Day 77; July 13--Fairbanks

This was one of the best days.....we drove all over Alaska looking for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Driver and Bertha the GPS kept getting the "lay of the land" confused.  We also were trying to find Dill Weed to make a tuna salad.  We stopped at WalMart and had lunch at the Subway.  Driver went to get his oil changed.

 Here we are in line waiting to board the Discovery III.  It was raining when we left the campground at Denali.  We stayed up the last three nights watching movies.  Miss B wanted to watch "Hall Pass" two times.  It was pretty funny and rank.  Miss B says she wants everyone to watch it.  She recommends it highly.

 Here is a view of the ticket sales and gift shops.  We all could not resist these great buys.

 We probably went down the Chena River about a whole 1/2 mile until we ran into the Tenana; but we all agreed that this was one of the best trips from the whole week.  It was pretty, it was relaxing, and it was informative.

 We stopped at the Susan Butcher Kennels.  She won the  Iditarod four times.  Her partner/husband has kept this kennel running.  It was awesome.  They hitched the dogs to a four wheeler to exercise them.

 We then stopped at a replica of an Eskimo village.  We had authentic guides from different Eskimo tribes.

 This is salmon drying in the shade and smoking in the smoke house.

 These are reindeer.  The one in the middle is stretched up eating leaves.

 The two rivers are meeting and make a mixture like cream in coffee.  The outer one was full of silt from volcanic glaciers and the other fresh water.

 This Eskimo parka was unbelievable.  It took them six months to make.  She explained all the different furs and decorations.  What people can do with the things they naturally have is what life is all about!

 The flowers are big as Alaska.

 Rob and Abbie:  These are stools made from tree trunks and limbs.  Go good with your bar?

 MK and Miss B decided this is what Driver and I need to down-size in.  This is an Eskimo hut that is made to fold up and travel with them.  It is made from Caribou skins and warped birch.

 Do you know the difference between a reindeer and a Caribou?  (A Red Nose)

 More Alaskan flowers in full bloom.

 There are three places you are suppose to be able to see Mt. McKinley.  One was on the trip we took yesterday but it was too cloudy.  One if from Fairbanks but we didn't know what we were looking for, and one is from a location on the way north from Wasilla.

Who really cares?   They are all great to look at.

Let me see?  Update on friends, Miss B finally got rid of all her gummy bears even though she can't find her relief plug.  MK had to buy a new suitcase today because the last trip lost her wheel and left her with a hole in her bag.  We have laughed, laughed, and laughed some more.  Driver was so pooped, he showered and hit the hay.

I'm sitting here kicking myself because I found earrings today that matched the pendant Uncle Ray had given me with panned gold in them.  Sometimes...........