This week we are excited to be in ALASKA where we start our adventures in Chicken before we move on to Fairbanks.
CHICKEN, AK
Accessed by the rugged yet beautiful Taylor Highway is the tiny town of Chicken. The town has a population of 12, with two cafes, a gas station, two RV parks, a gift shop, and a lively saloon.
Since it was early and we were the only ones in the saloon, we dared each other to try pole dancing!
Not a skill of ours!
Many travelers have left their mark in this saloon, so did we!
Back at camp we enjoyed time with our neighbors, Jim and Rhonda. While talking a giant moose walked into our campground about 10 feet from us… so cool!
Chicken still has gold mining including recreational mining and guided tours of the Pedro Dredge. We had a lesson from Jimmy and tried our hand at panning for gold. Believe it or not we found a few flakes.
We’re off to Fairbanks .…
After completing the historic Alaska Highway at Delta Junction, we traveled the Richardson Highway to Fairbanks.
First stop in Fairbanks was the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. Wonderful as well as enlightening, this free 9,000-square foot exhibit hall features outstanding displays showcasing Interior Alaska’s people, wildlife, landscapes and seasons.
ALYESKA PIPELINE VIEWING POINT
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was designed and constructed to carry billions of barrels of oil over 800 miles and has been recognized as a landmark of engineering. To prevent the permafrost from being melted by the hot oil, more than half of the pipeline is above ground. While in Fairbanks we stopped at the Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point to take a closer look.
The Pigs in the Pipeline are the most important tools available for protecting the pipeline and detecting potential problems. The orange example Pig was a cleaning and flow improvement Pig.
Pipeline Pigs, shown here, clean and detect potential problems.
AURORA ICE MUSEUM
This guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum will transport you to a winter wonderland regardless of the time of year. The museum, completed in 2005 by world ice-art-carving champion Steve Brice and his wife Heather, features life-size ice carvings.
The temperature in the museum is a constant 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The Aurora Ice Bar serves a special beverage, which we just had to taste!
We were instructed by the bartender to make a wish when we shatter the ice martini glasses outside.
FOUNTAINHEAD ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM
Next stop, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. This self-guided tour transported us back to an amazing time in history.
The tour took us through the automotive era, from Victorian times to the Art Deco era, with a world-class collection of vintage automobiles and period fashion complemented by fascinating exhibits, photographs, and videos.
NEXT WEEK
Our adventures in Alaska have just begun. Stay tuned for more from the SilverVagabonds as next week we experience Denali with a stunning airplane landing!
