Trip to Fairbanks

HEADED FURTHER NORTH!!

Tuesday, July 15th

This was the day we left Denali to our next location in Fairbanks.  The day was awful, rain, fog and driving through some clouds.  Also encountered road construction, but all arrived safely in the North Pole.  Yes, you read that correctly, the mailing address for our campground is the North Pole.  The same town features a Christmas shop along with Santa.  The light poles are wrapped with red and white to look like candy canes.  Outside the Christmas shop, we were able to see some of the reindeers resting up for their winter trip later this year.  As we all got to visit with Santa, we were amazed at how much he knew about every area we were from, but then again SANTA knows everything!

On Wednesday, we went to explore Pioneer Park in Fairbanks.  Upon departing the car, we were greeted by folks ready to transport us to the Senior Luncheon.  We informed them, we were just visiting and they said come along.  Seems this was the week that Fairbanks was celebrating their 50th anniversary [as a borough] and was known as Golden Days.  We partook of the festivities and learned about more that was going on in town for the next few days.

Golden Days Seniors Luncheon under the "big tent" at Pioneer Park!

Our luncheon was most enjoyable and found out that Rich's cousin had been a past mayor of one of Fairbanks boroughs.  Rich received a special pin from the city in honor of his cousin.
[ED.COM.:  this trip has had a much more than a fair share of serendipitous occurrences and this was a BIG one for Rich!  He knew from his genealogy files that a "cousin" was supposedly a mayor in Fairbanks.  When we sat down at the table, there were booklets with bios of the "Second 50" honoring the second volume--numbers 51 to 100--of folks who had "built" Fairbanks.  An insert in the booklet just happened to be positioned to the page with Hank Hove's picture and bio:  "Holy Cow!  That's the picture of my cousin from my Ancestry.com files!"  Sure 'nuff:  Hank was one of the second 50 (as borough mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough) and I just happened to be sitting at the luncheon honoring him!!  Can you say, "Wow!  How did you plan that one???"]

We were entertained by the military band and introduced to the young ladies running for the title of Miss WEIO.  These ladies represent the different Indian/Eskimo villages in the area.  They serve for one year and have a platform for a special cause.

The queen candidates for Miss WEIO--meaning the World Eskimo Indian Olympics:  more to follow!

 Jack recognized one of the men from BP that was sponsoring the luncheon from TV (note the logo up behind the queen candidates!)   The fellow was assigned to the BP oil spill in Alabama and New Orleans.  Jack spoke with him and he told Jack that he was so happy to leave the heat and humidity on the Gulf Coast!

Friday started with us going to see some of the competition for the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.  These are mostly endurance competitions that help them in their everyday life.  Such activities as being able to handle large fish or carry a large animal out of the forest (such as a moose).  We went back again that night to see some of the finals.  Wow, what a step back in time.  They don't care about any schedule - things happen when things happen.  I must say, we had to give up after a long period of time - we were tired.  I think with so much daylight, these folks just keep going.

A young Native American in full dress parading in the costume contest!

And here is Bryon, also parading:  note the wonderful booties!  I would like some of those!

Not in focus, but all authentic:  as to booties, hey, check these out!!  The headdress is pretty special as well!

[ED. COM.:  one of the competitions was the Kick Ball!  Not what you are thinking, lower 48!  This involves running up to a hanging ball--suspended well above your head!--and kicking your feet up over your head to touch the ball!  Some pics and then more comments.]

Here a young lady measures the ball--you can see it just off of her finger tips!  She has to back up and run in, jump, and touch that ball with both feet without falling down as she recovers that jump!!

The guys ball is just a few feet...maybe a yard or two!...higher!  Here a contestant steadies the ball before his attempt!

 

Here is his attempt:  check out the distance from the floor to his body!  And he has to land on both feet from this height!!

[ED. COM.:  I missed getting pictures from some the strength events that Betty mentioned.  Every one of the "Olympic Events" had a connection with some part of the daily activities of the Natives!  It was a most unusual "sporting event"!  The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics...or WEIO as it known up here!]

ANOTHER PARADE!

Saturday, we went to the largest parade in Alaska.  Here again, nothing started on time.  All sorts of paraders.

OK...here comes the parade!!

Nice old car!!  And old folks, too???

And another old car...and some old folks???

Since their primary election is coming up, lots of politicians were parading.  The military had their band, of course.  And then there were the free spirits for gay pride!  UGH...no photos available here! 

Interestingly, people (walkers) came by in the beginning of the parade and handed everyone a small bag.  Nothing was thrown from the floats - it was all placed in your bag by walkers associated with whatever float was beside them:  no throwing!  Therefore, no messy streets to be cleaned up afterwards.  Can you just imagine this happening in New Orleans or Mobile during Mardi Gras????

Here are a series of parade photos:

This one honors Felix Pedro who was the discoverer of gold up above Fairbanks...caused a gold rush, for sure!

 

Some belles dressed as in the well back Fairbanks past!!

The winner for the parade's best float!!

The side view of the parade's best float!

Hey, what parade would be complete without some rescue animals?

Oh, yeah!  Can't leave the Roller Derby chicks out of this parade!  UgA! UgA!!  Bump, Bump, Bump!!

We all agreed:  HUH???  Must have to be from up here to understand this float!

After the parade, there was the Rubber Ducky Race.  We all contributed to the city and sponsored a Duck since they have been so nice to us. Wow, amazing to see 7,000 Rubber Ducks being rounded up in the Chena River that is flowing rapidly and outside of it's banks.  Our ducks didn't win, but we had fun.

The float of the Rubber Duck:  if ours had that big, we might have won!!

Note the black boom:  channeling over 7000 little duckies into shore!

"OK, Captain, we have a load!  What the f.... are we going to do with all these little duckies???"

All these days, there is always a threat of rain - usually just sprinkles.  We heard last year at this time, it was 90 and this year we are only seeing 60's.  [ED.COM.:  but Ritchie is happy with the temps in the 50s and 60s--he doesn't sweat as much!  But yes, I would like some warmer temps--it feels too much like early Spring or late Fall:  a bit cool, even for my taste!]

Today, we joined all the citizens at Pioneer Park for the Governor's lunch.  The National Guard were cooking hot dogs and hamburgers - yummy.

The Gov of Alaska flanked by his wife, and the Lt. Gov. at the free hamburger feed at Pioneer Park!  Thanks, Gov!!!

Rich had an opportunity to talk with the Lt. Governor about his cousin.  Hopefully, he will be able to meet up with his cousin's son in the next couple of days.

Rich meets Mead Treadwell, the Alaska Lt. Gov., and Republican candidate for the US Senate

 We then hung around to see the bathtub races - YES folks we drove over 6,000 miles to see all of this.  This was our intention to see how people live in Alaska and we are having lots of fun times and making many memories.

The outside air temp is about 59 degrees...but these are Alaskans, and it is summertime, so why not?

Costumes were part of the scoring...hey, New Orleans, to heck with beads:  we do flowery stuff up here!

No, there was no nude bathing in this tub!  Wouldn't be acceptable even up here in the land of "The Free"!!

If she is to steer, and bathe, how is that going to work out???

A barrel of fun???  Or hey, big risk of a crash going around the corners???

Well, if they get splashed, they have the right outfits!

When we all decided to go on this trip, nothing was planned other than going to Alaska.  Many nights as we recap our day, we marvel at what has transpired and how things just seem to happen and always for the best.

There are several restaurants in Fairbanks that have been featured on Dinner, Dives, and Drive-Ins.  So far, we have been to 3.  Each different in it's own way and enjoyable.

Think we are caught up on our doings.
BETTY

[ED.COM.:  much more to follow...looking to post lots of the pictures which have not been featured in the blogs...so watch for an announcement to look through our albums!!]