North of North Pole: Fairbanks, Alaska

Our journey resumed after a restful night in Tok, Alaska, leading us to the terminus of the legendary Alcan Highway. In a whimsical nod to Cinco de Mayo, we found ourselves savoring Mexican cuisine in the quaint town of North Pole, Alaska. The unexpected harmony of Mexican flavors while looking at candy cane lamp posts lining the street was a delightful juxtaposition that didn’t seem strange at all.

Shortly after leaving North Pole, we arrived in Fairbanks, a city teeming with life. After thousands of miles of wilderness highway, it took a bit to acclimate to traffic lights, multi-lane intersections, and the multitude of vehicles rushing about.

Our abode is nestled in the upper rooms of a grand house on the fringes of Fairbanks, discovered through an online apartment rental service. Our host’s warmth is only matched by her hearty laughter, which resonates throughout the home. We spent the afternoon in the company of Betty, her jovial friend, Sandy, and three canine occupants, sharing stories and forging a connection that feels like the beginning of a lasting friendship.

Our snowy view today as we write this blog post.

We didn’t need to rush and unpack the truck for fear of it getting dark. The sun wouldn’t be setting until well after 10 pm. We discovered that the gravelly, dusty stretches of the Alcan covered our belongings in the bed of the truck, which was under a tonneau cover, with a layer of fine dust. A hand broom dusted the souvenir dirt off easily enough and we busily emptied the truck and brought our stuff to our new quarters. Our device chargers occupy outlets, clothing is assigned to hangers, and toiletries are tucked in the bathroom drawer.

Sunday, May 5th, was a sunny and jacket-less spring day. Today, Monday, old man Winter reminds us that he stubbornly refuses to leave this part of the world. After a Skype call to Sam and his family in South Africa, coffee, and morning pleasantries with Betty, we ventured into the snow flurries for gas and groceries. After the necessities were purchased, we stopped in at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center and enjoyed a delightful stroll through the exhibits displaying Alaska’s rich heritage. On our way out we gathered the requisite armload of travel pamphlets to ensure we hit as many places as possible this summer.

A grizzly got stuffed at the Morris Thompson Center

Beautiful display at the Morris Thompson Center

A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported us with kind words and prayers throughout our travels. In our next update, we’ll unveil the experiences of our inaugural workday. For now, we’re embracing a brief interlude of rest in our home away from home.

Antler Arch downtown Fairbanks.