Alaska 2025 – 29

Cathy and I decided on a canoe trip down the Chena River. We had never been in a canoe, but we went from the town of North Pole to Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, a 17.5 mile paddle. The scenery most of the way was like these four photos. The river flowed through very lush forest. We were surprised that we did not see any large animals as there were multiple game trails leading to the river.

We found one affordable waterfront cabin, it was a bit of a “fixer upper”.

We passed this bridge, thinking we were entering Fairbanks. Phew, that was easier than I expected, but . . .

The river then flowed through Fort Wainwright property and traveled under their airport approach! There were multiple warning signs requiring persons to stay in the waterway but some kayakers walked the banks and onto Fort property. Fort Wainwright’s Ladd Field was the first Army airfield in Alaska, established in 1938. The first Air Corps Cold Weather Detachment arrived in 1940. The men tested clothing and equipment during the winters until WWII. Ladd Field became a transfer point for the lend-lease program, in which the U.S. delivered almost 8,000 aircraft to Russia. The fort currently employs over 15,000 soldiers and civilians.

After the helicopter fly-by we continued down the river, still with pristine views, but no wildlife.

The Chena split upstream from Fairbanks so I decided to take the left channel. As soon as we got in it’s current, I noticed that the RIGHT channel was substantially larger and flowing more quickly. Oops, we should have taken a map. After paddling quite a way, we found this smaller channel back to the main river.

Just past this Alaska Highway bridge Fairbanks awaits!

We entered a rather large spot in the river where there were several (expensive looking) homes visible riverside.

An extreme solar install?

Just past the pedestrian bridge the downtown views came into being. This is the Doyon Limited building on the right side of the river, opposite Golden Heart Plaza. Doyon Limited is an Alaska Native corporation with more than 20,500 shareholders.  Based in Fairbanks, it employs over 1,300 individuals.

Looking across from the Doyon Limited building, we could see Golden Heart Plaza, located in the middle of Fairbanks. In this photo you can see the Clock Tower and Carillon erected by the Fairbanks Rotary Club in 1990. To the right of the clock is the monument to the “Unknown First Family” of Alaska, dedicated in July of 1986, representing a Native Alaskan man, woman and child. There is also a sled dog monument as they were integral to the founding of the territory. From this plaza, you can walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural, the Visitor Center, the Antlers Arch, and the Yukon Quest sled race headquarters.

Across the river was the historic Immaculate Conception Church, built in 1904, it was the first Roman Catholic Church erected in Alaska’s interior. The church was originally located on Dunkel Street, but in the winter of 1911–12, the church was moved across the Chena River (with the help of horse teams on an ice-covered river) to its present location so that it would be closer to St. Joseph’s Hospital, which closed in the 1970s. After the move, the basement of rough frame structure was enlarged to provide a parish hall, it was wired for electricity, and a parish house was built adjacent. The steeple and vestibule were added in 1914, the roof was raised, and the choir gallery added. Its stained glass windows were added in 1926–28. (We attended Mass on Sunday, the interior was ornate and beautifully designed.)

When we arrived at our take-out point, we both struggled to get ourselves out of the canoe. 5 hours of paddling without a stop took it’s toll.