Fairbanks

I used Fairbanks as a transition between Denali & Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks.   It was a good place to take care of a couple 'travel errands'.  My main point-of-interest stop was University of Alaska's Museum of the North.  It was highly recommended in both my guide book & by some people I met along the trip.  I can see why.  Like the Anchorage Museum, it is a mix of history & art.   Of the two, I like the Fairbanks Institution better.  Before leaving Fairbanks, I also went to a botantical garden & Pioneerpark, both curious stops but I didn't spend long at either.

I got my first view of the Trans-Alaska Pipine north of town.  I continued a couple miles to 60 degrees north parallel, perhaps the closest I'll ever get to the North Pole.  Driving south, I got my best view of Mt. McKinley,  150 miles away & it was better than any I had while in Denali.   Another stop at Big Delta Historic Park, home of Rika's Roadhouse put me even further behind schedule.   I drove the last hour to Glenallen in the dark,  rarity for me in these long Alaskan days.