July 21, 2008 -- Fairbanks and then back south

From Denali we drove through Fairbanks for lunch and a quick visit.  Our lunch was at the Historic Chena Pump House.  http://www.pumphouse.com/

While trying to get a picture of a fighter plane landing at Eielson Air Force Base, but instead we had a moose appear on the opposite side of the road.

North Pole, Alaska is just south of Fairbanks, so we stopped to see if we could get a good word in with Santa.

On the way to Delta Junction we passed by the Alaskan pipeline.

At Delta Junction we got back on the Alaskan Highway.  Although Fairbanks has a mileage marker in the city, this is the official end of the highway.  They consider the start of the highway to be a Dawson Creek, Canada.  We drove the Alaskan Highway in reverse.  A hawk flew up from the side of the road and we barely missed it.  We traveled on to Tok where we spent the night.  The cruise lines for Alaska now have their own hotel chains scattered throughout the state and Canada.  This allows the cruise lines to offer trips inland by bus that previously could not be offered.  There was a group staying at our hotel in Tok.  The conversation was about the potential workers' strike at Denali Park.  Luckily we had already been there.  Guess they have surprises like these everywhere one travels.