Fairbanks and Tok - Day 1 and 2

We left LAX in the dark and as we flew north about an hour we saw the sunset again. As we fly into the night toward Anchorage it got lighter. When we arrived at Anchorage at 12:30 AM local time, it was almost dark but by the time we got to our friends' house at 2:00 AM it was light again.

This is the boat we took up the river to see some of the native settlements. We waited until the morning group got off and then we boarded.

A real paddlewheeler

Churing up the Chean river

As we went down the river a plane landed beside us. The pilot's radio was patched into the boat's PA system and the pilot took some questions from those on the boat.

Then the pilot took off.

This is new to Alaska and is becoming a popular way to travel around the state.

A home for several natives. The house is built low to allow the wind to sweep over in the winter.

I am not sure who was watching whom.

We stopped at a native village. This is a "stash," a building on stilts to keep the bears from raiding the food stored for the winter. Most of the food consists of dried fish and other meats.

Sally went into this little home to visit a bit.

Look very carefully at this photo. The mobile home is actually mounted on the barge. It was used by a former governor as a campaign tool. He toured the state's waterways using the boat as his home. Notice the writing on the barge.

This is the Susan Butcher sled dog ranch. This visit was just about a week before she passed away from cancer. For the boat passengers, they hooked up a team to an ATM and let the dogs run. They were so pumped when the boat pulled up that all hundred or so began to leap into the air and bark. They live to run and pull.

When the dogs were unhooked from the ATV, they all ran and jumped into the river. The temperature of the water was about 40 degrees or less. They loved it.

These pups were just a few weeks old and were already beginning training for the harness.

Another typical native home. The lady of this house came out and gave a brief talk to the passengers.

Sally is wearing a moose rack. Not really.

Riendeer are being raised for meat and other products.

This parka took about six months to make and is all hand made. A parka like this will sell for up to $15,000 each. We were allowed to touch a small piece of fur but not the parka. Those who lived there told us that these are extremely warm in the cold winter.

Did you guess? It is an Alaskan hot tub. There is a wood burning stove attached to the back of the tub.

It is very typical to see a small plane in the front yard instead of a car. This plane is converted to a ski plane in the winter and lands on the river.

Log homes are very common.

Leaving the boat in Fairbanks.

We are posing with a cutout of Susan Butcher. Unfortunately, Susan passed away about two weeks after we were there. She had fought cancer for several months.

Our hosts and friends, Lattis and Sharlotte Campbell. See their photos by going to their web page at http://www.lattis-sharlotte.org/

We visited a demonstration project at the U. of AK-Fairbanks. There are studies to see what can be grown in this region. Cabbage and some flowers do well.

Pansies in various colors seem to do well in this climate.

Blue Pansies

Various plants seem to do well. This was in July when the weather was very warm.

This is inside Santa Claus Land in North Pole, AK about ten miles south of Fairbanks. It was Christmas in July.

We got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus early this year. Sally asked for a diamond ring and I asked for a new camera.

Following Santa's example.

The terminus of the Alaska Highway built in 1942. About 40 miles south of Fairbanks.

Used to build the Alaska Highway in 1942

Used to build the Alaska highway in 1942

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.

Salmon run on a river about 200 miles from the ocean.

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.

We encountered several moose on the highway south of Fairbanks

This bull was about 20 feet from the car.

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.

The Alaska pipeline runs through Fairbanks and down the same route as the road to Tok.

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.

Scenery on the road from Fairbanks to Tok.