Days 23-25 7-15-7-17-10

---

On our way to North Pole, a town that celebrates Christmas all year, we stopped by the Delta Meat Sausage Plant. We ate samples of reindeer, elk, and bison. We made our purchases and moved on to the Delta Junction, where we saw the last mile marker of the Alcan Highway. We arrived at Santaland Campground, home of the World's Tallest Santa, on Thursday. The street names are named after Santa's reindeer. Candy canes, elves, and lights were everywhere.
The next day we visited Santa's reindeer and his house. Santa was there and asked us about Jasper! We bought some ornaments and attended a book signing by Martha Wagner, a homesteader from the 1950's, who was also the first female mail carrier in Alaska.
On Saturday we took a 12 hour journey to the Arctic Circle as Shelby and Jack wanted a certificate like the one that they had earned when they crossed the Equator many years ago. We got a small chip in the windshield of the truck along the way. It was cold and windy so we quickly devoured our picnic lunch and headed back. But we observed two rabbits, a bald eagle, and a black bear. Supper consisted of corn chips and hot cheese dip, salad, and hamburger meat.

---

Photos

PICT2236
Meat processing plant.

PICT2237
End of Alcan Highway.

PICT2254
Pipeline Pig.

PICT2258
We were told the mosquitoes were big, but did not think they were as big as a VW.

PICT2321
Alaskan pipelline.

PICT2323
Another shot of pipeline.

PICT2343
Leta standing on tundra, which is 12 - 18 inches of spongy ground on top of ice and frozen ground, that is frozen all the time.

PICT2371
Bear in road #1.

PICT2374
#2

PICT2376
#3

PICT2352
Fireweed, which is the first thing to reestablish itself after a forest fire or any major disturbance of the top soil and vegetation.

Finger Mountain
Thought this was hand with fingers. I was wrong.

PICT2388
This is the finger.

PICT2358
Highway on left. Pipeline on right. I think I got that right.

PICT2360
Artic Circle sign.

Comments

[Lynn]

Glad you're ok
I was getting worried. We hadn't heard from you in a while and I was missing you. Sounds like your having the time of your life and just forgot about all of us who are living vicariously through you guys. Have lots of fun.

[Pam]

WOW
Hi you 2, You seem to be having a great time. We are enjoying your blogs immensely. Barbara, did you feel a twinge of nostalgia on the 1st day of preplanning or the 1st day of school? I did last year but not this 2nd year of retirement. I am jealous of your trip and am so happy you're having such wonderful experiences. Worth and I are heading out to Portland, OR. next Sun. for one of his business conferences and will then go up to Seattle to see Luke. Be gone about 10 days. Y'all continue to have a great time! Love, Pam