We left Tok at 8:40 for our 202 mile drive to Fairbanks (wah hoo! Civilization) and arrived about 1:40, nice paved roads most of the way - no construction or gravel. You could see the frost heaves were recently fixed, strips of new pavement across the highway. We stopped at Delta Meats, Dale and Linda our Wagon masters told us about this place during the drivers meeting. We tasted so many different sausages we didn't need lunch. Delish! We ended up buying some elk and buffalo sausages. About half way to Fairbanks we stopped at Delta Junction Visitor Center, they have an identical marker to the one in Dawson Creek, Milepost 0, this one is the end of the Alaska/Canada Highway. I spotted a quilt store across the street, of course I had to check it out! I did find a few pieces I couldn't live without.
The population of Fairbanks is 31,535, (really is that all?) The elevation is only 446, that surprises me too, there are mountains seemingly everywhere, our first glimpse of the Alaskan Mountain range was obscured by clouds, we saw a snow covered peak occasionally.
The RV park has it's own charter bus (a re-purposed school bus), we were picked up at 6 to go to Pioneer Village Park for it's Salmon Bake and Palace Theater show. Pioneer Village is a 44 acre city park that commemorates early Fairbanks history. It has several museums and historic displays including a replica of SS Nanana, a stern wheeler that ran in the Chena River from 1933 to 1954, a little railroad train that circles the park plus the recreated village with the Village Theater. Would like to spend more time in the park, we have 2 free days here -- maybe. The Palace Theater showcased Alaska history, four singer/actors and piano player put on a great show and again a wonderful example of local talent. It is so fun to be chauffeured around and not have to pay for anything.
That's it for today, enjoy the pic's, a few more than yesterday.
TTFN,
Gary and Pam
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| Roadside pull off nice view |
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| Car wash, all the guys pitched in |
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| Typical forest along hwy to Fairbanks, first peak at snow covered mountains |
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| Many trees were broken because of last winters heavy snowfall |
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| The end of the Alaska/Canada Highway |
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| Mosquitoes are big in Alaska |
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| Salmon Bake |
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| Steve started the Wild Salmon Ride |
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| My turn |
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| Wagon master Linda and Dale with Annie the Tail gunner |
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| SS Nanana |
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| Pioneer Village |
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| Piano player |
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| The 4 singer/actors |
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