below - The visitor center
Lee gets attacked by a giant mosquito
Delta Junction Visitor Center
Below: The visitor center had historical and wildflower displays and just outside is the large white milepost for Mile 1422 of the Alaska Highway, marking the end of the famous highway.
large white milepost for Mile 1422 of the Alaska Highway

Below: Lee Duquette and Karen Duquette standing by Mile 1422 , the End of the Alaskan Highway

Lee Duquette and the large white milepost for Mile 1422 of the Alaska Highway
Karen Duquette and the large white milepost for Mile 1422 of the Alaska Highway

Below: Karen Duquette and Lee Duquette were each awarded a certificate for going through the trials and tribulations to reach the end of the Alaska Highway at Delta Junction, Alaska

Karen Duquette's end of the Alaska Highway certificate
Lee Duquette's end of the Alaska Highway certificate
postcard - i survived the Alaska Highway
postcard - the Alaska Highway rods
Delta Deep Freeze indicator

left side of the Delta Deep Freeze thermometer dates are as follows, from top to bottom:

June 25, 2983 +9 degrees

May 5, 1958 -10 degrees

March 22, 2008 -17 degrees

Feb. 21, 1988 -42 degrees

Dec. 9, 1966 - 59 degrees

Jan 30 1989 -66 degrees

right side of the Delta Deep Freeze thermometer dates are as follows, from top to bottom:

April 13, 2008 +2 degrees

April 5, 2002 -9 degrees

April 21, 1949 - 37 degrees

March 5, 1992 -48 degrees

Feb. 23, 1980 -60 degrees

Jan 6, 1975 - 72 degrees

The Highway's End Farmer's Market is held across the street from the Visitor's Center on Thursdays beginning in mid-May. bldg- highway's end farmers market
Below: An interesting tour bus that pulled into the visitor center. Windows on one side of the bus only.
An interesting tour bus that pulled into the visitor center
An interesting tour bus that pulled into the visitor center
sign - come again
sign - the northern end of the Alaska Highway
divider bar

Below: The Alaska Pipeline and more

The two RV Gypsies also visited The Sullivan Roadhouse Historical Museum, the oldest roadhouse in the interior of Alaska, located in the heart of Delta Junction. Built in 1905. Outside is a beautiful garden exploding with colorful wildflowers and a traditional vegetable garden/potato patch. Free admission.
flowers
flowers
Below: The Tanana River
The Tanana River
The Tanana River
The Tanana River
Below; Delta Junction offers the first view of the trans-Alaska pipeline for visitors coming up the Alaska Highway from Canada. The best view is about 9 miles north of town, where the pipeline crosses the Tanana River. Pump Station No. 9 is located about 8 miles south of town on the Richardson Highway. Tours are no longer offered since the 9/11 attack on the U.S.
Pipleine and signs
Pipleine and signs
sign about the pipeline history
sign about the pipeline facts
pipeline and Tanana River Bridge
pipeline and Tanana River
pipeline
pipeline and Tanana River
pipeline and Tanana River
pipeline and Tanana River
Below: Karen Duquette standing under the Alaska Pipeline on June 20, 2009
Karen Duquette standing under the Alaska Pipeline
Karen Duquette standing under the Alaska Pipeline
pipeline
pipeline
pipeline and Tanana River
pipeline and Tanana River
pipeline and Tanana River
sign about plate girder bridges
Below: Part of the Trans Alaska Pipeline "Pig" displayed at the Visitor Center
part of the Trans Alaska Pipeline "Pig"
sign about the Trans Alaska Pipeline "Pig"
sign - delta Junction pipeline Passageway
As the two RV Gypsies left Delta Junction and continued their Alaska journey down the Richardson Highway, they were fortunate enough to have many more sightings of the pipeline. At the end of their trip, all of these photos will be combined into one nice photo album of the Alaska Pipeline.
go to the next pageMore about the pipeline and the Richardson Highway and more