We were able to get a bit more sleep as our Riverboat Discovery tour (2 for 1 coupon) didn’t start until 8:45. It was just a short drive from the lodge and was another lovely day. The sternwheeler was a fantastic trip with stops at Susan Butcher’s dog camp (her husband now runs it), and various displays and demonstrations of reindeer, furs and native ways of life. We saw Beavers in the water as well as birds here. They had samples of smoked salmon made in a cream cheese spread that was to die for. Of course, we HAD to buy some of the salmon to have shipped home. After that we drove to the Chowder house and had a couple of delicious chowders. One was a smoked salmon chowder (our favorite) and the other halibut & corn chowder. We then headed off to find the Pipeline visitor’s center. We drove right by it, but had a lovely drive until we were to be at the El Dorado Gold Mine Train (2 for 1 coupon) at 3:00. It was on the Tana Valley Railroad and there was someone singing and playing fiddle and banjo. We went through a permafrost tunnel and had a walking tour of the mining camp. We panned for gold and had it weighed but didn’t have it put into any jewelry. Did enjoy the hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. Then we drove back to the Pipeline Visitor’s center to check that out. We then drove to a town called North Pole and saw their reindeer and shopped in Santa’s village. Drove back to Fairbanks and grabbed a quick dinner and returned our rental car and took the free shuttle back to Pike’s Lodge and walked around their grounds, had some Huckelberry ice cream and Blueberry cheesecake ice cream before heading off to get a bit of sleep. Next day we took their shuttle to the train station and headed for Denali. The Riverboat Discovery and El Dorado tours were both quite well done.
Fairbanks https://photos.app.goo.gl/V9hYftZcB7y5dZPS8
Tomorrow, we take the train to Denali National Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment