The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
liked the SS Nenana, a river sternwheeeler paddleship
and more at Pioneer Park
2300 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
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 do not 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. There is no admission fee to enter Pioneer
Park and experience a self-guided tour of artifacts, buildings, and grounds!
There is also a playground and Bear Art Gallery at no cost! Some museums
and activities charge a nominal fee. During the summer season (Memorial
Day weekend in May through Labor Day in September), Pioneer Park is open
every day from 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm and offers picnic shelter rentals and
shops featuring local artisans, restaurants, museums, and community events.
There is also a Salmon Bake. Any times, dates, hours or activities mentioned
on this website is subject to change, so click
here for official more information. But please return here. |
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Below: The gold rush town
- food, gifts, and museums |
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The two RV Gypsies did not
know what bulgogi was, but they ordered the spicy pork bulgogi and loved
it. It is 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 available. |
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| 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. |
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 Different
photos from Pioneer Park can be seen by
clicking here because the family of the
two RV Gypsies flew up to Alaska for a visit in August 2009. A link on
that page can also bring you back here. But that August list also contains
photos from other places on this list as well.
After finishing everything on the below sub-menu, remember
to keep following the arrows at the very bottom of each page. |
