Fun and Sun In Fairbanks

Happy Birthday, Courtney! We were thinking of you yesterday as we celebrated your birthday by going to the State Fair after attending University Baptist Church. The weather was wonderful, and we enjoyed excellent Greek food for lunch as we visited the many exhibits. The nearly one hundred pound cabbage definitely captured our attention. 4-H clubs showed off their many extra large vegetables, interesting crafts, art and photography. We also attended the horse show. We remembered how much you loved horses as a child.

In the evening we toured Pioneer Park and dined at the Alaska Salmon Bake, an all-you-can eat restaurant in the park. That experience was a step back into time. The park was built in 1967 to celebrate Alaska’s centennial. Many of the shops are in original cabins that have been moved from downtown Fairbanks. The museum chronicles the activities of mining, road building, and many political transactions in Alaska’s history. The SS Nenana, “Last Lady of the River,” is the largest stern-wheeler ever built west of the Mississippi. A retired “pig” is also on display at the pipeline view point. The “pig” is used to detect problems within the Alaska Pipeline. (Google this for more details.) Gloria got a little carried away at the Iditarod exhibit.

Today we toured the University Of Alaska Museum, a “must-see” for anyone going to Fairbanks. It is superior in its architectural design, and the historical exhibits are unique and grand. The museum captures the essence of the Alaskan spirit and Native American culture. We did see Dixie Alexander’s ceremonial dress (see previous post), and it was truly beautiful. We returned to Eielson AFB to catch up on last minute shopping with a side tour of North Pole. Santa Claus House with its live reindeer nearby is the main attraction. We saw the “north pole,” that had been kept at THE REAL North Pole for three years and now claims to near Santa’s home.