Fun in Fairbanks - Alaska Travelgram

If you haven’t sailed on the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks–you’re missing out. They really do a nice job, sailing from their dock on the Chena River. It merges with the Tanana River out of town and they cruise to a reconstructed “Native Alaskan” Village. Learn about how the Athabascan people live, what they eat, how they stay warm, how they travel and trade with others–the works. Fabulous trip, IMHO.

We traveled on the Discovery II to help celebrate Condor Air’s flights into Anchorage and Fairbanks. Lavelle’s Bistro catered the event. Many of my friends from Fairbanks were there, including Karen and Deb from the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau. Of course, we love Condor. Check with Linda in Fairbanks ( 907-452-8992 )or Kelly Jo in Anchorage ( 907-561-2434 ) for g-r-e-a-t deals on one of four weekly flights from Anchorage (three from Anchorage and one from Fairbanks).

While we were in Fairbanks, we stopped by the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum at the Wedgewood Resort. Do not miss this on your next trip to Fairbanks. I spent the night at the Wedgewood, so we strolled over to the museum. WHAT A SURPRISE. There’s a Model T on skis, an old Auburn that’s painted fire-orange, a Stutz wanna-be-a-Bearcat and many, many more cars in working condition. We interviewed Willy Vinton, who does quite a bit of work on the machines. INCREDIBLE.

We flew Era Aviation up from Anchorage. The Dash-8 going up and the B-1900 coming back. Not the same as the big Alaska Air jet, but no hassles with TSA, either. Oh–Era and Frontier now are in the newly-constructed Fairbanks International Airport. Suh-weet. And Rita from Avis Rent a Car had my Toyota Corolla waiting for me at the curb!

My friend Karen Lundquist at the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau told me to spread the word about all the cool stuff in the “Golden Heart City”. They’re just starting Golden Days–and they’ve got art festivals going on at University of Alaska. Check out the new Morris Thompson Visitors Center right downtown. Really–Fairbanks is a fun place. And be sure and eat at Lavelle’s Bistro. FABULOUS!