Sleepy Ensigns, U.S. Customs and Toby the Chef

The guys awoke early (5am) again they just can't get their internal clocks adjusted to the gaining hours, (3 since leaving the states). It had been agreed over supper with the other pilots traveling to Alaska that they would all leave at 8 am and form up for an air to air photo shoot north of Whitehorse.
Yesterday they met Bob Dunn and Perry Eaton from Yucca Valley California when they landed at Whitehorse. They are flying Bob's C-185 N714QR to Alaska to have floats installed. Bob is a State Farm Insurance Agent and has flown Alaska many times so he was a fount of information for the guys. Perry has his fixed wing and rotor wing ratings and just got hired to fly the Grand Canyon Tours in a twin Otter.
Lloyd and his flight instructor Lee, Bill & Rich and Bob & Perry all met on the ramp with their planes at 8 am but no ensigns. It seems those youngerster had overslept. Craig ran down to apologize and say goodbye and everybody blasted off. The "Last Chance" was first because she's the slowest. Bob & Perry came next and caught up with the guys about 14 miles north and they started shooting film. After several manuevers and poses Bob and Perry blasted off to Burwash and left the guys in their wake.
It wasn't long after, that the two ensigns, Craig and Dan, called and they established contact with the Last Chancers. They raced to catch up since their plane is faster but never did until they all reached Northway Alaska and customs. Bill & Rich and Bob & Perry had stopped at Burwash to file a flight plan and call customs but the Navy guys were more efficient (all that Academy training you know) and filed from Whitehorse to Northway in one leg. They still didn't catch us though, the sleepy heads. Winds were great all morning and everybody had another spectacular ride through the mountains. Arriving at Northway, LLoyd and Lee were just finishing customs (they had left before everybody) and Bob & Perry were already in the restaurant eating lunch. Craig and Dan were just landing as the "Last Chance" was going through customs so it was a pretty neat gathering of a WWII bomber vet, three Vietnam vets, and two "brand new" Navy Ensigns all going into Alaska at the same time. This trip is just getting better and better.
Young Toby of the Airport Lodge at Northway took care of everyone's fuel and fixed all of the men their lunches. Rich kept asking him if he had any help but he said "No, he always cooked alone". Puzzled by how young Toby looked, Rich later walked back in the kitchen as Toby was preparing lunch for some new arriving pilots and asked him how old he was. "13", he replied, as if everbody runs a fuel stop and restaurant at that age all by himself. Man these Alaskan people are sure self-reliant!!
The men all said their goodbyes and everybody took off in different directions from Northway. It sure was great to meet these men, eat a meal together and share a few hours of fellowship. Thanks Craig & Dan, Bob & Perry, Lloyd & Lee for a memorable day. Fly Safe and may you always have a tailwind!!
Bill & Rich left for Fairbanks Alaska by 3 pm and arrived at 5:30. On approach to Fairbanks International airport Bill went to turn on the carb heat and the handle wouldn't move. They landed without incident and Rich uncowled the plane while Bill went to get a rental car. It was discovered that the carb heat cable had worn a grove in the actuator stop and would not let the actuator move. Rich filed it down and all is working well now. Rich got the trip log out and totaled the hours of flight time since they left Macon, would you believe 33.4!! 178 gallons of fuel, 3 quarts of oil and 6 days later the "last Chancers" have finally arrived in Alaska!
Bill came back with Patrick Sawyer in tow. Pat works for Alaska Tour Company as a guide. He took the guys over to the main terminal in his truck (after moving his two beautiful Huskys to the back) and waited until they had a rental vehicle. Thanks Patrick !! Get that pilots license soon and stay away from the bears!!
The guys have rented a room at a motel close to the airport and after supper at "Brewster's" (wonderful Rhaspberry iced tea) are bedding down for the night. More tomorrow!