Trip Summary And so, we have arrived back home.  Full circle in one week, with plenty of side trips tacked on.  Click the map below for a more detailed look at our journey. The day started out at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, and after a brief drive down the Mat-Su Valley, led us (quite [...]

Changing Weather After a week of sunshine, a change in weather brought overnight showers. Nothing is more relaxing than hearing the sound of gentle rain against a camper roof. We awoke the morning of Day 6 to a break in the rain, with sunshine again taking hold. The plan for the day called for [...]

Turning the Corner Alas, all good things must come to and end. Or, at least a middle. Today marks the turnaround day for our Fairbanks adventure - time to start heading back toward home. The plan is to take the Richardson Highway home so we can see new sights and continue exploring new things, [...]

College Tour Javan had the opportunity this morning to tour the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.  After a brief meeting with an admissions counselor, we were given a 90-minute guided tour of the campus, covering all of the key highlights, including a look into freshman dorms, classrooms, dining services, and common areas.  Javan really enjoyed [...]

Chena Hot Springs After a leisurely morning, we headed up Chena Hot Springs Road toward the Chena Hot Springs Resort.  The resort is privately owned after being purchased from the State of Alaska in the 90s, and is now a tourist attraction and hot spring destination.  The resort itself makes a strong effort toward self-sustaining [...]

In the Shadows of Denali Just north of Houston, we stopped at the Kashwitna Lake wayside. The beautiful sunny day afforded a number of photo opportunities, but the horizon was filled with smoke. Signs near the interpretive display indicated that this was an active fire area, apparently due to a wildland fire started near [...]

A New Adventure Begins Memorial Day, 2016.  Almost one year ago to the day, we found ourselves driving up the Parks Highway on our way to Denali National Park.  Now, we find ourselves heading up the Parks with Fairbanks as the ultimate destination.  With only two years of high school remaining, Javan is interested [...]