Category Archives: alaska

I love trying unfamiliar food from new countries I haven’t tried before. Surprisingly, downtown Fairbanks had a Moldovan restaurant called Soba. It caught my attention because that is also the name of buckwheat noodles. Soba was established in 2018 by … Continue reading →

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I started to get really good at spotting aurora. It starts out looking like a vertical cloud. Then you hold up your phone and it turns green. So we went behind the hotel where it was darker and there were … Continue reading →

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After five days at the hot springs, I had booked a week in the city. I chose The Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Conference Center, a kind of Radisson-level place that had a kitchen and seemed comfy, but was reasonably priced. … Continue reading →

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One of the attractions at Chena Hot Springs is an ice bar. You go in in a group and you get maybe an hour to hang out. They only serve appletinis, and they cost $20 a pop, so unless that … Continue reading →

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They had dogsled rides at Chena, but I had already tried it last time I was in Alaska with my mom. Plus, I was running low on funds and had read that sometimes the dogs poop while they run, and … Continue reading →

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Chena Hot Springs is known for aurora viewing. We knew it looked good for that night, so I had my shoes and coat on, ready to go. I heard people running past our cabin squealing, so I went outside, and … Continue reading →

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They had a nice restaurant and bar. The clam chowder was recommended, and it was awesome, so rich with cream and butter. It was also suggested we order from the appetizers only. The buffalo wings were good and I ordered … Continue reading →

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Chena Hot Springs was discovered on August 5, 1905 by brothers Robert and Thomas Swan, gold miners who had heard that a U.S. Geological Survey had seen steam rising from a valley somewhere on the upper Chena River the year … Continue reading →

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The aurora was predicted to be awesome on our second night there, so I booked us an aurora watching in a lodge in the mountains. one trick they pull is that the price does not include the van up there, … Continue reading →

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I have always dreamed of seeing the aurora. I did some research and Fairbanks in March is the best time. I planned 2 weeks so that regardless of the moon phase, weather, or a low aurora index, I would definitely … Continue reading →

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Our last full day in Alaska. Le Sigh. When I woke up, I almost forgot what state I was in. So thank God there was this lamp there to remind me. And this chair. And this other lamp. Secure in … Continue reading →

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The next day I took the shuttle into Talkeetna, the base for climbers up Mount McKinley (Denali). It is a laid-back town full of artists and outdoors types. It is the place I felt most at home in Alaska. This … Continue reading →

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