In downtown Fairbanks there’s a pretty park with a statue honoring the First Family
And here are two descendants of the first family…they were tipsy, but asked me to take their picture.
Fairbanks is where it is because the boat couldn’t go any farther due to shallow water.
We visited the oil pipeline, just outside of Fairbanks.
Roe left his mark….he pooped on the pipeline.
Summer Solstice eve.
Fairbanks has a free historical community park (Pioneer Park)….very interesting place to spend a day. This train car was used by President Harding when he came in 1923 to drive the golden spike at the completion of the railway.
Inside
Another cache
What it is…
Many historical cabins from gold rush days.
These buildings are preserved with a twist….each houses a shop where local artists and artsans sell their wares.
Kitty and her children came with her husband during he gold rush. He abandoned the family, but she stayed on and lived in this house until she died. A friend and business partner of her husband looked after her.
Inside the kitchen
Liz making like a musher
The original First Presbyteran Church of Fairbanks
Inside…bet they didn’t have that pink carpet back then
The signs telling the story of each building became more interesting than the buildings themselves.
Stage Coach 1898
Same stage coach today in the museum
Steam engine with costumed volunteer engineer. Yes, we took a train ride around the park.
This old steam shovel was used to help dig the Panama Canal before being put in service in Alaska. It reminded me of a favorite children’s book from my youth.
There were several detailed dioramas showing towns along the rivers in their early days.
On Sunday the 21st there was a big festival downtown to celebrate the summer solstice. It went on until midnight, but we didn’t last that long. If you go to this website though, you might see our picture there.
Lot’s of people came to celebrate. There was something for everyone.
Ride ‘em buckin’ salmon
Beth trying on a neck piece
Sidewalk chalk art
Skateboarding and also midnight basketball
Gold panning
Sled dog puppies to love
Blue-eyed mama
And yummy smelling food
Part two will be our trip down the Chena River on the Sternwheeler Discovery.
My generator needs parts that are supposed to arrive tomorrow afternoon from Anchorage, so we’ll be in Fairbanks a couple more days at least.
L
