Golden Days, Hikes, and Hot Springs

 July 23 - 27, Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs - Dena Native Lands

We stayed in Fairbanks as we continued to work on getting our house electric issues all worked out. We think Matthew finally got it all working correctly with the help of  RV Alaska. 

In the meantime we had an all you can eat Kiwanis sourdough pancake breakfast, went to the farmer's market and to the Golden Day's celebration and saw the end of the rubber duck race (although we skipped the earlier 2 hour parade):

Explored the museum and displays at the National Park Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center and saw the movie on Gates of the Artic NP - which we won't be going to because it requires a flight. 

Walrus tusks

Walked along the Chena River

Drove towards Chena Hot Springs - another beaver lodge

Went on a hike of Angel Rocks Trail ~almost 4 mile hike, with a 900' elevation climb

The trail will take us to each of these peaks

Bear scat - luckily no bear in sight

Wood grouse family came to visit - mom stayed in trail as her chicks crossed

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I took this on as a challenge

We're headed to this next peak

The rain is coming in

It was a steep trail - and this was the smoothest - most was rocky or full of roots

Beaver dam - amazing construction skills

Reward after the hike - Chena Hot Springs Resort

Stopped for the night at a roadside pullout with these as our neighbors

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Thanks for a great visit Fairbanks!

Fairbanks: Libraries, Pioneer Town, Hikes and Kayaking

 July 18 - 22, Fairbanks, Alaska - Dena lands

Settled in Fairbanks for a few days so we could tend to an electrical issue - our house batteries wouldn't charge - and to await an Amazon package with some electronics to improve our house battery set up. Having been without a refrigerator for over a week I am more than ready to get this fixed. Between this, a sinus issue, and differences in driving behavior expectations, we've had some strained interpersonal days the past week. Luckily we get over things pretty quickly and, for the majority of this trip we are doing just fine in our small space. It suits us well. 

Luckily an RV shop was able to get us in immediately and, after replacing a relay switch, we were off to spend the day at the very nice main library.

Innovative bike cart

Relatives?

Electric posts for employees to plug their cars into during the winter 

Whale skeleton - UA Museum of the North

One day we hiked along the Chena River. There were lots of these on the outhouse wall

This greenery is so soft and inviting - I imagine napping on a cloud

High bush cranberries

Moose tracks

 

And moose scat

Spent time in Pioneer Village - this train took President Harding through Alaska

House of a prostitute from the red light district - where a fence was erected at the beginning of the road so women and children's sensibilities wouldn't be harmed, but with an entrance for the men to get in

Shopping lists for coming north 

Ptarmigan 

Went kayaking, although this gave us pause

Rainbow

Another rainbow

Wild game of ultimate kayak frisbee

University of Alaska Large Animal Research Facility: reindeer and musk ox

Wood bison - bigger than prairie bison - being reintroduced in Alaska

This makes me so happy

 Downtown 

We camped in a lot behind a ballfield and spent 2 nights just outside of town up a hill at a Boondockers Welcome host. It's been lovely.