After traveling from Anchorage to Denali, Fairbanks was the last destination of my Alaska trip. I planned for one night and a full day here in Fairbanks. I had high expectations of visiting Fairbanks to see the Aurora Borealis or as most people know it, the Northern Lights.  Unfortunately as I was just taking a chance to see the Northern Lights I knew that I would not have much chance of seeing the Northern Lights since I only planned to stay in Fairbanks one night and it was mid August and peak season doesn't start until September. I did not see the famous of dancing fluorescent ribbons that light up the night sky, enthralling even "sourdoughs" (old-timers) in  Alaska.

The aurora was named after the Roman goddess of dawn, and was long thought to be produced by sunlight reflected from polar snow and ice, or refracted light much like  rainbows. The aurora is caused by radiation emitted as light from atoms in the upper atmosphere as they are hit by fast-moving electrons and protons. In other words, energy particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s magnetic field. The kind of atom determines the color.It also appears that the sun has an influence: auroras become brighter, more distinctive, and are spread over a larger area two days after intense solar activity. Two days is the time it takes the "solar wind" to arrive. The present lack of northern lights this why Fairbanks is at the solar minimum. When solar activity dies down like this, the aurora activity also diminishes in the north. I will definitely make another trip to Fairbanks to see the Aurora Borealis and enjoy some other activities that I didn't have time for this trip.

Eventhough I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the Northern Lights I was not going to make this trip a total loss. I had a full day in Fairbanks to enjoy my last day before heading back to New York. I decided to take a tour with Riverboat Discovery which is supposed to be one of the best riverboat cruises in North America. The Riverboat Discovery is a cruise that takes you on the great rivers of Alaska. The three hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations. You will see a bush floatplane takeoff alongside the boat, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and see her champion sled dogs in action. Be immersed in the ancient Athabascan Indian culture at a stop on the cruise where Alaskan Native Guides take you on a personalized tour of a Chena Indian Village.

I learned quite a bit about the history, traditions and culture of the native Alaskans from this great river cruise. This was the best educational yet greatly entertaining cruise I have taken to date. The differences of the seasons here in Fairbanks are very different.  The next trip to Fairbanks will be in the winter to experience the winter activities of ice fishing, the Yukon Quest and of course the beauty of the Aurora Borealis.

The three-hour on Chena River was absolutely wonderful and I learned so much about Fairbanks. After the cruise I  took a short ride cab back to the city and had a quick dinner before heading back to the airport. I thought to myself that I had been eating so much fish on this trip, actually I had been eating fish everyday, Iwas really craving some meat. i found out that there was a somewhat famous BBQ restaurant a couple of blocks away from my hotel, Big Daddy's BBQ, so I had to give it a try. I ordered their 'pig platter' which included everthing from barbequed ribs, pulled pork, chicken, sliced pork, sausages and brisket as well as side dishes like fried okra and kale. I really enjoy the ribs and the pulled pork, they were my favorites on the plate.  It was a great day trip in Fairbanks and I had a great meal before heading back to the airport. This trip to Fairbanks was wonderful and It made me curious enough to want come back to learn more about Fairbanks and see it in the winter. I will see you again Fairbanks!