Baked Alaska - Thunderbird Style

One would think that touring Alaska’s highways and backroads among a convoy of antique and vintage cars would be enough to satisfy the appetite of most automobile enthusiasts. Who can’t resist smiling as a 1957 Thunderbird rolls along an old dirt road, dwarfed by mountains as far as you can see? It’s quite spectacular, not to mention the other ten classic cars and trucks that were recently seen cruising past glacial rivers, lakes and relic gold mines that pepper the mountainsides of Hatcher Pass, Alaska. But wait, what are those lovely aromas along the road? Enchiladas? Cajun sausage? Baked chicken? Hatch green chili?

With no restaurants in sight, there was only one possibility. Yes, onlookers were savoring the smells of delicious entrees that were emitting from the engines of a parade of eleven classic cars as part of their meals on wheels cruise.

The 175-mile tour began in Peter’s Creek, Alaska, just north of Anchorage. That’s where drivers began securing their concoctions in various places inside the engine compartments of each vehicle. Participants of the event used an infrared thermometer and heat-protected gloves to measure each car’s optimal cooking spot. In most cases, including my ’57, food was positioned near their manifolds using double-wrapped heavy tin foil and secured with baling wire.

After everyone’s meals were snug in their makeshift ovens, drivers started the pre-heat cycle by firing up their engines. Then they struck out toward Hatcher Pass for the first hour of the drive.

In present day, Hatcher Pass is known for its backcountry hiking, cross country skiing and soon, a downhill skiing resort. The pass is also a popular destination because of rich gold deposits that were heavily mined in the early part of the last century. Independence Gold Mine, located about 70 miles north of Anchorage, has produced more than 160,000 ounces of gold since mining began in the area in 1897. Today, the old wood buildings of the mine remain as vibrant tourist attractions. The mine is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. The area is populated with bear, moose, caribou, bald eagles and the occasional non-indigenous Thunderbird.

Just a few miles before reaching the mine, our cars pulled into the Fishhook Trailhead parking lot. Mobile chefs started popping open the hoods of their cars, anxious to taste the meals they’d been smelling for the past 40 minutes. I planned ahead for this and had a towel laid out on the seat to catch my golden retriever’s drool. I knew that Sandi would be the first to smell the enchiladas.

When I asked my fellow classic car drivers what they cooked, their answers reflected the usual sense of humor we’ve come to expect from longtime Alaskan auto mushers. Meal names included “Secondary Exhaust,” “Tuercas y Tornillos.” “’49 Ford Flathead Fricasee of Fowl,” and “Low Carb Veggies” For me, I toasted home-made enchiladas along with a nacho appetizer. I called the contents of my final plate “Gas Guzzlers.”

Satisfied with our meals, we packed up the picnic supplies and headed toward Independence Mine and Willow. Road signs warned “No Maintenance” and we all knew that the nearest service station was at least 50 miles north on dirt roads without cell service. One of the group’s Model A’s slowed traffic for a bit when their electrical went down. Muffled rumors suggested that the Cajun sausage, fresh green beans, baked potatoes and chives might have backfired their older car's digestive system. After all, they called their meal "Power Full Spice." But the collective brain trust in this group can always be depended upon for a fix even if it involves some mud, tree bark and duct tape. In this case, a spare fuse was the remedy and we were soon headed home to plan our next adventures. We Alaskans know how to socially distance while bringing a whole new meaning to “take-out.”