Fairbanks, Alaska free day
by: Bet and Robert Delcuze, Rig #8
Today was a free day and the most common activities were laundry and visiting Fred Meyers. Fred Meyers is Alaska's answer to Walmart without all the RV's camped in the parking lot. The group that traveled to the Arctic Circle were back but were not real enthustiastic about the experience. One nameless person said it was a long ride of the same type scenery to step across a line on a piece of carpet and get a certificate for the accomplishment.
Six of us visited the Large animal research center at the University of Alaska. They have on going research project ongoing on musk ox, caribou, and reindeer. We viewed the bull musk ox behind the safety of three fences as they are very aggressive animals, would just as soon knock heads with people as other bull musk ox. The female musk ox also have horns but they are smaller and they are not as aggressive as the males. The second fence between us and the female was only to keep the public from getting their fingers bitten as we were allowed to feed them willow branches which they quite efficiently stripped the leaves from in one swoop. There were two month old musk ox but they stayed back in the trees for protection as well as the coolness. The babies gain about a pound a day from the mothers rich milk and had doubled their weight in just 30 days.
The caribou and reindeer were very tame and eagerly approached the single fence for their willow branches when called. There are only two differences in reindeer and caribou; reindeer can fly and it is unlawful to own a caribou. This is the reason Santa uses reindeer. Even the caribou that the university have in the research program are on loan from the state.
We are still short two RV's, Spence is still in TOK for engine repairs and George is having the front suspension member repaired. Both are expected to rejoin the group tomorrow in Denali.
This group has rallied to help one another when ever a problem arises. Yesterday was a great example,several nights back Dick and Bev's freezer quit,they knocked on doors and farmed the contents out to those who had spare freezer space. Yesterday they reclaimed their stuff, fired up 3 BBQ grills and treated everyone to a dinner of steaks, pork chops and chicken. Even an afternoon frog strangling rain could not stop the party. As soon as the rain stopped all sorts of potluck appeared and the party began. There was even some chicken leftover now destined for JW's gumbo which is scheduled for tomorrow.
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