FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

I wanted to go to the farmer's market early this morning but that didn't happen.  We needed to visit the RV dump and fill with fresh water first.  Then we needed to find a laundromat because a week without hookups and our laundry was piling up.  Let me first say, I absolutely hate laundromats. There's just something about them that gives me the creeps.  The first laundromat we went to was crowded and looked unclean. But it was near the farmer's market and we scooted over there and bought some fresh produce. We found another laundromat and four loads cost us $30.  Lesson learned, no more laundromats for me.  I would have probably saved money by spending a night at a full-service park and using my own washer in the comfort of my own home.

Downtown Fairbanks - The Golden Heart City

Once that "dirty" job was done, we came back to our site at Pioneer Park and put everything away, made the bed and had some lunch.  Denis took the bikes off the roof rack and we headed toward the Chena River bike trail which you can get to through Pioneer Park.  It was a very nice bike trail with a lovely view of the river.  I enjoyed watching people on the river kayaking and tubing. We rode into downtown Fairbanks and saw some of the sights there.

The streets and parks are lined with colorful flowers

Temperatures here are hitting a record high and some people know how to keep cool

I've got to tell you about the daylight hours in Fairbanks.  Summer daylight hours are longer than Anchorage.  For example, on July 19th, the sun is up for 19 hours, 40 minutes and 20 seconds.  Today sunrise was at 4:59 a.m. and sunset will be at 10:53 p.m..  Those hours of "darkness" aren't dark at all, but a twilight, in which you can walk, drive, work and read outdoors without a flashlight.  It takes me forever to fall asleep at night even with cardboard in the bedroom windows.  My internal clock doesn't believe that it's time to go to sleep.

We love it here in Fairbanks - even on a weekend downtown isn't crowded

After our bike ride and a short rest we went into the park to visit the railroad museum and take a ride in the train around the park.  The night cooled considerably and it was a nice way to end the day.

The train ride was narrated - two loops around the park for one dollar donation

The original train has retired at the museum

Entrance to the museum

We both need a haircut - We've been spoiled with $10 haircuts and here they cost $30

In yesterday's post I told you about the nice couple we met at Walmart.  They have a home park in California and they've invited us visit them when we're in their neck of the woods. He is a retired airline pilot and they too are visiting Alaska for the first time.

Gene and Marie Wakefield

That's all folks! Thanks for stopping in.