Fairbanks

Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state, after Anchorage, lying less than 120 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The population of the city proper is 32,000, but including the surrounding areas the population is 100,343.  Fairbanks is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the oldest of Alaska's current universities.

Captain E. T. Barnette founded Fairbanks in August 1901 while headed to Tanacross (or Tanana Crossing, where the Valdez-Eagle trail crossed the Tanana River), where he intended to set up a trading post. The steamboat on which Barnette was a passenger, the Lavelle Young, ran aground while attempting to negotiate shallow water. Barnette, along with his party and supplies, were deposited along the banks of the Chena River 7 miles upstream from its confluence with the Tanana River.  Judge James Wickersham, US territorial judge told Barnette he would move his courthouse to town if Barnette agreed to name the town Fairbanks.  The town is named for Charles W. Fairbanks, who represented Indiana as a Senator and served a VP under Teddy Roosevelt.

Fairbanks' climate is classified as subarctic with long, cold winters, and short, warm summers.  Winter’s last  from late September/early October until late April/early May.  Average winter low temperatures range from −15 to −25 °F, but extremes can range from −60 to −75 °F.  In summer, temperatures typically range between 70 and 50 °F. 

Fairbanks offers a diverse economy which includes government services, transportation, communication, manufacturing, mining, financial, and regional medical services.  Including Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright personnel, over one third of the employment is in government services. Approximately 325,000 tourists visit Fairbanks each summer.

Heading north from Denali NP terrain is made up of rolling hills and Tundra. 

We are welcomed to Fairbanks with a warm day!  Cheryl has no jacket!

Our 1st touristy trip was to North Pole, AK.  This town has a year round population of about 2200.  The spirit of Christmas lives year round including Santa.  Thousands of letters each year addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole" arrive at the North Pole Post Office.  Several local businesses and service organizations endeavor to continue a long-standing tradition of sending individual hand-written answers.   

You are welcomed by this statue. 

Santa Claus house

Cheryl wanted to sit on Santa's lap but he was out on break.

"Childhood's Faith in Santa Claus" - The Christmas Letter 1887

A reindeer!  A reindeer is a domestic Caribou.  

OK, call us crazy but Larry wanted to drive to the Arctic Circle.  Of course Cheryl is always willing to ride along!  

Highway connects Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay.  The majority of this "highway" is dirt due to the cold climate conditions.

  

The Alaskan Pipeline parallels the road.  

As you can see the day was very overcast and drizzly. 

This Black Bear was feasting along the road, the Tundra does not offer the rich food supply as in southern Alaska. 

Finger Rock

We're there!!!!!!

Of course it rained hard while trying to get a picture!  Mosquitoes were abundant!   

Traveling back after a nice picnic lunch in the car out of the rain and pesty mosquitoes! 

Georgeson Botanical Gardens - this was a big cabbage!  It's amazing what 20+ hours of daylight does for growing plants.

Museum of the North - part of the University of Alaska

Downtown Fairbanks

Downtown park - discovery of gold in 1902 brought the town to life.

Chena River flows through the downtown area.

Courthouse

Arch of Antlers - 100+ Moose and Caribou antlers make up this arch.

Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center - this was probably the best center on our trip.  Excellent displays and they also had local Indian students demonstrating their native dances

Because of the remote areas planes are a main means of transportation no matter what your profession!

Immaculate Conception Church - built in 1904 and moved across the frozen river to its present location in 1911.  We attended mass here while in Fairbanks.

The Chena River was overflowing during our visit.  Fairbanks was having their 2nd wettest summer in history.

The Alaska Goldpanners are a summer collegiate baseball team, playing home games at Growden Memorial Park. The park is home to the annual Midnight Sun Game, an annual tradition since 1906, played without artificial lights starting after ten at night on the summer solstice.

Well, we were not there for the summer solstice game but we took in a game, 1st time we saw a 19 runs 2nd inning which included 4 homeruns with 2 grandslams by the same batter.  Final score was 22 - 3 in favor of the Goldpanners.  Well worth the $5 / person admission!

Pioneer Park - This is Fairbanks theme park which houses museums, restored early 20th century dwellings, renovated S.S. Nenana one of the largest wooden sternwheelers ever built.   

Harding Car - used by President Warren G. Harding in 1923 when he drove the Golden Spike for the Alaska Railroad. 

Look at this TROPHY!!!!

We also attended "A Comedy Revue About Life in the Last Frontier", Frontier Park's Palace Theatre