August 18, 2008

It's early morning on our last day in Alaska. We will be over the border in only 5 miles from this campground. After Mike's fishing trip, which, he loved, we stocked up with a few supplies from Sams, and did our laundry . I got caught up on the housekeeping while Mike was on his trip. The drive from Fairbanks to where we are now which is called Border City, was not the greatest. It rained most of the day and the road was all torn up and most of it gravel. But, we did see a moose yesterday. She was really close to the road and I got a lot of pictures of her. She was so close we could hear her chopping whatever it was she was eating. She puts her head under the water to get her food, And boy was she big!!!! We watched her for quite a while.

I forgot to tell you while we were in Fairbanks we went to a little town called THE NORTH POLE! Yep I bet none of you thought the North Pole was in Alaska. The town is cute with the light poles looking like candy canes. The bus stops are also in red and green. We went to Santa's house and there met the Mrs. and Santa himself. It was fun.

Well how would we rate Alaska? I guess for me it was dampened by the bug I had, it messed me up for a good 2 weeks or more which I'm sure messed it up for Mike also. So other than that we both thought it was okay. Definitely beautiful with so much of it being untouched. The weather for the most was awful with mostly rain with the exception of the last 4 to 5 days. Rain and cold and it was getting the people who lived here down as well. Imagine having only 4 months of long days and warm weather and then darkness and cold for 8 months. and those 4 months are cold and damp. The people who live here are kind of rude also. You go to their stores where they want you to buy something and the sign on the close racks says: "We are you mother, so if you try this jacket on, hang it back on the hanger and zip it back up". Saw things like this in more than one place. One of the more expensive campground it was your responsibility to wipe the shower down with your towel before you left. It's tough up here but maybe that's the way you need to be to live here. Not for us that's for sure. We are glad we did it but we will not be back.

So now we are looking forward and looking forward to going to Virctoria Canada. Then off to Washington to maybe Seattle and eventually to the giant redwoods and wine country. (and maybe a little summer!)