Post # 49 Fairbanks--Fox--Pioneer Park

Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Monday, we had to relocate from Eielson AFB to Ft. Wainwright. Their campground is only a few blocks from the city and just inside the front gate of the base. The army guys on the gate appear to be much more relaxed than the USAF men were. I haven't gotten a salute yet and at the AFB, every-time I went through the gate they saluted me.

For the afternoon we went to Pioneer Park and enjoyed the Pioneer Museum and bought a Mediterranean Crepe with feta, mozzarella, red pepper, Italian/Greek spices and some kind of sauce. It was delicious. I went back and got one with strawberries, blueberries and a sweet mixed fruit sauce. We had that for dessert last night and it was so delicious.I didn't want to share. LOL
The young girl working there's name is Marie and is from Bulgaria. Said she was 24 and they had a group of others from that country who stayed together like  a commune (I think). Spoke good English but had a distinct brogue.
                                      
                                                     Marie making our Mediterranean Crepe

This was President Warren Harding's train car for his America tour that included Alaska

One of a group of artist's who sell their crafts.

There was a play at the Palace Theater at the park.  The show really  didn't have a name but was about  "Fairbanks- a comedy review of it's history." As a farce, it was quite hilarious  and kept us laughing the entire show. And, it was put on by only four very good actors-two men and two women and there was a director in the shadows and of course the piano player was a real professional. Watching his handsglide over the keys was  mesmerizing.

                                      flowers growing outside th theater.

I couldn't believe this grew from seeds in such a short time. Huge, gigantic veggies grow in the short summer season.  The locals say it's the long sunny days.  Sept is the "Biggest Cabbage Head" festival.

 While waiting for the show  to start, there was a small parade with antique cars (4) and here they are:

Forgot to mention. WE SAW A COW MOOSE--FINALLY. It was beside the road as we were returning to our camp site on Sunday. It took off before we could get a picture. Nita saw it again yesterday morning as we were leaving thee USAF base to come to Ft Wainwright. You can barley see the cow in the middle of the photo. (I went back with the close-up lens, but she was gone.)

Today was another day of enjoying Pioneer Park after we drove to Fox, AK to see what is there. On the way we stopped and read up on the historical facts about the pipe line and took some pictures of it coming out of the ground and looked at the "PIG" on display. The PIG is basically a pipe cleaner . It travels down the pipe (Inside) and cleans it and helps keep the flow moving smoothly. Some versions  of the PIG actually detects weakened and corroded spots in the pipe line for repair crews. the oil is transferred at around 100 degrees but it comes out of the ground at around 150 degrees, so they have to cool it down.

I, Anita, stood under this and was suprised at the size.  I just could touch the cross piece underneath.

PIG in a pipe line

The new "PIG"

Guess which one is  the PIG

the pipe line route

An Original "PIG" with rubber brushes around the center.

 Someone we met who had a couple of her dogs with her. the big one was a mixture of Golden Retriever, Labrador and Setter. the puppy's sire was a Husky. Boomer enjoyed both.

There were only two places of business'es in Fox, so I took photos of both below.

The Turtle Club--Fine Dining (Are you a turtle?)

the Howling Dog. A lively bar

Back to Pioneer Park

We took a train ride around the park.

 I toured through the Aviation Museum but it was just so jammed packed with airplanes, engines and a little bit of everything, I couldn't get much of a picture. But, here are a few.

                                             Experimental Aircraft

a 28 cylinder engine used on Super Constellations and a few others