February 24, 2022

Day 8 of our Alaska Anniversary…Our time was quickly dwindling before we would be hopping on a plane and flying back to reality…aka St. Louis, MO. Have no fear though, I still had some exciting plans on our agenda!

Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service

After browsing many reviews for tour companies, I chose Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service for all our day-tripping needs. Not only is Rod’s a veteran-owned business, but I was also able to do some one-stop shopping, planning multiple excursions at once. He offers adventures that appeal to everyone, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice fishing, aurora viewing, and moose hunting. While all of these sounded like loads of fun, we opted for snowmobiling in the morning, and then returning at night for a combo of ice fishing and aurora viewing!

For the first time since arriving in Alaska, we didn’t have to drive hours away to enjoy our planned activities. Instead, the GPS guided us to North Pole (yes, there is actually a North Pole, AK), a mere 20-minutes away, on the outskirts of Fairbanks.

Pulling into the parking lot, a team of excited huskies were busy getting hooked together for some morning mushing. As we entered the office, we signed the normal waivers, which included your financial responsibilities if you wrecked one of the snowmobiles (Eek! Don’t want to do that!), and were briefed on safety precautions. After being fitted with helmets, we were introduced to our snowmobiles, which are actually called snow machines if you want to sound like a true Alaskan. After a few short lessons on important things like starting, stopping, and turning, we headed off towards Chena Lake.

Dave and I opted to share a snow machine, and at his persisting, I drove first. Gliding across white powdery snow, our guide led our group through hushed winter woods, with the only sounds being those that echoed from the roar of the engines. Emerging from the trees, we entered a clearing, which would be our playground for the next hour or so. With room to roam, I switched places with Dave and let him take the throttle. It was exhilarating to zoom back and forth, making zigzag patterns in the snow, as we sped along the icy plain.

As our fun came to an end, we headed back the direction we had came, parked, and decided we definitely need a few snow mobiles in our lives! Now, onto Chena Hot Springs!

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Not nearly as close as Rod’s, Chena Hot Springs Resort, was a leisurely 1 hour and 15 minute drive. A hotbed for tourists, the resort boasts adult-only hot springs, the Aurora Ice Museum where you can book a stay in one of their frosty rooms, massage therapy, horseback riding, and more.

While on my nursing travel assignment back in 2021, we had wanted to take the kids to Chena, but summer wildfires in the area had prevented us from doing so. After visiting, I would definitely say this was more of an adult destination and I’m glad we didn’t drive 13 hours out of our way previously.

Aurora Ice Musem

The Aurora Ice Museum was completed in January 2005 and is kept at a cool 25ºF year round. Considering temps in interior Alaska can reach well into the 90’s during the summer, it definitely takes some ingenuity to keep this frozen palace from turning into a giant puddle. During the tour, we took time to peruse and admire the illuminated sculptures and architecture. A full service bar, complete with beverages served in an ice martini glass was certainly a novelty you don’t see anywhere else. And as for the opportunity to book a night in one of the frosty rooms; I’ll pass as I didn’t have room in my luggage to pack my heated blanket! Grabbing our swimsuits and flip flops, we then hurried over to the hot springs.

Chena Hot Springs

The hot springs are warmed by an underground geothermal system that allows super heated water to quickly circulate up to the surface, staying an average 165ºF. Filled with minerals, the springs are thought to help soothe aching muscles, heal skin afflictions, and improve circulation.

Once changed into our bathing suits, I was dreading stepping out into the cold. Fortunately, there was a covered walkway directly from the pool house to the springs. What a sight to behold! Snow piled all around, trees leaning beneath the weight of all winter had piled upon them, and steam twisting and curling above the waters.

I’ll admit it was a fun experience to enjoy the contrasting sensations of breathing in the icy cold air while relaxing in the steaming waters. Once our hair was adequately frozen and our muscle tension gone, it was time to ruin all that relaxation by stepping back into the cold to change out of our swimsuits.

With our Chena Hot Springs activities complete, we headed back to Fairbanks for a quick nap before our midnight adventures in ice fishing!