Fairbanks and the most freezing temps one can experience

We just got back from a long weekend trip to Fairbanks for a little R&R.  Our quick flight down to Fairbanks had us filled with excitement to see sunshine, trees and (hopefully) some wild Alaskan animals.  We were also excited to have our very own car for 4 days.  Yay!!

Many people here in Barrow told us to go to Chena Hot Springs instead of spending time in the "city." With our rented Ford Explorer keys in hand, we strapped Amaury in his big boy car seat and hit the icy road - heading 60 miles outside of town.  However, we made a -not so quick stop- at Fred Meyer.  Have you ever been to a Fred Meyer?  Most of you know how much I love a supermarket, and this was indeed a SUPER market.  They have pretty much everything you could imagine.  It's like Sears meets Safeway.  We stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies, sushi and craft beers.  All luxury items we can't get at our AC in Barrow.


The drive out to Chena was nothing short of gorgeous.  Here is what most of the drive looked like:

Then we started seeing some animals!  I've waited my whole life to see this…..

A MOOSE!!!!

The more we drove, the more we saw!

It was dusk, and the perfect time for wildlife viewing!  Jose and I sat and watched as long as we could before we continued on to our destination.  

The first full day at Chena, we buttoned up our winter gear and headed out.  The weather is as cold as Barrow, but it is sunny and clear.  We were told to hike up to a spot called the Aurorium, which is a heated cabin that looks down into the valley where the hot springs are.  

Notice the springs are still flowing as they are around 115 degrees and up!

You can't tell how steep this is, but we were huffing and puffing!

The cabin!

Walking towards the heated cabin

The great thing about this little spot (other than it is heated by the hot springs water) is the large windows to look out and see the Aurora Borealis light show.  We did the hike in the daytime in order to  make sure we could find our way once it got dark.  

After this little hike up, we continued on to a flatter trail.  

and found some friends!

So these guys also use the trail! 

And you need to GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Check out how happy they are!

Here in Alaska, they call dog sledding  - dog mushing.  Chena offered rides for 15 minutes, but Jose and I opted out.  We wanted to go for longer!

After our afternoon nap and soak in the springs, we geared up around 10pm for our night hike.  Don't worry, Amaury was safe and sound on his daddy's back.  He was so snuggly, that he fell asleep!  Once we made it up to the Aurorium, Jose set up his camera to catch the views.  (If you've never hiked at night in the snow, it was stunning.)  We had our headlamps, but we barely used them because the moon was so bright!  Jose was able to catch a few of the Auroras over the mountains.  I was inside the toasty cabin with Amaury.  

It looks like it's daylight in this picture!

Serious star gazing

A view from above Chena Hots Springs

There was no big light show while we were up there.  Jose captured the last 4 pictures at about 2:30am, when there was a bit more color.  We got a knock on the door that "The lights were out!" Jose geared up and hiked out while I stayed in bed with little one.  

The next day - we were toast.   After all the snow hiking and the late night, we decided to take it easy.  (This was our vacation after all!)  The 3 of us went over to the indoor pool and hot spring.  Jose went in the natural spring first while Amaury and I stayed in the pool.  I went out next.  If you've never experienced a natural hot spring in the winter, it is an experience of a lifetime!  You walk out on the covered walkway (and yes, it is like -20 and yes, you are in your swimsuit!!) and you head straight for the natural lake.  The steam rises up and surrounds all the fir trees covered in snow.  It is quite romantic!  There are pockets of warmer water, then there are spots that will seriously cook you.  I could only stand to stay in for about 10-15 minutes, which is the recommended time.  Plus, my hair began to freeze.  

I walk slowly back to the indoor pool area (you aren't in a hurry because your core temperature is HOT!) and I look for Jose and little Amaury.  They weren't in the pool!  Where did they go?  Amaury let out a big sigh…..he was chillin' in the hot tub with Jose!!  For those of you panicking that my baby was getting cooked, fear not.  It wasn't that hot. 

Once you are done soaking, you are useless.  It relaxes you so much that you don't want to do anything the rest of the day.  Which is why Jose got our dinner to go from the Chena restaurant.  

Speaking of food, the Chena restaurant is FANTASTIC.  They have their own greenhouse, and all the vegetables served are grown right there on the grounds.  We were in heaven!  Plus, they were super accommodating for us and our messy eater, Amaury.  He can feed himself, but sometimes misses his mouth.  He was a complete charmer though, so no one care much about the mess!  

The next day, we headed back to town.  On the Chena road, we found a place that had dog mushing.  I wanted Jose to be able to give it a try, so I stayed back with Amaury in the "waiting room" - the yurt.  If you don't know what a yurt is (we didn't get a picture from the outside) but here is a link to the yurt we stayed in: yurt

The sweet sled dogs

Jose with his favorite little buddy

One day Jose wants to be a musher

Amaury stays warm on the muskox fur.

Click here to learn about a Muskox!

Take a look around Eleanor's website.  Here is a link to her homepage:  JustShortofMagic 

She was really great about squeezing us in her busy schedule.  If you decide you want to visit Fairbanks in the winter, you have to go dog mushing with her!  She is fantastic! 

We headed back into Barrow early the next morning with many new memories and experiences added to our life list.