Chuck:
The big news: about mid-night Bren was the only one still up, he heard something outside. He looked out one of the RV’s side windows to see a moose only a few feet away. He grabbed a camera but by the time he got to the door he saw it trotting into the under growth. We had seen moose droppings all around this campsite and at the site at River’s Edge, but, no moose. Actually, we have not seen a moose since the 14th of June when Betty spotted one near the Yukon River. Last night was Bren’s first sighting.
Just north of our campground is a spring with public access. Betty had read about it before, seems that both locals and visitors go there to get drinking water because it is so much better than the private wells. As Bren was taking me to my start point, we stopped to fill our 5 gallon jug. The terrain was pretty good for biking, even the long steep hills were doable with some effort. As I entered Fairbanks on Alaska Highway #2, I was flying on a long downhill slope. I coasted into a Wal-Mart parking lot where I was to meet the B-Team. They had not yet arrived, I parked in the only shade I could find. A young guy in a compact SUV was also in that bit of shade. He was sitting on some homemade arrangement in the back of the vehicle with his feet hanging out over the back bumper and was playing a violin. I asked if I could share the shade, he smiled and nodded yes, but kept on playing. I sat on the curb and listened as I sipped on some water, quite pleasant. For years we had heard about the RV dry camping at the Fairbanks Wal-Mart. When I arrived at about 2 pm, there were 18 RVs and several car campers like my speechless friend with the violin. Later, we counted 33 RVs and about a dozen car campers. This weekend is very special here; it is Solstice Weekend. The actual solstice was Friday but related events continue throughout the weekend. Friday & Saturday nights were filled with parties, mid-night Fun-Runs, all night cruises and the like. Sunday multiple family oriented events are scheduled in downtown Fairbanks. We have avoided the parties, probably disappointed Bren, but he did get to see a “Mid-Night Moose”. But really, which is better, an all-night session with the Grizzly Growlers at the Howling Dog Saloon or a Mid-Night Moose sighting?
“There are strange things done in the mid-night sun, by the men who moil for gold.
Arctic trails have their secret tails that would make your blood run cold.
Northern lights have seen queer sights, but, the queerest they ever did see.
Was that night on the marge of Lake LaBarge, I cremated Sam McGee.” –
From The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service –