An Ode to Richardson's Highway
On Richardson’s Highway, where the wild winds call,
Through the heart of Alaska where the mountains stand tall,
The pavement unwinds in a ribbon of dreams,
Past valleys and rivers and ever-clear streams.
Rugged purple-blue mountains whisper tales from the past
Of glaciers that roared through time that held fast.
Sand holds the rivers as eagles take flight,
Snowy peaks touch the heavens, a breathtaking sight.
At Castner’s Trail, the RV takes a rest
While we hike to an ice cave, unseen at its best.
The tundra spreads out as we tiptoe and thud
Towards a hill that’s the cave but disguised as if mud.
Near Isabel Pass we should rest for the night,
But my husband’s not done with Alaska’s daylight.
He looks at his bike always ready to ride
Through the willows and water on the trail he does glide.
With each turn of the pedals Gulkana’s Glacier draws near
Though its ice and its snow are receding, I fear.
Oh, what a day on nature’s great stage
Each step is a story, each breath a new page.
.
Truly one of the prettiest drives we’ve done so far in Alaska, particularly the long line of white caps dominated by Slivertip Mountain and along Isabel Pass which most guidebooks claim is the most scenic stretch along this highway.
This portion of the highway, from Delta Junction south to Paxson, is paved and seems do-able for any RV as long as the driver pays attention to smaller potholes and some rollercoaster bumps. It’s also a good place to see the Alaska Pipeline. Both the hiking and biking locations mentioned above are between Delta Junction and Paxson.
Next stop, Denali Highway towards the Denali National Park when we reach Paxson.
