Fairbanks

So we made it to the end of the Alaskan Hwy, near Delta Junction.  Because of our "detour" to Dawson and the Top of the World Hwy, we actually missed a section of the Alaskan Hwy, but will hit it on the way back.  Next stop, North Pole.  Large parking area for our RV and neat area with Santa's Reindeer (no Rudolph), his sleigh, work shop, and a fine gift shop (they always have a gift shop)  You could get a personal letter from Santa sent to  someone.  Or just send them the standard "believer" or "unbeliever" printed on Santa stationary. Santa's not cheap so no one in our family will be receiving any.  Randy even took a try at Santa's job.  Not enough Hohoho.  

We continue on to the city of Fairbanks and found our chosen campground at the State Park.  Wasn't easy for a big rig and no satellite signal, plus too much road construction right in front of the park, so we only stayed 1 night and moved to the Ice Park Campground.  In March they have the World Ice Carving Championship there.  Not much of a campground but they have improvements in the works.  $20 a night for 30 amp electric versus $40's for electric/water at a parking lot type campground.  We don't mind the landscaping, or lack of as we are never there much anyway.  Super nice volunteers run the campground and boarding rooms for gold dredge and construction workers that live there all summer.  New dog sled area under construction and opened while we were there a week.  Got the "A" plus tour from the owner before opening.  It's a science how they breed, train, and work with those dogs.  They plan to have a 1 mile area graveled so they can give dog sled rides in the near future.   We always start our city/town visits with a stop at the Visitor Center.  Best place to get info and activities in the area.

I took this picture at 2am - that's about as dark as it gets for a few hours, then sunrise begins.  

Toured the Univ of Alaska Museum - lots of mounts and historic artifacts.  Movies to view on different topics (dinosaurs, Northern lights, glaciers) and we learned about the Eskimos and American Japanese that were born in Alaska put in Internment camps during WWII or sent to Japan. History is so interesting when you see, hear, and get immersed in it.  

We stopped by the Alaskan Pipeline to check it out, not all 800 miles of it but it is visible in many places we went.  The Tanana Valley forest fires were going so many of our days were in a smoke filled area.  Over 600 fires this summer due to lightening and a few man made.  Dry so they are all praying for rain.  We had 2 constant rain days, so hoping it helps the fire situation!  

Started out on the Dalton Hwy (Haul Road), if you have ever watched Ice Road Truckers on TV.  Stopped by the Hillside Café were they stopped for a meal on the show.  Not the worst road we have been on but decided that the price of gas and traveling 10 hours to the Arctic Circle wasn't worth it.  They have a sign there to take your picture but you would have to go another 200+ miles to make it to the Arctic Sea and Prudoe Bay.  We decided to go about 60 miles on it and turn around.  Do something else for the day.  

We stopped by the Chena Hot Springs and walked around.  Gorgeous flowers that they start from seed in October (inside) so with all the sun each day they grow fast in the summer.  

Toured the Ice Museum and their freezer where they have numerous carvings from the previous years competition on display.  We even got a sled and slid down the ice slide. Fun!!  

Rode the Discovery III paddleboat up Chena River to the Tanana and back.  Saw dog sled team of the late Susan Butcher who won the Iditorod 3 or 4 times, in action.  An Inuvik village with fish wheel demo, fish drying demo, and  all led by natives that are attending the U of A.

At the Ice Park in October they have a pumpkin patch and kids activities, including Ice carved pumpkins.  Under this layer of straw and tarps are 8x8 foot chunks of ice they cut in March out of the river or lake and store there until October.  AND it doesn't melt !!!  Blew me away........

 

Toured Dredge #8 and rode the train to the site.  Panned for gold and had a great time.  Lots to see in Fairbanks and easy to get around - minus the one way streets in the small downtown area.  Otherwise, every ammenity and store for stocking up.  Saw this Mama moose in the water.  First she's down for 2-3 minutes, then up chewing away.  Baby stood on the shore, just waiting.