6/29 - 7/4

6/29 - Camped at RV park in Fairbanks "After" getting our windshield repaired - AGAIN! ..... Only two weeks ago we got the entire windshield replaced. This time, insurance ordered us to get a "repair" ... We caught a sizeable stone near the center of teh windshield about 8 inches formt he bottom - a star shaped impact about the size of a half dollar.... The repair guy sealed it up and told us it would not spread, but we still have that blemish - - oh well....

6/30 - While in Fairbanks, we visitied the University of Alaska Large Animal Research Center where they claim they study Caribou, Reindeer, and Muskox.... They had five Caribou, no Reindeer, and a bunch of Muskox.  They explained how the Muskox undergrowth of hair that is shed once per year, is a valuable commodity.  They comb out the hair which is much finer than any other fur, and sell it raw for $25.00 per ounce to Indian weavers who process the hair and make clothing that they then sell for outrageous prices.  They wouldn't say how much, but I suspect it's out of my reach.  When I was asking questions about their studies, the guide was pretty evasive other than saying they study the Muskox habits to learn how they are able to survive in places no other animal can. The guide kept avoiding questions regarding how that information would be helpful and steered far away regarding the hair business.  I was suspecting they had a sweet deal selling Muskox hair and didn't want to let the cat out of the bag.  Of course, they get a lot of money from the government to do this "research" - In short, they have a nice little business going on supported by taxpayer dollars.....

Muskox

Caribou - test subject

We also visited the University "Museum of the North" - A first class / world class museum with a variety of displays and art from Alaska history.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

7/1 - North Pole and Santa Claus ......... Yes! Today we stopped at North Pole, Alaska and saw Santa Claus and some of his Reindeer.  We did get to check his list and saw a number of your names on the "good" list .....

Santa

Santa's House

"Prancer"  taking a summer break

7/2 - Back in Tok, Alaska - we stayed at The Sourdough Campground and participated in their pancake toss and Karaoke.... June and I both missed the buket on the toss so we don't get the free breakfast, but we both participated in the Karaoke singing and got quite an applause....




Karaoke "King"



Karaoke "Queen"

7/3 - Chicken, Alaska is on the "Top of the World" highway.... named as it is for sure at the top... the road in and out  of Chicken is a narrow dirt road open only during summer months, probably 60 - 70 miles of dirt. It was raining the time we were there, and have more mud covering places I couldn't believe mud would get.  I spent well over an hour pressure washing it off once we got back on pavement.

First Class facility in Chicken, Alaska

Road to "Chicken"

Downtown Chicken

7/4 - Back in Canada - today we arrived Dawson City, heart of the goldrush days 1898 - 99.  We saw a show at Diamond Tooth Gerties casino....

Dawson City



Can Can Girls at Diamond Tooth Gerties