Fairbanks Alaska-Pioneer Park

When visiting Alaska, you have to choose between a counter-clockwise or clockwise trip around the major stops. We chose clockwise which meant Fairbanks was towards the end of our journey.

 

Fairbanks was the site of many of the big stern-wheelers taking people to the gold fields. A couple are still around and are amazing vessels – less than a 4 foot draft for over a hundred feet in length!

Pioneer Park hosts a collection of the original buildings and artifacts from the gold rush days. And they let RVs stay in the parking lot for $10/night.

Some of the equipment is enormous. Think about moving this on a barge or stern wheeler in the 1890’s.

Free libraries are always worth a look!

The car President Harding used to visit Alaska.

Some of the old buildings. Most are original with some restoration.

A beautiful old church building. Services are still held in it.

Old world craftsmanship…

Forty five days after the longest day, daylight hours are still pretty long!

Some of the locals we met have amazing stories, and they love to tell them!

What would it have been like to drive up the river?

It’s a long way from everywhere.

We saw more rain while we were in Fairbanks than anywhere else in the state. Might have been the season, might be Fairbanks.

Brick oven pizza in a trailer!

 

But if not…