Townsite Gardens Bed & Breakfast Fairbanks

... the other one is local) close in the winter and the owners and staff relocate to Mexico or the Carribbean to sell to cruise ship passengers there. I tried to only visit locally owned shops and cafes (I asked around) and I think I succeeded. Town is crawling with retired people off the cruise ships - mobility scooters, wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks all over the place. It is a nice little town though, lots of 100 year old buildings, even the footpaths are ...

... the forest fire near here is burning. More than 400 fires have burned close to a million acres in Alaska this summer, and with continued warm, dry conditions, active fires are expected to increase in size. We had lots of ash on our PT this morning.<br><br>I fell asleep in the bus on the way back to the campground and the little nap gave me enough energy to do four loads of laundry and to make a double batch of fudge to share on our bus tour tomorrow.<br><br>

... We are getting so prepared for all the back country hikes--ha, ha! We checked out an audio tour CD that explains interesting facts along the highway from here to Tok. <br><br>In Tok, we dropped off the CD at the Public Lands Information Center, which has a huge mounted grizzly. The Tok Visitor Center also has nice exhibits ...

... Oddney Gumaer for the purpose of offering aid and assistance to refugees and displaced peoples. The couple had met Burmese refugees face-to-face during a backpacking trip in Thailand, and were strongly motivated to do whatever they could to improve the lives of the refugees. They began by fully supporting a refugee child --- which cost only $30 per year! Their contribution provided food, medicine, and education for the child. One ...

... were gigantic. They were and we were even impressed at the prices. The prices did not seem to be all that expensive. We stopped at a vendor that was selling Reindeer dogs and we just had to have one. They are delicious. We went back to the hotel to warm up and dry off and that evening we ate dinner at the Pump House Restaurant. It was delicious. Again we ate Seafood and had a wonderful time.

... for gold. They call it "Pay Dirt." The owners of the place are true die hard miners - the wife seems like your hard working Texas Type woman who is over the top while the man looked just like a miner that Hollywood would come up with - long grey hair with a large grey beard. Well, either a miner or a Harley-Davison owner. The whole experience was quite educational and a lot of fun. We usually don't like the overt tourist places, but this was a neat ...

... visible. So after returning to Fairbanks, we stopped at the pipeline and then went to the overlook. Sure enough, slightly hazy was Mt. McKinley over 125 miles away. Then it was back to the trailer for lunch. After relaxing for a bit, we visited Santa Clause House and spoke to Santa, stocked up on food for the next few days in Denali, and had a late dinner. Tomorrow we make our way to Denali. Hope that mountain stays out.

... they look decent. There are still dips and flaws in the floor, the ladies lockerroom is simply a health hazard. But the hot spring rock pool is worth all the hassles. It is fed by the springs so is hot - even if the temperature is well below zero. And there is something so soothing about sitting in the hot water looking at the mountains that surround the area (assuming there are no drunk 20 ...

... with distances, road conditions, and ferry schedules so we could get to Vancouver Island. We planned the 18 hour ferry ride, a day of riding on the island, and then another ferry to Port Angeles in Washington. We had it figured down to minute accuracy, but off one day. It seems pilots can ...

... her, feeling her warmth as she slept. Exploring her body under the blankets. Finding a new day with her with me. There is a joy in waking up like that. Takes you downstairs to the kitchen to make a pound of bacon and some eggs. Brightens your eyes turning on the country music videos and looking out on the slough in the back yard. Mist rising off the water. Fall sunset dim behind low clouds. Breakfast scents invite her to join me in the day. Coffee, tea, then she's ...