Guide to Interior Alaska 2015 by Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

2015

Fun Facts about Fairbanks Fishing in Interior Alaska Focus on Denali

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PIONEER PARK Mediterranean and American Food

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The Bag Ladies of Fairbanks Cabin 2 in Pioneer Park Memorial Day to Labor Day

We have many locally handcrafted Alaskan gifts, soaps, books, jewelry, candles, fabric and espresso coffee shop. Why not stop by for our great home made soup & sandwiches while enjoying it in ourover 110 year old log cabin?

O PEN DAILY 11 A. M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8 P.M r Visit one of Fairbanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; oldest homes

Memorial Day to Labor Day

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places TOURS WELCOME Experience real Fairbanks History. This is a must see!

Open Daily 12 noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8 pm

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Located in Pioneer Park Operated by the Tanana Yukon Historical Society

Admission FREE, but donations are welcome. For additional information, please call

455-8947

Wickersham House Museum

Step into the Gold Dome....

Email:tyhs@alaska.net www.fairbanks-tyhs.org

& Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re In A Special Place!

Interior & Arctic Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aeronautical History. 16 Aircraft, 31 Engines, Memorabilia, Artifacts, Photos, Stories & More.

Noon - 8 p.m. 7 Days A Week May 15 - September 10 Admission: $4 Single, $8 Family|Children Under 12 FREE but must be accompanied by an adult F11516283

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elcome to Interior Alaska! And welcome to Fairbanks, the golden heart of the Interior. You’ll find so much to do here that you’ll want to come back next year. Trust us. How could it be otherwise in a region so large? How large? The Fairbanks North Star Borough is roughly the size of the state of New Jersey — minus 8.5 million people. If you’re an outdoors enthusiast, there’s plenty for you to see and do here. We’ve got first-class fishing opportunities all around. If you’re into history, we’re rich in it. Gold rich, that is. This town was built on gold, and you can see the remains of the gold rush era and relive its glory today — and even do a little panning yourself. If you’re just generally curious and want to experience life under the midnight sun, well, there’s plenty of sun to go around. Having all of that daylight means there’s lots of summertime fun. And there’s so much

activity at summer solstice in June that, just like the daylight, it’s almost non-stop. You’ll find loads to do and enjoy here. Take a leisurely cruise down the Chena River or a pleasant walk along its banks. Enjoy any of the numerous museums, including the marvelous University of Alaska Museum of the North, and learn about life here, including that other season we’re known for — winter. Relax at Pioneer Park in town or get away to the magnificent Chena River State Recreation Area, just a short drive out of Fairbanks. And don’t forget to stop in just down the highway for a visit to the city of North Pole, where it’s Christmas year-round. There’s something for everyone here. We’re sure you’ll find lots of ideas and useful information on the pages of this Guide to Interior Alaska to make your stay even more enjoyable. Again, welcome to Fairbanks and Interior Alaska.

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Table of contents FAIRBANKS REGION Fairbanks FAQs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cool things to do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Downtown Fairbanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fairbanks Community Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Antique Auto Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ice Museum and aurora show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mining Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Children’s Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Riverboat Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Tanana Chief riverboat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gold Dredge No. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Salmon Bake/Golden Heart Revue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Alaska Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 City of North Pole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Trans-Alaska oil pipeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Chena Hot Springs Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Golf courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Outdoors markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Running Reindeer Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Dog mushing in summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Fairbanks map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

• Outdoor recreation Chena River State Recreation Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chena Lake Recreation Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanana Lakes Recreation Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fishing in Interior Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunting in Interior Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 51 52 53 54 55

• Events Midnight Sun Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Midnight Sun Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Golden Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Midnight Sun Baseball Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanana Valley State Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . World Eskimo-Indian Olympics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56 57 58 59 60 61

FOCUS ON DENALI Denali National Park and Preserve basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Getting around in Denali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 A half day in Denali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

• Pioneer Park About Pioneer Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Lots to do at the park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

• University of Alaska Fairbanks UA Museum of the North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Georgeson Botanical Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Large Animal Research Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

BEYOND FAIRBANKS Alaska and Richardson highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dalton and Elliott highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steese Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About Valdez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fishing in Valdez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

All of Alaska is in area code 907.

Fairbanks Fire Department: 450-6600

The area code is required when using a local phone to call a

North Pole Police Department: 488-6902

location in Alaska but outside the local calling area.

North Pole Fire Department: 488-2232

Call 9-1-1 in an emergency

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital: 452-8181

Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks post: 451-5100

Tanana Valley Clinic: 459-3500

Fairbanks Police Department: 450-6500

Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center: 452-1776

The Guide to Interior Alaska

70 72 73 75 77 78

3 2015

The Guide to Interior Alaska is produced by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 200 N. Cushman St., Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701. Mailing address: P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99707. General telephone: 907-456-6661 Advertising: 907-459-7548 Newsroom: 907-459-7572 Business hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Find us online at newsminer.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fairbanksDNM. Find the 2015 Guide to Interior Alaska online at newsminer.com/visitors_guide. Cover photo: A cow moose and her two calves feed on vegetation along Thompson Drive, one of the entrances to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. News-Miner file photo by John Wagner.

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FAIRBANKS REGION Fun facts for Fairbanks first-timers

ant to know about life in the Fairbanks region? Here’s some of the basics. And, remember, we love it here. Enjoy your stay!

When was Fairbanks founded? It was incorporated in 1903 but it was actually founded in 1901 when E.T. Barnette set out to establish a trading post at Tanacross on the Tanana River. Low water in the Tanana River forced Barnette to put in a few miles up one of its tributaries, the Chena River. Finding more miners than he expected in the area, Barnette decided to open his trading post here and move to Tanacross the following summer. However, he wound up staying when Felix Pedro discovered gold in the area north of Fairbanks. The city sprouted around Barnette’s trading post. Barnette became the first mayor of the city when it was incorporated in 1903. How did Fairbanks get its name? Fairbanks was named by city founder E.T. Barnette in honor of Sen. Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana, who would go on to serve as Theodore Roosevelt’s vice president. Do people still mine gold in Fairbanks? Yes, especially with gold prices being what they are. The largest open-pit gold mine in Alaska, Fort Knox Gold Mine, is located 26 miles north of Fairbanks.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Why are there electrical outlets in all the parking lots? And why do people have extension cords sticking out the front of their vehicles? Due to the extreme cold temperatures in Fairbanks during the winter, most vehicles are equipped with several electric heating devices that facilitate starting during the coldest time. The standard setup consists of an engine block heater, an oil pan heater, and a battery blanket/pad that warms the battery. Most employers provide “plug-ins” for its employees. How long does the Chena River stay frozen? The Chena River usually freezes sometime in mid- to late October and remains frozen until late April or early May. One part of the river, about a mile-long stretch from the Aurora Energy power plant on First Avenue to Pioneer Park, remains open year-round because of the warm water being discharged from the power plant. How many moose live in Fairbanks? In the Fairbanks Management Area, which basically covers Fairbanks’ urban environment, there are about 500 moose as of 2009, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. That area encompasses everything from Ester to North Pole to Fox. The number of moose in Game Management Unit 20B, which encompasses most of the road system surrounding Fairbanks from Salcha to Chena Hot Springs to Chatanika to Manley to Nenana, is estimated at approximately 14,500.

FAIRBANKS REGION

How do people drive in the winter? Very carefully. Most people use studded snow tires or special winter tires for extra traction on the snow and ice. Studded tires can be used from Sept. 15 to May 1 in Fairbanks and other areas north of 60 degrees latitude and Sept. 30 to April 15 in areas south of 60 degrees. Is it dark all day long in the winter? Not really. The shortest day of the year is Dec. 21, the winter solstice, when there is 3 hours, 43 minutes, of official daylight. But there is usually about a half-hour of twilight on each side of sunrise and sunset that translates to about four or five hours of light during the darkest days, from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Granted, it’s not bright light, but we’ll take what we can get. Soon after Dec. 21, we start gaining six to seven minutes of daylight each day. Is it light all day long in the summer? Look out the window at midnight and you tell us. Seriously, the longest day of the year is June 21, the summer solstice, when there is 21 hours, 49 minutes of official daylight. At that point, in the last half of June and first half of July, it pretty much is light all day long. Why do people drive around with big, plastic water tanks in the back of their pickup trucks? Many people in Fairbanks do not have wells because of the high iron and/or arsenic content and instead use holding tanks that are buried beneath the ground and plumbed into the house. Holding tanks for residential homes are usually 1,000 to 1,500 gallons. People with holding tanks have two options: Pay to get water delivered by one of several water delivery companies in town or haul their own water at a cheaper rate. Those tanks in the back of trucks are for hauling water. What do people do outdoors in Fairbanks during the winter? You’d be amazed at how many people you see doing things outdoors in the winter in Fairbanks, even when it’s 20 or 30 degrees below zero. Cross-country skiing, skijoring, dog mushing, snowshoeing, snowmachining and ice fishing are all popular wintertime activities. What do dog mushers do with their sled dogs in the summer? For the most part, sled dogs get a chance to catch their breath and shed their coats during the summer months. While most mushers typically stop running sled dogs at the end of April when the snow melts, some mushers do exercise their dogs during the summer months using ATVs instead of sleds. Competitive racers usually start training their dogs again in August when the weather cools. Mushers will use ATVs to train their dogs until there is enough snow to use a sled, usually sometime in mid- to late November.

Our readers offer some hot tips for visitors

ack in April we went to our Facebook page to ask readers for their recommendations for what a visitor to the Fairbanks region should see or do while here. We received too many responses to list them all, but here are a few of their suggestions. Take it from the people who know best! “Visitors should take a ride on the Riverboat Discovery and tour Gold Dredge No. 8!” “If it’s July, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival!” “HooDoo Brewing Company and Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co.” “Chena Hot Springs with a stop at Two Rivers Lodge for dinner!” “Running Reindeer Ranch” “Car museum and the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center! UAF Museum, Bun on the Run, Trax Outdoor Center to rent SUPs to paddle down the Chena, Knotty Shop, HooDoo Brewing Company, Hike the White Mountains, Farmers Market.” “Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, Segway & Riverboat Discovery” “Botanical gardens .... northern lights tours. .. Chena Hot Springs” “A float down the Chena and a visit to Creamer’s Field.” “Berry picking at Murphy Dome or off of Nordale Road, Chena Hot Springs after a hike at Angel Rocks. Howling Dog, Turtle Club, Salmon Bake, train to Denali, a visit to Chatanika.” “Mining Hall of Fame on 1st Avenue, take a walk on Birch Hill and see the cross-country ski facility, pipeline viewpoint on the way to the historic roadhouse at Silver Gulch in Fox.” “Fairbanks Children’s Museum. Farmers Market. UAF Botanical Garden, especially with kids. North Pole nature walk behind the police station. UAF museum.” “See the Golden Heart Revue at the Palace Theatre.” “Midnight golfing at either course.” “The Midnight Sun run! I came all the way from Wisconsin to do it and I will be talking about it for the rest of my life!” “The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum No. 1! ! A visit comes with a good Fairbanks history lesson.”

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Many stops on the tour are private homes, including some early 20th century cabins. Admiring them from the outside is encouraged, but please don’t bother the residents. Some of the highlights of the tour include:

Fairbanks downtown a classic, quirky destination By Jeff Richardson jrichardson@newsminer.com

rchitecture in downtown Fairbanks includes examples of both quirky and classic structures, and visitors to the city have an opportunity to learn where to find them. Explore Fairbanks, which promotes tourism in the area, has created a self-guided downtown audio tour for curious visitors. It’s also available as a mobile device app on the Downtown Association of Fairbanks website, http://downtownfairbanks.com/ .

Kantishna Roadhouse www.KantishnaRoadhouse.com

Denali River Cabins www.DenaliRiverCabins.com

Kantishna Wilderness Trails Doyon Tourism, Inc.

1.800.230.7275

www.DenaliWildlifeTour.com F15513146

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Walk across the footbridge behind Immaculate Conception Church to the south side of the Chena River to get to Golden Heart Plaza. It’s the home of a weekly summer market, while the nearby river is used for boating in the summer and cross-country skiing, sled dog races and snowmachining in the winter. One block south of the river is Second Avenue, which was once an entertainment hub that included a string of bars, diners and other establishments. The Mecca bar is a holdover from those glory days, while the Co-Op Plaza, a former movie theater, now includes a diner, coffee shop and several shops and the Fairbanks Community Museum. Fourth Avenue, two blocks to the south, was once home to Fairbanks’ red light district. Cushman Street is home to several notable structures, many of which have found new purposes as the years have passed. City Hall, located at Ninth Avenue and Cushman, is the former home of Main School. The old City Hall building, at Fifth and Cushman, is the future home of a downtown distillery. The old courthouse, at Second and Cushman, is now a commercial building. Fairbanks’ first cemetery, the Clay Street Cemetery, is located near downtown on the eastern edge of Fifth Avenue. More than 2,000 people were buried there between 1903 and 1978.

FAIRBANKS REGION

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, on the north side of the Cushman Street Bridge, which was first founded as the Daily Miner in 1903, publishes a daily newspaper. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the location of the Arctic Cam, a popular webcam that looks toward the Big I bar and the Chena River. http://www. newsminer.com/arctic_cam/ Across Cushman Street is Immaculate Conception Church, Fairbanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first Catholic church. Originally built in 1904, it was moved from the south side of the river in 1911. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518.

Good Books, Good Prices. Great Cause. F11516147

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Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center a first step to Interior Alaska exploration By Jeff Richardson jrichardson@newsminer.com

eople interested in exploring Interior Alaska can get a pretty good start on their trip with a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Explore Fairbanks, the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Tanana Chiefs Conference Cultural Programs, the Alaska Geographic bookstore and Denakkanaaga Native Elders organization all share space in the building at 101

Explore Fairbanks There is much to do and see in Interior Alaska, and the friendly folks at Explore Fairbanks — formerly known as the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau — will help plan an itinerary of local attractions that fits your schedule.

Join us for a walk in the woods with our reindeer. Located in the Goldstream Valley.

Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence

“You’ve waited 100 years for food this good!”

www.runningreindeer.com g (907)

455-4998 Open all year by appointment.

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at Running Reindeer Ranch

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Reservations: 907-450-0555 575 1st Avenue in the Marriott SpringHill Suites

F15517486

WALK WITH REINDEER

Dunkel St., on the banks of the Chena River, providing a variety of cultural programs, exhibits and events. The center also includes “How We Live,” an in-depth display of Interior Alaska’s history and people. The walk-through exhibit hall greets visitors with everyday sounds of the Interior, beginning with a raven’s call, Athabascan fiddle music, the deep roar of a float plane taking off and the musical honking of migrating geese. Alaska lifestyles past and present and the history of the area from its first people, early exploration, gold stampede and oil pipeline are detailed through a wide range of locally donated art and artifacts. The center is adjacent to Griffin Park and is near bike and walk paths. It offers parking, wireless Internet and restrooms. Visitors can stow their gear in lockers while they explore Fairbanks or can watch daily free films about Alaska in the center’s 100-seat theater. A 1905 pioneer cabin on the center’s grounds has been restored, and glass tile mosaics depicting traditional Athabascan beadwork designs adorn the sidewalks. An antler arch is one of the area’s most popular photo spots, and a webcam (http://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/web-cam/) allows visitors at the arch to wave to family and friends around the world. The services offered by the center’s organizations are many. Events available at the center can be found at www. morristhompsoncenter.org/programs.

FAIRBANKS REGION

Services include free courtesy phones for local and credit card calls; public computers for visitors to make travel arrangements and check email; maps of Alaska and the Fairbanks area; and daily listings of available accommodations. For more information, call (907) 456-5774 or visit www. explorefairbanks.com.

Browse Alaska reading material â&#x20AC;&#x201D; childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, wilderness adventure, Alaska history and collections from some of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest photographers. For more information, call (907) 459-3710 or visit alaskageographic.org.

Alaska Public Lands Information Center

The Tanana Chiefs Conference, a consortium of 42 villages in Interior Alaska, promotes Alaska Native unity and self-determination. TCC Cultural Programs hosts cultural programs and events Monday through Friday during the summer at the center. For more information, call (907) 459-3741 or stop by the center.

For adventurous visitors, the Public Lands Information Center is dedicated to promoting knowledge and use of â&#x20AC;&#x153;natural, cultural and historic resources on Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public lands.â&#x20AC;? The center has resources for hiking, camping and fishing and can help with backcountry trip planning. The public lands office is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, call (907) 459-3730 or visit alaskacenters.gov.

TCC cultural programs

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Museum dedicated to Fairbanks opens in new location By Amanda Bohman abohman@newsminer.com

museum that showcases Fairbanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; culture and history moved to a new space this year at the Co-op Plaza at 535 Second Ave. The Fairbanks Community Museum offers visitors a glimpse into how Fairbanks residents amuse themselves during long, cold winters; a display about the Klondike Gold Rush; a collection of dog mushing memorabilia that was originally exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North; and photographs and home movies from the historic 1967 flood. The museum has a large collection of historic photographs, including a classic picture of miners climbing the Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. Some of those prospectors eventually made their way to Interior Alaska, striking gold in the hills surrounding Fairbanks, putting the Golden Heart City on the map. The museum has

exhibits dedicated to the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Examples of beaded mittens and slippers made in the Interior village of Galena, located on the north bank of the Yukon River, also occupy a display case at the museum. Another display case boasts a bear skin coat with a wolf ruff. Old newspaper clippings on display date as far back as the 1930s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is going to be your best $5 spent during your entire trip to Alaska,â&#x20AC;? said Bob Eley, president of the board of directors that operates the museum. In the middle of the museum sits a bright yellow 1962 Bombardier Ski-Doo snowmachine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the original snowmachines with metal skis on the front,â&#x20AC;? Eley said. Across a wall are professional photographs showing all manner of wintertime events and activities in Fairbanks, including a picture of the famous outhouse races that took place at the Chatanika Lodge until about five years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That stops everybody,â&#x20AC;? Eley said. An electronic display pages through more than 400 photographs of the aurora borealis taken by photographer Warren Gammel. OPERA FAIRBANKS AND DESIGN ALASKA PRESENT

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Another exhibit pays tribute to the late George Attla, one of the greatest sprint race dog sled champions of all time. The display includes a sled that Attla built and raced. Another sled on display is believed to have been built by Athabascan elder Howard Luke. A third sled was used in the village of Fort Yukon, northeast of Fairbanks, some 90 years ago, Eley said. The museum also possesses an old panoramic photograph of Fairbanks that is believed to have once adorned a wall at the Nordale Hotel, which burned down in 1972. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Somebody found this at the dump and brought it to us,â&#x20AC;? Eley said. Burn marks on the picture lend truth to the story that it was salvaged from the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruins. The museum is open weekdays starting in May from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and most Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors or military and $1 for children. A small gift shop offers patches, pins and historical books. Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587.

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History on wheels at classic car museum By Robin Wood rwood@newsminer.com

he Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a living museum. That means that almost all 85 cars and horseless carriages from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are functional. Visitors to the museum may see some of the vehicles driving around the Wedgewood Estates parking lot or at the Golden Days parade. Inside the museum is a large window through which visitors can watch employees work on the cars in the garage. The 30,000-square-foot Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is one of Fairbanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; newest attractions. It opened in 2009 from the antique collection of Fairbanks real estate developer Tim Cerny.

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Organization of Exhibits: The AMHF inductee plaques are arranged in historical sequence from the earliest mining history events to the more contemporary. These include late 19th Century mineral exploration and trading activities, the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush, and then later periods involving copper, tin, and strategic mineral developments. Featured at the Museum: t 1BZTUSFBL /FXTMFUUFST UIBU QSPWJEF CJPHSBQIJD TVNNBSJFT PG UIF QJPOFFST t #JPHSBQIJFT XJUI QMBRVFT BOE OVNFSPVT QIPUPT EFQJDUJOH Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mining history. t " TUPSF UIBU GFBUVSFT CPPLT DPGGFF DVQT BOE UFF TIJSUT t .PWJF DMJQT BOE PUIFS EJHJUBM NFEJB BSF GFBUVSFE BU UIF ".)' NVTFVN 4BOUB T 4FOJPST IPOPSFE BU UIF NVTFVN EVSJOH UIF 9NBT 1BSUZ GPS UIFJS WPMVOUFFSJTN EVSJOH

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The collection ranges in time from bicycles and a 19th century horse-drawn sled that was the Cadillac of its era to luxurious vehicles of the turn of and early 20th century with lavish interiors and an increasing number of pistons. The museum prides itself in historically authentic vehicle restoration, and several of its cars are prizewinners from the Pebble Beach Concours dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Elegance competition. Accompanying the vehicles are more than 100 vintage outfits arranged to match the era of the vehicles they are displayed with. An Alaska auto history exhibit at the museum contains examples of the first three models of vehicles that came to Fairbanks in 1908 and 1909, along with newspaper reports from the time about the exploits of these novel â&#x20AC;&#x153;devil wagons.â&#x20AC;? On loan to the museum is the first car built in Alaska, the 1905 Sheldon Runabout, built by Robert â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bobbyâ&#x20AC;? Sheldon in Skagway. Sheldon had never seen an automobile but improvised one capable of going 15 mph to impress a lady. Sheldon later came to Fairbanks and in 1913 was the first motorist to drive the 370-mile trail between Fairbanks and Valdez. Contact staff writer Robin Wood at 459-7510. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMcity

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What: Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum When: Summer hours start May 18: Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $10 for age 13 and older, $5 for ages 6 to 12, 6 and under free. Tours and season passes are available. Contact: 907-450-2100, online at fountainheadmuseum.com

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Chill out for a while at the Fairbanks Ice Museum By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

here’s a place in the center of the Golden Heart City where you can experience winter in the middle of summer. It can get pretty warm in Fairbanks during the summer months when the sun is shining almost 24 hours a day, but one place where you can cool off is the Fairbanks Ice Museum. Located at the corner of Second Avenue and Lacey Street, in the old Lacey Street Theater, the Ice Museum is operated by Ice Alaska, the organization that hosts the World Ice Art Championships in late February and March here in Fairbanks at the George Horner Ice Park. The World Ice Art Championships take place during a period of about two weeks, then the magnificent sculptures remain on display through the end of March.

“Our goal is to show people what it’s like in the winter, while they are enjoying their summer in Fairbanks,” said Dick Brickley of Ice Alaska.

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It may be summer, but you can see the aurora borealis in a stunning photo show

What: Fairbanks Ice Museum When: Ice Alaska Ice Art Show, hourly 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where: Second Avenue and Lacey Street Cost: $15 adults, $14 seniors and military, $8 children 6-12. Phone: 451-8222 Online: www.icemuseum.com

The Ice Museum offers hourly shows from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week from early May through mid-September. Each show features a film on the World Ice Art Championships, an ice carving demonstration you can watch from the comfort of your seats, the opportunity to view ice sculptures and see an ice carver at work and, for the adventurous, the chance to go down an ice slide that has been expanded, according to Brickley. Brickley said Ice Alaska is working on a museum on the second floor of the building that will feature ice sculpture displays from every country in the world, but he isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure if that portion of the venue will be complete this summer. Admission to one of the Ice Alaska shows is $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and military personnel and $8 for children ages 6 through 12. At 8 p.m. each evening visitors can view LeRoy Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aurora borealis photo symphony â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Aurora Experience!â&#x20AC;? The show is billed as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;widescreen, panoramic, visual masterpiece.â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman has been a photographer for more than 40 years and has traveled the globe capturing images of the northern lights. The cost to see Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show is $10. If you want to stay cool in Fairbanks this summer, visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum.

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By Bob Eley For the News-Miner Even though the northern lights canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be seen for most of the summer in Interior b Alaska, visitors can experience what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to A watch the Aurora Borealis by attending LeRoy w ZZimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photosymphony â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Aurora Experience!â&#x20AC;? Ex Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show, which lasts about an hour, is described as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;widescreen, panoramic, visual masterpiece.â&#x20AC;? It is held at 8 p.m. every day from mid-May to mid-September at the Ice Museum in the historic Lacey Street Theater on the corner of Second Avenue and Lacey Street. There is a $10 admission fee. Zimmerman created the word photosymphony in 1974 to describe his work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was not a movie, video, slide show, or light show,â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an art form I had come up with, something that had never been done before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I began projecting panoramas of nature scenes to classical music,â&#x20AC;? he continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What people were seeing on the screen was a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;symphonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of photographs.â&#x20AC;? Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photosymphony in Fairbanks is the only wide-screen panoramic aurora show in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am immensely proud of that,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is something that had never been done before.â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman was the first photographer to film the auroras in the panoramic format in 1984. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It truly is a concert of photography,â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The animations are shown as close to real speed as possible.â&#x20AC;? Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show on the Aurora Borealis, has been running continuously for more than 30 years. It has won numerous national and international awards and is a must-see program for anyone interested in the northern lights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It truly is a concert of photography,â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The animations are shown as close to real speed as possible.â&#x20AC;? Zimmermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show features more than 30 different aurora displays. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The show really is about beauty, with music and images to match,â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very emotional presentation of the beauty of the night.â&#x20AC;? Most visitors know what the northern lights look like from images they have seen on postcards, calendars and photographs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My job is to bring them that feeling (of the aurora),â&#x20AC;? Zimmerman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let the beautiful panoramic images of moving auroras fill their heart with magic.â&#x20AC;?

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Dig in to Alaska history the Mining Hall of Fame Museum By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

he Mining Hall of Fame Museum is the latest museum in the downtown area to move into a building on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum, organized by the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation, opened in the summer of 2014 and is located in the Historic Bath House and Oddfellow’s Hall at 825 First Ave., on the corner of First Avenue and Cowles Street. The two-story building was constructed in 1907. The Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation was formed to honor outstanding individuals who have played important roles in the development of Alaska’s mineral industry. The mining pioneers include a wide variety of individuals active since the mid-19th century, including prospectors, miners,

What: Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Museum Where: 825 First Avenue When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday from Memorial Day to Sept. 20. Cost: $2 suggested donation Online: www.alaskamininghalloffame.org

The Guide to Interior Alaska

mine entrepreneurs, professional geologists and engineers, educators, government employees, aviators and even those in the legal profession. The individuals are known, understood and appreciated for their contributions to the development of the territory and subsequently the state of Alaska. The Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation began inducting pioneers in the Hall of Fame in 1997. The board of directors of the Mining Hall of Fame recently decided the museum should be located in Fairbanks. Board president Tom Bundtzen was selected to oversee the museum. “The entire mission of the museum is to honor our mining pioneers and tell the history of mining in Alaska,” Bundtzen said. In the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame, each inductee has a plaque with a biographical sketch in their honor. There is mining memorobilia associated with each inductee as well. The museum also boasts a collection of mining equipment, mining documents and rock samples among its many exhibits. There is a small gift shop where T-shirts, coffee mugs and more than 30 different books portraying mining in Alaska are sold to help support the foundation. Most of the docents at the museum come from the Santa’s Seniors program in North Pole. The museum also offers lectures on a variety of mining subjects. The lectures are usually held at 7 p.m on Tuesdays. Stop by the museum to check on the summer lecture schedule. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday from Memorial Day Weekend through Sept. 20. Admission is a suggested $2 donation, but any donations are appreciated. Mining has a deep and rich history in Alaska and the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Museum captures much of it in its quaint headquarters on First Avenue.

FAIRBANKS REGION

Newest museum in town is for the kids Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com

You can reach the museum by email at info@fairbankschildrensmuseum.com, by calling 374-6873 or by visiting its website, www.fairbankschildrensmuseum.com. Check out the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online calendar of events for the most updated selection of classes, programs and exhibits. I N G O B I N G O B

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airbanks is rich in museums, and the newest addition to the collective is the Fairbanks Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum. The museum opened in January in downtown Fairbanks after almost 10 years of planning. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is simple â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to foster education through play. It achieves that goal by housing educational exhibits designed as play stations. And unlike many exhibits in other museums, kids are encouraged to touch as well as feel, pick up and explore. They can climb a replica of Denali, take in art and science classes, play, and create, all while receiving an education and not even knowing it. In addition to permanent play stations, the museum hosts rotating in-house displays and presentations and provides summer field trips to Fairbanks destinations. The museum also hosts summer camps for children ages 4-6 and 7-10. Registration is necessary to attend the summer camps. As the museum likes to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adults must be accompanied and supervised by a child.â&#x20AC;? The 7,500-square-foot museum is located at 302 Cushman St., suite 101. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $8 for ages 12 months and older; children under 12 months old are admitted free. Museum members are admitted free, and anyone can become a museum member.

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Take a step back in time on the Riverboat Discovery By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

o you want an up-close look at what life on the water in Fairbanks was like during the past century? If the answer is yes, you can take a step back in time when you board the Riverboat Discovery for a three-hour cruise on the Chena River. Even though Fairbanks has just about everything every other modern city has to offer, the voyage along the Chena will give the visitor a glimpse of the town’s rich cultural history. The Binkley family has worked on Interior Alaska rivers for five generations, piloting ships for more than 100 years. Since the 1950s, various versions of the Riverboat Discovery have led visitors in a uniquely Alaskan river ride. The tour meanders down the Chena River where passengers will watch a bush pilot take off and land in a small plane. The sternwheeler pauses at Trailbreaker Kennels, home of the family of late four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Susan Butcher. Another stop is at a replica Interior Alaska Native village and fish camp. Your trip begins at Steamboat Landing in west Fairbanks near Fairbanks International Airport.

What: Riverboat Discovery Cruise When: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily from May 11-Sept. 19 Where: 1975 Discovery Drive, Fairbanks Cost: $62.95 adults, $39.95. Free for children age 3 and younger Phone: 479-6673 Online: www.riverboatdiscovery.com

The Guide to Interior Alaska

The landing is a replica Gold Rush-era river port with a dining hall where a hearty miners stew is served. Four-time Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey will offer a special presentation. The landing also includes a gift shop, museum and ice cream parlor. For those who want to experience a taste of an Interior Alaska winter, you can participate in “Alaska at 40 Below,” a specially designed chamber that drops the mercury to the frigid depths of a midwinter day. The riverboat tour showcases typical Alaska modes of transportation as it glides downstream. Sled dogs were a vital form of winter transportation between villages, carrying people and freight in the days before snowmachines. You will learn about modern competitive mushing with a short talk and demonstration at Trailbreaker Kennels. Another highlight of the trip is a small plane demonstrating a typical takeoff and landing in rural Alaska. Bush pilots transformed travel in rural Alaska in the early 20th century. The Riverboat Discovery stops for an hour at the Native village, where passengers get a guided tour. Village hosts relate stories about their history, culture and subsistence lifestyle. You will tour a fish camp, complete with a fish wheel, and learn techniques for catching, drying and storing salmon. The tour costs $62.95 for adults, $39.95 for children age 3-12, and is free for those younger than age 3. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (907) 479-6673 or online at www.riverboatdiscovery.com. Tours run at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily from May 11 through September 19. Lunch is an additional $11.95 for adults and $4.95 for children. The Alaska at 40 Below Experience is free, but you can have your picture taken for a $10 fee. Locally brewed beer from Hoo-Doo Brewery is available on the cruise and in the dining hall for an additional fee.

FAIRBANKS REGION

Sternwheeler Tanana Chief offers relaxing dinner cruise on the Chena River Staff report newsroom@newsminer.com

n the midst of a hectic vacation, a quiet river cruise can provide a much-needed excuse to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. The Sternwheeler Tanana Chief is an faithful reproduction of a trade and passenger boat that plied the Chena and Tanana rivers in the late 1890s. The paddle-wheeler offers relaxed dinner cruises on the Chena River in the summer months, offering an interesting vantage point for visitors and local residents. The Tanana Chief has several tour packages available, with discount for Alaska residents, military, seniors and children. A catered dinner cruise includes a full-course meal for $54.95 and features prime rib, king salmon, vegetables, salads and dessert. A full-service bar is available. A champagne brunch is served every other Sunday. The brunch is $37.95 and features carved ham, eggs, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, biscuits and gravy, fruit and more. Those who simply wish to enjoy a peaceful, two-hour sightseeing tour of the river, without a meal, can do so for $24.95 per person. Specialty, themed cruises — such as wine tasting, a pirate cruise, and a margarita cruise — are scheduled throughout the summer. Check the Tanana Chief website at www.fairbanksdinnercruise.com or call 907-450-0768 for more details.

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Gold Dredge No. 8 a piece of authentic Alaska history By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

here are two kinds of gold found in Alaska and both created stampedes to Interior Alaska and the Fairbanks area in particular. The first was the mineral gold found in the rivers, streams and ponds dotting the area. That rush started in the early 1900s and in some form or another continued until almost the middle of the century.

The second stampede came in the 1970s with the building of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, which brings black gold (oil) from Prudhoe Bay through the Interior to the port city of Valdez. A trip to Gold Dredge No. 8 will give the visitor a chance to learn about both kinds of gold found in the Fairbanks area. Located just seven miles north of Fairbanks in the beautiful Goldstream Valley, Gold Dredge No. 8 offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the gold seekers of yesteryear as well as the “Black Gold” flowing through the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Participants in the tour actually get a threein-one package when you throw in the chance to pan for your own poke of gold. The tour offers a close-up view of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, a ride to the dredge site on a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad that linked mining communities north of Fairbanks in the early gold mining days and a chance to pan for gold and cash in on your findings. Learn about construction and operation of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline while standing in its shadow. Then board the replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and hear tales of the thousands of miners who swarmed the surrounding valley in the early 20th century searching for the big strike. Gold Dredge No. 8 is a National Historic Site, and the tour focuses on the history of small-and large-scale mining in the Interior. You’ll see first-hand how dredges in Alaska sifted the gold from the soil, recovering 3.5 million ounces of gold during the time they were in use. Then practice the art of gold panning. You’ll find some color, guaranteed.

Located at 535 Second Ave.

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What: Gold Dredge 8 When: 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. daily, May 11 to Sept. 19

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Where: 1803 Old Steese Highway for children age 3 and under; reservations required Online: www.golddredge8.com

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Winter in Fairbanks, The Great Flood, Klondike Gold Rush, Early Fairbanks, The Driving Spirit (Dog Mushing)

FAIRBANKS REGION

The two-hour tour allows visitors time to explore the dredge, the dredge camp and the gift shop to have their gold weighed before boarding the train for the ride back to the depot. By the end of the visit, you will have gained a wealth of knowledge about gold mining in the Interior and a little poke to prove it.

Welcome to the Golden Heart City!

Tours are available at 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. daily at the train depot near Goldstream Road and the Old Steese Highway. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (907) 479-6673 or online at www.golddredge8.com. The cost is $39.95 for adults, $24.95 for children age 3-12. Infants younger than 3 are free.

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Salmon Bake, Golden Heart Review are favorites for visitors and locals alike By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

ou’re hungry and you’re looking for an evening of entertainment without having to travel far. The Alaska Salmon Bake and the Golden Heart Review at the Palace Theatre in Pioneer Park will fit your needs perfectly. You can get a quality dinner in a rustic gold-rush setting and then take in an old-fashioned performance all in the same evening. The Alaska Salmon Bake — the only one in Fairbanks — is where you can enjoy all the food you like, while surrounded by the historic theme park filled with gold rush cabins and antique mining equipment. The Salmon Bake offers fire grilled salmon, hand dipped beer battered cod and prime rib. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights you can add some Alaska snow crab to your plate. The venue offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The salmon is caught in Alaska waters, cooked on an outdoor grill over a bed of black spruce coals while basting in a sweet sauce. The cod is from Alaska’s Bering Sea and

What: Alaska Salmon Bake When: 5-9 p.m. daily from May 10 to Sept. 11 Where: Pioneer Park Cost: $32.95 (add $8 for bus transportation) Phone: 452-7274 Online: www.akvisit.com

The Guide to Interior Alaska

FAIRBANKS REGION

What: Golden Heart Review When: 8:15 p.m. daily, from May 18-Sept. 11; 6:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in June, July and August Cost: $22 for adults, $11 for children Reservations: 1-800 354-7274 Online: www.akvisit.com

handdipped in a special beer batter. The prime rib is slow cooked in an outdoor smoker. In addition to the entrees, there are farm fresh salads, baked beans, rolls and a blueberry topped dessert. Dinner includes non-alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine are available for an additional cost. Dinner is served from from 5 to 9 p.m. every day from May 10-Sept. 11. The cost is $32.95 or $34.95 if you choose to add crab to your plate. A childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu is available. Children age 3-8 can eat for $9.95 and children age 9-12 eat for $12.95. The Salmon Bake offers a shuttle service from many local hotels. Shuttle transportation is $8 roundtrip.

Palace Theatre After dinner, or as a separate event, you can get a special rendition of Fairbanksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; history and folklore at the Palace Theatre. Featuring live original songs and light-hearted stories, the cast of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Golden Heart Reviewâ&#x20AC;? answers many commonly asked questions about Fairbanks such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why would anyone want to build a town in this swamp area, anyway?â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why has this unlikely little town survived for more than 100 years?â&#x20AC;? The Golden Heart Revue features music and lyrics by Fairbanks composer Jim Bell, and a book by Timothy Ames, William Arnold, Richard Ussery and Steve Arthur.

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The Golden Heart Revue will leave you a bit wiser and will bring a smile to your face. The professional performance at the Palace Theatre is at 8:15 every evening from March 18-Sept. 11. Additional performances are held at 6:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June, July and August.

The cost of the show is $22 for adults and $11 for children. To make reservations, call 1-800 354-7274. The Alaska Salmon Bake and Palace Theatre are family owned businesses operated for more than 35 years. For more information go to www.akvisit.com.

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Take a scenic ride on the Alaska Railroad By Jeff Richardson jrichardson@newsminer.com

he Alaska Railroad offers a unique vantage point for visitors to the Last Frontier, providing both industrial muscle and a relaxing way to see the vast state. The railroad hauled nearly 5 million tons of freight in 2014, much of it consisting of petroleum products, gravel and coal. But it also serves as a busy Journey Christian Church passenger service, giving about 470,000 Sunday worship at 10 a.m. passengers a leisurely look at some othRegal Cinemas on Airport Way erwise inaccessible scenic areas. 455-4433 www.journeyalaska.org The Alaska Railroadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant role is at least partly due to limited infrastructure in the state. Only 20 percent of Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads are

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paved, compared to an average of 91 percent in the other 49 states. The railroad stretches from Seward on the Kenai Peninsula to the Fairbanks North Star Borough. With that territory to cover, it offers six separate passenger trains and a variety of runs. Most railroad passengers take the short runs from Whittier and Seward to Anchorage. Aside from those visitors, the most popular passenger train is the Denali Star, a daily summer service between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with stops in between at Talkeetna and Denali. The Aurora train runs from mid-September through mid-May, providing a winter weekend service between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

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day service between Talkeetna and Hurricane, with several stops in between). The railroad has a passenger service fleet of 44 railcars, including passenger coaches and dining cars. It also features a variety of cars specifically for enjoying scenery along the route, including bi-level “ultradomes” with a glass-domed compartment with a viewing platform and reclining seats; Vista Dome Coaches, with reclining seats beneath a dome in the middle offering 360-degree views; and low-level dome coaches have seats arranged around tables, a small galley and service bars. The railroad also offers 10 vacation packages, running from two days to 10 days. Offerings include glacier cruises, Alaska’s National Parks by rail, a “Rails and Trails” package featuring backcountry hikes, and a basic tour featuring stops in Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali. Information about the Alaska Railroad’s various passenger and vacation plans is available online at www.alaskarailroad.com. Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518.

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North Pole: Home of Santa Claus and much more By Amanda Bohman abohman@newsminer.com

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hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to do in North Pole than check out where Santa Claus lives. The community 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks down the Richardson Highway has a network of trails, including a new exercise path with stations for doing different kinds of strength training, a new library, a developing dog park and some of the best tamales around. The community also has its own visitor center, a wheelchair-accessible nature trail that starts at City Hall and a McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant that has recently been remodeled.

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North Pole began as a homestead and adopted its name with hopes to attract toy manufacturers. When the toy factories failed to materialize, the town decided to embrace the Christmas theme. The town motto is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where the spirit of Christmas lives year round.â&#x20AC;? The city website, www.northpolealaska.com, has a counter showing how many days are left until Christmas. Many streets in and around the community bear holiday names: Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane, Kris Kringle, Mistletoe, Holiday Road, Saint Nicholas Drive, North Star Drive, Blitzen and Donner. Buildings and street lights are decorated with Christmas designs. The Santa Claus House, the red and white building beside a 42-foot tall, 900-pound Santa Claus statue, was originally a trading post and served as the first post office in North Pole. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now a gift shop and a top attraction along the Richardson Highway, where visitors can meet St. Nick and pick up some Christmas treasures. The Christmas-themed town of 2,198 people is home to

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a large concentration of military veterans and hosts one of the most patriotic Fourth of July parades in the area. North Pole also has a new dog park across from the post office on Santa Claus Lane. Grass seed will be planted this summer, Ward said. The new exercise trail with stations for working out starts and ends near City Hall and is named after Thomas Uptgraft Sr., a retired U.S. Army first sergeant who lived in North Pole and died of cancer in 2013 at age 51. His family donated money to create the exercise path. Hungry? Try a tamale at Outlaw Tamales. The tamale stand opened in 2013 and quickly became a popular presence in North Pole. The owner maintains a Facebook page with frequent announcements. The nondescript 7-by-7-foot stand sits on the edge of the Blockbuster Video parking lot on Santa Claus Lane. The business is open three days a week, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. until the tamales sell out.

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Trans-Alaska oil pipeline an engineering achievement By Wes Morrow wmorrow@newsminer.com

March 9, 2015

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he trans-Alaska oil pipeline, one of the most ambitious construction projects ever undertaken, stretches hundreds of miles across some of the roughest and most remote terrain in the world. Construction of the pipeline took place in the 1970s. Crews began laying pipe in spring 1975 and laid the final stretch of the line on May 31, 1977. The process necessary to get to construction phase began in 1969. During the course of the project, the pipeline involved more than 70,000 workers. It cost $8 billion in 1977 and was, at the time, the largest privately funded construction project ever undertaken. The pipeline stretches more than 800 miles from the Arctic Ocean and Alaska’s North Slope to the ice-free port of Valdez on Prince William Sound. There, at the pipeline’s end, the oil is transferred into storage tanks and loaded onto tanker ships in Prince William Sound that transport it to West Coast refineries. The pipeline is one of the top attractions to visitors to Alaska, and some of the best places to view the pipeline are in the Interior. Along its 800-mile journey the pipeline often trails along the side of the Dalton, Elliott and Richardson highways. One of the best places to view the pipeline is just north of Fairbanks, at 8.4 Mile Steese Highway near Fox. Visitors there can get out of their cars and walk alongside the pipeline, which rests above ground on vertical support beams. For visitors seeking a more sweeping view of the pipeline, Donnelly Dome, located just south of Delta Junction on the Richardson Highway, rises above the surrounding valley and provides a view of the pipeline as it travels south alongside the Delta River. Not far south from Donnelly Dome, the pipeline crosses the Richardson Highway, going below ground to travel under the highway before rising back out of the earth onto its supports. The highway pullout near the pipeline crossing is a popular stopping point for drivers.

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Re-energize at Chena Hot Springs Resort By Weston Morrow wmorrow@newsminer.com

ineral hot springs throughout the world have drawn humans to their waters for thousands of years. Chena

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Hot Springs, located just northeast of Fairbanks, has been drawing visitors to take its waters for more than 100 years. The resort lies 60 miles from Fairbanks at the end of the road that bears its name. The resort draws visitors to its little corner of Interior Alaska year round. When the winter months are at their peak, visitors who have come to the north to witness the aurora borealis as well as locals, often will make the short drive along to the hot springs. The warm mineral springs create a welcome contrast to the surrounding snow and cold temperatures. Even when temperatures fall to 40 below zero the hot springs remain open. Naturally fed and warmed through the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geothermal heating network, Chena Hot Springs is a top attraction for visitors and locals. Chena Hot Springs Resort adds a number of amenities to the naturally occurring hot springs. The resort features about 80 rooms and family suites in its Moose Lodge as well as cabins and camping accommodations for those visiting in the summer.

FAIRBANKS REGION

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Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

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The hot springs resort is self-contained and sustainable in a number of ways. It includes its own restaurant, cafe, ice museum, cabins, hotel and saloon. For many years and in many cultures, mineral spring waters have been considered to possess healing properties. In addition to taking the waters at Chena Hot Springs, visitors can schedule a massage at the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massage parlor. Developer Bernie Karl is a firm believer in sustainable business methods. Much of the food served at the resort is grown in its greenhouse on site and much of the rest is locally sourced from Interior Alaska. The greenhouse, like the springs, is heated geothermally. Each year, the resort hosts a renewable energy fair that brings in exhibitors from all across Alaska. Fittingly, since the hot springs are open in the winter, the ice museum is open in the summer. During the hot summer months, the inside of the museum is cooled to about 20 degrees. While visiting the ice museum, people can take an ice-carving class grab a drink on the rocks at the ice bar. The resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website includes information on its accommodations and openings as well as pictures of the hot springs in both summer and winter. Special online-only deals are often posted on the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: www.chenahotsprings.com.

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Guests are encouraged to book tee times in advance. Active-duty military, retired military and Department of Defense authorized civilians can book a tee time five days in advance; all others can book one up to three days in advance. To book a tee time, call 353-6223.

Fairbanks Golf Course The Fairbanks Golf Course is the oldest course in the Interior. The nine-hole, par 36 course was built in 1946. The course, which is located at the intersection of Farmers Loop and Ballaine Road near the University of Alaska Fairbanks, features three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s. The course also features a lake on No. 9. Tee times can be booked by calling 479-6555. The course is also home to the Double Eagle restaurant.

North Star Golf Club

By Tim O’Donnell todonnell@newsminer.com

ou have four courses to choose from if you’re looking to play a round of golf on your visit to the Interior. Each course offers its own challenges. It’s best to call in advance to book tee times as the three courses in Fairbanks have leagues that play on weekday evenings.

Chena Bend Golf Course Chena Bend Golf Course on Fort Wainwright has received numerous commendations from Golf Digest and this year is ranked the No. 3 course to play in Alaska by the magazine. The 6,476-yard, par 72, 18-hole course received a four star rating in the ranking. Chena Bend was voted best in the state by Golf Digest in 1999, 2007, 2008 and 2009. The course itself includes several holes along the Chena River, and fairways are lined with trees. It’s not uncommon to see a fox or marmot during a round. To get to the course, check in at Fort Wainwright’s front gate and have your vehicle registration and insurance paperwork ready if you are driving.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

The northernmost golf course in America is ever changing. The course sits atop permafrost that creates new dips, swales and mounds. The North Star Golf Club is located on Golf Course Lane off the Old Steese Highway, just north of Fairbanks. It is an 18-hole, 6,342-yard, par 72 course. The course includes four par 3s, 10 par 4s and four par 5s. Your scorecard also includes an animal-sighting checklist. The local rule is if a raven or fox steals your ball, you can drop a replacement ball from where the original ball was stolen without a penalty. To book a tee time, head to northstargolf.com or call 4574653.

Black Diamond Black Diamond is located minutes from Denali National Park in Healy. The course, at 1 Mile Otto Road, offers pickups and dropoffs at area hotels. The nine-hole course offers views of the mountains in

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the Alaska Range and, similar to the other Interior courses, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance you will see some wildlife. The wildlife includes a fox that could steal your ball on the No. 2 green. The Black Diamond Grill, which takes reservations for before or after your round, has full lunch and dinner menus. To book a tee time, visit www.blackdiamondtourco.com/ Golf.html or call 683-4653. Contact sports reporter Tim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell at 459-7583. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMSportsGuy

Heading home? Take the News-Miner with you. Subscribe to our e-edition. Details at www.newsminer.com or call 459-7566

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he bounty of the state’s harvests can be found all over Interior Alaska, especially at our farmers markets. Usually starting in May and running through mid-September, Fairbanks-area farmers markets offer everything that grows big and bold under our 24-hour summer daylight: zucchinis, yellow squash, onions, potatoes, broccoli, greens, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, and more. Much more. If we can grow it in Alaska, you can find it at a farmers market. And that’s not even mentioning the artisans who turn out to sell their homemade wares. Potters, craftsmen and artists all inhabit our markets, too, selling everything from homemade goat milk soap to paintings and pottery to hand-crafted items that reflect Alaska.

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

Don’t forget the food, either. Our markets are filled with vendors selling fresh-made items for purchase that you can eat on the spot. “We really focus on Alaska grown and local, local, local,” said Brad St. Pierre, general manager of the Tanana Valley Farmers Market. “And that’s local money. That dollar is making an economic impact in Fairbanks.” The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is the largest of Interior Alaska’s farmers markets. Located at 2600 College Road, the market is open Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays through Sept. 19. May 9 is opening day; the first Wednesday the market is open is May 13. May 31 marks the beginning of the market’s Sunday hours. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. A new reincarnation this year is the market formerly hosted by the Downtown Association of Fairbanks in Golden Heart Plaza. The market is now under the guidance of the nonprofit organization Festival Fairbanks. Festival Fairbanks took over running the downtown market — now named Market Festival Fairbanks — in March after the Downtown Association moved out of the farmers market business. Market Festival Fairbanks will be open Memorial Day through Labor Day, five days per week from noon to 8 p.m. Because of its central location in downtown, Market Festival Fairbanks also includes a slate of rotating performers and musicians who perform summer concerts. Vendors include farmers and gardeners, artisans and food merchants. The newest market to hit Fairbanks this summer is the upand-coming Southside Community Farmers Market, hosted by Calypso Farm and Ecology Center. It will open from 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays on the corner of 24th and Rickert streets, next to the JP Jones Community Center. While the market is open, a veggie truck — think ice cream truck but a truck filled with veggies — will circulate through the neighborhood. The Southside Community Farmers Market opens June 9. Contact Features Editor Gary Black at 459-7504 or on Twitter: @FDNMfeatures.

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Hoof it on over to Running Reindeer Ranch Staff Report newsroom@newsminer.com

had a cookie-dough business to raise money for the first reindeer. To set up a tour of the ranch send an email to info@runningreindeer.com or call 907-455-4998. Tours are $50 for adults, $30 for children 3-13 and kids younger than 3 are free. Information is availalbe online at runningreindeer.com. Reindeer also may be seen in the Fairbanks area at the Large Animal Research Station on Yankovich Road and at the Fairbanks Experimental Farm on Sheep Creek Road. Information on research station tours can be found at lars.uaf.edu/tours.

What: Running Reindeer Ranch tours are available only by reservation. How: Contact the ranch to set up an appointment at info@runningreindeer.com or calling 907-458-4998 How much: $50 for adults, $30 for children 3-13, kids

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tourism business built around a family pet has become a popular attraction for visitors to Fairbanks. Running Reindeer Ranch is home to seven reindeer. It offers visitors a two-hour stroll with reindeer and a chance to learn about the animals, which are a domesticated sub-species of the wild caribou. During the walk one reindeer is put on a lead rope while the others cavort and play â&#x20AC;&#x153;reindeer games,â&#x20AC;? according to co-owner Jane Atkinson. The business, entering its fifth year of operations, has quickly become one of the top-rated Fairbanks attractions on travel website TripAdvisor.com. Atkinson runs the ranch with her husband, Doug Toelle, and her daughter, Robin Spielman. The first reindeer, a compromise pet for Robin, who wanted a horse, arrived in 2007. The business started by accident after walks with the reindeer became popular with friends and family. Last season their home had more than double the visitors of 2013, according to Atkinson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This March was unbelievable,â&#x20AC;? she said. Atkinson knew almost nothing about reindeer before her daughter suggested the idea. She has since become knowledgeable about the history and behavior of the animals. The most common visitor questions she gets are about the differences between reindeer and caribou, as well as questions about the antlers. In the summer, the tour includes a stop at the family garden and a chance to taste its bounty. The tour ends with cookies made from a recipe Robin developed when she

No snow, no problem. You can still experience Alaska’s state sport By Jaryd Cline jcline@newsminer.com

During the winter, dog mushing in Interior Alaska is in high gear with many local races and major events such as the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race and the Open North American Championships. But even during the warmer months, visitors have ample opportunities to ride wheeled carts and UTVs (utility task vehicles) pulled by dogs and to tour local sled dog kennels. You can also visit Fairbanks’ only dog mushing museum, located at 535 Second Ave., Suite 215, on the second floor of the Co-op Building. Here are the options:

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Black Spruce Dog Sledding gives visitors the opportunity to mush beneath the midnight sun with an Iditarod musher. Jeff Deeter, the lead guide, completed the Iditarod in 2008 and is managing Black Spruce while preparing for the 2018 Iditarod. His tour winds through Alaskan black spruce forests and scenic viewing areas north of town. The tours are held in the cooler evening hours between 9 and 11 p.m. Their dogs pull passengers on a six-person UTV and offer hands-on experiences such as harnessing the dogs and helping feed the dogs after the run. Black Spruce Dog Sledding is open from May through October and is $100 per person. Contact them at (907) 371-3647 or visit www.blacksprucedogsledding.com for more information. Sirius Sled Dogs is a popular mid-day mushing experience located a 45-minute drive northwest of Fairbanks on Murphy Dome. It offers kennel tours and sled dog adventures ranging from $20-$60. Ideally, Sirius Sled Dogs offers tours from 10 a.m. to noon but is flexible with their hours with prior approval.

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Just Short of Magic offers summer educational tours that include hands-on experiences such as handling the sleds, harnessing the dogs, preparing meals and feeding the dog team. Located northeast of Fairbanks at 16 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road, it provides 1- and 1Â˝-hour tours to meet the dogs, handle the equipment and ask questions, among other activities. Prices range from $35-$50 and tour times can be flexible. Visit www.justshortofmagic.com for more information or call (907) 750-0208. Alaskan Tails of the Trail gives tourists the chance to interact with and learn the ropes of mushing from a musher whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s completed some of the biggest sled dog races in the world.

Mary Shields was the first woman to complete the Iditarod, finishing the 1,049-mile journey in 1974. She has also raced in the Yukon Quest and Siberiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1,200 mile Hope 91. Shields leads one tour a day, showing and teaching about the mushing lifestyle on her 20-acre boreal forest homestead, giving a hands-on look at mushing up close and personal with her family of huskies. Her tour runs two hours and 15 minutes and starts at 10 a.m. daily. Price is $50 per person. Shieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tours have been the No. 1 rated activity on TripAdvisor for the past three years. Check out TripAdvisor.com for reviews. Visit www.maryshields.com for more information on the tours.

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Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park Pioneer Parks offers family fun and summertime relaxtion By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

f you want history, head to Pioneer Park. If you want some fun for the kids, go to Pioneer Park. If you want to eat, on the run or have a family style dinner, go to Pioneer Park. Pioneer Park offers a little bit of everything for visitors to the Golden Heart City. With eight museums, nine attractions, seven shops at least seven places to get some grub, many arts events, a playground and picnic areas and more on the 40-acre site, the historic theme park gives the visitor an opportunity to learn a lot about Interior Alaska and early Fairbanks. Most of the buildings in Gold Rush Town are homes of prominent Fairbanks founders, moved to the location when the park opened as the “Alaska ‘67 Centennial Exposition” in 1967 to celebrate the 100 years since the United States purchased Alaska from Russia.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

What: Pioneer Park Where: Main entrance on Airport Way between Peger Road and Wilbur Street When: Concessions open from noon-8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Cost: Admission is free, cost of attractions varies. Phone: 459-1087 Online: www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark

Originally known as Alaskaland, the name was changed to Pioneer Park by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly in 2002. Eight historic exhibitions are on the premises located at 2500 Airport Way — Alaska Native Museum, Harding Car, Kitty Hensley House, Pioneer Air Museum, Pioneer Museum, Riverboat Nenana, Tanana Valley Railroad Museum and the Wickersham House.

FAIRBANKS REGION • Pioneer Park

Other attractions in the park include the Alaska Outdoor Rentals and Guides, Bear Gallery, Big Stampede Show, Crooked Creek Railroad, Lucky Fox Gold Mine, Mini-Golf Fairbanks, Roela’s Carousel, Square Dance Hall and the Palace Theater. You can do plenty of shopping on the grounds, as well. Shops include Betsy’s Photography, Bush Babies, CHARMS by CJ, Fairbanks Arts Association, Just Originals, Little Willow and Oh So Wonderful. A new business operating out of Pioneer Park this summer is Midnight Sun ATV Tours. The company offers half-day and full-day excursions that include scenic views, wildlife viewing and lots of trail riding time. Costs vary from $80 to $250 per day, and there are discounts for senior citizens, military and groups of five or more. For more information on Midnight Sun ATV Tours, go to www.midnightsunatvtours.com or call (907) 460-2320. If you are looking for some food, there’s plenty of it, with the Alaska Salmon Bake, The Crepery, Frosty Paws, Gold Rush Ice Cream Parlour, Mama Grizzly’s Grill, More than Just Cupcakes, Souvlaki, The Bag Ladies of Fairbanks and possibly others all offering up something to please. If you’re into the arts, the Bear Gallery in the Centennial Center for the Arts offers monthly shows, and there are Gazebo Nights featuring different local musicians or storytellers at 7 p.m. daily at the gazebo. There’s a square dance hall as well. Pioneer Park also features two large playgrounds stocked with plenty of equipment, a picnic area, a mini-golf course, a bocce court, a carousel and a narrow-gauge train that takes passengers for a ride around the perimeter of the park. The park is open year-round. Concession hours, however, are from noon-8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. There is no general admission fee, but some museums have admission charges while others gladly accept donations. Pioneer Park also welcomes RV visitors to stay in the parking lot for $15 per night for a maximum of four consecutive nights. No reservations are required, but the RV must be registered at the Riverboat Nenana upon arrival. There are no hook-ups available. Potable water is available on-site. For more information about Pioneer Park, go to www. co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark.

8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Most are free, but some charge admission as noted. Donations are gladly accepted. Here are some of the major attractions:

Pioneer Museum and Big Stampede Show The Pioneers of Alaska play a huge role at Pioneer Park by operating the Pioneer Museum, the Big Stampede Show and the Kitty Hensley House. Hundreds of photographs and numerous items donated by the early pioneers and gold-seekers adorn the walls of the museum, which was built in 1967 as part of the Alaska 67

Lots to do at the park By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

ioneer Park offers visitors numerous opportunities to take in the deep and rich history of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska. Museums and facilities in the park showcase aviation and railroad history, as well as some of Fairbanks’ storied buildings. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Department oversees the park. Facilities are open from noon to

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Exposition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ purchase of Alaska from Russia. There are great photographs of the dioramas depicting the first Fairbanks gold rush as well as the second surge when a series of gold dredges extracted millions of ounces of gold from area lakes and ponds. The museum also has a research computer for use checking family genealogy or any of the more than 10,000 photographs from the early days of Fairbanks to the mid-1960s. Marks on the outside of the building show the water levels from the devastating flood of 1967.

The museum is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated.

Big Stampede Show The Gold Rush Saga comes to life in the Big Stampede Show, which shows four times daily throughout the summer. Take a trip over Chilkoot Pass, shoot the rapids, strike it rich in Dawson City, then move on to Fairbanks. The 50-minute show is narrated by poet laureate Ruben Gaines and includes 17 paintings by C. Rusty Heurlin valued at more than $1 million. Shows are at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the theater. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children age 6-16. Children under age 6 get in for free.

Kitty Hensley House The Pioneers of Alaska also operates the Kitty Hensley House, which was originally located at 921 Eighth Ave. In 1914, Kitty’s friend Cap Smythe, a retired riverboat captain with excellent carpentry skills, remodeled the cabin using lumber from the sternwheeler, which had been damaged during spring breakup. The house was moved to Pioneer Park in 1967. The Pioneers of Alaska have furnished the house with authentic pieces of furniture from the period.

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Located in the center of Pioneer Park is the SS Nenana, a sternwheeler renovated by the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation and operated by Pioneer Park. The renovation of the SS Nenana began in 1987, and the “Last Lady of the River” was declared a National Landmark in 1992, thanks to the efforts of John D. “Jack” Williams and other influential Fairbanksans who formed the foundation. The SS Nenana is the largest steam-powered sternwheeler ever built west of the Mississippi River and the second largest wooden vessel in existence. The sternwheeler has more than 11,930 square feet of interior exhibit area space and 10,000 square feet of exterior decks.

FAIRBANKS REGION â&#x20AC;˘ Pioneer Park

The 300-foot diorama with an oil background mural depicts, in incredible detail, life in the 22 villages along the Tanana and Yukon rivers between 1847 and 1932, when sternwheelers ruled the waterways of the Interior.

Harding Car Near the SS Nenana rests the Harding Car, the elegant railroad car President Warren G. Harding rode in while touring the territory just two weeks before he died in California from a heart attack. Harding was the first chief executive officer to visit the territory and came to Fairbanks to celebrate the completion of the Alaska Railroad. The Harding Car also was restored by the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation.

Wickersham House Judge James Wickersham is known as the man who brought law and order to the early days of the gold rush town of Fairbanks, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to his story.

In addition to being a law man, Wickersham was a carpenter, an advocate for the community and what would eventually become the 49th state, and a leader in a community that was growing in all directions. As a carpenter, Wickersham built the first â&#x20AC;&#x153;modern homeâ&#x20AC;? in the thriving gold rush town in 1904. The first home constructed of milled lumber, the house on the corner of First Avenue and Noble Street also was the first home to be surrounded by a white picket fence. All homes in Fairbanks before that time were made with logs. He purchased the lot for $175 and built the house himself, hauling the lumber down the street on his back. Operated by the Tanana Yukon Historical Society, the Wickersham House was relocated to Pioneer Park in 1968 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The furnishings are as they would have been in Wickershamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time, with some original pieces.

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Pioneer Air Museum Operated by the Interior and Arctic Alaska Aeronautical Foundation, the 14,000-square-foot circular building with a gold dome is filled with artifacts and aircraft from Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early aviation history, most of which took place in Fairbanks and other parts of the Interior. There are 14 aircraft in the museum as well as one of the largest piston engine displays ever assembled. The museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of more than 500 photographs chronicle early flight and the brave men and women who ventured into the unknown skies above Alaska. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fairbanks was the birthplace of aviation in Alaska,â&#x20AC;? curator Pete Haggland said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of aviation history here, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got most of it.â&#x20AC;? Displays range from the first flight in Fairbanks in 1913 to the present. Some of the aircraft on display at the museum include a Bullwing V77/AK19 Alaska Bush plane; a restored Fokker Super Universal Bush aircraft that crashed near Arctic Circle in 1938, Russian â&#x20AC;&#x153;LendLeaseâ&#x20AC;? aircraft used in World War II; a Stinson SR5 Junior circa 1933; a Noorduyn Norseman military search and rescue Alaska Bush plane; and a Duce II Homebuilt FAA (1987). Admission is $4 for adults and $8 for a family of four. Children younger than age 12 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.

Tanana Valley Railroad and Engine House

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The railroad played a vital part when the gold rush ripped through Interior Alaska and a key component of that era now resides in Pioneer Park. Steam engine No. 1, an 8.5-ton engine built in 1899 by H.K. Porter Locomotive Works of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the first locomotive in the Yukon and Tanana river drainages. It arrived in Fairbanks in 1905. It is the oldest gold rush artifact in Interior Alaska. Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad restored Old Engine No. 1 in 1999, and she is rolled out several times a summer to putt down the tracks circling Pioneer Park with at least two open cars full of visitors. On other days, the train pulled by a replica, Engine No. 67. When at rest, Engine No. 1 resides at the museum and engine house, operated by the all-volunteer Friends of the Tanana Valley Railroad. An operating speeder, Model T and velocipede also are on display.

Native Museum

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

Pioneer Park is working with AmeriCorps Vista to put together a revitalization plan on how to share Alaska Native culture with visitors to the Park. The Alaska Native Museum features artifacts, maps and other exhibits depicting the life of Natives well before the 49th state was purchased from Russia. The museum is a work in progress and continues to grow each year.

University of Alaska Fairbanks UA Museum of the North puts Alaska on display By Gary Black gblack@newsminer.com

he Museum of the North is the crown jewel of the University of Alaska museum system, and Fairbanks is its home. The museum — officially called the University of Alaska Museum of the North — is housed at 907 Yukon Drive on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. It’s a repository of science, holding 1.4 million artifacts and specimens that form the basis of the museum’s exhibits and research. The collections are divided into 10 disciplines (archaeology, birds, documentary film, earth sciences, ethnology/history, fine arts, fish/marine invertebrates, insects, mammals and plants) that serve as a catalyst to study all aspects of life in Alaska. The exhibits are as varied as the museum’s specimens. Permanent exhibits include the Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, which houses art that spans 2,000 years, from ancient ivory carvings to modern works; the largest display of gold in the state; Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old mummified steppe bison; and even the museum’s unofficial mascot, Otto Bear, a mounted, towering grizzly that greets guests. (Otto gets around, too — he’s all over social media under the hashtag #OttoBear.) The museum is home to 19,526 square feet of space, with galleries taking up 13,915 square feet of that space. Galleries include the Gallery of Alaska, Collections Gallery, Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery, Place Where You Go to Listen, and Special Exhibits Gallery. This year’s big summer exhibit is all about the giant reptiles that once roamed the Far North. You can check them out

when “Expedition Alaska: Dinosaurs” opens May 24. The exhibit, on display through summer 2016, features displays of hadrosaurs, an ichthyosaur and a thalattosaur, as well as interactive exhibits about Alaska dinosaurs. “For about three decades now, we’ve been collecting fossils from across the state with the primary focus on the North Slope,” said Theresa Bakker, who handles marketing and communications for the museum. “We’re bringing them in by the ton, but it takes time to catalog them. It’s methodical. It’s science. It doesn’t happen overnight.” Starting later in 2015, the museum’s Gallery of Alaska is undergoing an estimated five-year renovation, so guests will have one last time to see the gallery this summer in its original form before the project starts. “We tell the story of Alaska in a geographical fashion,” Bakker said. “As many people know but might not be able to grasp, we have distinct cultures. We’re the the only place where the scientific research is happening where we can tell those stories in our own collections. It makes us unique.” The museum is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days per week from June 1 to Aug. 31. Admission is $12 for ages 15 and up; $7 for ages 5 to 14; $8 for adults with an Alaska ID; $5 for Alaska youth; and $4 for UA staff and faculty. Admission is free for UA students with ID, for Museum of the North members and for active-duty military families stationed in Alaska. You can follow the museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alaskamuseum; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ alaskamuseum; and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ alaskamuseum. Contact Features Editor Gary Black at 459-7504 or on Twitter: @FDNMfeatures.

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Summer blooms at Georgeson Botanical Garden By Jeff Richardson jrichardson@newsminer.com

laska is known for the enormous vegetables that thrive during the long summer days, but there are plenty of less famous plants that make their home in the North. Many of them can be found in the Georgeson Botanical Garden at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The northernmost public garden in North America is a scenic spot to view flowers, perennials and even some of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wellknown veggies. Visitors can check it out during a self-guided tour, using brochures and signs for interpretation. The area also includes a gorgeous view of the Alaska Range, with Mount McKinley visible on a clear day. A childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden includes a maze, a miniature log cabin and a water garden. Benches, bird baths and sculptures accentuate the scenery.

The century-old garden, named after former Alaska Agriculture Experiment Stations director Charles Georgeson, is more than just a spot for a scenic summer walk. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hub for high-latitude plant science, serving as a three-acre laboratory for growing beneath the midnight sun in Interior Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short summers. A pair of memorial gardens are dedicated to longtime supporters of the botanical garden.

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experience Alaska Native cultures, discover natural wonders, and explore the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse wildlife.

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What: Georgeson Botanical Garden When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through September Where: 117 West Tanana Drive, UAF Admission: By donation Phone: 474-7222 Online: www.georgesonbg.org

Have a big time on a tour of the Large Animal Research Station By Wes Morrow wmorrow@newsminer.com

laska is known for big things. The state itself is more than twice as large as Texas, and Denali, “The Great One,” is the highest mountain in North America. In addition to geography, Alaska has an extensive population of great-sized animals, including moose, caribou and bear. Spend some time on the roads and trails around Interior Alaska and before long you will likely see one of these animals. One large animal you won’t see on the road is the musk ox, a shaggy mammal straight out of the last Ice Age. However, you can see musk ox and other large mammals up close by taking a short drive to the Large Animal Research Station (LARS). The Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station is located near the University of Alaska Fairbanks, at 2220 Yankovich Road. It is home to three herds of large herbivorous land mammals — caribou, reindeer and musk oxen. The animals are part of long-term studies in arctic biology and nutrition, among other fields.

The musk oxen represent the vestige of a population that once propagated throughout the northern latitudes of North America. After being forced out of Alaska more than a century ago due to climatic and environmental changes, they were transplanted back into the region from Greenland in the 1930s. LARS offers tours of its herds throughout the summer. A trained naturalist guides visitors through the station three times per day Tuesdays through Saturdays through early August. Cost is $10 for adults; $9 for military and seniors over 65; $6 for students; children 5 and under are free. Special tours also can be arranged. Visit http://lars.uaf.edu/tours/specialToursPolicy. Tours last about 45 minutes to an hour. In addition to seeing the animals, visitors will learn about natural history and ecology and will be able to feel hide, horn and antler samples. Tour guides also discuss the research taking place at LARS. Even when the station is closed or not offering tours, visitors can stop by the station to see the animals from beyond the fence. The station’s parking lot is always open and station staff say animals can often be seen going about their way along the fence line. A picnic area is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday from June through August. LARS has a gift shop on-site as well, where visitors can purchase qiviut, the under-wool of the musk ox. The shop sells qiviut samples, raw qiviut to process and spin, as well as qiviut yarn from LARS musk oxen and garments that have been knit from qiviut. For more information, visit http://lars. uaf.edu/ Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

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The Earl and Dorothy Beistline Garden, named in honor of the late Fairbanks residents, is planted with delphiniums in honor of the couple. Earl, an influential Alaska miner, died in 2012 at age 96. Dredge buckets will eventually be installed as part of the garden in his recognition. A “weather garden” honors longtime National Weather Service meteorologist Ted Fathauer, who died in 2013. The garden features a sundial and rain gauge, among other weather-related items. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through September. Admission is by donation only. Pets aren’t allowed in the garden, and tree-climbing isn’t allowed. For more information about the botanical garden, go to www.georgesonbg.org. Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518.

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Outdoor recreation Float, fish or hike in the Chena River State Recreation Area By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

ust upstream from Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright, the Chena River gets faster and wilder through the boundaries of the Chena River State Recreation Area. This 397-square-mile recreation area is popular with locals because it’s one of the closest places for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing and winter sports. The rec area is accessible for miles along the Chena Hot Springs Road just outside of Fairbanks between miles 26 and 56. The road ends at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, another popular destination for Fairbanksans and visitors alike, and the culmination of many trips to the recreation area. Three developed campgrounds and several public use cabins are available in the rec area, several of which are easily accessible in summer months. Reservations are required. Moose and beaver are abundant in the recreation area, and both black and brown bears frequent the area.

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

Popular trips Chena River — Chena Hot Springs Road crosses or approaches the Chena River a half dozen times in the recreation area, allowing for ample boating opportunities on the river. It’s Class 1 water under most water conditions, but watch out for sweepers, branches or trees that stick out into the channel and can easily capsize boats. The Chena River water is very cold even during the hottest months. The river is a great place to catch Arctic grayling, but the fishery is catch-and-release only. Several lakes along the Chena Hot Springs Road are stocked with fish including rainbow trout and chinook salmon. Fish caught in stocked ponds can be kept. Hiking — The two most popular trailheads are Granite Tors and Angel Rocks, accessible at 39.5 Mile and 48.9 Mile respectively. A $5 day-use fee is required at both trailheads. Both offer trails to see interesting geological formations along ridgelines. At Angel Rocks, a three mile loop trail climbs steeply to the rock formations, or hikers may traverse the 9-mile one-way hike from the trailhead to Chena Hot Springs Resort. From the Granite Tors trailhead, hikers traverse a 15-mile loop that accesses several rock formations above treeline. The primitive trail shelter along the way is first-come, first-served. Off road vehicles — Popular trails for four-wheelers and snowmachiners include the Compeau Trail at 29.9 Mile and the Stiles Creek Trail at 31.6 and 36.4 Mile. Contact outdoors editor Sam Friedman at 459-7572. Online: dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chena/

FAIRBANKS REGION â&#x20AC;˘ Outdoor recreation

Chena Lake park a good place for a picnic, canoe float or a stroll

hena Lake Recreation Area is a popular local spot for fishing, barbecues and walks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really two parks in one: a riverside area along the Chena River and a recreation area along the shores of Chena Lake. Both offer amenities including camping sites, picnic tables, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and water access. The recreation area contains 2,100 acres and is managed by the local government. The Chena Lake beach is especially popular in the summer when Interior Alaska temperatures can climb into the 80s. The lake is next to the Moose Creek Dam, part of the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project completed in 1979 to protect the area after a 1967 flood destroyed much of downtown Fairbanks and displaced 7,000 people. At high water levels, flood gates on the Chena drop and divert water into the larger Tanana River. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks Chena Lake with rainbow trout, king salmon and Arctic char. The park rents boats in the summer and ice fishing houses in the winter. Arctic grayling, northern pike, whitefish and burbot swim through the Chena River. Wildlife sightings are common. In July and August, visitors can watch spawning chum and king salmon from the dam. Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter, @FDNMoutdoors.

Location: 3780 Laurance Road, look for signs on the Richardson Highway, south of the town of North Pole Camping: $15 a night for tents, $20 a night for trailers Boat rentals: $10 per hour or $40 per day Online: co.fairbanks.ak.us/parksandrecreation/facilities/clra/clra.htm

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By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

Creamer’s Field is a popular place for birding By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

ocated just two miles from Downtown Fairbanks, Creamer’s Field is an easily accessible place to enjoy nature, especially the thousands of migratory cranes, geese, swans and other birds that stop here each spring and fall.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Bring your binoculars. The refuge offers 2,000 acres of fields, woods and marshes. It has several nature trials as well as elevated viewing platforms overlooking the fields. Creamer’s Field was once the largest dairy farm in Alaska. It was used as a farm until 1966, when local residents raised funds to buy and preserve the open space. The farm and and an adjacent 1,500 acres of state land were formally designated Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in 1979. The farmhouse and barns still stand and are used today as a visitor center. Check the Friends of Creamer’s website for information about guided nature walks and other activities throughout the summer. In the fall (Aug. 28-30 this year) the refuge hosts the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival, three days of educational activities about one of the most iconic migratory birds. Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter, @FDNMoutdoors. Location: The Creamer’s Field visitor center and main parking lot is at 1300 College Road Online: Friends of Creamer’s Field nonprofit organization — creamersfield.org. State of Alaska Creamer’s Field website — 1.usa.gov/19ZvG1d.

FAIRBANKS REGION • Outdoor recreation

New Tanana Lakes Recreation Area marks second season By Amanda Bohman abohman@newsminer.com

or decades, the South Cushman Street dike was a place where people went to shoot guns, burn pallets and dump unwanted vehicles. A coalition of government agencies, businesses and non-profits teamed up about 10 years ago and reclaimed the lawless wasteland. Now it’s the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area with nature trails, a swim beach, a boat launch, a picnic area and public restrooms. This summer marks the second year for the fledgling park. Carved out of 750 acres of junk-covered wetlands with grant money, donations and volunteer labor, the park is rustic in nature with gravel roads, gravel parking lots, Porta Potty restrooms and limited staff on duty. About $3 million has been invested in the recreation area, which is operated by the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The swim beach is the biggest draw. It’s the closest public beach to Fairbanks’ city center and is conveniently located at the end of Cushman Street along the Tanana River. Entrance to park, including the beach, is free. It opens sometime around Memorial Day weekend. The beach boasts 4 1/2 acres of silky sand where people can bake under the endless summer sun before cooling off

in the larger of two lakes, which is dotted with islands and peninsulas. The park opened last summer — the rainiest on record for Fairbanks — to twice as many visitors as expected. Park-goers should expect a similar experience this summer, hopefully minus the rain, said Michael Bork, director of parks and recreation for the borough. “We expect early usage,” he said. “Birdwatching is going to be big this spring.” Motor boats and personal watercraft are allowed on a second lake that has a floating dock and two concrete launch ramps. The motorized boat lake connects to the Tanana River. Non-motorized boats, such as canoes and kayaks, are allowed on the swim lake, which was stocked with pike last summer. A new trail is being put in this summer to connect the swim beach with the picnic area, where there is additional parking. The picnic area has a pavilion, picnic tables, grills and the only restroom facility with vault toilets. “You can have a little picnic and just walk along the quarter mile trail and go to the beach,” Bork said. The park also attracts dog walkers. Dogs are not allowed on the swim beach. So far, the park is about 25 percent developed. The vision for the recreation area includes additional amenities such as camping, a dog beach, Frisbee golf, a paint ball area and a mud-bogging area. Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7587.

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Fishing is easy on Fairbanks-area rivers and lakes By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

he rivers and lakes around Fairbanks are home to tough cold-weather fish including Arctic grayling, burbot and northern pike. They’re not as famous as Alaska’s salmon, crab and halibut, but they’re good eating, can be fun to catch and seldom require much equipment to bring in. To catch grayling, the most common species in Interior Alaska, you don’t have to go far. They swim through Fairbanks on the Chena River, which is accessible in town and upstream in the Chena River State Recreation Area along Chena Hot Springs Road. Check Alaska’s fishing regulations before heading out. The Chena River is a catch-and-release fishery for grayling. However, several ponds along Chena Hot Springs Road are stocked with rainbow trout and grayling, which anglers can take home for dinner. Complete fishing regulations can be found online at 1.usa.gov/1Dntb6s. Fishing licenses cost $20 per day for non-Alaska residents. Discounts are available for multi-day licenses. Fairbanks has numerous stores that sell fishing tackle.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Popular Interior Alaska fish Arctic grayling: This trout relative usually grows between 8 and 18 inches in the Interior, but are known for their voracious appetites and a disproportional fight for their size. Fly fishermen prize them for their willingness to respond to a dry fly. The fish is easily distinguished by the large fan-like dorsal fin along its back. Northern pike: Pike are long aggressive fish with a fearsome row of sharp teeth. Pike of about 20 pounds are common and the record northern pike is 38 pounds. They’re found in large Interior Alaska rivers such as the Tanana south of Fairbanks and in some lakes. They’re considered invasive in lakes south of the Alaska Range, where they’ve been illegally introduced. Burbot: Ugly but tasty, burbot are a blotchy-colored eel-like fish in the cod family. They average 3 to 5 pounds but can grow to more than 10 pounds. They’re not known for fighting particularly aggressively but are valued for their meat. In the summer, burbot, like pike, are often found near the mouths of sloughs. Contact Outdoors Editor Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMoutdoors.

Fairbanks region

Plan ahead if you plan to hunt during your visit By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

ith big game animals like grizzly bear, moose, Dall sheep and caribou, the Interior and surrounding mountain ranges are a hunter’s paradise. The prospect of stalking a sheep over a mountain pass or shooting a moose on a river float trip attracts people to Fairbanks from around the world. Last year, 15,896 out-of-state residents bought hunting licenses to try their luck pursuing Alaska’s game. While hunting draws people to Alaska, the hunting license sales are minuscule compared to the 273,535 non-resident fishing licenses sold last year. Before you start dreaming of taking home a bear rug or a freezer full of moose meat, be sure to plan ahead. A big game hunt is major undertaking that requires processing skills, lots of equipment and backcountry know-how. If you’re after bear, sheep or goats and you’re not an Alaska resident, the law requires you employ a registered guide or hunt with an immediate family member who is an Alaska resident. Non U.S. citizens need a guide for any big game animal.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game recommends most out-of-state hunters consider employing a guide, even if pursuing a species that doesn’t require it, such as moose or caribou. Guide hunting is expensive. Fish and Game advises guide clients to expect to pay between $6,000 and $15,000 for a grizzly bear hunt and $4,000 to $6,000 for a Dall sheep hunt. The department has more information about finding a guide on its website (1.usa.gov/1aHwxEY). Someone who guides must be registered with the state, which isn’t the same as a licensed transporter, who merely brings hunters into the backcountry but doesn’t guide the hunt. Small game can be a less-costly alternative for visitors who want a taste of an Alaska hunting experience. The Interior is home to grouse, snowshoe hares and waterfowl including Canada geese, sandhill cranes and many species of ducks. Out-of-state hunters can buy an annual small game hunting license for $20, much less than the hundreds of dollars needed for any out-of-state large game tag. For more information about Alaska’s hunting regulations, including the complete 2015 regulation book, go to Fish and Game’s hunting regulation website (1.usa.gov/1NS7j2L). Contact Outdoors Editor Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMoutdoors. Read more outdoors recreation stories online at newsminer.com

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Events Midnight Sun Festival brings everyone to downtown Fairbanks By Gary Black gblack@newsminer.com

he Midnight Sun Festival boasts itself as the largest single-day festival in Alaska, and it gets to do so rightfully. For one day each summer, downtown Fairbanks is turned into a street fair full of performers, vendors, food trucks and food stands, all with scores of visitors celebrating the summer solstice. The 2015 Midnight Sun Festival is noon to midnight on June 21. “The festival is one of downtown’s signature events,” said Jeremia Schrock, communications coordinator for the Downtown Association of Fairbanks, the entity that hosts the event. “In fact, one local said to me that, for her, the yearly

festival and downtown are intrinsically linked. That it’s impossible to think of one without the other. She’s absolutely right. “We do the entire thing in just three blocks of downtown,” he said. “We spend the first six months of the year preparing for a single-day event in June. It sounds almost mad, but when you see the event, the dozens of performers, almost 200 vendors and the tens-of-thousands of folks who come out? It’s incredible.” When it comes to events and vendors, the one-day festival covers a range. Everything from pony rides to gold panning to bands performing on stage to dance troupes take their turn at one of several stages set up for the festival. Food options are limitless, including, for example, barbecue, Asian and Greek. The event also includes raffles and giveaways, an antique car show, and a beer tent for patrons ages 21 and over. “There’s nothing quite like the Midnight Sun Festival,” Schrock said. “We see 30,000 people pile into three blocks of downtown for a 12-hour block party and, you know what, they love it. We love it. It’s a chance for locals to mix with friends and a chance for out-of-state visitors to interact with real Alaskans. It’s a unique event in a unique place. We all get together under the midnight sun and have a party; there aren’t many places in the world where you can do both at the same time.” While the festival is free to attend, be sure to bring plenty of cash to patronize vendors and purchase food. “When it comes to our festival, we put everything we have into it,” Schrock said. “We make sure festival-goers have the best and most memorable experience that they can.” Contact Features Editor Gary Black at 459-7504 or on Twitter: @FDNMfeatures.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

It’s never too late for the Midnight Sun Run By Tim O’Donnell todonnell@newsminer.com

airbanks hosts many road races during the summer, but the biggest event is the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Midnight Sun Run. The 33rd edition of the race is scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The race, which usually draws around 4,000 runners per year, begins at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Patty Center. Once leaving the Patty Center, the race course winds its way through various neighborhoods in town before finishing at Pioneer Park. Spectators line the streets to watch the runners. Many also hold parties along the course. Some good-naturedly spray runners with water from garden hoses, others offer refreshments. Racers are encouraged to wear costumes. A costume parade takes place near the starting line about an hour before the race kicks off. The Midnight Sun Run isn’t the only race during the summer. You can find a race nearly every Saturday during the season. After the Midnight Sun Run, the Equinox Marathon is arguably the biggest race. The Equinox is one of the toughest marathons in the world. The marathon begins at the Patty Center and heads to the top of Ester Dome, following trails before going back to the Patty Center. Runners face an elevation change of more than 2,600 feet.

Last year, the Equinox drew 380 runners, while an additional 30 ran the 40-mile ultra-marathon and 108 runners competed in the three-person relay. The 54th edition of the marathon is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. The race gets underway at 8 a.m. Another unique event is the Annihilator, which is scheduled for May 23. The race, which takes place at a gravel pit 1.5-miles north of Nenana, is considered the toughest 10-kilometer race in the Interior. Another race unique to the Interior is the Dusk 2 Dawn Run on Thursday, June 18 at the ski hut on the West Ridge Trails on the UAF campus. Competitors run as many miles as they can from sunset at 12:47 a.m. to sunrise at 2:58 a.m. The Dusk 2 Dawn takes place on a 4-mile loop on roads and trails. Along with the road races, there are also three triathlons that take place throughout the summer. The Breakup Tri takes place on Sunday, May 3, followed by the North Pole Triathlon on Saturday, July 11. The final triathlon is the 22nd annual Sourdough Triathlon on Saturday, July 25. The Breakup Tri is held at the Patty Center. The 500-yard swim is held in the UAF pool before competitors move on to the 13.1-mile bike ride and the 3.1-mile run. The North Pole Triathlon is held at the Chena Lakes Recreation Area and consists of a 1,500-meter swim, a 40K bike ride and a 10K run. The Sourdough Triathlon is a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run at 30.5 Mile Steese Highway. The complete running schedule for the summer can be found on the Running Club North website (www.runningclubnorth.org). Contact sports reporter Tim O’Donnell at 459-7583. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMSportsGuy

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Fairbanks celebrates its founding with annual Golden Days fest By Weston Morrow wmorrow@newsminer.com

old runs through the veins of Fairbanks. Without its discovery nearby in 1902, Fairbanks might never have been founded, and without the discovery of “black gold” on the North Slope decades later, Fairbanks would not be the same town it is today. Fairbanks celebrates its golden heritage with Golden Days, a five-day festival that takes place each July. With the midnight sun watching over the festivities, Fairbanks commemorates Felix Pedro’s discovery of gold in the hills north of town more than 100 years ago. Golden Days 2015 will be the 63rd annual celebration and will take place July 22-26. Each year’s theme is selected from a list of submissions in the spring. The 2014 theme was “The Gold and the Beautiful.” The celebration gets started with the Kick Off party in the evening at Pioneer Park. The community-wide gathering at Pioneer Park features live music, the Alaska State BBQ Competition, a Felix Pedro look-alike contest and the Grizzly Alaskan contest, among numerous other events throughout the week. The festivities come to a head later in the week, when the Golden Days Grande Parade marches through downtown Fairbanks in the morning, followed by the dropping of thousands of rubber ducks into the Chena River for the Rubber Duckie Race in the afternoon (no ducks are harmed in the race and all are collected from the river at the conclusion of the race). Each duck in the race represents a ticket purchased by a participant. People who purchase a ticket for a duck have the

The Guide to Interior Alaska

chance to win prizes based on where in the pack their duck finishes. Prizes for the 2014 race totaled more than $30,000. More information on the Golden Days celebration can be found by contacting the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce at (907) 452-1105 or online at www.fairbankschamber.org/goldendays. Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

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FAIRBANKS REGION • Events

Midnight Sun game covers all the bases By Tim O’Donnell todonnell@newsminer.com

he Midnight Sun Game is a Fairbanks tradition like no other. The baseball game is played entirely without artificial light on the summer solstice. The game has been featured by the Sporting News and ESPN’s SportsCenter. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, also declared it a mustsee-event for baseball fans. This year’s game will be the 110th edition, featuring the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks hosting the Seattle Studs. First pitch is set for 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at Growden Memorial Park, which is normally filled to capacity. The sun should be shining, weather permitting, for most of the game as it won’t set until close to 1 a.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased at goldpanners. com. The price is $20 for general admission, $40 for a

reserved seat in the red section down the third base line and $65 for a reserved seat in the silver section behind home plate. The Goldpanners, members of the Alaska Baseball League, haven’t lost a Midnight Sun Game since 2007. The Goldpan-

Come join the fun at the

Tanana Valley State Fair!

August 7 – 16, 2015 Rodeo, Mud Boggs, Entertainment, A-1 Midway Rides with new rides for the whole Family Visit all your favorite vendors – new and old! Enjoy the exhibit halls, see what the community has made. 4-H/FFA Livestock and Equine areas open to all. Come and volunteer and become part of the Fair Family. Contact the Fair at 907-452-3750.

Non Perishable Entry Day – August 1, 2015 Junior Perishable Entry Day – August 6, 2015 Adult Perishable Entry Day – August 11, 2015

www.tananavalleyfair.org Visit us on Facebook!

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ners have only lost the game 11 times since they took over the tradition in 1960, their first season. The first game was played in 1906 as a bet between Fairbanks bars. One of the traditions during the game is the singing of the Alaska Flag Song at the half inning closest to midnight. The Goldpanners are a wood bat, summer-league team that consists primarily of college players. The Panners, the reigning ABL champions, play a schedule that begins in June and runs through August. The Panners begin the season June 12-14 against the Peninsula Oilers at Coral Seymour Stadium in Kenai. The complete schedule can be found at goldpanners.com Over 200 former Panners have gone on to play in the major leagues. That list includes Baseball Hall of Famers Tom

Seaver and Dave Winfield. Barry Bonds, Dave Kingman and Bill Lee are also among the players who have gone on to play in the big leagues after playing in Fairbanks. As of March 26, there were at least two former Goldpanners on the roster of major league teams. Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Medlen played for the Panners in 2005, and New York Yankees shortstop Brendan Ryan was a Panner in 2002. Terry Francona, who currently manages the Cleveland Indians, played in Fairbanks during the 1978 season. Jason Lane, who pitched for the Panners in 1996-97, is attending the San Diego Padres training camp as a non-roster invitee. Contact sports reporter Tim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell at 459-7583. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMSportsGuy

23rd Annual

Music Festival Fairbanks (formerly Concerts in the Plaza) Presented by Festival

When: First pitch 10:30 p.m., Sunday, June 21

Fairbanks

Where: Growden Memorial Park, Second Avenue and

JUNE & JULY

Wilbur Street Cost: $20 for general admission, $40 for a reserved

Wednesdays Tuesdays & Fridays 7 - 8 p.m. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. See our Concert Schedule in Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Latitude ALL SHOWS ARE FREE

seat in the red section down the third base line, $65 for a reserved seat in the silver section behind Bring The Family!

First Avenue between Cushman & Lacey St.

festivalfairbanks.org

For event info, call 456-1984

What: Midnight Sun Game

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

home plate. Available at goldpanners.com Online: goldpanners.com

FAIRBANKS REGION • Events

Tanana Valley State Fair is a must-see event By Dorothy Chomicz dchomicz@newsminer.com

he Tanana Valley State Fair is a cherished event that draws about 100,000 visitors from near and far each year. The fair was founded in 1924 and is the oldest of the three state fairs in Alaska. In its 90-year history it has been shuttered only twice — once during the World War II years and once due to the 1967 flood — according to General Manager Joyce Whitehorn. Eating is a popular activity at the fair, and many visitors carefully plan which food booths they’ll visit to ensure they get all of their favorites. Fairgoers can “power graze” on everything from corn dogs to crepes, pitas to pizza and Twinkies (deepfried) to turkey legs. A visit to the beer garden, an ice cold soda or a creamy milkshake help to wash it all down.

What: Tanana Valley State Fair When: Aug. 7-16 Where: College Road Cost: Daily: Adults (ages 13 to 59, $10; youths (ages 6 to 12) $5; seniors (ages 60 and older) $5; children 5 and younger, free. Season passes also available. Phone: 452-3750

Between noshes visitors can ride carnival rides, get their fortunes told or dress up in period costume for a keepsake photo. Games of chance and skill abound on the midway, and several exhibit halls are filled with submitted items such as arts and crafts, baked goods and quilts. The agricultural hall is always a big draw, and visitors flock there to see vegetables grown to giant size under the Midnight Sun. Animal lovers can get their fill of goats, pigs, cows, horses and fowl of all shapes and sizes with a visit to the livestock hall. The fair returns to it’s small-town roots this year with the theme “Blue Jeans-Country Dreams.” The grounds will be decorated in red and white gingham, blue denim and sunflowers, and a wide variety of entertainment such as rodeos and mud bogs has been lined up. More information is available online at www.tananavalleystatefair.com or by calling 452-3750.

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World Eskimo-Indian Olympics helps keep Alaska Native culture alive By Danny Martin dmartin@newsminer.com

his is Nicole Johnston’s 28th year as either an athlete, coach or administrator in the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, which will be held July 15-18 at the Carlson Center. This would have been the 30th year of Johnston’s involvement in the celebration of Native games and culture, but she missed two WEIOs. She was a 16-year-old from Nome when she first competed in WEIO in 1985. Johnston still competes while serving as the chairwoman of WEIO Board of Governors, which she has done since 2012. A unique element of her involvement in WEIO is that Johnston is seeing, and even coaching, children of people whom she competed against. “It’s pretty cool to know my fellow competitors passed on their love for the games and the community it’s created for traditional sports,’’ Johnston said recently by cellphone. “They’re (children) the ones that are going to be taking my place.” A few of her competitors are also now helping her conduct WEIO, which attracts visitors from around the nation and competitors from throughout Alaska, and in past years, from Canada and Greenland. WEIO has garnered attention from national media, as its been featured in People and Cosmopolitan magazines and in USA Today. It’s enjoyed exposure on television programs, such as ABC’s “Good Morning America,” ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and NBC’s “Tonight Show” when Jay Leno was its host. In 2009, WEIO was inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame for the events category. A few events in WEIO are alternated each year. For example, the Canadian one-foot high kick, also known as the technical one foot high kick, takes place this year, an odd-numbered year, and the traditional one-foot high kick returns next year, an even-numbered year. In the Canadian one-foot high kick, the athlete approaches a ball while hopping on one foot. He then jumps and kicks

The Guide to Interior Alaska

the ball with the same foot, landing on that foot while maintaining balance. The arm pull is returning this year in place of the head pull, which will be back in 2016. The arm pull involves two athletes sitting and facing each other while having one leg crossing over the other’s opposite leg. The participants then lock arms at the elbows and begin pulling the opponent toward himself in the best-of-three competition. The arm pull is based on a traditional survival skill of bringing a quarry out of a hole in the ice. This year’s WEIO, for several young participants, is a qualifier for the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland. For more information about WEIO, visit www.weio.org. Contact sports editor Danny Martin at 459-7586. Follow him on Twitter:@newsminersports.

Worship Directory â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Visitors are always welcome!

Each Friday, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner publishes additional local faith news. Bethel Church

Immaculate Conception Church 2 Doyon Place 452-3533 Mass: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses (Mon. through Fri.): 12:10 p.m. &KXUFK LV RSHQ 7XHV )UL D P S P

ZZZ EHWKHOFKXUFKDN RUJ Â&#x2021; 907-479-4380 (Conservative Baptist) 1310 Farmers Loop Rd. Worship: Sunday 9:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School - all ages: 11:00 a.m.

1744 Aurora Drive 456-1002 )ULGD\ S P Â&#x2021; ZZZ PRVTXLWRQHW FRP aRUKDW]DIRQ

Bible Baptist Church

Journey Christian Church

452-1407 32 Adak Ave. Off the Steese Highway at College Road E. Sun 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. & Wed 7 p.m. Bible believing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Old fashioned singing 3OHQW\ RI SDUNLQJ IRU 59ÂˇV Free transportation from motels & campgrounds www.BibleBaptistFairbanks.com Doug Duffett, Pastor (907) 388-9815 cell

Regal Cinemas Movie Theater Â&#x2021; ZZZ MRXUQH\DODVND RUJ Sunday services at 10:00 a.m.

Christ Lutheran Church

(ELCA)

)DUPHUÂˇV /RRS ,QLDNXN $YH QHDU 8$) 479-4947 Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. (Memorial Day - Labor Day) ZZZ FOFIDLUEDQNV RUJ Â&#x2021; FOF#PRVTXLWRQHW FRP â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Are Welcome. No Exceptionsâ&#x20AC;?

Church of Christ 645 11th Avenue 456-4921 Sunday 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Community Convenant Church - C3 2136 McCullan Avenue (on Aiport Way) ZZZ F IDLUEDQNV FRP Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Denali Bible Chapel 1201 Lathrop Street 456-5157 Service: 10:30 a.m. www.DenaliBibleChapel.org

Fairbanks First United Methodist Church 915 Second Avenue 452-2956 Sunday: 9:30 a.m. 7UDGLWLRQDO Â&#x2021; D P &RQWHPSRUDU\ ZZZ IDLUEDQNVILUVW RUJ Â&#x2021; RIILFH#IDLUEDQNVILUVW RUJ

Fairbanks Lutheran Church 1012 Cowles Street (ELCA) 452-3425 Call church office for service times ZZZ IDLUEDQNVOXWKHUDQFKXUFK RUJ IDLUOXWK#JFL QHW Facebook: Fairbanks Lutheran ELCA

Fairbanks Seventh-day Adventist Church )DUPHUÂˇV /RRS 5RDG 9:30 a.m. Saturday, www.fairbanksadventistchurch.org

Fairhill Community Church of God fairhillchurch.com

(907) 457-5522

First Baptist Church of Fairbanks 805 Sixth Avenue - Downtown 456-4923 Sunday Morning: 11:00 a.m. www.firstbaptistfairbanks.com

Hamilton Acres Baptist Church 138 Farewell AvenuH ,QGHSHQGHQW 6XQGD\ D P D P S P Pastor Bruce Hamilton

Jewish Congregation of Fairbanks

Sacred Heart Cathedral 1300 Peger Rd. Ph: 474-9032 :HHNHQG 0DVVHV 0D\ $XJXVW Sat. 5:00 p.m., Sun. 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Weekday Masses: Mon. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fri. 5:30 p.m. HPDLO VKF#PRVTXLWRQHW FRP

St. Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University Catholic Church 8$) &DPSXV XDI VWPDUN#JPDLO FRP Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m. (May 17 - Sept. 6) Mass held Margaret Murie Life Science Bldg Auditorium

St. Matthewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal Church 1029 First Avenue 456-5235 June - August Sunday Eucharists: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Winter Sunday Eucharists 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.) Wednesday Eucharists 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. www.stmatthewschurch.org

St. Paul Church ,QGHSHQGHQW 7UDGLWLRQDO 0HWKRGLVW :RUVKLS 3DVWRU %HQ %RKDUW Â˛ 6XQGD\ 6FKRRO D P :RUVKLS D P 907 Union Dr., by Dog Mushers A Friendly Little Country Church

St. Raphael Catholic Church 1125 Old Steese Hwy. North 457-6603 Mass: Saturday 5:30 p.m. & Sunday 9:30 a.m. Tuesday 9:30 a.m., Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

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HEALY/DENALI AREA Valley Chapel - Assembly of God Mile 249, Parks Hwy. Healy 683-2303 Sunday School 10 a.m., Church 11 a.m., Wed. 7 p.m.

NORTH POLE AREA St. Nicholas Catholic Church 707 St. Nicholas Drive, North Pole 488-2595 Mass: Mon., Tue., Thur., Fri. 9:00 a.m.; Wed. 7:00 p.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m.; Sun. 9:00 a.m., Noon & 2:00 p.m. (Latin) 5HFRQFLOLDWLRQ 6DW S P RU E\ DSSRLQWPHQW

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FOCUS ON DENALI Denali National Park: ‘The mountain’ and so much more By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com

hen an Alaskan says “the mountain is out” there is no doubt which mountain is filling the horizon. It is Mount McKinley, or Denali, as most Alaskans call it. The 20,320-foot Denali is the tallest mountain in North America. It often is covered by clouds, but when visible is a magnificent sight. The mountain is not the reason Denali National Park and Preserve was created, though. In 1917, the park was formed to protect the wildlife. Eventually expanded to 6 million acres, the park is home to moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears. More than 650 species of flowering plants eke out a living in the park, along with a variety of mosses and lichens. Only plants adapted to long, cold winters and short growing seasons can survive in Denali’s subarctic climate. In addition, Denali is home to 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish and one amphibian, the wood frog. There are no reptiles in Denali National Park, but dinosaur tracks, discovered in 2005, revealed for the first time that prehistoric creatures once lived there.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Get to the park by train, bus, car or even charter a small airplane. The park road is a single, winding, primarily gravel road that winds through the mountains and across rivers. It continues for about 92 miles to the old mining community of Kantishna, now a visitors’ haven. Private vehicles are not permitted, though anyone can drive the first 15 miles to Savage River. After that, traffic is limited — except during the few days annually when winners of

What: Denali National Park and Preserve When: Park bus service begins May 20 each year and runs through the second Thursday after Labor Day. However, the entire road is not accessible by bus until June 8. Where: The park entrance is about 120 miles south of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway. Cost: $10 per person. No fee for youth age 15 and younger. This provides a seven-day entrance permit. Annual pass: $40. Annual military pass is free. More Info: www.nps.gov/dena

FOCUS ON DENALI

the Denali Road Lottery head into the park in their personal vehicles. Enjoying and appreciating the wilderness of Denali National Park is easy. Visit the Denali Visitor Center of Wilderness Access Center to pick up a trail map and check schedules of guided walks and other programs.

There are trails in the entrance area that are free for hiking anytime. They range in difficulty from easy to challenging. The park also offers hiking, bicycling and backcountry camping. Experienced park rangers lead special hikes, as well. For a close-up view of how the park operates, visit the Denali Kennels, where a team of sled dogs lives year round.

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Lots of options for getting around in Denali By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com

he 92-mile road into Denali National Park and Preserve runs from the Parks Highway to the former mining community of Kantishna. The first 15 miles are paved and open to the public. Past that point, at the Savage River checkpoint, vehicle travel is restricted on the narrow, winding gravel surface. Buses take visitors in and out of the park and drop off hikers and campers. Bus trips range from two to 12 hours, and visitors can take either a tour bus, a shuttle bus, or an all-day tour to and from Kantishna. Shuttle buses are less expensive and have fewer amenities, but travel farther into the park. Visitors can get off when they want to hike for a while, then get back on another bus, if seats are available.

Visitors planning to hike, bike, camp, backpack or picnic in the park should take a shuttle bus. Be sure and bring food and water. There are no convenience stores along the way. Those who prefer a more deluxe trip can opt for one of the tours. A variety of tour lengths, prices and options are available. Fees vary and are in addition to the park entrance fee. Reservations for shuttles and tour buses can be made by calling (800) 622-7275 or going online to www.reservedenali. com. You can also reserve a spot in person at the Wilderness Access Center reservation desk, up to two days in advance. Check the website at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit for schedules and details.

Courtesy buses Free courtesy buses take visitors around the entrance area of Denali National Park, connecting with hotels and restaurants just outside the park. Catch those buses at the Denali Visitor Center, Wilderness Access Center, Murie Science and Learning Center, Riley Creek Campground, Denali Park Post Office, Riley Creek Mercantile,

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Options inside the park Shuttle Bus: This is the more flexible and more economical option. You can get on and off at any time - except for wildlife restricted areas and seat availability. Narration is not included, but experienced drivers often provide it anyway. Depart from Wilderness Access Center only. Tundra Wilderness Tour: This 7-8 hour narrated tour goes to Mile 53 Toklat, and provides box lunch and hot beverage. Natural History Tour: The 4 1/2 to 5 hour tour focuses on the natural and cultural history of the park and goes to

Primrose Ridge at Mile 17, just past the Savage River check station. A snack and beverage are provided. Kantishna Experience: This one-day, 12-hour round-trip to Kantishna that includes a full lunch. A National Park Service interpretive ranger provides narration, and time is spent in Kantishna learning about its history. Windows Into the Wilderness: Narrated five to six-hour tour provides blend of history, science and opportunity to view wildlife and sweeping landscapes. Goes to Teklanika River at 30 Mile Park Road. At Mountain Vista , at 12 Mile, a cultural interpreter and science educator introduce visitors to the cultural and scientific significance of Denali. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent choice for families, since it includes demonstrations, activities and a walk. A snack and beverage are provided.

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Railroad Depot and trailheads that include Mountain Vista Loop and Savage River Loop. A free bus takes visitors to the Denali Sled Dog Kennels for 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. demonstrations. Board the bus at the Denali Visitor Center bus stop 40 minutes before the demonstration is due to begin. Return 90 minutes later. Some local businesses provide buses for people on their tours. There is a bus that travels between Minerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market in Healy and the Denali Park Salmon Bake in the Canyon area. Cost is $3 per trip or $5 for an all-day pass.

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Backpackers Bus Visitors headed to the backcountry for overnight stays should board the special camper bus to accommodate their gear. These visitors require special backcountry permits that are obtained at the Backcountry Information Center, adjacent to the Wilderness Access Center.

Don’t have much time? You can still explore Denali By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com

F13517518

The Guide to Interior Alaska

enali National Park and Preserve is a place that can take years to explore. But if you only have half a day, there are a few things you should not miss. The 14,000-square-foot Denali Visitor Center provides a world-class introduction to a world-class park, considered the crown jewel of the national park system. This should be your first stop. Here, visitors can absorb an overall introduction to 6 million acres of wilderness, its history and the many types of wildlife and plants that call Denali home. The carpet even simulates a flowing river of gray and brown, leading to an exhibit area with life-size models of a moose, a wolf and other Alaska creatures. Don’t forget to look up and see the eagle nest. A diorama of Denali National Park provides a glimpse of the vastness of the park. To get the full flavor of Denali, watch the 18-minute orientation film, “Heartbeats of Denali.” Those few moments will make you want to get on a bus and see some of the wilderness for yourself. The Murie Science and Learning Center (www.murieslc.org) is just a short walk away. The lobby is filled with science-related exhibits, including the premiere exhibit, the wolf display. Many years ago, the small school of Cantwell dissected a legally trapped wolf, boiled the bones, and then rebuilt the wolf skeleton, under the auspices of a park expert. Along the way, they learned about wolves and their own environment. Check out the real-life dinosaur tracks, found several years ago, the first proof that dinosaurs roamed Denali. Local students were among those who discovered some of these tracks. A new dinosaur mural overlooks the dinosaur exhibit. The Murie Science and Learning Center offers popular family programs and field seminars throughout the summer. Check their website at www.nps.gov/rlc/murie/index.htm. Three times per day, rangers and sled dogs offer a demonstration at the only working sled dog kennel in the park

FOCUS ON DENALI

system. The dogs get hooked up to a sled on wheels and race around a looped trail. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no parking at the kennel, so catch the free shuttle at Denali Visitor Center, 40 minutes before each show. Shows begin at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. If you want to hike, but time is short, there are any number of trails in the entrance area or a bit deeper into the park. The 30-minute walk on the Morino Trial will lead you through the site of a former homestead. The McKinley Station Trail can take an hour and reveals more Denali history. If you want to head toward the Nenana River and watch the rafts go by, take the bike path. It leads to the pedestrian bridge over the river. If you have time, take the free shuttle to Savage River, 15 miles into the park. If skies are clear, you will see Mount McKinley, about 80 miles away, at about 9.5 mile on the park road. The Savage Loop Trail is an enjoyable hike, far from civilization and you only need about an hour to do the entire loop. The new Mountain Vista stop â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just before Savage River â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is also a great spot to get out and stretch your legs.

Read more Denali stories online at newsminer.com

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If you are more interested in activities outside the park, reserve a few hours for a raft ride down the Nenana River, drive an all-terrain vehicle, or hop on an airplane or helicopter for a memorable flightseeing trip.

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BEYOND FAIRBANKS Richardson Highway traverses mountains, high tundra vistas By Wes Morrow wmorrow@newsminer.com

he Alaska Highway serves as the gateway to the North. The world-famous highway traverses more than 1,000 miles through Canada before finally reaching its terminus in Interior Alaska. Built during World War II by the military as a means of getting supplies to the strategic northern territory, the long stretch of highway was actually meant in part to help connect the previously unconnected airfields used for the Lend-Lease Agreement to send planes and supplies over the Bering Strait into Russia to support the Eastern Front. Though the highway stretches more than 1,300 miles today, fewer than 200 of those miles run through the state for which the highway is named. The highway ends 198 miles from the border in Delta Junction, where it meets the Richardson Highway. The Richardson Highway winds north to Fairbanks from Valdez, the port city on Prince William Sound where tankers dock to load oil from the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Delta Junction Delta Junction stands at the juncture of the Alaska and Richardson highways. It is bordered by the Tanana and Delta rivers. Delta Junction’s museums, roadhouses and festivals inform visitors of the town and the region’s rich agricultural history. Friendly Frontier Days takes place June 6 this year. It features hay rides and a hay maze, a petting zoo and farmers market and a full-town barbecue. More information on Frontier Days can be found by calling the Delta Junction Chamber of Commerce at 907-895-5068. The Deltana Fair runs from July 31 through Aug. 2. It includes games, music, food and contests. The Deltana Fairgrounds are located on Nistler Road in Delta Junction. More information on the fair can be found by calling 907895-3247. Big Delta State Historical Park is another main attraction near Delta, featuring Rika’s Roadhouse. The park shares the history of the former owner, Rika Wallen, whose roadhouse played an interesting and significant role in Interior Alaska’s past. Rika’s Roadhouse rests on the banks of the Tanana River, where a trail once ran from Valdez in the south to the gold claims of Fairbanks in the north. Rika’s provided the trail’s travelers with a place to

BEYOND FAIRBANKS

rest and recuperate from their journey before continuing. The Roadhouse is not always open, but the Alaska State Parks Department continues to operate the historical park.

Donnelly Dome Donnelly Dome rises high above the surrounding landscape just south of Delta Junction. The dome sits near the Richardson Highway about 15 miles south of Delta Junction. The dome rises nearly 4,000 feet in a wide valley, surrounded on two sides by towering peaks of the Alaska Range. The dome lies along a fault line that runs along the northern edge of the Alaska Range, which contributes to its expansive rise. The dome is a popular hike for locals and visitors alike, as it provides sweeping views of the surrounding peaks to the southeast and southwest and the Delta River. The trans-Alaska oil pipeline can be seen winding alongside the river for miles from atop Donnelly Dome. The hike can be done in half a day. Hikers should pack a jacket despite the weather, as the top of the dome is often windy. Access to the path up the dome starts at a pullout on the Richardson Highway about 248 Mile.

roadwork camp during the construction of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s. The biggest celebration in Tok is its Fourth of July parade, which typically begins at 11 a.m. at Fast Eddy’s restaurant, another popular stopping point for hungry travelers. The theme for the 2015 parade is typically decided around April. Last year’s theme celebrated dog mushing in Alaska. More information on the parade or Tok can be directed to Tok Chamber of Commerce President John Rusyniak at 907883-5775. Contact staff writer Weston Morrow at 459-7520. Follow him on Twitter: @FDNMschools.

Historic

Manley Roadhouse

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Tok For travelers entering the state through the highway system, Tok is the first town visitors drive through after crossing the border with Canada. Tok, provides accommodations for RVs and campers. Tok has about 1,300 residents, but its visitor center provides a range of information on the region’s history and geography. Tok serves as the hub for the other villages in the eastern part of Alaska’s Interior, such as Dot Lake, Northway, Tetlin, Tanacross and Mentasta. It was built to serve as a

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Black Rapids Roadhouse sits across the Richardson Highway from its namesake. When the ice along the river breaks up in the spring, Black Rapids on the Delta River flow alongside the highway below the roadhouse. The rapids are so named because of the tremendous amount of glacial silt that flows down from the Alaska Range, darkening the water in the shallow riverbed. The Black Rapids Roadhouse and lodge was recently updated and refashioned. From the highway the roadhouse can be seen along the parallel ridge, above the historic structure near the road. The lodge has been featured in Outside Magazine, the Washington Post and the National Geographic Traveler Stay List. It hosts guest speakers, musicians and other events and features outdoor tours during the summer. More information on the roadhouse can be found by calling 877-825-9413.

Dalton, Elliott highways offer vast wilderness road trips By Jeff Richardson jrichardson@newsminer.com

isitors to Alaska often like to get off the beaten Visitors to Alaska often like to get off the beaten path, and there are few roads that provide that opportunity better than the Dalton and Elliott highways. The Dalton Highway, which was built to support the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, is the farthest-north road in North America. Commonly called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;haul road,â&#x20AC;? it takes motorists to the Arctic Circle and almost to the Arctic Ocean. The Elliott Highway, which leads to the Dalton on its way to Manley Hot Springs, is a good option for travelers interested in remote adventure and hot springs.

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re both long, remote roads, so planning ahead is important. Fill up on gas at the few stations along the 498 highway miles between Fairbanks and Deadhorse. Bring one or more spare tires. Watch out for big trucks.

Elliott Highway The Elliott Highway moves through rolling hills covered in birch trees as it begins in the community of Fox, where the highway splits from the Steese Highway. The last stop for gas for a hundred miles is the Hilltop Truck Stop, a diner known for its pies and appearances on the reality show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ice Road Truckers.â&#x20AC;? At 84 Mile, the Dalton Highway splits from the Elliott. The Elliott continues west to the community of Manley Hot Springs. A junction at 109 Mile Elliott Highway leads south to the Athabascan village of Minto. The small community of Manley Hot Springs offers a rustic and low-key experience for visitors. Four tubs are in a greenhouse, and visitors can take a soak in the hot springs for $5 per hour surrounded by foliage such as grapes, Asian pears and flowers. Use of the greenhouse is restricted to one party at a time, so visitors are asked to call (907) 672-3171 in advance. The Manley Roadhouse, established in 1903, provides meals and possible lodging, with information at www.manleyroadhouse.com.

BEYOND FAIRBANKS

If driving a rental car, check with the company before heading out. Many make customers sign agreements not to drive on gravel roads.

By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

Dalton Highway The Dalton Highway crosses the Yukon River and climbs the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northernmost mountain range, the Brooks Range, before ending at a security fence just short of the Arctic Ocean. There are few populated places along the way. A few landmarks include: Yukon River Bridge: 56 Mile (from Elliott Highway junction). The only vehicle crossing in Alaska across the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest river. Fuel, food and lodging are available at Yukon River Camp in the summer. Arctic Circle sign: 115 Mile. The sun does not rise on the winter solstice or set on the summer solstice north of the Arctic circle. Coldfoot: 175 Mile. A former pipeline construction camp. Gas, lodging and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center (open only in the summer), the visitor center for Arctic federal lands, including Gates of the Arctic National Park. Wiseman: 189 Mile. Turnoff for Wiseman, a historic mining community three miles off the highway. Atigun Pass: 244 Mile. At 4,800 feet, this Brooks Range pass is the highest highway pass in Alaska. Deadhorse: 414 Mile. There is fuel and lodging at the community of Prudhoe Bay oilfield workers. Security fences block access to the Arctic Ocean, but Deadhorse Camp, which offers lodging for both oilfield workers and visitors, offers shuttles to the ocean. Shuttles leave twice per day in the summer and cost $59 per person. Lodging reservations can be made at (877) 474-3565, with the shuttle available through www.arcticoceanshuttle.com.

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Steese Highway winds through Interior Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gold rush past

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All the highlights of our one day excursion PLUS Overnight in rustic Coldfoot. Visit the historic community of Wiseman. Travel through the majestic Brooks Mountain Range. Overnight in the Prudhoe Bay oil field service community of Deadhorse. Visit the shore of the Arctic Ocean. Optional Barrow extension tour also available.

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

running through tailing piles and equipment from giant dredges that worked the valley in the mid 1900s. At 16 Mile, visitors can stop at the Felix Pedro Monument, the site where the Italian miner discovered gold in 1902, starting the stampede to Fairbanks. A public gold panning area is located just across the highway from the monument. Gold mining is still alive and well in the area; please respect private property. The Steese also offers road access to the White Mountains National Recreation Area, where you can pan for gold at Nome Creek at 57 Mile. You also can hike, fish and camp in the White Mountains. After descending from Cleary Summit, the Steese Highway winds through the scenic Chatanika River Valley. The town of Chatanika, created by mining activity, was once 10,000 people strong. Chatanika Gold Camp is the site of the old Fairbanks Exploration Co. Camp, built between 1923 and 1925 as the bunkhouse and dining hall for men who worked on Chatanikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gold Dredge No. 3. The camp is on the National Register of Historic Places. At 28.5 Mile is a rustic lodge, across the road from what is left of Gold Dredge No. 3, which burned in 2013. The Chatanika Lodge was established in the 1930s as a trading post. The lodgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alaska decor showcases its hearty fare, with a full kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stop at Long Creek Trading Post at 45 Mile for an espresso or ice cream. The trading post offers canoe rentals, groceries, camping, liquor and local advice on good fishing and gold-panning spots. A 2.5-mile loop offers access to the Davidson Ditch. The ditch is an 83-mile series of ditches, siphons and pipes once used to carry water from a small dam on the Chatanika River. It was one of the largest engineering projects in the world when it was built in 1925. The road then climbs well above the tree line at TwelveMile and Eagle summits, two popular places to watch the sun skirt the northern horizon on the summer solstice. After coasting down Eagle Summit to Central, about 128 miles north of Fairbanks, travelers enter the Circle Mining District. Central has a post office, a restaurant, a museum and lodging. Gas may be available in Central and in Circle, but bring extra. Turning right at Central points you in the direction of Circle Hot Springs. The historic springs and associated resort, about 8 miles down the road, have been closed for years, but you can still check out the small ghost town. Circle City is another 34 bumpy miles to the banks of the Yukon River. The Yukon River is two miles wide at Circle. At its peak, more than 1,000 people lived in Circle, which was named in the belief that it was located on the Arctic Circle, which is about 40 miles to the north. Today, the town has only a handful of residents and few amenities.

BEYOND FAIRBANKS

Taylor Highway takes you above treeline and into Alaska’s historic Fortymile Mining District By Dorothy Chomicz dchomicz@newsminer.com

ooking for a stunningly scenic drive through some of Alaska’s most historic mining regions, the Taylor Highway fits the bill. The Taylor Highway is open April through October and runs 160 miles from its starting point at Tetlin Junction at Alaska Highway Milepost 1301 and its terminus at historic Eagle. The road frequently climbs above treeline and offers expansive views of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon, just a few miles east. The highway is paved for the first 60 miles until it reaches the tiny town of Chicken, after which it is gravel. The route, which follows old mining trails established as

far back as the 1880s, provides access to scenic waysides and campgrounds, the historic Fortymile Mining District and the Top of the World Highway. The Taylor has several steep grades. Services are few and far between, so travelers are advised to fill up the tank, bring adequate supplies and drive with caution.

Visit Chicken Several small businesses serve tourists in tiny Chicken. The Chicken Gold Camp and Outpost is a one-stop shop where travelers can camp, stock up on supplies, eat a good meal, drink a beer, buy authentic Alaska-made gifts and even get in some recreational mining. Owners Mike and Lou Busby have expanded their operation operation with the purchase of Lost Chicken Hill, which is the oldest continuously mined placer mine in the state. Visitors can take a guided tour of Felix Pedro Dredge No. 4 and view the many historic relics associated with the dredge. Tours cost $10 per adult or $7.50 per person for groups of 10

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or more. Children under 12 get in for $5. Those that wish to try recreational mining can do so for $15 for a 24-hour period. Equipment is provided and panners get to keep what they find. The Outpost opens by May 15 every year and closes in mid-September, weather permitting. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The wintertime population of “less than a handful” swells to about 800 during Chickenstock, a bluegrass and folk music festival that draws fans from as far away as Europe, according to Mike Busby. The ninth annual Chickenstock takes place June 12-13, and a ticket buys you a camping spot. For more information call (907) 235-6396 or visit Chicken Gold Camp on Facebook for regular updates. Reservation information can be found at checkengold.com. Downtown Chicken is a cafe, saloon and gift store off Airport Road that has been in operation for decades. Gasoline is available. In the cafe, the pies and cinnamon rolls are fresh and a favorite of travelers.

Eagle Eagle is the first Interior Alaska community to incorporate as a city, in 1901, and is well worth the drive to the end of the Taylor Highway. Travelers can take a guided tour of historic Fort Egbert and other buildings and museums in the town. The annual Fourth of July parade begins with a flag raising ceremony and the makes its way to an old school, where concession booths and games are set up. The town, which is still rebuilding from a devastating flood in 2009, will soon have a new, three-story building housing a restaurant, store and motel. Travelers can stay at the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Campground for $10 a night, or stay at the Falcon Inn B&B. Rooms for two people start at $145 a night. Several cabins are also available at the same price and come with running water and Internet. Winter rates are $99 for those who choose to fly, snowmachine or mush into Eagle. For more information about the BLM campground call 474-2200. The Falcon Inn B&B can be reached at 547-2254.

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

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BEYOND FAIRBANKS

Visit Valdez, a longtime gateway to Interior Alaska By Bob Eley For the News-Miner

Kids Pink Salmon Festival and BBQ: The event is scheduled for July 18. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a one-day free fish derby for kids. Participants receive a T-shirt and are invited to a free family barbecue at the end of the day. Gold Rush Days: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a five-day event from July 29 to Aug. 2 celebrating the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gold rush history in the late 19th and early 20th century. Numerous events are scheduled for each day of the celebration. For more on the happenings in Valdez, go to www.valdezalaska.org.

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he city of Valdez, located on Prince William Sound at the end of the Richardson Highway, is known for its resiliency and the fact that it is one of the gateways to Alaska. It is resilient for itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to bounce back from disasters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; first the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964 and then from the Exxon Valdez oil spill 25 years later. On Good Friday of 1964, the original town of Valdez was wiped out by a tsunami created by the 9.2 temblor, which created havoc throughout the Prince William Sound and Anchorage areas. Valdez has always served as one of the most popular gateways to the state and especially to Interior Alaska. Before the completion of the Alaska Highway connecting Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast Interior region to Canada and beyond in the 1940s, Valdez served as an entry point to the Territory of Alaska. Whether it was miners searching for a passage to the Interior via the Eagle-Valdez trail of the 1890s, or the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System connecting the military installations in Alaska with Washington, D.C., in the 1940s, or the trans-Alaska oil pipeline bringing oil from the North Slope to Valdez since the 1970s, visitors have used Valdez as an entry point to the 49th state. Valdez offers some of the finest halibut and salmon fishing in the state, with charters taking visitors out into Prince Williams Sound with the hopes of landing the big one. There are ample opportunities to fish from shore as well. If you go fishing, be sure you check with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game so you know all the rules that apply. Prince William Sound offers amazing scenery that can be viewed on Stan Stephensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Glacier Wildlife Cruises. Experience the icebergs of Columbia Glacier and the calving of Meares Glacier as well as wildlife in the water and on shores of the sound. Here are a few of the major community celebrations scheduled for this summer and fall. Fourth of July Festival: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a parade starting at 9 a.m., followed by a Street Rock Party featuring live bands and vendors. It includes a community picnic, more live music and the day wraps up with a fireworks show. The Pink Salmon Festival and Cook-Off is scheduled for the next day.

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Valdez is where Fairbanksans go to catch big fish By Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

aldez is 366 miles south of Fairbanks, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a common destination for Interior Alaska sports fishermen in search of the oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bounty, especially halibut and salmon. Halibut are white, buttery-tasting flatfish that can grow to more than 350 pounds in Gulf of Alaska waters near Valdez. The area also hosts five species of Pacific salmon. Two of the most popular are red salmon, also known as sockeye salmon, are known for their rich, bright red meat. The king salmon, also known as chinook salmon, can grow to more than 90 pounds. Anglers can catch salmon from shore, but need boats to reach halibut habitat. Full day halibut or salmon charters in Valdez take fishermen out into the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska and usually cost between $350 to $400 per person, according to Shaun Lea, manager of charter dispatch business Fish Central. Other marine species such as ling cod and yellow eye rockfish can be caught from Valdez-based boats. Half-day salmon charter trips usually cost between $175 and $250, he said.

The Guide to Interior Alaska

Valdez hosts a series of fish derbies in the summer. There are contests for halibut and silver salmon and there are special classes for female fishermen and children. Buy a derby ticket before going fishing for a chance to win cash prizes of up to $15,000 if you catch the biggest fish. Last year a Wasilla man won the halibut derby with a 203.6 pound fish. A Valdez woman won silver derby with a 17.54 pounder. Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545. Follow him on Twitter, @FDNMoutdoors.

Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn: 100 Harbor Drive, 907-835-3434; Rooms range from $169.99 to $209.99 per night. Totem Inn: 144 East Egan Drive, 907-835-4443; Rooms range from $169 to $209 with cottages for $179 per night. Eagles Rest RV Park and Cabins: 139 East Pioneer Drive, 907-835-2373; Tent sites start at $27 per night, RV sites start at $37 per night and Cabins start at $135 per night.

BEYOND FAIRBANKS

Denali Highway is wide open adventure By Kris Capps kcapps@newsminer.com

he Denali Highway offers one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. More and more visitors discover it every year, even though most car rental agencies prohibit driving their vehicles on this 135-mile primarily gravel road. The road cuts through the Alaska Range, so mountains and vast tundra line both sides of the highway. Even when clouds move in, the views are majestic.

The road runs between Cantwell on the Parks Highway and Paxson on the Richardson Highway. Cantwell is 27 miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park. The highway was constructed in 1950. For many years, it provided the only access to Denali National Park, before construction of the Parks Highway. Now a variety of lodges help tourists enjoy the natural

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The Guide to Interior Alaska

Read more stories about places beyond Fairbanks online at newsminer.com

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beauty of this remote wilderness. Although it is called the Denali Highway, this land is not under the authority of the National Park Service. It is overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open to almost any recreational activity. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see all-terrain vehicles, hikers and bicyclists. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a popular hunting area and berry picking area in the fall. Most of the highway passes through high, alpine terrain. Because views are vast, you have a good chance of spotting caribou, moose and bear. Check out tundra ponds to see nesting swans and other waterfowl. Maclaren Pass is the highest point on the drive, at 4,086 feet. On a clear day, you can see the Maclaren Glacier.

Tangle Lakes is close to Paxson and offers canoeing, hiking and extraordinary bird watching, especially of waterfowl. It is also an archeological site. Native peoples lived in this area for more than 10,000 years. Archaeologists continually find traces of their prehistoric life here. Just driving the road can be an adventure, depending on the condition of the road and its potholes. Be sure you bring along a spare tire. Maybe two. And watch out for bicyclists. The BLM maintains campgrounds at Brushkana Creek and at Tangle Lakes, but you can pull over anywhere along the road to make camp. A few small roadhouses offer lodging, including the Maclaren River Lodge and Alpine Creek Lodge. See www. maclarenlodge.com and www.alpinecreeklodge.com. The closest fuel on the Richardson Highway is at Meiers Lake Roadhouse, 16 miles south of Paxson.

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