Fairbanks

Part 2 of "Hello from Alaska" Days 21 thru 26 - continued.....

Sunday Mass

     We again returned to familiarity and an opportunity to express gratitude for all the incredible natural and man-made marvels we’ve been privileged to experience. Even here at this little church (Immaculate Conception) we were blessed.

The University of Alaska Museum

This was a impressive museum … thanks for the suggestion, Randy. This was more history (which I love) then was natural exhibits, yet lots of nature in the way of  a standing 8’9” grizzly and a polar bear and lots of all the other animals found in the north.  Also a charming art gallery of local artists … past and present.

A grizzly standing that tall would not even notice my bear spray!

Other Goodies

We also had dinner at a Salmon Bake on Pioneer Park … mmm good … salmon, prime rib, crab legs, salad, desserts and beverages all included.

For those who geocache … they brought us to some great places not found in those pesky tour books.

As this is the summer solstice, there are many kinds of celebrations around Fairbanks, a midnight baseball game (we didn’t go); a Run to the Midnight Sun 10K that started at 10:00 p.m.(we went and watched - lots of strollers and wheel chairs and crazy costumes and even some racers with numbered t-shirts); and a street fair … we went and scored a lot of free stuff and bought some souvenirs.

Saturday found us doing our own 10K. Thanks to our Fitbit … we clocked 16,580 steps which is 6.8 miles. Thanks to our girls for that little toy.

A mystery solved.

At every parking lot … grocery stores, college, etc. we saw some strange posts. Electrical outlets for every parking spot. We thought maybe for electric vehicles. No … heating for the winter. I’m sure they wanted their cars to start at negative 40 degrees when they came out of the stores. So … cords hanging out of every car grill.

     Now you don’t find that in the tour guides!

New Friends

Finally Raffi Coyote (in the center) wants you to meet his new friends (he is as friendly as the people here)… a red fox and a baby grizzly.

Denali Next

Tomorrow morning we head to Denali. We’ll be camping at Teklanika campground 29 miles inside the park. Remember the sunset painting I found in the doctor’s office before we left home? Reports are that this remarkable weather also provides great clear views of Mount Denali. Sure hope so!

I suspect as this is cold-camping (boondocking) ... we will not have Wi-Fi. So adios for a week.