28-29 July (North Pole/Fairbanks, AK)

28 July – Stopped at the North Pole (Santa Claus House) and enjoyed some shopping time. Since we can’t seem to find a moose, Irv decided to impersonate one.

We arrived in Fairbanks, AK (River’s Edge) in the afternoon. After setting up camp, Irv grilled our Yak burgers (delicious).
29 July – First, we ate ham chowder and homemade pie (my favorite, rhubarb) at the Hilltop Truck Stop.

Went to the Gold Dredge #8 where we boarded a train and listened to a narration of the beginning of the Alaska gold rush, panned for gold and viewed another section of the pipeline up close and personal. <
After getting our gold find weighed (mine was worth $9), we handled the $75,000 piece of gold found at that site. We decided against purchasing it, as it was really too large for a pendant.

The flowers still amaze us. This pic of Laura was made with the flower containers of dredge buckets.