The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-08-25

Word was received in Juneau thlS weei; from the adventurous Sperling trio-Harry. Sr., and children Dave and Mary-who are making the trip over the Alaska Highway to the States by bicycle. They left Juneau last month. A letter to the U. s. Forest Service staff here was dated from Beaton River B. C.. August 9.
 Following are some of the high lights as recounted by Pa Sperling:
 Tn Beatton they have been halted ins one-room log house for three days by heavy rains and sticky mud which also stops the auto travel on the highway. Mary had developed an upset stomach, delaying their trip for perhaps another day.
 Pa Sperling reports the trio so far has lived up to all expectations and taken two inches off his waistline. However, I do not recall when I felt any better" he reports. "so per- haps I was not so crazy after all"
 Modest Beginning
 For the first three days of the trip from Whitehorse, the Sperlings averaged a modest" 25 miles day, getting along fine, though weary in the evening. Then Mary suffered a bad fall coming down hill when her bike hN some loose gravel, tossing her, knocking her unconscious, and giving her numerous cuts and bruises.
 Fortunately I was behind her or we may not have known of her accident until half hour later" her father writes. He gave her first aid and yelled for Dave. who came back up the hill. While they were working over Mary, northbound pickup truck stopped and asked how far to the next town, then drove off ] a comment. Later a south- 1 bound truck stopped, followed by an Army truck, and they loaded the 1 Sperlings and their bikes and drove i them to the airfield at Teslin where 1 d first-aid man looked over Mary's 1 injuries and dressed them.
 Turn Back Toss-Up
 Tt was a toss-up with me whether |; we should all turn back" Sperling 1 but since we were sure no 1 bones were broken and Mary insisted i on going on, we stayed at Teslin for l three days Later they drove with a B. c. forest ranger to Watson Lake l where doctor examined Mary and 1 said no bike riding for week or | 10 days for her, but otherwise she ] was all right.
 Although anxious not to become l separated, Harry and David, it was decided, would ride on the next and Mary would catch a ride and meet them at Fort Nelson, which they hoped to reach by bike n 10 days. Mary actually caught l hem near Summit, and all rode in he truck with her over Steamboat Mt. to Mile $40. They camped there hat night and the next day Mary lad no trouble making the 40 miles | o Fort Nelson.
 Another happening of interest, i 5perling writes, was the loss of their grub" to black bear. In camping hey made practice to hang their 'ood in a tree some distance away, o protect their bikes; but this time hey picked out too strong a limb. They were able to get more food a ,ew miles on.
 "Briefly-WOnderfu
 Briefly" Sperling reports, it has 'eally been wonderful. True, once We were too tired to eat when we cached an abandoned camp, went o bed and slept 12 hours; could find 10 water in the morning and rode 70 miles before making breakfast; nevertheless we enjoyed it. although lot at the time we are tired every evening after days ride, but t is surprising what nights sleep ,an do to refresh one .. one of the cal pleasures of the trip has been he kids. They are tops! Not one