Blogs from Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, North America - page 5

Day 14 Cont. Tuesday July 30 We finished our cleaning by 5:00 just in time for the bus for dinner. We went to the Alaska Salmon Bake, an outdoor all you can eat buffet. We ate delicious salmon, halibut and prime rib with all the sides at picnic tables. We walked around the little village and looked in the shops until the show at the Palace Theatre. A wonderful musical performance telling the story of the beginning of Fairbanks. Day 15 - Wednesday July 31 The next morning we boarded the bus again for a cruise on the Riverboat Discovery down the Chena River. Before boarding the boat we went into a room that was -40 degrees. Brrrr. The three hour cruise is run by a family in Fairbanks and the captain is the forth generation, ... read more

8.30 Abfahrt. Erstaunlicherweise waren die ersten 250 km ganz flach und alles war unter 200 m NN - man hat ja schon vom Flugzeug aus gesehen, dass die Fluesse wilde Maeander bildeten... Nadelbaeume und Birken, zuerst noch schoene, hohe Baeume, spaeter wurden sie dann kleiner, weil ich mehr in die Hoehe kam. Und dann gab es den ersten Blick auf den Mt Mc Kinley (= Dinali, das bedeutet in der Eingeborenensprach: der Hohe). Er ist fast 6000 m hoch und wirkt deshalb so gigantisch, weil seine absolute Hoehe (6000 m) fast seiner relativen Hoehe entspricht - der Bergfuss ist bei ungefaehr 450 m NN. N von Anchorage waren zuerst noch mehrere Orte, solange wir halt noch im Pendlereinzuggsgebiet von Anchorage waren. Aber dann wurde es schon recht einsam. An Strassen gibt es nicht viel - diesen ... read more

Geo: 64.8452, -147.722 It was grey and overcast as we packed up the bike for the ride from Tok to Fairbanks. As a light rain began, we decided to have breakfast down the road at Fast Eddy's before making a decision on wearing rain gear for the ride. Fortunately, by the time we finished eating the rain had stopped and the skies in the west looked promising. So, we took off, sans raingear, relying on our so-called waterproof liners to handle any precipitation we might encounter. Hwy 2 was in good shape, heading straight west along the Tanana River, all the way to Fairbanks. It was great to be able to cruise along at normal speeds, in sharp contrast to our ride across the Top of the World Highway the previous day. The cloudy weather continued ... read more

Well we survived the Top of the World Highway whew what a road. Did some gold panning in Chicken and found some gold in my Mom's gold pan (thanks MOM). Cross the border at the most northern US border crossing. Travelled onto Tok and then to Delta Junction (the official mile 0 of the Alaska Highway). Relaxed there and then had an easy day to Fairbanks, only a couple of hours of driving. Lots of forest fires here and saw one that was right beside the highway. Has been really hot and dry up here but since we have arrived it has rained a few times a day. Had a downpour yesterday (July 8th). Enjoying ourselves and getting a chance to relax here (we are here for 4 days). Lots of the same people travelling the ... read more

So remember how I said that I wasn't sure whether it would get any darker? That's a negative...it got lighter! I woke up around 4am and the sunlight peeking out around the room darkening blinds made it look like it was noon outside. Of course, my brain knew that breakfast wasn't until 8:15 and I could sleep until at least 7 so I went back to sleep. I can't say it was the best night's sleep I've ever had...it really is strange how the light just really wants you to wake up, but I did rest and was able to get up and function just fine in the morning. Breakfast was great...there are two other older retired couples staying at the B&B on their way to a cruise and were a lot of fun to chat ... read more