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D&D Travel's Alaska Cruise Tour - Fairbanks to Vancouver, BC May 16 to June 2, 2023 aboard the Sapphire Princess |
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 Our adventure begins as we all gather in Seattle for a quick visit to the city, prior to our Alaska Air nonstop to Fairbanks (to begin the land portion of our cruise tour)... |
 Light rail from our airport hotel took us to Westlake Center, where some boarded the Seattle Monorail to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, opposite the needle... |
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 Above and next two below: The view from the Space Needle...and Puget Sound. |
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Aboard Alaska Air 106 on our way from Seattle to Fairbanks! |
 Arrival at Fairbanks and the Princess Riverside Lodge, at the edge of the Chena River...perfect spot to begin our land tour! |
 Gary and Matt on deck and ready to go! |
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 Four of us opted for a day tour from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 60 miles east and at the END of the road! |
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 The "runway" at Chena Hot Springs...When asked if anyone ever lands here, we were told "Ha! Only in an emergency!" The following image is proof! |
 This 1954 DC6-A, once owned by Everts Air Cargo, had to make an emergency landing here. They then realized the runway was too short to get her out, so...the hot springs owner bought her, mounted her on "stilts" and plans to open either a night club or hotel rooms on board! |
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 The entrance to the Aurora Ice Museum on the hot springs grounds, with some well-known sculptors' work on permanent display inside... |
 Martini glasses are fashioned from ice, which are then given to ice bar patrons (donned in heavy coats and gloves to brave the 25-degree environment). |
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 When finished, the glasses are traditionally tossed to the ground! |
 Our tour guide Bob and newbie helper Liberty... |
 The Ice Bar... |
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 ...and one of several "igloos" with ice beds, available for overnight guests - if you could stand it! Guests are welcome to retreat to the lodge if they can't! |
 The Sulphur hot spring, with smooth pebble bottom and varying temps, depending on where you stand, is a great place to relax! There is also an outdoor fresh water whirlpool and an indoor pool with hot tubs as well. The restaurant on site has a great menu! |
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 Departing Fairbanks, we stopped at Steamboat Landing, for a cruise along the Chena River aboard the Discovery III, along with lunch... |
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A floatplane takeoff and landing demonstration next to the riverboat! |
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 A stop along the river to view sled dogs being raised - This is the home and kennel of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher - the Trail Breaker Kennel along the Chena River. Dave and Tekla Monson, Susan’s husband and daughter, shared stories of life on the trails as puppies play in anticipation of joining the team, via wireless PA... |
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 Reindeer along the river... |
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 Another stop was the Chena Village Living Museum - showing how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century. |
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