Nan let be borrow her Wilson signal "booster" so I will try again. If this works I will be stopping by a Best Buy in my future. Well, it helped a little but not enough. I will try again down the road tomorrow....
And, later a day or two down the road.... (I spent all day yesterday watching the pictures slowly load and then they wouldn't come up visible here in the draft. I saved them and this afternoon in a park just outside Denali they are popping right up. I don't find it as frustrating when the Verizon doesn't work as I find it amazing the places that get good signals. Yes, folks, the glass is half full!)
These are some of the pictures that follow the last pictureless post.
Art work as you first enter the Museum of Alaska. It is life size and just flows with energy and movement.
Examples of an old skin covered kayak and wooded canoe....I just thought of how delicate they might be out there in the spring among the ice flows....
Here, ladies and gentlemen you can see with your own eyes my $9. dollars worth of gold.
Some of the open meadows at the Creamer Wildlife Center in Fairbanks. Those dots are Sandhill Cranes as you will see up close later.
Summer in Alaska...
One of the many ponds at the Wildlife Sanctuary and Center....
Herschel was very happy that dogs were allowed to walk the paths. The dogs had to be able to use their "Fine Arts Behavior" though.
Looking out from the woods, you will just have to take my word for it...there were more cranes out there
And on the walk back to the rig Herschel and I discovered were most of them had gone....to the crane convention around the pond.
When we drove up to Chena Hots Springs, we were congratulating ourselves for seeing this nice beauty.
And then we noticed the Mr. M just wandering among the cabins towards the small pond.
He mentioned being thirsty....
He looked around at the ducks and the people starring at him and continued to head over for his appointment at the front office.....or maybe he really did want that massage...
Other wildlife found at the Hot Springs Lodge. "Aren't my eyes just fabulous, darling?"
We headed back up the road to find our boondocking spots on the river. Stuart was sure the stop was just for him...."Look, Peaches, they did find me water!" "Okay, I won't swim too long, it is a bit chillier than I remember back in the lower 48."
Liz's daughter, Jennifer takes her first look at the view outside Liz's rig.
Liz's GD, Ashley, later take time to study the rocks.....
iz and family left the next day and Nan and I continued to meditate to the sounds of the water and the birds. Nan's rig is behind the large trees on the right. :=)
And here, Sarah, is the picture I took at 4:00 in the morning. Yes, I was awake but after the dogs finished their business and I took the picture I did go back to sleep....
I do have to mention that some of the bird calls were less meditative than others. These Ravens are representative of the birds that decided to visit in the wee wee hours of the morning to peck their way through the campfire remains from the previous campers in order to find anything remotely resembling a food product. They were having some rather noisy disagreements as to who found what first.
After driving away from Fairbanks the Verizon signal isn't so strong for loading pictures. The truth is it wasn't so strong for checking e-mail, either. We are now sitting in Nenana, AK, and have some signal strength, which means maybe if I try to upload a few pictures I can read a book while they upload and come back later and write in some captions. These are the things that you learn traveling from spot to spot. On a good note the cell phone, though dropping a few calls, has been working even in these wilds. (...An hour or so later I have to accept the fact that no pictures are going to be added today....)
Last Saturday after Liz's daughter and granddaughter flew into the Fairbanks and got picked up real late...I would say "O'clock dark" but hey, this is Alaska and it was still sort of light out.....anyway....on Saturday we headed over to the Museum of Alaska and spent some time listening to short videos and looking at artifacts of history, the pioneers settlers and the First Nation peoples.
The narrative and photographs about the Aluetian Islands and the deportation of the First Nation peoples from the islands during WWII filled in a section of history that had never been mentioned down there in Ohio. The movement was all done "for their protection" but conditions were terrible and they were not protected from a bunch of other negative outcomes. It is just another history chapter that is often ignored.
The whaling video was also informative and demonstrated the techniques that are used even today by the subsistence whalers from different families and or villages and how they worked together in the small boats to harpoon the whale and then divide up the meat and distribute the day's haul to all the parties.
There were kayaks and large skin covered wooden canoes on display, also. I couldn't help thinking of the techniques that went into making and maintaining them and how dependent the individuals in the early days were to these fragile boats that held them between life and death in frigid waters. I'm not putting my kayak into some of these waters even in the summer.
The displays of the tightly woven baskets were outstanding and I could clearly understand how a few of those baskets could hold water.
The remains of the prehistoric "Blue Babe" were also on display with a marked up photo that assisted your eyes in recognizing the teeth and claw marks left on the hide from the predator that had brought him down.
After spending our morning in the museum, we all headed out to the parking lot of Gold Dredge #8. After a short train ride out to the retired dredge while we listened first to some history of mining in Alaska we all got our chance to practice panning for gold. Again, think of the summer jobs this provides for the high school and college students in the area, they all get to guide us in our attempts to find riches. Apparently a few nuggets were found and when they were weighed back in the gift shop were valued up to $150. No one in our party was able to contribute towards the gas fund with their findings. I now have $9. worth of gold flakes per the young lady. I declined the opportunity of a life time to pay $14. to put my flakes in a small locket. My flakes still reside in their small black plastic film can type canister. I couldn't sell anyone on the idea of putting all our flakes together. It could have made some real money...maybe $100 or so.
Sunday, before Nan and LIz and I headed up the Chena River Road. We drove the rigs out to the Creamery Wildlife and Bird Refuge. The land and buildings had originally been a dairy operation whose large green fields and ponds had been known to attract migratory birds every year. When the dairy closed in the mid 60's, fund raisers were held and the land was bought and preserved for the birds and the wildlife that land had always served. The dogs appreciated that they were allowed to walk the trails while on leash. Besides beautiful fields, ponds and woods....I have quite a few pictures of the Sandhill Cranes. There were enough gathered around the one pond for me not to bother counting. I think they were having a crane "convention" of some kind. I also reminded Stuart that cranes were not one of the birds that spaniels were expected to retrieve. I don't think he believed me.
Birdie drove her car back to the campground in Fairbanks and the rest of us headed up Chena River Road to check out the Chena Hots Springs and find a camping space for the night. Liz discovered our potential camp spot about 10 miles this side of the Hots Spring. We followed her back one of the many public river access points to find a wonderful stone covered beach and a beautiful river flowing past. Since it was Sunday, most of the few RVs and trailers that were there were getting themselves put together to head back from a weekend of fishing and watching the river. That worked out great for us. We drove on over, checked out the Hots Spring lodge and campground and returned later in the afternoon to claim our spots on the then practically deserted beach area. Only one large class A remained set up over by the edge of the river on the right and they looked like they were set up to enjoy their spot for sometime with a stock pile of firewood, a nice fire ring and comfortable chairs.
Sorry about not being able to post the pictures from the Hot Spring, though you may get to see some of them in a few days, internet willing. We were not impressed with the Hot Springs themselves but most of us had seem the lovely setting at Laird Hot Springs so we were spoiled. The lodge and cabins were built to satisfy couples and families with multiple things to do, including horseback riding and swimming. You could sign up for your massage or to get your hair cut. The campgrounds themselves looked like a poorly maintained after thought of the enterprise. Nan did notice that there was an active little airstrip so that you could fly in with your own plane or charter one up from southern Alaska somewhere.
We did enjoy the moose that we found hanging around. The first one was munching on greens in an overgrown area in a small pond maybe thirty yards off from the man made Hot Springs pool. Next as we were walking back towards the parking lot and our rigs, young Mr. Moose, with his fine velvety early summer antlers started, came strolling up to another small pond that was right off a main walk way between some small cabins. He proceeded to stroll right on into that pond, get a nice drink of water, look around at the ducks and people watching him and strolled on out of the pond and was last seen by us as he skirted the playground equipment (which we were keeping between him and us) and walked on up the path towards the office and central area of the lodge. Maybe he wanted one of those massage appointments.
Following our moose encounter we headed back the 10 miles or so and found our quiet river and settled in for the evening. We watched several kayakers make their way past to access points further down the river or pull out on "our" beach. Many folks up here have the large inflatable boats as well as kayaks. We initially contemplated putting our kayaks in the next day, until the next day came and the sunny 80 degrees forgot to come along with it.
The morning looked like rain and we already knew that the river water was cold so we changed the "jello" plans once again. Nan and I stayed out on the river one more night and Liz and family headed back into Fairbanks to take a ride over to North Pole and explore the Santa Lands there. Nan and I were graced later in the day with more sunshine and a return of warmer weather. We both acknowledged that the river was the best camping spot of the trip so far. All other boondocking spots will have to compete for a spot on the list after this experience. I promise pictures of that one will be posted, especially the one taken about 4am in the morning.
Coming through Fairbanks, Nan and I both stopped to get our hair cut, some gas and I refilled the propane. After being off grid for a few days we were happy to head down the road and to pay for our camping spots here in Nenana RV park. It means nice long hot showers and catching up on the laundry.
While here we have all placed our guesses on the date and time of the "Ice Break Up" next spring. Last year's jackpot was over $300,000. but none of us are going to rush off and pre-spend our winnings, yet. We did complete a walking tour of the town and later Birdie drove some of us across the river so that we could walk through the town's cemetery that is on the hillside across the river from town. Only a picture will tell that story completely....well it will be worth a thousand words at least. The hill side is fairly heavily treed and has a steep slope. There are no formal "plots" and no rules. This is Alaska. Families can maintain the burial site or not. These are not manicures lawns and headstones but it all seems to work and I am betting with a lot less money being spent. The over all effect is nice and peaceful with a great view looking over the river and the town below.
On another topic, I can now say that I have learned how to play Mexican Train. Unfortunately, unlike the card game "Hand and Foot", I have also learned that in this case the player with the highest score is not the winner. I have been very good at having too many points left unplayed when someone (like say...Liz) quietly goes out and leaves me with too many domino dots to count.
Yesterday, we all headed over to Pioneer Park to explore the "village" and soak in the history. After some history soaking we made over to the Salmon Bake and had a wonderful dinner. I can now say that I have had Salmon that tasted very good! None of us went home hungry.
There is this lovely old paddle wheel boat sitting up on the land at the park. Besides just being neat in and of itself, inside there were multiple dioramas of most of the early towns and settlements along the rivers of the area. The dioramas reminded me of the pictures you see of small settlements along the Amazon and other wilderness areas.....vastness of the land and water and the small toe holds that humans make.
We also walked through the train car. As Nan noted, they are limited to how much they can do as long as they allow us folks to wander through without supervision.
The craftsmanship of the details is still very visible in what has been left behind.
The private rooms are through the doors to the right.....
And here is where the president stood to wave at the public when he came to visit Alaska for the first time.
For those without RV, you could use a Cache like this one to store your foods.....
Another example of tight logs.....the park has relocated many cabins from around Fairbanks. Each one has a sign to tell you were it was moved from, who built it or had it built, etc. The small and compact sizes of the cabins reminds me that RV'ers were not the first to learn to live in small spaces.
This building stood out because it was much larger. As the sign below tells, the ground floor was used for a bath house. But again, I admire the log work.
Liz and Birdie got up early this morning to take a van ride up to the Arctic Circle and back. Wait for their blog posts to find out how that went.....
Nan and I ran around Fairbanks running errands like visiting a thrift store (to drop off stuff and then of course you had to go in and look....) I picked up two prescriptions from Walmart and we headed out to North Pole to visit Santa and his Reindeer.
Tomorrow, Birdie and I are taking the Discovery Boat ride down the river in the morning. Well Birdie will be there if she can wake up early enough. She and Liz don't get back until 10pm tonight. :=)
This is a picture of a tired dog. Apparently Liz, Nan and I wore him out. It is such hard work watching the three of us wash the rigs. You just can't nap or anything with those power washers hitting the side of the "bus."
"Finally," sighs Herschel, "We can head on down the road towards Fairbanks and I can get some sleep....I mean navigating, done."
All five of us made our way
into Fairbanks and parked last night in the Walmart. You know that a
store is RV friendly when they have "RV and boat
parking" marked on the pavement along the outside edges of the lot. Liz
did have to explain to Mitch that the rows of electrical outlets were
not for RV'ers but for the Alaska cars and trucks in the winter. Come
shop at Walmart in January and you don't have to worry about the engine
freezing while you linger in the store.
We
all got oil changes on our vehicles either yesterday or today and we
are ready for the next few thousands of miles. Mitch decided yesterday that
she needed to head back to TN and left this morning. She said that she
was going to stop and see Beth so I don't know which roads she is
planning to head out on but she knew that the rest of us are planning to
wander slowly around the state after Denali and she was missing
George..... There were hugs and goodbyes and we are all hoping the see
more amazing things on her blog. (She also found out that the 3g for
her iPad does not work in Alaska. She was not pleased.)
Before making our way into Fairbanks we stopped one more night at Rika's Roadhouse. It is a neat historical. Parking with no hook-ups in a large but level parking lot for a minimal fee and the dogs loved the hiking around the buildings. Somehow the Back lots of Chevron stations and Walmarts are not their idea of good dog sniffing, hiking spots.
Liz treated us to soup and a sandwich at the small restaurant. They forgot to tell me to hurry (before the tour bus was scheduled to pull in and I almost started wandering though and around the old buildings too soon.
Here is the same building from another angle. Some of the buildings were original and some were reproductions. They all were beautifully put together to keep warm in the Alaskan winters....
This one was the original cabin for the old ferry. It appeared to currently being used by some of the summer staff.
This is a picture of the roadhouse itself from the back. The section on the left is the original and the wing on the right was added in later years.
I really liked this old boat, especially after walking along the swollen river and thinking of actually depending upon it for travel up and down those waters. That river is big and was rolling along willing to take anything down with it.
And without additional comment, I wanted both my kids not to expect one of these as a gift at Christmas....It was sort of tempting, being the price had been reduced and all...
More pictures of the old cabins and then one of the cabins as they still stand. All three are still there lined up in a row.
Remi wanted to share with his friends that he is beginning to get to know his "Aunties" also. If you notice he is walking with his tail up and marching right along. He does look up when Birdie talks to him and sometimes does a double take....as in "Wait, wait, how did you get the lead!"
The note below explains this unusual contraption. Both Nan and I found this one interesting and helped remind you that not all the mining was about large dredges or pans.
Another shot of the tight log work....
The boys waiting on the front steps of the Roadhouse while their "Aunties" stepped inside to look around at the displays.
As we drove the remaining miles into Fairbanks the next day after over-nighting at the Rika's parking lot we made several stops to gawk along the way.
Just to give you an idea of the amount of water that goes through in the spring....
We also stopped at the Knotty Shop. Anyone who has seem my father's drift wood sculpture would understand when I say that these are posted in his memory....
These birds where displayed inside the shop along with a bunch of other stuff that you could spend mucho money on. Birdie can tell you what each one is and which season you will find that specific coloration.
This shot is for the pottery folk/s following the blog....interesting handles.....
And this is a picture of lonely "purple" steps that thought they were going to be left behind like the first set that found a new home at a rest stop in West Virginia. Well, these were left behind but I remembered them in time to turn around and retrieve them. Note to self, when you offer to be the "sweeper" in the line of rigs and you are the last one out of the lot, you can't expect anyone else to spot for you! My knees were glad to have the steps back on board where they belong.
More of our Fairbank's wanderings as the week goes along We are in the state recreational park and the dogs are happy for the grass and trees.....
