Sep 16, 2009 - Seeking Northern Lights

SEPTEMBER 15—PREPS FOR ONE CHANCE TO SEE AURORA: Jim’s internet sleuthing tells us that Wednesday has a rating of “3” out of “10” for potential aurora activity—the best it’s been all week and the highest it’s been in the fall during this year’s relatively “low activity” period. A "3" means that the Aurora should be visible in Fairbanks, but would not be visible in southeast Alaska or the lower 48; that's why we planned a bit of time back in Fairbanks. ... The location, Cleary Summit (almost the top of Mt Aurora, near a ski area) has been recommended by a Fairbanks photographer and we found a good level place off the road to park the RV there, its very near to an active gold mine called Fort Knox. ... It’s a beautiful clear day and the fall foliage is spectacular.SEPTEMBER 15—PREPS FOR ONE CHANCE TO SEE AURORA: Jim’s internet sleuthing tells us that Wednesday has a rating of “3” out of “10” for potential aurora activity—the best it’s been all week and the highest it’s been in the fall during this year’s relatively “low activity” period. A "3" means that the Aurora should be visible in Fairbanks, but would not be visible in southeast Alaska or the lower 48; that's why we planned a bit of time back in Fairbanks. ... The location, Cleary Summit (almost the top of Mt Aurora, near a ski area) has been recommended by a Fairbanks photographer and we found a good level place off the road to park the RV there, its very near to an active gold mine called Fort Knox. ... It’s a beautiful clear day and the fall foliage is spectacular....

Aug 29, 2009 - Fairbanks, Alaska

The closer we got to Fairbanks the sunnier it was until it was mostly sunny when we arrived at River’s Edge RV Park. ... Thirteen miles short of Fairbanks we stopped at Santa Claus House. ... In 1949 Con and Nellie Miller arrived in Fairbanks. ... A few more miles and we were set up in Fairbanks for four nights. ...

Aug 25, 2009 - Denali is very expensive.

Sunday, August 23: A really great day to ride! No rain! Okay, maybe a few drops just to keep us humble. We arrived in Fairbanks as the clouds were gathering. ... Hopefully, the good weather will be priceless! Monday, August 24: Yes, it is cold! Fairbanks is not a fair weather place. ... The temp was maybe 40 F with the low dark clouds and rain in the forecast.Sunday, August 23: A really great day to ride! No rain! Okay, maybe a few drops just to keep us humble. We arrived in Fairbanks as the clouds were gathering. ... Hopefully, the good weather will be priceless! Monday, August 24: Yes, it is cold! Fairbanks is not a fair weather place. ... The temp was maybe 40 F with the low dark clouds and rain in the forecast....

Aug 23, 2009 - Fairbanks

I’m going to get a Cannon as soon as we can find a store, maybe Fairbanks. ... The road to Fairbanks parallels the Alaska Range Mountains for a while. ... Fairbanks appears to be a gritty town, not very attractive. ... Fairbanks is an expensive place. ...

Aug 17, 2009 - Fairbanks, Alaska

Our route today: North from mile marker 237. In Fairbanks we stopped at the Super Wal-Mart for some grocery items, propane, and charcoal. ... I don’t think I saw a single car while be passed thru Fairbanks that did not have a cord hanging out under the front bumper for an engine block heater. ... Some had several! One guy even had a winding arrangement for what looked to be a 50 foot cord wound on it.Our route today: North from mile marker 237. In Fairbanks we stopped at the Super Wal-Mart for some grocery items, propane, and charcoal. ... I don’t think I saw a single car while be passed thru Fairbanks that did not have a cord hanging out under the front bumper for an engine block heater. ... Some had several! One guy even had a winding arrangement for what looked to be a 50 foot cord wound on it....

Aug 17, 2009 - We made it to Fairbanks, Alaska

202 DAY MILES & 3,153 TRIP MILES We made it to Fairbanks, Alaska and checked into the local Motel 8 for some rest and laundry. ... Eventually everything gets dirty and you run out of clothes for the next day.202 DAY MILES & 3,153 TRIP MILES We made it to Fairbanks, Alaska and checked into the local Motel 8 for some rest and laundry. ... Eventually everything gets dirty and you run out of clothes for the next day....

Aug 16, 2009 - Bluegrass, Blueberries, and a Bunch of other Stuff

After Anderson we headed for Fairbanks and a stay with Mamie's cousin, Bill and his wife Judy. ... While in Fairbanks we did things Fairbankers do -- pick wild blueberries, clean salmon and have fun. ... of Alaska @ Fairbanks' spectacular Museum of the North. ... In all we stayed in the Fairbanks area 21 days. ...

Aug 9, 2009 - Fairbanks

Today was spent taking in the sights of Fairbanks. ... We were planning on attending a great Museum that was touted in Charlotte’ s book, but when I asked for the address she realized that she was reading the Anchorage information not Fairbanks. ... The Pioneer Park was a collection of Museums, Air, Steamboat, Pioneer and native.Today was spent taking in the sights of Fairbanks. ... We were planning on attending a great Museum that was touted in Charlotte’ s book, but when I asked for the address she realized that she was reading the Anchorage information not Fairbanks. ... The Pioneer Park was a collection of Museums, Air, Steamboat, Pioneer and native....

Aug 4, 2009 - Fairbanks AK

We arrived at the RiverView RV Park here in the North Pole. They flew in to Anchorage and took the train to Fairbanks where they will spend a week or so with us and travel on to Denali and back to Anchorage. ... We then received a call from our nephew, Brannon, who is in the Air Force stationed in Korea and is here in Fairbanks doing some training, so we picked him up and took him out for Thai Food dinner. ... While on the way to the restaurant, we received a call from Chris King, a fellow soldier from Kansas who is on his way to Anchorage and we met him for dinner also.We arrived at the RiverView RV Park here in the North Pole. They flew in to Anchorage and took the train to Fairbanks where they will spend a week or so with us and travel on to Denali and back to Anchorage. ... We then received a call from our nephew, Brannon, who is in the Air Force stationed in Korea and is here in Fairbanks doing some training, so we picked him up and took him out for Thai Food dinner. ... While on the way to the restaurant, we received a call from Chris King, a fellow soldier from Kansas who is on his way to Anchorage and we met him for dinner also....

Aug 1, 2009 - Day 31

Day 30 It was four weeks on the road yesterday. We came to the town of North Pole about ten miles before Fairbanks. ... They have giant candy canes everywhere and a forty foot Santa Claus.Day 30 It was four weeks on the road yesterday. We came to the town of North Pole about ten miles before Fairbanks. ... They have giant candy canes everywhere and a forty foot Santa Claus....

Aug 1, 2009 - day 33

Day 32 We woke this morning to the pitter patter or rain drop on the fly of the tent. We eventually got ourselves packed and headed back to Fairbanks. ... By the time we got into Fairbanks, about eleven, we all had grins on our faces that we couldn’t wipe off. ... The whole valley was cloaked in a cloud of smoke from all the forest fires in the area.Day 32 We woke this morning to the pitter patter or rain drop on the fly of the tent. We eventually got ourselves packed and headed back to Fairbanks. ... By the time we got into Fairbanks, about eleven, we all had grins on our faces that we couldn’t wipe off. ... The whole valley was cloaked in a cloud of smoke from all the forest fires in the area....

Aug 1, 2009 - Fairbanks, AK

/// Saturday – August 1, 2009 Fairbanks, AK We departed Denali this morning under fairly clear skies. ... About 50 miles south of Fairbanks we started to see and smell smoke in the air. ... We have no real plans or agenda for visiting the Fairbanks region but we will probably spend most of Sunday exploring. ...