Alaska bits and pieces

North Pole, Alaska. Yes, it exists. And the Santa Claus House is there. I can prove it. This was one of the destinations that made my trip memorable – just having Karl as my personal tour guide was a treat. He was great at telling me the history of different parts of town and buildings, while also telling me about his hometown – which is a bit more rustic. I’ve seen interesting art and historical artifacts at the University Museum, unusual prints, fireworks in sub-zero temperatures, snow spontaneously falling off of telephone wires due to the extreme cold and lines “jumping,” a fabulous little dive bar called the Comet and much more. See the pics below to share some of my journey then check out my other photos at flickr.com.

The famed Santa Claus House. Unfortunately, it was closed when we went, but it was definitely a sight to see.

I’m sorry, but a bizarre little print that must be a North Pole thing.

Cafe Alex – in case the wall wasn’t a clue. Great little wine and tapas bar a few blocks from the hotel.

Part of the New Year’s Eve finale fireworks. And me playing with my camera.

A depiction of tradition native life in at the museum in the art gallery section.

What most of Alaska looks like this time of year.
(Plus, I finally figured out that B&W photography aids in
canceling out the bluish color I kept getting)
I just love the “fluffy” trees and landscapes.

 

A special toast

Dec. 26. The day my father passed away. It may be surprising to those who don’t know me, but I rarely mourn on this date. I have a little tradition to remember those family members who have influenced me and played important roles in my life. I always choose to celebrate their lives and the memories I carry with me. I toast their life with their favorite drink. For my father it’s a Manhattan, my mother a Rob Roy, my Grampa Bill a vodka martini with a twist and my Gramma Bobbie, well, she should be vodka, but we have one memory so special that involves a Stinger, that I make an exception in her honor. I do this on the day of passing and the day of their birth… I honor their lives.

So, what does this have to do with Alaska? I was here on Dec. 26 and was able to share this toast with my new friend Karl and being able to do this in AK was even more special than other years so far. I had the toast at the Pump House, a long-standing restaurant in the Fairbanks area. And not only could I have this Manhattan here, but I got to have it with my favorite bourbon, Maker’s Mark. Now that’s a treat! I’ve posted a couple of pics below so you can share in the toast as well and see this great place. Other photos can be found on my flickr account – link is on the sidebar.

 

 

The toast to Dad… Cheers! Skol! Salud!

 

The Pump House exterior

 

Arctic Circle Trip

Ok, ok, so many of you have said, “You haven’t updated your blog.” So, I’m obliging. I’ve had every intention of being a prolific writer while here, but truth is, I really have been hibernating and daily blogs of what I watched on TV while avoiding the -20 degree days just didn’t sound so exciting. But in addition to uber-relaxing, I have made a couple of day trips and seen a bit more of this area known as the Great White North – and boy, is it ever!

Saturday the 23rd I was able to travel with Karl and Cat up to the Arctic Circle to finally realize one of my father’s wishes to have his ashes spread in Alaska, the only state he never had the chance to visit. I was more than happy to follow through on this one. Though I have to admit, the driving conditions, better than I had expected, were still a bit nerve-racking for this girl who hasn’t traveled on a lot of snowy mountain roads. Fortunately, we were in the very capable hands of Karl, who grew up in the Arctic.

We started our journey while it was still dark outside, at around 8:45am. This was to give us daylight once we got to our destination as well as have the more unknown part of the journey under as much daylight as possible. Remember, the daylight only lasts about four hours. Getting started was perhaps the most unnerving as the dry snow on the roads would be blown up in gigantic blinding gusts as any cars or trucks would pass us by. It’s very similar to that blinding cloud of rain that happens when trying to pass a truck on the highway in misty, rainy conditions. I don’t like it in the rain and I don’t like it in the snow. But again… Karl was driving and I felt very safe – and very glad it wasn’t me behind the wheel.

About halfway into our trip, we crossed the Yukon River Bridge and stopped for a bit to take a couple photos and admire the bridge, the Alaskan Pipeline and the views. You can see more of the trip here. I cannot mention enough just how surreal and how white everything was. It snowed part of the way, we had clear skies for a bit, we saw moose and voles and we had a beautiful sunset. It is such a blessing to have traveled as much as I have and still be able to see something completely unfamiliar that takes your breath away.

We reached the Arctic Circle around 1pm. On went the gloves, out came the camera and the rather unceremonious plastic baggie in which Dad had made the journey, and the purpose for the trip was at hand. Cat wandered off to enjoy the trees and the vista and Karl was kind enough to man the camera and record the joyous (and yet somber) event. Somber, because I would much rather have made the trip with my father personally, as we had planned, but joyous as well, because I was able to carry out one of his wishes. It felt liberating and peaceful.

The drive back went by faster than the drive there. I can’t thank them enough for helping me to make my father’s wish a reality. And while I was the guest on the trip, it was a new experience shared by all. Neither Cat nor Karl had ever made the drive on the Dalton Highway before. While Karl grew up north of the Arctic Circle, his hometown is not accessible by car, so he’s only ever flown over the area. Cat has made many travels by car across Alaska – and the rest of North America, but had yet to be on this road. Sharing the experience made us continually marvel at just how beautiful this same journey would be in the summer… we may just have to find out.

 

Alaska, the beginnings

First things first… I’ll be doing a bit of editing as I’m really still learning what I can and can’t do on here, so bear with me – please. Hopefully, this will become a much more dynamic site as my learning curve improves. Now, on with what you’re most interested in… Alaska.

Just in making the trip I think I might have placed myself in training for a trip to even further destinations. The total travel time from Kentucky, from initial arrival at the airport to hotel check-in, was 15 hours. And that was only with minor delays in flights. Waiting for luggage at the Fairbanks airport seemed to be the longest wait of anything. They only had one of their two luggage belts working and there were roughly 3 flights that all came in close together. It was a very… long… wait; but Karl and Cat made the wait bearable. Karl and Cat are a couple I met over the internet while I was trying to figure out Fairbanks and what to do here. They greeted me in Groucho glasses, which was terrific. I knew exactly who I was looking for.

Admittedly, the long nights are a bit to get used to. The first night/morning here I was reminded of being a kid and taking naps when I got home from school. You’d sleep just long enough that you’d look outside, it would be dark and you’d jump up to start getting ready for school again – only to discover that you were just in time for dinner. I woke 9:15am in the morning and it was pitch black outside. It is a bit to get used to and I’m not sure if my inability to adjust to the time is about the time change, jet lag or the seemingly eternal twilight. I have to say though, it’s a bit nice for a change. 

   
                                               9:15 am                                                                                        
                                           10:30 AM
 
                                               2:30 pm

People are wondering why I chose this time of year to visit and well, there are many reasons; but from the time I checked in to my room, I have had no doubts that I am in the right place. One of my favorite songs of all time, “Dream.” was playing as I entered the room. This was the first sign. The next came when I went to lunch at Soapy’s Diner and the waitress there had made my favorite cookies – Peanut Butter Blossoms – which my grandmother always used to make for me; and quite honestly, I rarely see otherwise.

Karl was kind enough to take me a short driving tour around town so I could get a feel for where I was in town – which make it easier to walk places. Usually, one would use the sun to get some sense of direction, but it hadn’t dawned on me that the sun is in the south – always – this time of year. Of course it still moves from east to west, but it stays so low in the sky that the arc is barely noticeable. Amazing what little things we never notice til we’re placed in a new situation. Karl dropped me off at Soapy’s and I walked back to the hotel from there. It was a short 8 blocks or so, but in 2 degree weather, nothing seems short. It’s not too cold at first, but the nose-sicles make you terribly aware that it’s not very balmy either.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the hotel, catching up on naps and doing a little internet surfing. It really is nice to be doing nothing for a change.