Chena Hot Springs, Fairbanks, and the perils of judging on appearance

Not far up into the White Mountains is Chena Hot Springs, a resort that had the lodging facilities that reminded me of old YMCA summer camps and locker rooms that could have doubled for those of any municipal swimming pool. But if one looked beyond that, there was an interesting history, gorgeous natural scenery, and a rock pool that was a slice of heaven.

The Rock Pool fed by the Hot Springs

Nature Trail around resort

(note the tilted tree due to permafrost melting)

Chena Hot Springs runway (oldest still in use, built in approx. 1920)

Ward had a similar experience with Fairbanks ten years ago, when he and a friend spent the night and saw nothing worth staying for. This time around I booked him into a historic inn, took him to the finest history museum in the state (Museum of the North at the University of Alaska), on a cheesy riverboat tour that was a wonderful way to idle away three hours on a rainy afternoon, followed by a walk all over the waterfront. Also worth checking out was the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.

Alaska Heritage House

(I would stay here again in a heartbeat!)

Freezing in "sunny" Fairbanks under an antler arch.

(In the park by the Visitors Center next to the Chena River)

A stunning native parka that is made of four different furs and hand beaded.

(and worth between twenty and forty thousand dollars were it for sale!)

Inside the steam plant for a stern wheeler.

(Pioneer Park)

The verdict? A town he wouldn't mind coming back to.