Day 5 (Wednesday)
From Whitehorse to Northway, Alaska
Delta Junction airport, siting in a very beautiful valley
These are not ponds, they are lakes, the grass-like along the lake shore are tall pine trees
Arrived at Northway, Alaska
Alex, the young bush pilot ferries a Super Cub from Texas to Alaska for his boss, Alex was ahead of me flying through Yukon Trench.
After having a few pictures taken with big guy like Alex, I suddenly realized that my physical size is so perfect to be a pilot, look at how much weight and mass I can save for baggage and airplane performance, short guys are blessed. This picture was taken by U.S. Customs.
We decide to fly through Suslota Pass together, it saves about 1 hour of flight time to Gulkana.
After we come out of Suslota pass, several rain storms were awaiting for us in the Valley, they blocked the path that we suppose to take, then a big flash of lightening strike right in front of us, forced us to escape to the east (the opposit direction), very scary! then we flew for a good 30 minutes, still couldn't find a way to turn toward the south west. finally we flew near the edge of the storm, Alex followed behind me. I put the paddle to the metal, ran as fast as I could. Didn't wait for the big fellow Alex who is in his slow motion Super Cub, I finally reached the River with lots of sandbar beneath me, Alex finally caught up and decided to fly straight to Gulkana, I followed the river instead.
After Gas up the tank at Gulkana, I flew 12 miles south to Copper Center airport, Stay over night at The Copper Center Lodge. The hotel was built in 1896 as a road house, They serve very good at the restaurant. local residents come here to eat also.
Tom (center) owner, who picked me up at the airport, a 3000 feet gravel strip maintain by the state of Alaska, Tom's dad is also a bush pilot. Every body knows airplane, it's part of their lives here.
