You guys know me by now. I’m not a strong swimmer. I never choose a long, hot bath over a shower as I feel like soaking in my own filth makes less sense than showering to remove it. I sometimes don’t care for activities where I have to touch more of humanity than I want to. Renting bowling shoes? Nope. Sticking my fingers in a rental bowling ball? Not my favorite. Yes, I wear socks in the shoes and yes, I wash my hands. No, I’m not germophobic, but let’s just say I prefer to own my roller skates. That being said, we knew that Doug’s daughter and son-in-law really enjoyed their time at the Chena Hot Springs on their last trip to Alaska, so we added it to our list. It’s not like I’m grossed out by rivers, oceans or pools so I don’t exactly know why I draw the lines I do…but I digress, we were looking forward to it and went.
It’s a pretty, but sometimes wild drive from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs due to the large whoop-de-dos of the road. We stayed one night at the Rosehip Campground on our way out there. Not only was the walk along the Chena River scenic, but the campground is full of pretty pink rockroses in the spring. Back in the RV, we saw a mother moose and two babies in a lake. The babies were so cute.
The road ends at the Chena Hot Springs, which is known for its innovative uses of geothermal energy and its Aurora Ice Museum. This resort has hotel accommodations, a restaurant, hydroponic gardens, the hot springs, indoor pools, horseback riding, ATV rentals, an igloo shaped hanger that houses the Ice Museum, their own airport, this 1954 DC-6 Charlie Brown airplane, and camping spots! Its an interesting property.
It was a beautifully sunny day when we arrived at the hot springs. We showered and I waddled down the ramp into the hot, rock-lined, sulphur springs. The water temperature was lovely, but very shortly after we got in, dark clouds rolled in with lightening and thunder. I was out of there with the vast majority of other users. Doug, however, rode out the thunderstorm inside the pool and apparently enjoyed it immensely. He loves storms like that and this provided quite a unique experience! He couldn’t have loved it more! I on the other hand, sprinted back to the RV in the pouring rain so quickly that I didn’t even get my swimsuit cover up on correctly – wore it backwards. Muddy and wet I rode out the storm with our shaking little dog inside the RV.
We didn’t spend the money to go into the Aurora Ice Museum and after our visit, I read that they hand carve between 12,000 and 15,000 unique appletini glasses each year! What?!
Hot springs might not be my jam, but I’ve never met an appletini I didn’t love. I should have run for the igloo instead of the RV.
Regardless, we really enjoyed this Fairbanks side trip to Chena Hot Springs. So glad the kids recommended it and that we went!
