Fairbanks, AK June 5 -13

FAIRBANKS, AK June 5-13

We finally arrived in Fairbanks! Our first stop was the Pioneer Park, a free city park complete with several museums, a stern wheeler, railroad, a great playground for children, a merry-go-round, and many original log buildings brought in from downtown Fairbanks that are now used as gift shops and eateries. Every evening at 7 pm there is music in the gazebo. It's a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.

At the entrance to the Visitor's Center is the most northern antler arch, mostly moose antlers. We did have some rain today, which is good as there is a wildfire burning just north of the city.

Another day we visited the Ice Museum which features cold-season Fairbanks with full size displays made from local crystal-clear ice. They are unbelievable! These turtles were about 5 feet long.

We took a tour on the Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River. The Binkley family has sailed the rivers of Alaska for 5 generations.

One stop along the river was at Trail Breaker Kennel, owned by Dave Monson and his late wife Susan Butcher. Susan won the 1000 mile Iditarod sled dog race 4 times! Dave is also a sled dog racing champion and gives demonstrations from his yard along the Chena River. Susan died from leukemia in 2006 leaving behind Dave and 2 small daughters.

Another stop was at a Native Alaskan village. Here Hannah is modeling a gorgeous fir coat, but so practical for their winters which can go to -60 degrees.

Just had to try our hand at panning for gold, so we toured the El Dorado Gold Mine. Between the two of us we found $30 worth of gold flakes and had them put into a locket.

Our last tour was to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway, also known as the "Haul Road". Here is a good picture of the highway and the pipeline along side. Notice how far it goes off in the distance. The pipeline is 799 miles long and travels between Prudoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean to Valdez, the furthest north ice free port in Alaska.

We made it across the Arctic Circle!