Picnic ... with a view through the windshield — Chena Hot Springs Road, AK.

Beautiful pond-scape; too bad the moose didn't stick around — Chena Hot Springs Road, AK.

Dwarf Dogwood — Chena Hot Springs Road, AK.

Birch Grove — Chena Hot Springs Road, AK.

Plenty of rusty stuff around the Chena Hot Springs Resort — Alaska.

The Ice Museum @ the Chena Hot Springs Resort — Alaska.

Mui enjoying a dip in the hot springs pool — Chena Hot Springs Resort, AK.

A relaxed sled dog at the kennels of the Chena Hot Springs Resort — Alaska.

Mui gets a bison head ... I get a carved bear — Chena Hot Springs Resort, AK.

Day 38 Ends @ Chena Hot Springs

June 9, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

Our original plan called for us to take the Cruiser to Chena Hot Springs after we leave Fairbanks, stay overnight, and then continue on with our road trip. We changed those plans a few days ago and decided to drive the 56 miles x2 as a day trip. Turns out that was a good decision.

The Chena Hot Springs Road has got to be the worst road of our trip thus far ... except for the section of the Steese between Central & Circle. Not only is there a section of the road being torn up completely for re-paving, but also about half the road is nothing but frost heaves. It made for a very washboardy drive.

A picnic overlooking one of the many ponds along the road ... eaten, alas, in the car due to the mosquitoes; a wander amongst ice sculptures at the Ice Museum ... we skipped the appletinis served in glasses carved out of ice; a dip in the hot springs pool ... Mui went on his own as I’m not much for pools (thermal or otherwise); a wander around the resort grounds and a visit to the kennels ... while I was waiting for Mui; dinner at the lodge restaurant ... excellent halibut fish & chips.

And that wraps up today’s visit to the Chena Hot Springs.Read more