Sep 4, 2012 - Chena Hot Springs

So after a couple of nights of camping in the truck we thought it might be nice to soak in some hot springs. So Monday we drove about 60 miles outside of Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs resort(after having thoroughly washed the filthy truck). It's a historical spot that is highly recommended. It was pretty nice and the springs felt great. On the way we stopped at an old abandoned dredge and looked around. Of course we were trespassing on private property - but when did that ever stop my husband? So we climbed on and explored a little. It...

May 28, 2012 - Day 34, Chena Hot Springs

Day 34, Monday, May 28, 2012 I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day. Today we took a day trip east to Chena Hot Springs. There are a lot of camping and recreation sites along the way and lots of people out camping for the holiday. The Chena River is running fast and overfull with snowmelt. There was water everywhere. Once it is out of the riverbanks it basically sits stagnant. The permafrost won’t absorb it easily. We didn’t see any wildlife out today, just great scenery. After about 60 miles, the road ends at Chena Hot Springs...

Jul 28, 2011 - Fairbanks, Alaska

##photo=Moose #1## ##photo=Moose #2## ##photo=Moose #2## ##photo=Moose #3## ##photo=Moose #4## What a nice day we had. We spotted many (6) moose and one (#2) was right on the road but didn't seem to be bothered by the car but a motor cycle came up and that he did not like. Jim was very accommodating and would turn the car around when we spotted a animal. This happen a few times. The Chena Hot Springs were great and we enjoyed them. We were planning on touring the ice palace but....missed the tour. It is a place where everything is made...

Jul 22, 2011 - Fairbanks

We spent the morning exploring Chena Hot Springs, We spotted three moose one was a calf that close encounter for both of us. After returning to Fairbanks we went to the visitor center were we watched a movie “Alone in the Wilderness” a story about a man who moved to a remote lake built a cabin and spent the next 35 years enjoying his wilderness experience. He moved to town when he was 85. Kathy found this very inspirational and life changing. She spent rest the afternoon shopping while I searched for tour options to make the trip from...

Jul 6, 2011 - Fairbanks, AK (Day 14) - Chena Hot Springs Resort

(Ron Writing) Elena had another chiropractor appointment first thing this morning. Then we drove about 60 miles east of Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs Resort. There are several interesting things to see at this resort besides the hot springs and it’s a very popular get-away for the local folks as well as visitors from far away. We were told that most of their winter visitors are Japanese who come primarily to witness the northern lights which typically put on a grand display three or four nights a week. Fairbanks claims to be the ice...

Jun 25, 2011 - Chena Hot Springs

We were thankful for another beautiful day. We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Chena Hot Springs which is about 65 miles east of Fairbanks. We didn't really know what to expect. We had learned there was a bike race heading in the same direction. We did see quite a few of them. There is a lodge and campground there. We viewed the outer pools that are first cooled before being pumped into the pool areas for people. A moose walked through like she owned the placed and dipped into Moose Pond. We made inquiry about hiking trails and...

Aug 24, 2010 - Chena Hot Springs

Today we woke up to clear blue skies with a few puffy cumulus clouds. We had a refreshing hot shower at the Denali Mercantile and are ready for breakfast. The clouds rolled in after breakfast, so we decided not to make the drive to Savage River. The drive north toward Fairbanks was really pretty with the terrain changing to rounded hills and lush evergreen forest. The skies cleared and we had clear blue skies all the way to Fairbanks. We made a grocery and fuel stop in Fairbanks. The first fuel stop was somewhat of a shock - $120; 34 gal at...

Jun 23, 2010 - Chena Hot Springs Rd

We headed NE of Fairbanks to the Chena Hot Springs Rd, for some dry camping. We found a great spot on a creek just off the highway and camped on a gravel bar next to the river we fished at bit for grayling but no luck. About 8 women arrived just down the bar from us, unloaded their coolers, set up the 12v blender and started on the Margaritas. They dropped by to invite us to join them in their monthly book club discussion. They admitted they had not actually read anything that month but were considering several. They were from Fairbanks,...

Jul 26, 2009 - Chena Hot Springs Road

We took the Chena Hot Springs Road east of Fairbanks. The road travels through the Chena River State Recreation Area and leads to the Chena Hot Springs. The drive took us through a forest of birch, spruce and cottonwood and then travelled alongside the Chena River. We stopped a number of times to watch moose in the marshlands. One was enjoying a feast of the aquatic plants in the water. We also stopped and had a great walk to Angel Rocks which are a group of large granite outcroppings, but the views were limited due to smoke from forest...

Jul 23, 2009 - In Search of the Perfect Hot Springs

I started the journey in search of the perfect hot springs. Given that there would be no way I would be able to visit all. The following are brief descriptions of those that we visited along the way Chena Hot Springs, Alaska (Private) Chena Hot Springs Resort is Alaska’s only 100+ year-old Hot Springs Resort. It offers full-service restaurant, lodging, lounge, message service, camping and many other services. It is located approximately 60 scenic miles south of Fairbanks at Chena Hot Springs Road (Mile 56.5). Takhini Hot Springs, Yukon...

Jun 28, 2009 - Day 17 Chena Hot Springs, AK

Good morning! I didn't feel as bad as I thought I would this morning after all of our fun last night. Mike and I were the first to go to the lodge for breakfast and do "the walk of shame" as the lodge we were having so much fun in last night is one and the same, same servers, and yes I was seated in the very same chair that I danced in last night. We must not have been too offensive or else we tipped too much because everyone seems very happy to see us this morning. After breakfast we headed to the hot springs for some rest and relaxation....

Jun 27, 2009 - Day 16 Chena Hot Springs, AK

Today looked just like yesterday when morning came. Oh, no. It's a good thing I brought 4 sets of base layers. I'm wearing 2 layers a day, Craig. Today I think I put on every piece of clothes in my bag. It was a chore to zip my jacket. I felt like my mother just bundled me up to go out to play in the snow and I couldn't do anything because I couldn't move. I have to swing my leg up 2 or 3 times to get it over the seat of my bike, but I did not freeze like yesterday. We again rode in freezing rain for about 100 miles until we got to Delta...