Mar 5, 2006, part A. Fairbanks & North Pole. (900w)
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After a late night of watching the Northern Lights at the Aurora Cabin, we left the hotel this morning rather late - past 11 am. On the way to lunch (China 1 Buffet), we stopped by Walmart. It was like any other Walmart except the parking lot had electric outlets for cars that were going to park for a few hours. These provides electric heat to the engines so the oil won't freeze. I noticed that the windshields of more than half of the cars were cracked. It's probably from the difference of temperature between the heated insides and the extremely cold outside air & metal of the car. After Walmart, we went to North Pole, Alaska. This is just outside of Fairbanks and home to the Santa Claus House. There were two reindeers in addition to several huge Santa Clauses, Candy Canes, and a nice shop with various Christmas-related gifts. After that, we went to downtown Fairbanks and just browsed the local stores. The streets were really quiet!
Westmark hotel in Fairbanks
0412		 Westmark hotel in Fairbanks
0413		 Filling up on water before leaving the hotel for the day
0414		 Parking lot of Walmart and basically everywhere - each parking stall has electric outlets for cars to plug into.
0417		 Each parking stall has electric outlets for cars to plug into to prevent oil from freezing up.
0418		 Nevermind shoveling the parking lot clean of snow.
0421
This truck sports an antique license plate. Did you notice the icicles?
0424		 Plug in to stay warm!
0425		 Plug in to stay warm!
0427		 Plug in to stay warm!
0428		 Plug in to stay warm!
0429		 Plug in to stay warm!
0430
Almost every other car's windshield were cracked - probably from the temperature variances
0431		 Almost every other car's windshield were cracked - probably from the temperature variances
0433		 This pile of snow in the parking lot towers at least 10 feet!
0434		 Having lunch at China 1 Buffet - our dining room for some 6 meals over the next few days.
0437		 Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0441		 Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0442
Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0443		 Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0445		 Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0446		 Just outside of Fairbanks is the city of North Pole.
0447		 In the town of North Pole is the Santa Claus House.
0449		 Could this be the real Santa?
0451
Could this be the real Santa?
0454		 The Santa Claus House, in North Pole, Alaska
0455		 The Santa Claus House, in North Pole, Alaska
0456
0457
0458
0459
A couple of reindeers taking a break while waiting for Santa to return.
0463
0465
0466		 This is either Dasher or Blitzen.
0468b		 This is either Dasher or Blitzen.
0468c		 This is either Dasher or Blitzen.
0471
Dasher and Blitzen.
0474		 The Santa Claus House, in North Pole, Alaska
0477		 Inside the Santa Claus House
0479		 I'm a bit too little to be Santa Claus, but I'll do my best.
0480		 I'm a bit too little to be Santa Claus, but I'll do my best.
0485		 Letters from all over the world to Santa.
0486
Letters from all over the world to Santa.
0487		 Letters from all over the world to Santa.
0488		 The Santa Claus House, in North Pole, Alaska
0493		 The Santa Claus House, in North Pole, Alaska
0495		 Alaskan Birch
0496c		 The Raven is a sacred bird of the natives.
0498
Chena river
0501		 Downtown Fairbanks
0503		 Downtown Fairbanks
0505		 Downtown Fairbanks
0507		 Downtown Fairbanks
0508		 Downtown Fairbanks
0509
Downtown Fairbanks - the Ulu, sold in many of Alaska's shops.
0510		 Downtown Fairbanks - store with local appeal
0513		 Downtown Fairbanks - those are Moose antlers.
0511		 Downtown Fairbanks
0514		 It's a little easier to get custom plates - Alaska's population is only about 660,000.
0516		 Downtown Fairbanks - another local shop.
0518
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