Backtrack to Maclaren Summit & a Flat Tire Story

After a fortifying breakfast of biscuits and gravy, we head back east as the skies had cleared and we wanted to see what we missed during yesterdays snowy drive. We plan to back track to Maclaren Summit to enjoy the view on a clear day, and as expected, there were fantastic views in all directions.

About two miles east passed the Maclaren Summit sign we found a suitable turnaround spot. It was 11:45 a.m. once we had the vehicle turned around and about ready to head west again when Josh says he is going to wait for the oncoming van to pass ahead of us. While we wait, I suggest that he turn Elvira off so that we can hear the quiet. With the truck in park and the engine off, I cannot think of a better time to get out and take a photo. I hopped out of the truck, take a few steps forward and think to myself, why would the engine be making a hissing noise. It wouldn’t/shouldn’t be making any noise.

As I turn back and Josh rolls down the passenger window I tell him that I am hearing a hissing noise. He gets out of Elvira, comes around to my side of the vehicle, and discovers the front passenger tire is leaking air. We are about to have a flat tire.

The hole was positioned just right and we could put our finger on the spot to stop the air from leaking out. However, since we did not have tire plugs and we were going to change the tire to the spare it was somewhat silly for me to stand there with my finger on the hole and try to stop the leaking.

We could not have asked for a better scenario with which to discover a flat tire. We were not on the narrow main stretch of road that has soft shoulders; we were on a wide flat turnout on stable ground with plenty of room to change a tire. It was a warm (for Alaska) sunny day and we were surrounded by beautiful views. And there was a moose in the distance and arctic ground squirrels scurrying around to watch and photograph.

There was a brief moment when the flat tire would not come off and Josh had to use a small amount of persuasion, which slowed him down a bit, but by 12:36 p.m., the tire was changed to the spare and we were headed to Maclaren Lodge for a tire repair.

While we waited for the tire repair, we enjoyed a spot of lunch and a visit with some other tourists who had managed to find their way to this remote and gorgeous place.

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