Fairbanks ..... UA Museum

   Arrived in Fairbanks driving through lots of wide open areas. On the northeast side of the city the famous ALaska Pipeline is above ground.  Winding up and down through hills and valleys, curves and woods, bogs etc. When elevated it is held up with pipes sunk down into the permafrost. Pipes are filled with ammonia as a refrigerant which keeps the permafrost frozen and pipeline secure.
  That is amazing application of technology invented for this application. Now they are even using it to suspend residential housing  above ground several feet.
  The University of Alaska Museum was open late which allowed us to visit after 5:00 PM. Quite informative especially with the history of Alaska Natives, moving away from Russia, the Klondike Gold Rush.  Changed the area forever. Very good explanation of how Natives fish and hunt to survive.
   Friday we were able to fly on a twin PIPER PA-31 350 Navajo Chieftan  to a remote village, Ft. Yukon above the Artic Circle.

The White Mountains north of Fairbanks. Here the river makes a U-Turn around the western end and heads back east.  Mountain goats and dall sheep inhabit these crags and crevices.

It was smoky from forest fires in the area.

 They speak Gwich'in and have the Bible in their language.  Most of them are Christians and have several churches including The Artic Circle Baptist Church.

It was -84 degrees F. several years ago here for a record winter cold. Very little snow since it is too cold to snow.

Typical log house

Fish trap being constructed by a young lad

Tour Guide and Mayor Richard with his wife

The Gwich'in Hospital -very modern 

Return flight: Landscape covered with shallow ponds

where moose feed

Ft Knox Gold Mine....seriously deep open pit in operation

The Denali National Park

Dripping Dew

The entire trip to The Artic Circle was an education about the survival of Alaska Native, trappers, and hunters surviving in some cold and remote areas. Their experience is so crucial in this inhospitable land of wildlife and beauty

Boats on the Beach of The Yukon River at Ft. Yukon village

Again, the sun was trying to set at 9:45 PM but still had a way to go. 

Once we were airborne the sun resumed it's natural clear appearance.

Sunday. Church at the Eagle River Grace Brethren Church, Anchorage.