Fairbanks- Alaska's Golden Heart City
Scott McMurren -- Jan. 2005
Alaska Travelgram | zoom@gci.net
Where on earth do you think they have a "Midnight Softball League"? If you guessed
Fairbanks, you're right!
It's just that type of zany activity that gives this city its nickname, the
"Golden Heart" city. After all, if you've enjoyed winter temperatures of around -60,
you'd go crazy in the summer, too. Especially when the sun shines all night long!
On your first visit to Fairbanks, there are some things you have to see and do.
At the top of the list is a riverboat cruise on the Chena River.
The Riverboat Discovery is operated by the Binkley family. For five generations,
the family has offered riverboat cruises. Everybody has a great time on the cruise,
which includes a stop at a recreated Athabascan Indian village on the Tanana River.
The scenic cruise also features a visit with four-time Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher.
The riverboat sails by her home. Susan steps out with a wireless mike and gives an
overview of her kennel. Sometimes the kids are running around. Sometimes she's feeding
the dogs. Susan's a gracious hostess and everyone has a good time while they learn more
about the Iditarod and Susan's interesting life!
But the highlight of the riverboat cruise is the stop at the Indian village. Here,
you'll learn more about Alaska's native people. How they lived, hunted and survived the
harsh environment. You'll see how communities worked together to support one another
through the winters, how they harvested and preserved food and how they used different
parts of the animals for clothing, decoration, tools and so forth.
Plan on spending at least one night in Fairbanks--there's just too much to do! Bunk
down at the Fairbanks Riverside Princess, on the banks of the Chena River. My favorite
feature? Oh, the food is good and the views along the river are great. But it's the
wireless internet access in the common areas. See, you can be a Geek and check your
email... all the way up here in Fairbanks!
If you want a "down-to-earth" look at Alaska's Gold Rush era, visit the El Dorado
Gold Mine. You'll take a ride on the Tanana Valley Railroad through a permafrost
tunnel where you'll see how miners worked their claims. On the two-hour tour of the
claim, you'll meet and talk with Alaska miners and learn about modern placer mining
techniques. Watch as the miners dig deep with a big backhoe, producing rich "paydirt"
to rinse through a series of baffles and filter. Learn how water plays an essential
role in gleaning the gold from the surrounding earth. After a short course in gold
mining, grab your own "poke" filled with pay dirt right out of a sluice box and try
your hand at panning for gold. Everyone finds gold!
After seeing how they mine the gold, visit the old gold mining community of Ester
for a "Gold Camp Buffet" and a musical review at the Malemute Saloon.
When the salmon are running (all summer long!), there's a great Alaskan tradition
you won't want to miss: an Alaska salmon bake! You'll be bragging about fresh Alaska
seafood to all your friends! Right in the middle of Pioneer Park, the Alaska salmon
bake is served in the shadow of another great riverboat: the Nenana. Unlike the
Riverboat Discovery, the Nenana is grounded--a testament to the golden age of
riverboats that once cruised Alaska's interior waterways. Take a tour of the
boat and see the interesting displays about riverside communities throughout Alaska.
Afterwards, take in the Palace Saloon Show. The music halls and theaters
were traditional gathering points throughout Alaska and the Yukon during the
Gold Rush years.
Fairbanks, at 64 degrees north latitude, qualifies as "far north". But there's
half a state out there north of town. You can choose from a couple of options to
continue north past the Arctic Circle. Fly with a local air service across the
mountains that ring Fairbanks over the Yukon River. You'll actually cross the
Arctic Circle and land at the village of Ft. Yukon. Here, a Native Alaskan guide will
offer you a guided tour of the town and you'll learn what it's like to live
in "Bush Alaska".
Or, take a flight north across the Arctic Circle for an air tour of the
"Gates of the Arctic" National Park. This bird's-eye view of the Brooks Range
is a good reason to bring your camera, your binoculars or both. When you land at one
of Alaska's Bush communities, try your hand at fly fishing for Arctic Grayling. Your
trip includes an "Arctic Circle Crossing" certificate!
Learn more about Alaska with a visit to the University of Alaska's Museum. Recently
renovated, the museum hosts a wealth of Alaska art, history, photos, exhibits and artifacts.
Learn more: http://www.uaf.edu/museum.
About Scott McMurren
Scott McMurren lives and works in Anchorage, Alaska, with his wife Christy and their two boys, Drew and David.
Traveling around the big state of Alaska is a passion of Scott's: from Ketchikan to Barrow, from Adak to Nome,
from Cold Bay to Wrangell and lots of places in-between.
Scott produces the Alaska Travelgram Newsletter and alaskatravelgram.com website. He also writes
a weekly travel column for a local newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News. It can be viewed online each Sunday,
in the "Life" section: http://www.adn.com
Or, tune in to KFQD each Saturday morning between 9-10am.
It's 750 on the AM dial in Anchorage.
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