From Fairbanks & back - Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Back in Fairbanks again after 2 great trips out of town. After a bit of a rest we flew with our new mates and a few others to Coldfoot Camp, in the Arctic Circle. A bit like a roadhouse in the NT really, sleeping dongas , basic food etc. I'm not sure what I had expected ,but the flight was really scenic, over more mountains , which is always the scary part for me. The brief Alaskan fall is spectacular, have taken loads of photos. After Coldfoot a long bus trip back along the Dalton Highway with lots of stops -a good visitors' centre, 'crossed the circle' in style, saw Finger Mountain, walked in the tundra & learnt about the permafrost, so different to anything we are familiar with, sunset at Yukon River looked at & learnt about the divisive oil pipeline.At about 1 pm stopped at the Highway sign & the lights were starting. We were there for about 40 minutes & they were a bit on & off, mainly green & white , some amazing movement & shapes, pretty thrilling, if cold & late! Sadly no photos, we couldn't master it with my camera. We hope to see them again in our travels, still not dark until about 10 pm. Next trip was to Chena Hot Springs, on our own now as our US travelling companions have departed. Shuttle took about an hour , to the end of the road! Had a lovely walk around the park, walking stick got first outing, then visited the Amazing Ice Palace. Sculptures are incredible &enjoyed our appletini at the bar, warned us up! Water very hot, I 'took the waters' 3 times & Mick twice,2nd day there, Mick happily catching & releasing 3 grayling. Interesting place, today we had a tour by the owner who is very into hydronics and geothermal energy. This afternoon we travelled back to Fairbanks, the moose sighting on the way capped it off. It's moose hunting season now & we have seen 3 vehicles loaded with antlers, among other paraphernalia. I caught half a mass on Sunday too & leant bit more about this in the sermon. This afternoon we visited Museum of the North at University of Fairbanks, Alaska. Fantastic art collection as well as crafts, animals and history from all the regions. Good to consolidate what we have learnt & get excited about where we are yet to go. Tomorrow is an admin & catch up day, then to Anchorage to get Zoe & to the Kenai fishing, excited about seeing Zoe & it will be good to be in one place for 6 days. Weather better today, maybe the really cold will hold off for a bit longer... .