Day 6 - July 17

Day 6 - June 17

Another day in a plane. Not so early though which was really nice. Our meeting time was 8:15 so we had a leisurely morning. Got up and got ready. I have a splitting headache and my throat and nose feel dry. I don’t think I’m sick but wow, don’t feel great. I’m going to try and eat more of my normal diet today. Doing my peace and safety prayers. Matt feels the same but nothing affects him like me. 

Got coffee at the hotel which is actually very good. On the plane now as I am typing. It was sprinkling in Dawson but the weather looks nice in Fairbanks. I think we are staying ahead of the rain. 

We arrived safely in Fairbanks and customs could not have been any easier. The weather is warm and sunny. Our rooms are not ready yet and our hotel here is about five miles from the downtown area. We dropped off our backpacks and got on to the shuttle to explore the downtown. 

Our first stop was the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. It was very well put together. I think the themes of Alaska are the First Nation people, gold and oil. One very interesting fact is that residents of Alaska have had over $32000 paid to them since 1982, just for living here. Maybe they deserve it. Winter is tough.

Our next stop was lunch. We went to The Fudge Pot. A local place for sandwiches. Neither of us are feeling 100% and my appetite is non existent today. We did eat a sandwich. After lunch, we walked along the river for a couple of miles to Pioneer Park. On the way, we stopped at the Carter Center and watched the Indian Olympics. You can’t watch the games we saw anywhere else in the world. I don’t know what to call the first thing we watched. But these guys sit on the floor and with one foot in their opposite hand, they try to kick a ball in the air with the other foot. Not too many guys could do it. They just keep raising the ball higher until a winner is declared. The other game we watched was both women and men trying to walk on a pole greased with Crisco. OK. This is basically impossible and nobody could do more than a step or two. These games have a history in the First Nation people needing activities to stay fit in the winter. All sorts of games were devised to this purpose and I guess these are among them. It was interesting to watch.

Pioneer Park had a train museum and an airplane museum. The train museum was closed but we spent a little time in the airplane museum. I’m feeling quite punky by now and having a hard time talking myself out of it. Didn’t spend a lot of time here.

Our room is ready so we shuttled back to the room and I promptly crawled into bed. I don’t know if I’m sick or if all the short nights and travel have caught up with me. But I don’t feel well. I napped a bit and so did Matt. We have a Salmon Bake and Palace Revue Show tonight. I drugged up with ibuprofen and hope I feel well enough to enjoy myself and really hoping I wake up feeling better tomorrow. I want to hike in Denali!

But no matter what, we will do what we can. I’m grateful to be here with the best guy in the universe. He takes care of me constantly. Nicest and most loving guy who is so attentive to my every need. I’m lucky. Today is the third anniversary of Kristen’s death. Reminding us both that our lives could look very different. We both try and embrace the moments. It is all we have. Sick or well. Perfect or imperfect. Sad or happy. Whatever. We are here and we will embrace what is.