The bright skies kept up up until midnight last night and we slept in longer than usual. Our first stop was Sourdough Fuel for a quick dump and water fill, then we drove to the UAF campus. The on-campus museum is touted as a world-class facility and distinctive architectural landmark. It was a beautiful day and we didn't want to spend it indoors. The museum is huge and takes at least four hours to explore. So we snapped a few pictures, looked at the view on the west ridge and headed out.
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| This guy is waving goodbye as we leave Pioneer Park |
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| Some architect had a field day with this project |
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| This blockhouse was moved to this site and renovated for a mere $70,000 (government money) |
We got on the Richardson Highway and drove about twelve miles to North Pole. We didn't stop to visit the Santa Claus House which was established in 1952 and is home of the Original Letter from Santa. We took some pictures, saw the candy cane light poles, reindeer, Mistletoe Drive and Santa Claus Lane.
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| Santa Claus House |
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| Santa's Reindeer |
Then we drove a few more miles to Chena Lake Recreation Area where the Moose Creek Dam on the Chena River was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers and run by Fairbanks North Star Borough. In need of a couple days to depressurise, get back to nature, relax, listen to the sound of birds instead of traffic and spend time at the 250-acre lake, we gladly paid $20 for a secluded pull-through campsite.
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| Another project completed by the Corps of Engineers |
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| Ahhh - peace and quiet |
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| Nice big, private campsite |
This is the first time in weeks that we put out the awnings, lawn chairs and had a nice chicken BBQ with my homemade sweet and sour red cabbage.
After dinner we rode the bike trail for about an hour and checked out the Moose Creek Dam.
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| Nicely paved bike trails along the Chena Lake |
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| Denis is getting very good at holding the camera at arm's length for a photo even while riding a bike |
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| We were hoping to see a moose in the water |
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| Good night |
Another very nice day. Thanks for stopping in. That's all folks!
The Santa Claus House looks like it would have been interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is nice to open that awning and get the chairs out.