This full-grown moose crossed our path
on our way to Chena
"Rock Lake" — a 115° attraction at the
Chena Hot Springs Resort
Day 6: Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Chena Hot Springs
We got up from our secluded spot and started driving early. We made it to Fairbanks at about 1:00 PM and to the Chena Hot Springs about 2:30. Along the bumpy ride to Chena a large brown object moved across the road in the distance. As we pulled the RV closer, we realized our path was being crossed by a full-grown moose. This was our first large mammal sighting on our own. After crossing the road, the moose continued on her way and we continued on ours.
After being in the rainy cold for a few days the hot springs were a welcome diversion. The Chena Hot Springs Resort is built around the springs and consists of about 10 buildings including an ice-sculpture museum. They also have RV camping so we pulled into a spot and registered. We immediately changed and headed for the springs. You don't get to swim in the actual springs; instead you swim in man-made structures powered by the springs: a swimming pool, a hot tub and "Rock Lake" which was the coolest by far...or actually just the opposite. Rock Lake was 115° of pure torture and we lasted for about 10 minutes.
After swimming for a while, we decided to head back to our camping spot for some supper. Our propane grill, being the piece of crap that it was, decided not to light again. We went and bought some firewood and rigged a grill. That night we had "blackened" chicken, macaroni and cheese and "Texas" style beans (bought right here in Alaska).
After dinner we decided to take one more dip in the hot springs, then we headed over to the resort bar to do a little people watching. We sat next to two Australians and some guy that couldn't stop talking about himself. Roger, the bartender, showed us some bar tricks including how to pull a cork out of a wine bottle using nothing but a bar napkin (we'll have to show you some time).