We start our last leg of the trip at 5am. There had been a light snowfall the night before and in a rare occurance for Chuck as we approach the border we hit clear ice and almost losse our vehicle. For a heartpounding minute we swerve and veer but finally Chuck gets control of our vehicle and we cross the border into Alaska. To describe the mountains and sceneray of this the biggest state is too hard. The mountains have a totally different look (cragy and brittle compared to the roundness of the mountains in the lower 48)and are by far much higher and are highly visible (after all the highest peak in North America is here in Alaska in Denali National Park, Mt McKinnley at over 20,000 ft). We have one more leg of mountains to wind around though to get to our final destination. At Tok, we stop for breakfastat Fast Eddy's (great place to eat by the way) and the temp is -40 but it doesn't feel that cold (but then again I'm in flannel underwear, flannel shirt, blue jeans, gloves and a snow cap). We then turn off and head for Glennallen. We start the final climb up and then head down into the Mat-su Valley and I am not believing my eyes as we approach Palmer. After all the snow and ice we have driven in the last 5 days there is none here. In fact most of the lakes and rivers have already broken and there is actually grass visible. I am awe struck as we approach Anchorage from the valley. The Chugach seem much taller than I remember but are absolutely gorgeous. I am also amazed as this time last year Anchorage and the Chugach are still socked in under a record snowfall and this year there is almost no snow in sight. Finally at noon we pull in at Chuck's son's home in Anchorage and we have made it. I feel this was an incredible adventure and I highly recommend to anyone traveling to Alaska to make the trip here by driving. Today's leg was 429.3 miles. Total trip from Florida is 6,181.4 miles.
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