Day 49--June 15, 2013

          We had a very nice drive today from Tok, Alaska, to Lyle West's sons place in Fairbanks.  We stopped for lunch at Rika's Landing Roadhouse in Big Delta. The roadhouse is named after Rika Wallen, a Swedish immigrant who came to work at the roadhouse owned by John Hajdukovich in 1910.  John had many businesses, but didn't have any money managing ability.  In 1917, John went away leaving Rika in charge.  She grew vegetables and raised chickens and milk cows for food to serve to travelers on their way to and from Fairbanks.
          Hajdukovick returned in 1923 and sold the roadhouse to Rika for $10.00. Rika was a natural farmer who was able to successfully grow crops where others failed. She developed a heating and ventilation system for her stable to allow her livestock to successfully survive the harsh winters.  The roadhouse had eleven bedrooms, a large living room and a large kitchen.  She continued to work it until the late 40′s. She lived there until she died in 1969. Today, the large, two-story house is set up like rooms in the roadhouse where many years ago.  (1920-1930)

Rika's Roadhouse, Big Delta, Alaska

Kitchen inside the Roadhouse

                                                             

                                            Richard wanted me to drive the Jeep everywhere we go

                                             so he could tow this hunk of junk home.  I say Nay Nay!!

This is a kitchen set up in one of the out buildings
at Rika's Roadhouse

Sod roof cabin.  Outbuilding at Rika's.

 

          We ate lunch there (Lobster and Corn Soup, coffee, and FOTF pie) and then walked along the Tanana River. We got a good look at one section of the Alaskan Pipeline.

Alaskan Pipeline crossing the Tanana River

 

 



         We also stopped at Santa Claus' Haus at the North Pole.  You could tell Richard had been locked up with someone who doesn't listen to EVERY word he says.  He just about talked the ears off of Santa and some woman who had just returned from a tour to Prudhoe Bay.

 

          Happy Father's Day to all you daddys.  And thanks to all of you for traveling along with us.  We've had 5,235 page views since we started our trip.

Until next time,
Dolores