Day 28 - up to the North Pole

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We left Fairbanks around 7.30pmheading out to Chena Hot Springs - a 60 mile drive. It was a nice drive - the whole area was thick forest. Along the way Geoff spotted a lonesome baby moose just outside of the thick. We grabbed a couple of photos before it ran away. Hunting season has just began so we hoped the baby's mother was still alive.

Arrived at Chena Hot Springs just on dark - 10pm. This is the end of the road in this part of town. The area is a resort and was very busy. Went and found out the hours for the ice museum tour and then looked for a place to camp for the night. Found a spot a few miles away from the resort on a pull out right next to a river and woods at North Fork Chena River.

Geoff set his alarm for 2.30am to get up and look for the northern lights. It was a very clear, dark night but no luck with sighting the northern lights. Geoff stayed outside for quite sometime gazing at the millions of stars that were out. I was only out there for a few minutes before retreating back inside the RV. It was cold and very dark out there. The thought of unknown wildlife wandering past was too much for me! The river sounds were loud during the night. It's brilliant being so alone in this part of the world.

Before leaving camp we went for a walk to the river to grab some photos. All was going good until I stepped on a wet rock and slipped into the edge of the river. Lucky it wasn't deep but I certainly managed to get all my clothes soaking wet! Managed to keep the camera dry though. Geoff helped me up snd out of the river and we went back to the RV to get out of the wet clothes. I'm sure the water was freezing cold but I think I was in such a state of shock I didn't notice it.

After I got changed I realised I was missing my sunglasses so Geoff went for a walk back down to the river and returned with the glasses still in one piece. What luck they were sitting in the river in about 2 feet of water but hadn't moved an inch!

The change in the weather over the past week has brought on sinus pain for me. Mornings and night time are the worst. I've been getting into the nasal spray which gives some relief and I've started on antibiotics that I picked up back home in Australia before we left for the holiday. I have a large cold sore on my lip as well - hoping to be feeling better soon.

We've had a lazy morning - catching up on house or should I say RV duties and checking out recent photos. Then we headed off for a tour of the ice museum to the resort ($15 admission each and$15 for an appletini in an ice glass).

Took a few photos of the resort and and hot springs before the 11am tour. The ice museum is the only one in the world that stays open 365 days a year. Some of the sculptures inside were 8 years old. Enjoyed that appletini in the ice bar. It helped take my mind off my sore butt!

Travelled back to Fairbanks to fill up with fuel and propane. $138- 45.5 gallons. $21 to fill up with propane (5 gallons). To date we have travelled 1431 miles throughout Alaska.

Next travelled 17 miles up to the North Pole where we visited Santa's house and reindeers. The street lights in the main streets all look like candy canes.

Fine day today 60 degrees F.

More trivia on Alaska:

There are no snakes, poisonous spiders, fleas or ticks here...sounds fantastic to an Aussie!

Repeat DUI offenders have a red line marked on their drivers licence for whatever period is decided by the judge and they are then not allowed to buy or be served any alcohol within the State...an idea that should be adopted by all countries!

There are no state taxes in Alaska except at hotels and other accommodations...that is apart from the North Pole (Where we currently are) where it's 4%.

This evening we are heading to Tok.

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Photos

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The ice museum

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Hot Springs

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Vege gardens at Chena Hot Springs

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At North Forks Chena River before I fell in the river!!

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Hot springs

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The ice bar

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Sculptor at work

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Having my appletini

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At Santa's house

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In the sleigh

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Santa's shop

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At Santa's shop

Comments

[Kay]

Great pictures Love the ie bar

[judith chaffer]

Be you guys are jealous when you saw the veges garden!!

[Tracey]

Enjoying you blog, keeps me sane.. But I hope u have told Santa that I have been a good girl and deserve a real good present like a $20,000 voucher from flight centre.. Hehehe... Would of loved to of seen the ice bar.. I went to the ice bar in Melbourne but very small.. The cocktails are so much nicer in a glass made of ice.. Enjoy the trip.