Arrival, a Departure from the Norm

We made it to Fairbanks last night around 7 o'clock.  I don't have the exact count, but the total trip was around 2300 odd miles ... some of them very odd indeed and riven with frost heaves, especially on the highway between Beaver Creek and the AK/Yukon border.  But we survived, thanks to John's superior driving (and my navigatrix) skills.


As of this morning, the contents of the trailer have been emptied into a storage unit (most of our stuff seems to have survived relatively intact) and we're in the process of cleaning out the RV to give to John's parents, the official owners of the behemoth.  I've actually grown quite fond of the old girl – apart from that voltage regulator business, she performed impeccably.

It's raining in Fairbanks.  Where is this 90 degree weather people have been raving about?  My dad says winter is on its way in ... and he's really not kidding.  There might be another two months (if that) before the snow flies and sticks.  I have to get in all the fall activities while I can.  Anyone in Fairbanks willing to take me along to their secret blueberry picking spot?

John is currently meeting with his faculty advisor, my dad is reading the paper (e.g. napping) and my mom is writing up a grocery list.  The cats are acclimating to their temporary home in the guest bedroom at my parents' condo.  My parents' cat Harley (Hellion of the North) has been banished to the garage until we can determine if the group (all four of them - it's a cattery!) can get along (signs point to no).  As soon as I'm done uploading photos, I'm off to do a very particular Fairbanksan activity: stand around at Fred Meyer (west siiide) and see if I can bump into anyone I know. 


Photos from our last days of travel:

Hazy, smoky skies courtesy of fires raging along the Cassiar

An airstream parked outside the visitor center in Whitehorse.  Isn't it pretty and shiny?  I think I want one.

I regret this was our only photo from Takhini Hot Springs. John and I decided to capture the moment of yellowjacket cannibalism in action.

Coming into Kluane.  That's no smudge on the lens, just bug guts on the windshield.

Our first glimpse of Kluane Lake.

Kluane Lake is so blue!

Sheep Mountain.  We forgot to stop and try to find sheep through the binoculars at the park center.

The view from our campsite.

Our campsite.  I'm not going to lie.  It was pretty much the most beautiful spot ever.

John decided to go for a dip in the lake.  He tells me it was brisk.  I'm just glad his heart didn't stop.

Despite the fact that the promised wifi didn't materialize, the campsite was still awesome (Cottonwood RV Park and Campsite on Kluane – cash only).  Also: note the awesome Rainier beer koozies.

Kluane River in the background.

I took this one for my dad. 

Bam!  Before we knew it, we were across the border and on our way to Fairbanks.  We debated having another night in the RV, but because of the lack of cash for a campsight and our excitement of being so close, we decided to press on.

As if to remind us of home and the beautiful weather in Seattle we had left behind, it started to rain.

And that was that.  "Fairbanks Welcomes You".  We had arrived.

So, we're here!  I admit I'm feeling a little unsettled and aimless.  I'm planning on unpacking (and then repacking/unpacking again once we find a house) ... and maybe making some pickles and jams/jellies with the last of the Fairbanks summer harvest.  Selena lent me a great cookbook with a pretty killer ginger/green tomato jam recipe.  There's a farmer's market happening this afternoon and my dad and his friends are getting together at 4pm for their usual Wednesday coffee hour.  I'm fighting the urge to go do both things.  Usually when I'm up here, I've got to cram in as much activity as possible or miss out.  But heck, I'm going to be here for years, I don't need to feel rushed.  I've got all the time in the world.  Alllll the time ...

I made an on-the-go playlist for our final two hours on the road in honor of our impending arrival.  John was impressed with my (mostly) thematic selections.

Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National
The Distance - Cake
60 Miles an Hour - New Order
Our Lady of the Highway - John Wesley Harding
Sympathique - Pink Martini (we've been listening to "Behind the Wheel French" so I had to get in some French lyrics)
Graduation Day - Chris Isaak
Low - Cracker (they play here in Fairbanks a lot, in case you're interested)
A Place Called Home - PJ Harvey
Into The White - Pixies
Back In The U.S.S.R. - The Beatles
such great heights - The Postal Service
End of the World as We Know It - R.E.M.
So Easy - Röyksopp
How Soon is Now - The Smiths
There's No Home For You Here - White Stripes
Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below) - Johnny Cash
Over and Over - Hot Chip
Strict Machine - Goldfrapp (in honor of our behemoth, a very strict machine indeed)
Dry the Rain - Beta Band
Home - Edward Sharpe And the Magnetic Zeroes


This is how much time on my hands I have now – I'm writing out a playlist on my blog.