The Prudhoe Bay Experience

This is my second stint in Prudhoe Bay & I must say that it is better the second time around. Although, I am only spending one week a month up here, it is considered short compared to people working three weeks on and three weeks off. I actually have an employee that works six weeks on three weeks off!

As you can tell by the weather, it has been amazing. I know that soon enough everything will be frozen and white as cotton sheets hanging on a clothes line. The Dalton Highway is half gravel and half rough asphalt! Speed limit is 50 mph. I would not want to go faster, you will be off the road.

This sign is the first thing you see at the end of the Dalton Highway. Basic directions, but it will get you to a hotel or restaurant.

There is plenty of water around for the migrating birds, but be aware that if they decide to walk across the gravel road, you have to give them the right of way. In fact, all animals get the right of way and at any momment Caribou, Musk Ox or birds will cross or stop in the street. That is funny to see all the big rigs waiting for a herd of Caribou to cross.

Most people believe these animals are related to the Buffalo or Ox, but that is not true. They are most closely related to Sheep or goats. Musk Ox grow to a height of 4' and can weigh in excess of 700lbs.

The Musk Ox was almost hunted to extinction and since, have been managed to protect their highly prized fur which is soft, long and a great insulator.

As you can see in this photo, Caribou roam all over the Prudhoe Bay Area. From what people tell me, the only difference between a Reindeer and a Caribou is the Reindeer is domesticated for fur, milk, meat and "Santa Clause". I have tried a Caribou sausage and it was delicious. Both the male and female Caribou have antlers only the male grow them to massive size.

It is not uncommon to see them daily running across the road or deciding to stop and look at you for an hour or so.

This project you see in this photo is of the Liberty Pad oil rig which is the largest land based oil rig in the world. Currently it is being built and should be up and running by June or July 2011. This oil pad actually sits on the Arctic Ocean, but a gravel road was built out to the project because of the amount of material and equipment needed to build it year round. When you travel to the project, you actually drive across the Arctic Ocean which is amazing.

The last photo is our ride back from Liberty Pad to the Dead Horse area.

Soon the weather will change and all of this will be frozen over and trucks will drive across the frozen ocean to some of the island oil rigs. I will keep you posted and show some pictures when this happens.

More to follow!