Interior Visitors

The Bucks with their sweet granddog

It was mid October when my parents, somewhat reluctantly, decided to buy tickets to come visit Delta Junction during the winter.  Truthfully, I believe the courage to visit interior Alaska during its harshest season came from seeing the Clark’s successfully survive their Thanksgiving here.   So, after much planning and preparation (consisting of warm weather gifts from concerned friends and relatives), my parents arrived on February 23 at the Fairbanks International Airport! 

My mom was thoroughly bundled, wearing three layers of pants and four layers on top.  It was enough clothing to even garner a comment from an airline attendant.  Mom swore that she wasn’t wearing all of her clothes for the week so she didn’t have to pay to check a bag, but rather she was just that scared of the cold!  Meanwhile, the citizens of Fairbanks were wearing light windbreakers and pants without long underwear underneath, as the weather was a mere -2.  It was practically summer here! 

Chena waited in the car excitedly at the airport to meet her grandparents!  My dad won her over quickly as he had brought up salmon puff treats.  It was love at first treat!

Chena, our mountain dog

Ben and the Utah/Colorado looking rock outcropping

The Clucks

As documented in the prestigious journal, The Buck Banter, our first day in the interior was spent in the Alaska Range.  My parents are still avid adventurers and snow shoed through the powdery valley floor amidst the towering mountains.  They even climbed up a steep ridgeline with the skill and agility of mountain goats to receive panoramic views of the Alaska Range.   The day was ended with a delicious dinner at Black Rapids Lodge. 

Mother and Daughter enjoying the sunshine!

Dad, trekking up the creekbed

Chena is unpleased by grandma's antics

At Black Rapids Lodge in their library

Ending the hike in the Alaska Range

On the way home, 5 moose were “seen,” with one of them nearly being hit by our car.  I use the word “seen” lightly, because moose are so tall that when they cross in front of your car in the darkness, your headlights only hit their legs—the rest of their gargantuan body remains black.  We were traveling 35mph on the highway to avoid hitting any moose meandering across in the twilight, but unfortunately, a big truck barreling down the highway in front of us was not as lucky and hit one.  Despite their car being partly off the road and their snow machines splayed out on the ground, everyone in the car appeared to be fine.     

The Black Ninja and the White Wolf on Quartz Lake

The next day, the weather remained beautiful, and we journeyed north to Quartz Lake for a cross-country ski.  We glided effortlessly through the smooth powder on the lake, while Chena sprinted back and forth between us.  We trusted that the ice was thick enough to support us given that cars were driving to and from ice fishing huts on the lake.  

Mom on Quartz Lake

The remainder of the week in Delta was spent hiking on the trails from our cabin, gazing at the stars, eating scrumptious meals, and playing games.  May it be noted, that I am back on my winning streak at Ticket to Ride.  May it also be noted that my competitive dad lost to my mom by one point—ouch (very surprised this information was not reported in the Buck Banter).    

A trip north to the big city ended the week. We watched the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports World Championship taking place in North Pole.   We cheered on the teams from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the USA.  We were all glad that Chena is much calmer than her sled dog counterparts!  

Sled dog racing!

Snake in the center of the ice maze

A lionfish in ice

Visiting with Nellie, Pete, and Otter in Fairbanks, eating at Silver Gulch Brewing, and gazing at the incredibly detailed and impressive ice sculptures at the Ice Park rounded out the week. 

It was wonderful having my parents here and showing them the beauty of interior Alaska.  It was equally as kind of Alaska to remain sunny and almost entirely above zero throughout the duration of the trip!  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for an amazing time! 

Hiking in the Boreal Forest in Fairbanks

Apparently it was a tiring trip for both my dad and Chena.....