Fairbanks & the Arctic Circle, AK

Hurray for June, 2023 and Alaska Airlines! The long awaited trip to Alaska with the Shoe Crew was finally here after being postponed a year (thanks to Delta flight cancellations in 2022!!). And – all were present and accounted for.

First stop was Fairbanks with the primary event of a flight to the Arctic Circle – but first, getting to know Fairbanks. The Knoll house was waiting for us and proved to be ‘quaint’ lodging for our stay – –

Enjoyed the Knoll house setting in the woods.

What would a trip to Alaska be without going to the North Pole?!? Yes – Santa spends time at the North Pole just outside of Fairbanks and a visit there provided a silly ‘reindeer’ picture and a shopping opportunity. AND – an old fashioned lunch at Little Richard’s Family Diner.

At North Pole with Santa and his Reindeer . . .

. . . and lunch at Little Richard’s Family Diner.

A fun evening in Fairbanks is attending the Revue with a Salmon Bake dinner before at Pioneer Park. This year the dinner left a little to be desired (it could have been the VERY cold weather) but the Revue was hysterical and had everyone in stitches;-)

Another day – more activities. Today it was time to explore the downtown area. A walk along the Chena River is good exercise – with great views – that brings you to the Visitor Center with an informative museum and the moose antler arch. What a perfect photo op!

All this walking may build up an appetite and The Crepery is the place to stop for a bite. The lunch crepes were huge and they had the BEST Chai Latte EVER!! Good thing it warmed the insides because the next stop was the Ice Museum located in an old downtown theater. The films shown were a little long but the ice sculptures were a hoot!

Ice slidin’ gramma.

Haley hauls a..

The next adventure was a drive to Chena Hot Springs for the BEST chocolate dessert ever (a lot of best foods on this trip!). Along the way was a fortuitous sighting of our first moose;-)

Our first moose sighting at 8 0’clock and the sun, sort of, won’t set for another 4 hours.

An afternoon visit to the Museum at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as well as the animal research center were exceptional. The Reindeer Walk was a highlight for the ‘Grands’ and is an activity that those with children would want to include in their visit. The Alaska Pipeline runs nearby, and provided a perfect opportunity to see this construction feat that would be viewed from the air later in the evening.

Checking out the Alaska Pipeline up close and personal.

So – the BIG event – drum roll please. Off to the Arctic Circle, landing in Coldfoot and visiting Wiseman, the village of 12! The plane departs at 6:15, but that won’t be a problem as sunset (sort of) isn’t until 12:12!!

We have to wait until when to see the sunset?

The flight is beautiful and mid-way thru crosses the Arctic Circle. It then lands in Coldfoot, the only provisioning/lodging place between Prudhoe Bay and Fairbanks. While on the ground one visits the small town/village of Wiseman and receives a presentation by Jack, a full time resident, on how one lives and survives here off the grid. Fascinating!!