Fairbanks

T Jun 30th: Drive from Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks and stay at Aurora Express B&B.

Our original plan was to drive upto Arctic Circle, but soon after talking to some of the locals on our way, we found out that there is really not that much to see out there. Apparently there is exactly 1 tree and 1 rock with a board hosting 'Congratulations! You just crossed Arctic Circle' sign. So we decided to pass; and instead relax and enjoy our stay at the famous Aurora Express.

This is one of the best places to stay and I would highly recommend this to all of you.

Check out their website here:http://fairbanksalaskabedandbreakfast.com/

Mike and Susan are salt of the earth kind of people! They were one of the best hosts :) I really mean it. Susan, who is a true child at heart has many many interesting stories to tell and keep her guests engaged. She claims that she comes from a 'two headed raven clan!'. She will make you believe anything .. like mosquitoes are nothing but remnants of a very old monster through her story :) She had a dream one night that there was a railway in her backyard; and thats how the story goes. Now Mike and Susan are proud owners of 6 Alskan railway compartments including a caboose (yay!) .

See this for a complete story:http://fairbanksalaskabedandbreakfast.com/press.html

In the evening we went to visit "Large Animal Research Station" at UAF campus which proudly hosts 'musk ox'. See more:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskox. Unfortunately we had missed on all of the tours for the day; so had to be happy viewing the muskoxes from a far off distance. Those guys are BIIIIIG. Also visited "The Georgeson Botanical Garden". Has variety of local + commercial flowers and vegetables.

Next morning, Mike and Susan had preprated full 3 course breakfast including tea/coffee, banana-strawberry french toast, rendeer sausage, quiche, roasted potatoes and juice. Heavenly experience!

Aurora Express was a unique place indeed. Mike and Susan made our stay most memorable in Fairbanks. Should I get the chance to return for more Alaskan adventure, I will definitely stay here once again.