We meet Patte and Dave for breakfast in the hotel at 8 am before setting out to explore Fairbanks on foot.
Phil found our first stop -- the Clay Street Cemetery -- which is quite old and a genealogist's dream. Just inside the entrance is a large bulletin board with a diagram of the entire place and names on each plot. The cemetery is located in an eclectic section of town -- several of the homes are old cabins and houses built in the 1930's which have been moved here and renovated. Patte and I both love cemeteries so it is nice of Phil and Dave to indulge us.
We head back to the Morris Thompson Visitors Center to view a film on the science of the Aurora Borealis -- why it happens and why it can only be seen at certain times. It is doubtful that we will see the Aurora since the cloud cover is low and it is light till quite late. Also at the Visitors Center are some excellent exhibits on the history of Fairbanks -- particularly the very early days. As we leave to stroll along the Chena Riverwalk we pass through the Welcoming Arch of Antlers.
Our next stop is a small Community Museum known for its exhibits on the gold mining days around the turn of the 19th century -- and the 1967 flood which devastated the city causing quite a bit of damage to downtown Fairbanks.
After discussion we decide to walk to Pioneer Park -- rather than take the bus -- a couple of miles outside of town. This is an area -- although somewhat hokey -- has some interesting things to see. The park has: Gold Rush Town -- Pioneer Air Museum -- Tanana Valley Railroad Museum -- a Train which travels the perimeter of the park -- A Mining Section -- and lots more. We get a quick bite to eat at a Greek place inhabiting one of the restored cabins. After taking the train two loops around the park we visit the Nenana, a paddle boat in dry dock with dioramas of the mining villages surrounding Fairbanks displayed on her first floor. We take a look at the train car used by President Warren Harding in 1923 when he drove the golden stake for the Alaska Railroad. Lastly we visit the mining section with the steam shovel which was moved to Alaska for use in the mines after serving in the construction of the Panama Canal.
We bid farewell to Pioneer Park and take the bus -- free for seniors-- back to the hotel in time to meet with Mindy, our Holland America Rep, and have a quick rest.
About 4:30 pm we head out to the Downtown Market which is not unlike the Farmer's Market ---even some of the vendors are the same. It is a beautiful clear day so it is fun to walk around the booths and admire the fabulous produce and handmade items. After poking into an antique mall for a half hour we decide to go to dinner early.
Tonight we are dining at Lavalle's just near the Downtown Market. Lavalle's promotes itself as having over 3,000 wines -- no worries about having wine with dinner tonight. Liana is our waitress and she answers all of our questions about this wonderful menu with so many appealing dishes.
They have a mystery wine by the glass for $5.50 -- it can be anything -- bartender's choice. I give it a try and really enjoy it. Liana gives us the name: Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola (Sicily) -- I highly recommend it.
After dinner we walk back to the hotel on this beautiful evening marveling at all we have seen in the past two days. Tomorrow we take the train to Denali National Park.
Thanks for Reading!
Pat
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