Fairbanks, Alaska

After our long journey over the top of the world highway we camped out at a Yukon Government Campsite called Snag Creek just South of Beaver Creek in the Yukon. It was here we realized that we had three or four extra days to work with before we had to catch our ferry from Skagway on the 10^th. Initially, we had set aside four days to attempt to hike the Chilkoot trail out of Skagway but with that idea no longer on the table we had a number of options to fill our extra time.

Fairbanks, Alaska was only a day’s drive from Beaver Creek. So on a note of spontaneity, we drove back across the American boarder to get to the city in time for the Fourth of July Celebrations.

We made good time and pulled into Sven’s Hostel in Fairbanks just before dinner. We grabbed groceries from the Safeway down the street, made dinner and settled in for an evening of blogging. A good strong internet connection is a rare thing in the North and so we’ve had few opportunities to update.

We found out later that Fairbanks itself doesn’t have fireworks due to the extreme dryness of the surrounding areas, but the small town of Ester just south of the city has a parade. We staked out our spots early and explored the little town before the parade started.

Smoky the bear followed us from Whitehorse?

"I'm always serious about America day"

Start of the star wars themed farm group

Hippy car!

After the parade there was a picnic at the park down the lane. Bill and I joined in for a soccer game. It seemed like the whole town showed up for it. We didn't partake in the bbq they were having but the food smelled amazing. (Especially the whole pig they cooked)

Later we walked around Fairbanks. There was a neat statue/water near the downtown area. We planned on stopping into a couple of places that we read about but pretty much all of them were shut down for the holiday. Even all the food places which I found surprising. The only place that was open was a ice sculpture museum but the entry was too much.

After touring around downtown. We decided to go for a walk north of the city at bird sanctuary. We didn't actually see any birds but the short trip through the woods was a nice change from the city. Due to the permafrost melting the boardwalks was heaving and made the hike a little more fun

Caw!

At the Fairbanks Pioneer Park we found more BBQs and music going on. We got a few free burgers and our stomachs were very happy afterwards. The park also had a small restored Gold Rush town and a old steamboat that they have changed the interior to have small miniatures of the frontier towns 

 The incursions into Fairbanks was at an end so we headed back to Sven's to relax. I had a few beers lefts from the Yukon brewing company and Amy had a little wine left. We watched the movie "Now you see me" and hung out with some of the other guests.