Fairbanks - July 23, 2014

Yesterday we traveled from Healy to Fairbanks.  There was road construction several places along the way where we had to wait for a pilot car the escorts us through.  When they do road construction in Alaska, the entire asphalt is removed with only dirt and a little gravel remains.  At least it wasn't raining but we quickly washed the truck when we got here.  The journey was only a little over 100 miles but it took us about 4 hours.

Three members of our entourage is coming down with colds.  Thank goodness one of them is not me - yet,  but Gary is.  So today he pretty much just stayed under cover in the RV.  I started the day out doing laundry.  I think that will be the last time I have to do that before we get back to Bates County.  I did 3 loads to the tune of $15.

We did schedule some sightseeing/information tours so we are pretty much booked up with things to do for the time we are here.  We are in a very nice RV park, much improved from the one we stayed in at Healy.  We all agreed that we would rate that one as pitiful.  It was in a mud hole, poorly maintained, and some campers (construction workers we think) partied well into the night.

I went with Jeff and Marcella this afternoon to a street market.  It was billed as a farmers market but there was a lot of craft booths.  It was enjoyable none the less.  Then we drove about 12 miles to North Pole (not THE north pole).  We did a little shopping at the gift shop, one of many we have visited since we started the trip, took some pictures, and mailed some cards so they would have North Pole on the postmark.

Jeff and Marcella fixed supper

 Scenery along the way yesterday

 Santa house at North Pole

 Santa signing books

 One of Santa's reindeer

 Hope your name is on this list.

  for all of us for supper.  Really hit the spot on this cool (cold) evening.  I think I heard on the news this evening it has been a record low summer for Alaska.  I can believe it.  However, when I hear about the weather back home, I certainly am not complaining.