FAIRBANKS, NORTH POLE, ARCTIC CIRCLE July 16 - 20

FAIRBANKS 

Fairbanks is 125 miles north of Denali in the heart of Alaska's interior.  With a population of just over 30,000,  the city is an eclectic mix of old and new buildings, and riotous  displays of flower gardens and baskets.

Flowers love the 22 hours of sunlight in mid-summer,
and Alaskans love the bright colors after a long dark winter.

We set up our base camp at the Riverview RV Park, and within 20 minutes of arriving I stepped in a hole and twisted/sprained my foot.  Pain, ice, ibuprofen, whining and heavy drinking followed as I limped along for the next few days.  Our exploring Fairbanks was limited to non-walking/hiking activities.

YES, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS, AND HE LIVES IN NORTH POLE
The motto of North Pole, AK, is "Where Everyday is Christmas".  The streetlight poles are red and white striped and look like candy canes, decorated christmas trees and lights adorn homes and yards, and the post office receives millions of letters to Santa every year.

Excitement builds as we arrived at the Santa Claus House!

Oh, the disappointment; he wasn't there.
Santa was busy in his workshop so we didn't get to visit with him.

RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY
A ride on the sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery on the Chena and Tenana Rivers was a great way to see more of the area and learn about Fairbanks history.  The 3/12 hour narrated tour included a stop at Trail Breaker Kennels, and a guided walking tour at a frontier Native Athabaskan village.

   

The Captain of this sternwheeler is 4th generation of the Binkley family to run boats on these rivers.  Her great grandfather started a freight business delivering supplies up and down the rivers.  In the 1950's, her grandfather and grandmother started the tour boat business.  The Binkley family tradition and business continue to thrive.

Parked in front of this riverfront home was a boat and float plane.  Because there are relatively few roads in Alaska, 78% of the population hold a pilot's license.  The small bush planes landing gear can be changed from wheels or pontoons in the summer, to wheels or skis in the winter.

The riverboat stopped along the river shore at Trail Breaker Kennels.  This kennel breeds and trains champion sled dogs and continues the legacy of Susan Butcher (1954-2006).  Susan was 4 time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, and team member of the first dog sled assent of Denali.  She was the inspiration for the saying "Alaska, where men are men, and women win the Iditarod!"  Susan's daughter, Tekla, spoke of sled dog training and the breed's characteristics.  She then gave a demonstration mushing the dog team while riding on an engine-less ATV around a track at 20 mph.  Those dogs love to run!  

The boat docked at a replica Athabaskan Native Village where we took a short walking tour. Guided by Native high-school and college students, who were also working as crew on the boat, they shared personal stories of their families and ancestors.  Our guide modeling this beautiful parka, described the different furs used in this vintage cold weather survival gear.

At a typical summer fish camp, a fish wheel in the river collects chum salmon that is processed, dried, then smoked.  The dried smoked fish will be an important protein source for working sled dogs in the winter.  Sockeye and King salmon are also caught, dried, and smoked for human consumption.

WE CROSSED THE ARCTIC CIRCLE!

Thinking it would be a great adventure to drive the Dalton Highway (aka The Haul Road) to Prudhoe Bay and dip our toes into the Arctic Ocean I started doing a little research.  We ended up nixing that idea after finding out the 500 mile one-way trip would take 3 days, and due to road conditions and lack of services along the way, we would need to take along 2 full-size spare tires, extra cans of gas, as well as extra food and water.  We're adventurous, but not that much!  So, instead we opted to drive to the Arctic Circle, take a picture, and go back to Fairbanks the same day. 

The "Haul Road" is usually a lonely and desolate place through the Alaska Tundra. 

The 48 inch diameter, 800 mile long Alaska Pipeline carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to the marine terminal in Valdez, and for much of the way is visible from the highway.

Another view of the pipeline snaking it's way to Valdez.

Crossing the Yukon river, saw a sign that read "GAS".  To be on the safe side, we decided to top off the tank at a whopping $5.49/gallon; and we were glad we did!

We stopped at "The Hot Spot" for lunch.  If you've seen the TV show "Ice Road Truckers", this is where they stop for a bite to eat...or so the owner says.  

We crossed the imaginary line that is the Arctic Circle 155 miles north of Fairbanks.  Driving another 20 miles north, we stopped for a view of the Brooks Range at Gobblers Nob, then turned around to head back to Fairbanks.  It was a great day; no flat tires, and we didn't run out of gas.

CHENA HOT SPRINGS

While the ice, ibuprofen, essential oils, healing touch, and alcohol were helping my sprained foot, I figured a dip in mineral rich hot springs might be the cure.  We drove the scenic 56 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort and immersed ourselves in the natural healing waters.  While it didn't seem to do much for my hurting foot, Jim's aching knee made a miraculous recovery and the next day he was running around like a 50 year old!