June 26, 2017 - Tok, AK

I forgot to mention this on our previous post (6/25/17) that while washing our Lil Home yesterday, Brian noticed antifreeze dripping under the radiator.  Since it was Sunday and everything is closed, Erwin couldn't get any parts!  

First thing Erwin did, after getting up early in the morning, was to start working on the radiator hose.  First he drained out all the antifreeze into a bucket. Then he took out the rubber hose and connectors.  There was a small hole on the hose.

We then went to NAPA in the town to see if the store has hoses in stock.  It did not have the rubber hose, but the sales guy suggested a metal piece where Erwin can cut off the bad part of the rubber hose, connect the metal to the ends.  We bought 6 containers of antifreeze. 

 

After getting back from the store John looked at the parts we bought, made a suggestion. Then Brian came up with an idea, so Erwin and John went off to the store to get parts needed.

Erwin spent all afternoon trying to figure out which way to cut off the metal pipe and the rubber hoses.  Few caravan members chipped in their help.  After few tries there was still a leak because the clamps were not tight enough. Nathan was the one who finally helped Erwin finish the connection.  

 

 

After filling up the radiator with antifreeze Erwin let the engine run for more than 45 minutes to be sure that the temperature gauge reads no more than 200.  It stayed at 180, which is good.  We just hope and pray that the connection will stay on during the rest of our Alaska/Canada trip.  However, we may have the RV service center in Anchorage, AK look into it to be sure it is properly connected. The muffler clamp also broke and needed to be replaced, Erwin also noticed that the rubber hangers that holds the muffler in place was broken so he replaced that as well!

While Erwin and Nathan were working under the chassis I went off by myself to check out some places.  I stopped at the Visitor's Center to pick up brochures, and asked about the cemetery.

I swung by Mukland after seeing Santa's Rocket Ship on display.  After entering the attraction it started to rain.  As I was about ready to head back to the car I was asked to pay $4.50 admission fee, but I told the lady that I was not going to pay since it was raining.  Most displays were outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tok Cemetery is about 4 miles east of Tok, AK, just past Tok River Bridge and State Park Entrance.  I was disappointed to find that there were not any historic tombstones. Most were between 1989-2016.  Most burials have fences or gates around them.  The area was not well maintained. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a pizza party at Fast Eddy's at 5:30 pm, but Erwin was still working on the radiator stuff, so we both missed it.  

After everyone got back from the party Pam, John and Nicholas stopped by to check on us, and told us that Claire was going to bring foods over.  It was past 7 pm and we were really hungry.  We thanked and hugged Claire when she brought our foods here. 

There was a social gathering and brief meeting at Richard and Eileen's rig. Richard highlighted on places to visit during our trip to Valdez, AK tomorrow.

Erwin was all sore from working under the chassis all day long.  His right shoulder was bothering him so much.  I may take over the driving tomorrow, so he can rest.

~~Edith