Thursday, March 14, 2019

The People are Swell at the Riviera Boatel


First letter from Dad, Dated: June 3, 1962, From: Fairbanks, Alaska

Dear Lois, Billy & Carla:

We finally made it to Fairbanks. Everything went fine except for a couple of times, Neil got a little P.O.’d. He even brought it up about dividing up our money again but it didn’t work. He had to borrow money from Jerry to finish the trip.

We arrived yesterday morning started out trying to find a job & place to stay. Are now staying at the Riviera Boatel. It sure is a nice place and the people are swell. They’re even trying to help us find a cabin or someplace where we can cook our own meals.

Also, they’re giving us names of people to see about jobs. Can’t do much on that score till Mon. The Wheel tells everybody he’s practically an engineer & an electronic expert. Don’t know who he’ s trying to fool, himself or somebody else.

The trip went good, and we had no trouble with the trucks. Gas was high but not as bad as some people think. In Canada the most we paid was, I think, 63 cents a gallon (5 qts to our 4 qts). My expenses totaled $124.43 and I got about 16 miles to the gallon. Neil got around 13 – 14 miles.

The Alcan Hiway (sic) isn’t too bad to drive on providing you don’t try to go over 50 mph. The first couple of days on it we had rain & drizzle. It took us 8 days for the trip but would tell anybody else to take longer. There sure is some beautiful scenery along the way, especially after you get past Dawson Creek. I took 3 rolls of b & w film. 1 roll of colored & started on the second, sure hope they turn out good. Tried to keep a record of the colored ones.

Didn’t see much game but did see a lack bear and 2 cubs along the road, couldn’t get a picture, not enough light. Also saw a moose that got hit by a pickup truck, lots of rabbits, gophers & ducks that’s about all.

***to be continued…

Note: The Boatel is still there. It's different now, but it's cool that my dad stayed there in 1962 and the people were swell! I'm sure they still are. :-) https://www.facebook.com/Boatelbar/

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