Sunday July 20, 2014, our week in Fairbanks, Ak

This has been a very busy week in the Fairbanks, Ak area.   When we checked into the campground last Monday and Jim told the lady we wanted to stay a week I asked him what were we going to do for a week.  Little did I know how much there was to do and see around Fairbanks.
We just settled into our campsites and then later in the afternoon we played cards for a while with Jim and Linda.  The couples that we had met from the Albany Georgia area were also in this park and we visited with them some and they told us about some interesting things to do.   They are friends of a girl Larry and I went to high school with and she had told me on facebook about them and we actually were in the same area so we got together.
Tuesday we went into town and went to the Visitors Center. I might add one of the best we have been in.
Watched a movie on the northern light which was somewhat boring as we had been to another museum about them which was much better.  After checking that out we went to have lunch at the Cookie Jar Restaurant,which had been recommended and also it was one of Guy Ferrier's places too.   Our waiter was Justin and he just happened to be from Clarksburg, W.V. where Jim Matheny was born and raised.   Jim and his sister knew of his family.   Small world out there.   Picture of Jim and Justin.
Linda and I took a trip later that afternoon to North Pole, Ak, while the "boys" went to a car museum.  Oh what a good time we had.   Sat on Santa's knee, had a good time buying Christmas things for everyone and had some wonderful hot chocolate.
Wednesday was a day trip to the Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum.   The museum was done by a couple of artist.  Everything is sculptured out of ice  even the stools , bed, outhouse, Christmas tree, etc are made of ice.   After lunch Linda, Jim and I went in the hot springs for a while.  Made a stop at Sam's Club, Pioneer Park and back to campground.   Linda and I found some real bargains on some cute shirts for summer, ha ha, like we will wear them.   It is cold and wet up here.
Thursday we did an early river cruise on the Riverboat Discovery III.  This was started by the Brinkley family man many years ago and some of the descendants are still running the cruises.  We stopped by the Susan Butcher training camp for the sled dogs.  Susan died in 2006 from cancer but her husband David Monson and daughter still run the business.  She was winner of the Iditarod several times.  After that on to an Athabaskan village and were treated to their way of life.  We enjoyed some salmon dip on our return trip up river.   Larry went to the front of the boat and then the back so he got several tastes. Our next adventure was right after that heading to the Gold Dredge #8 mine.  It was a train ride with entertainment from a gentleman singing and playing guitar.  Our guide was a school teacher in the fall and a guide in the summer .
We all panned for gold and got some.   Linda and I had done this before so we combined the gold from the 3 times we panned and I had a necklace made from mine.  I think Linda did too but is giving it as a gift.
Later we went out for Chinese food and took Larry to see Santa.  Last year everytime Sophia saw a Santa she called it Papa so he had to go and get his picture made to send to her.
Friday, Linda and Jim went to Liven good and to the Artic Trading Post to visit a family they had met when they were here 10 years ago.   Larry and I just wanted to have a "down day" so we opted to stay at the campground.  We did go into the grocery and then it decided to really rain so we just stayed in the mh and enjoyed a long afternoon nap and reading some.
Saturday found us heading to the Farmers Market, Harley Davidson store, which happens to be the furthers north Harley Store, and then we spent the afternoon at Pioneer Park.   Now Linda and Jim had been there also 10 years ago but Jim swore he had never been.   Starting to worry about this man.   We had a nice afternoon and also got to call and chat with the ODC camping Chapter while they were at Endless Caverns in New Market Va.
Today is our last day here and tomorrow we are heading to Tok and Chicken and will be back in Canada, at Dawson City  on Tuesday so the cell phones go off until we get back in the lower 48.

Catch you guys later.