We started spring break on Friday by heading up to Anchorage for my post-surgery doctor's appointment. Things look good and my voice is feeling good. From there, we flew out of Anchorage to Fairbanks. On the flight there, as well as the return flight, the skies were completely clear, giving us a beautiful view of Mt. McKinley (which you see in the pictures). Once we arrived in Fairbanks, we took a shuttle about 60 miles northwest to Chena Hot Springs Resort. The hot springs were great, but our main reason for going was to see the northern lights. Two out of the three nights we were able to see them. Unfortunately, they were not as bright as they can sometimes get, but we saw them. What was unique is that because we were so far north, the lights were more above us rather than out on the horizon.
During the day we stayed busy going to the hot springs, skiing, hiking, petting the residential goats, and going on a couple of tours. Chena Hot Springs has a Ice Museum/Hotel. It is open year round. It has four bedrooms, a giant chess board, a bar, a sitting area with a fireplace, a wedding alter, and a xylophone that really works! The coolers used to regulate the temperatures year round all run on geothermal energy, which is the second tour we went on. Because of its location, Chena runs everything on geothermal energy, which not only allows them to have an ice museum year round, but greenhouses at a very inexpensive rate. This then allows them to use their own veggies in the dishes at their restaurant, reducing some food costs.
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