Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers

The two RV Gypsies at Pioneer Park
in Fairbanks, Alaska
July 14, 2009

The 44-acre Pioneer Park was built for the Alaska 1967 Centennial Exposition. It was later renamed Alaskaland, a name it held until October 2001. It is a theme park (but don't expect one like Disney!) It emphasizes historical Fairbanks as well as serving as a community park. Here the two RV Gypsies' found a taste of just about everything in Alaska, from a riverboat to a salmon bake to a Native village.


Below: The gold rush town - food, gifts, and museums

	The two RV Gypsies did not know what bulgogi was, but they ordered the spicy pork bulgogi and loved it. It's a Korean dish. The meat is usually marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and scallions or mushrooms, especially white button mushrooms or shiitake.
Sometimes, cellophane noodles are added to the dish, which varies by region and specific recipe. Before cooking, the meat is marinated to enhance its flavor and tenderness.
Below: Pioneer Park is also home to the Alaskaland and Civic Center and Theatre, and the Farthest North Square and Round Dance Center, which are both open year round, although closed when the two RV Gypsies were there. There were 3 museums, a 40-foot antique carousel and an old-time saloon. The merry-go-round featured the music of an 1890 Berni band organ with 100 years of original music. (Built sometime between 1915 and 1920, the carousel was brought to Fairbanks from Kirkwood, Illinois) There was also a large playground and picnic area in the middle of Pioneer Park, plus numerous shelters available for organized functions, or for casual picnickers when not reserved ahead by others. Pioneer Park has two 18-hole miniature golf courses right in the middle of the park, near the playground. Plus a train ride around the park.



Below: SS Nenana (steamer) is a river sternwheeler paddleship in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is the only surviving wooden one of this type. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. SS Nenana is a five-deck, western river, sternwheeler steamboat, 237 feet in overall length, with a 42-foot beam, and she was rated at 1,000 gross tons register. SS Nenana was built at Nenana, Alaska, and launched in May 1933. Fully laden, she drew three feet, six inches of water.


Below: Alaska Salmon Bake - All you care to eat Carved Prime Rib, Deep Fried Halibut, King Salmon and Bering Sea Cod. Dinner included all you care to eat salad bar, baked beans, rolls, dessert, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Beer and Wine were available at extra cost. Hot dog menu available for children. Indoor and outdoor seating.




Below: The two RV Gypsies explored the working sluice box and cannons and learned a bit about mining, and viewed some antique machinery, plus some great carvings (some carvings are shown above) plus Karen Duquette bought a wonderful "Dancing With The Stars" T-shirt that had nothing to do with the TV Show - it represents wildlife dancing under the nighttime stars. She also bought some for friends, but they really did not appreciate them, so she won't be buying them any more gifts ever again.


Different photos from Pioneer Park can be seen from #26e on the Alaska map because the family of the two RV Gypsies flew up to Alaska for a visit. After finishing everything on the below sub-menu, remember to keep following the arrows at the very bottom of each page.