A day in Fairbanks

July 2, 2012       A Day in Fairbanks

The weather seemed unsettled today, so we waited until about noon to start out to see some sights.   Our first stop was at Pioneer Park which showcases the old stern wheel vessel Nenana, and old steam engine, a pioneer village, a native village, several museums, and a large playground.

The Nenana was very interesting with detailed dioramas of all the towns and villages the steamboat serviced.  We took a ride on the steam train and learned about the village and the surrounding area.  The guys toured the Air Museum while Barb and I visited the Pioneer Village.  Then the rain came down!

 We stopped for a quick lunch, then headed for some indoor activity--The Museum of the North at the University of Alaska.  This was a fantastic museum!   We saw Alaskan arts and artifacts from prehistory to present day.   I was fascinated by Blue Babe, the world's only mummified Ice Age steppe bison mummy, and by the tusks and skeletons of Wolly Mammoths and Mastadons.  There was much to see and learn about the cultures, wildlife, geography, and history of each of Alaska's five major geographic areas.  This is a first class museum.   Even the building is beautiful and interesting.

When we left the museum, the sun had come out again, so we made an ice cream stop at Hot Licks where they actually had asparagus ice cream on the menu!   None of us was brave enough to try it.   We then headed for downtown to see the exhibits at the Visitor's Center and stroll the River Walk along the Chena River to a Monday market at Golden Heart Park.

The Nenana at Pioneer Park

All aboard!

Museum of the North-- UA

Blue Babe

Asparagus ice cream!!!

On the Chena Riverwalk

Tribute to the unknown first family of Alaska in Golden Heart Park

German tour bus

We ended a great day of sightseeing by a stop at Sam's, then headed home for happy hour.   We enjoyed watching a new arrival in the park.  It is a German tour group traveling in a vehicle that is part bus and part RV.  There are 24 tourists, a tour leader, and a driver aboard.  There are 24 seats in the front half and 24 bunks in the back half.  Each night they take out all the luggage and get out what they need for the night and the next day.   There is a kitchen on board the vehicle and they have folding picnic tables where they eat.  It was very interesting watching them.