Traveling with Katydid: The town of Fairbanks, AK

The first 4 pictures are samples of downtown Fairbanks. Fairbanks is pretty much an industrial and military town. It is not as fancy and tourist oriented as Anchorage; however Fairbanks has it's own low key personality.

Below this metal cutout is outside the post office.From the horse and sled days to today's air service.

The town of Fairbanks is full of wall paintings.

This beautiful building to the right is Courthouse Square.

Welcome to Fairbanks, The Golden Heart City.

The Alaska Hwy which continues for 1422 miles from Dawson Creek, BC to Delta Junction, AK, was built in 8 months in 1942.

The highway was originally built for military necessity and followed along a line of airfields, winter roads, old Indian trails and rivers. Because most of the early military traffic was headed to Fairbanks, the Alaska Highway is often measured all the way

to Fairbanks. The Fairbanks to Valdez Trail
(now the Richardson Hwy) began construction in 1899 and was paved in 1957! The Alaska Hwy joins the Richardson Hwy and the road continues 98 miles to Fairbanks.

Below is the William Ransom Wood Memorial Footbridge. To the right is the flag and flower decorated Cushman Street (driving )Bridge

Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska Church (below), sits on the Chena River from Golden Heart Park.

Personally, I think it would be nice to see a flower box like this one on those concrete blocks used in those miles and miles of construction, wouldn't you? Probably cause too many accidents tho.

This 18-foot bronze statue (below) is of the "unknown first family" by sculptor Malcom Alexander and sits in the middle of Golden Heart Park downtown next to the Visitor Center Log Cabin

Captain E. B. Barnette set out from St. Michael (the mouth of the Yukon River) in 1901 to open a trading post. His destination was Tanacross, however, the stern-wheeler could no longer fight the fast-moving, shallow waters beyond the Chena River so Barnette was dropped off near the present day site of 1st Avenue and Cushman Street (see above commeration). His trading post was set up and a year later after gold was discovered 16 miles north, the trading post area was to become known as "Fairbanks".

Nothing Don loves better than a clean red truck. Jerry even volunteered to help wash it. Lookin' good guys! No more Dalton Road paint job (dirt).

The last meal together in Fairbanks with Judy Funk, Don, Jerry Funk, George Bryant, Betty Bryant and Molly. They also made it back from Prudhoe Bay with no mishaps. Loved the time spent with both couples. Great traveling with you!