Fairbanks, 6-10-09

Today was spent in Fairbanks, without train travel. We went on a paddlewheel cruise where we stopped at an Athabaskan Indian "camp" and at the late Susan Butcher's sled dog training facility. She was a 4-time Iditarod winner before dying from leukemia 3 years ago at age 53. Yesterday afternoon we went to a gold-mining camp where we panned for gold.

The Athabaskan Indian camp was really interesting. Very primitive, even for Alaskan standards.

I never realized how much effort it took the gold-hunters during the gold rush. After the tour, we were given a small sack of dirt, called a poke, and learned how to pan for the gold. Afterward, they weighed it on scales. Together we had approx. $45 worth. Of course there was an area where we could immortalize our gold findings in a piece of jewelry. (I got a pendant and chain.)

Last night we rode the shuttle downdown and had great Italian food at Gambardella's. Then it was time to pack up (again!) for our flight to Seattle.

While we were standing around at the gold mine, I noticed Gloria off by herself. I dared Aubrey to go speak to her, wanting to get a pic of them together. He walked over and started talking to her and she dissed him so bad! She spoke a word or two then walked away. I think he scared her. So, regrettably, we don't have any photos; some things are better left unseen!

On the way back, the bus driver stopped at the Alaskan pipeline so we could get some photos of it. This is Aubrey touching it.

Off to Seattle!

A&J