Alaskan Adventure: Days 44 thru 47. On July 14 we visited Fairbanks Museum of the North in the morning and then did the Sternwheeler Tour called “Alaska Riverboat Experience”. July 15 was a rest day as we were still recovering from the midnight flight to Gates of the Arctic. On July 16 we visited the “Running Reindeer Ranch” and Palace Theatre in Pioneer Park. On July 17 we visited “Historic Dredge 8” to try our hand at panning for gold.
Fairbanks Museum of the North. Cool exhibits in a cool building. On a hill at University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Overlooks the Alaska Range Mountains.
We did not get to see the “Magic Bus” but there was a description. It is currently being conserved for future display.
Interesting to see how much the ice comes and goes each year.
Cool Bear Statue. I took pics of things that grabbed my interest.
This is a stained wood carving.
Amazing carved ivory. This is the last pic in the Museum of the North.
Next few pics are of the “Alaska Riverboat Experience” on the Riverboat Discovery.
Riverboat Discovery. See RiverboatDiscovery.com for more info if interested.
Dog Sled Training Demonstration.
Demonstrating Salmon drying.
Huge Moose Antlers.
We passed by “The Pump House Restaurant”. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is restored from the original “Chena Pump House” building operating from 1933-1958 before being abandoned. It pumped water for gold dredging operations.
The original “Discovery” Sternwheeler.
Last shot of the Sternwheeler tour.
Antler display. We learned the difference between Reindeer and Caribou.
Trivia: Reindeer and Caribou are “deer”. They are the only deer where the females grow antlers. Moose are also “deer”. Reindeer are domesticated Caribou. Caribou are wild and roam a wide range. Reindeer are “homebodies” and are found on ranches.
The Running Reindeer Ranch motto: “Take a walk with Reindeer”
“We offer guided walking tours of the boreal forest with our reindeer friends. Watch them leap and bound among the trees or stroll lazily alongside our group”.
This is the ultimate petting zoo for adults activity. A beautiful day in the woods of Alaska cavorting about with this lady’s herd of pet reindeer and swarms of mosquitoes.
These reindeer are her pets. Some people have dogs and cats, she has reindeer.
Here’s a link to “the story” of Running Reindeer Ranch.
I think this is “Toby”. He laid down right in front of us.
Very curious Toby.
The property is beautiful. It’s almost possible to imagine the reindeer grazing wild in the trees.
Posing with “Cosmo”.
Mostly our RV group. Trying to listen attentively while being drained of blood by giant mosquitoes…
Reindeer videos.
Palace Theatre at Pioneer Park
An old Sternwheeler at Pioneer Park.
On the way to Dredge 8. Nice roadside “Birch Tree Art” at intersection.
Cutaway of pipeline with wax removal “pig” inside.
We walked right underneath the Alaskan Pipeline.
Gold Dredge 8.
This old guy was our guide on the train. He had lots of great stories. Here he is demonstrating how to pan for gold.
Becky and I got to hold a chuck of gold nugget (now worth over $100,000)
Our gold panning results. They told us it is worth $48!
Favorite Bible reading today:
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
DADart Photography 