June 1st - 2nd - Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs

June 1st - Friday - Fairbanks
Went to Pioneer Park this morning. It is a theme/amusement park right in Fairbanks - very nice. There are a couple of rows of old log buildings that have been moved in from other spots and are now shops. The origin of the buildings is displayed on each one. There is a sternwheeler, an aviation museum, a native museum, a kids playground, miniature golf , an art center, square/round dance building and a little train that circles the site. There is a huge “salmon bake” restaurant complex - all you can eat. It includes a huge water feature, old mining equipment, separate buildings for cooking/seating/beverages/dessert, wood carvings, raised gardens and gift shop. The weather was gorgeous!
We went on the Discovery III paddle wheel boat cruise this afternoon. It included 2 bush plane take off/landings (one on floats, one on wheels on a sandbar), a sled dog compound with Susan Boucher’s daughters and a salmon drying demo. These were all done on the shore (while we were on the boat) with microphones on the participants. Then we disembarked at a native “village” and were taken in groups to 4 different displays/talks of northern culture. After time to wander around, take pictures and ask questions, we got back on the boat for the return trip. The narrator was very good, the whole thing was very well organized and it was well worth doing.
We met a couple on the boat (Larry & Barb) and asked them over for a drink. They are from Monroe, WA and are staying in a different RV park. While we were sitting outside in the wonderful sunshine, a couple that we met briefly at the RV park in Dawson City stopped by. We had given them some tickets that we did not have time to use. By the time everyone left, we were barbequing dinner at 9:00 which doesn’t matter since the sun is still high in the sky.

June 2nd - Sat - to Chena Hot Springs
Did laundry this morning before we left for Chena Hot Springs. It is a 60 mile drive with the first 20 miles pretty bumpy. When we got there, we found that the RV accommodations left a lot to be desired. No electricity or water and primitive (rough, uneven), small spots for $20. Swimming was $10 each and ice museum $15 each with an extra $15 for their Appletini in the ice bar. We decided that since we had already experienced the hot springs at Liard that we would not stay there. So we tried a little gold panning (no luck!!) on the way back to a government campsite where we got a very nice spot for $10. Scrounged through the woods for enough firewood for the night. Could have purchased firewood for $5 for a small bundle but that would be too easy. The camp host here is from Vancouver, WA.
Mosquitoes are becoming more plentiful, especially here in the woods. Mostly warm and sunny today with a couple of very brief showers.