Alaska trip June 27th

Well the weather gods shined on us and we were able to flying up to the Arctic Circle today to a town called Deadhorse. We flew up as a flight of two, which made it much easier.

The scenery was fantastic as we flew over and through the mountains enroute. When we arrived it was fairly cold, at least by our standards. The locals there thought it was really nice warm day for them. I'm guessing it was probably 45 or 50 deg.

One of the locals who controls the wildlife around the airport told us there was a group of Musk Ox just off the end of the runaway and we should try to find them on departure. We were able to find them and there were about 15 or so, some being small calf's, if that's what they're called.

We flew out over the water and ice and it was really a great site to see. Also all the oil pumping stations and equipment that is there was a very interesting site. Apparently pump station #1 was right behind the area where we parked.

The route back had a few interesting things. On climb out I had punched into my GPS my route back and I kept getting some odd things happening. I would put in the route and then the auto pilot would fly right through what I thought my coarse line was. I had mentioned to David that I saw something strange on the screen that I had never seen before when we were coming in but we had to concentrate on landing. But on take off I saw this new marking again but truthfully didn't know what it was for.

What we determined is that because of the magnetic variation that is at Deadhorse, when you're that far north, the gps had switched to magnetic coarse rather than true, because of the large magnetic deviation this far north, but the coarse that was being dispayed 0n the screen wasn't co-operating. It was a little confusing for awhile but we finally got it sorted out.

Flying back into Fairbanks we had to deviate around some buildups over the mountains but it actually made for an interesting flight back. Again the photos will do much more to show you what we saw but until I can get to Anchorage I wont be able to post any.

We then decided to drive to the town of North Pole, which is just a short drive from Fairbanks, and visit with Santa. It was a very interesting layout they have there and Barb got to sit on Santas lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. When I get the photos posted you will be able to see it. Ok grandkids you had better listen up and be good because I got to talk to the big guy :>}

Wayne