Alaska Part 5-Chena Hot Springs

"One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning."--James Russell Lowell



Chena Hot Springs is a warm oasis in a very cold Alaskan wilderness. Mid way through my trip with my best friend in Alaska we decided to spend the day exploring museums and spend the afternoon at the hot springs thawing ourselves out.

Chena Hot Springs is located about an hour outside of Fairbanks, AK. There is a very expensive resort attached to it, but it's not the typical resort. They grow their own food in greenhouses and even use geothermal energy to power their buildings, or at least some of them. They even have an ice museum! They sponsor activities that change with the season such as dog sledding, aurora sighting trips, glacier tours, horseback riding, etc.

The indoor swimming pool area and hot tubs are the first stop before the hot springs and the only way to access the outdoor hot springs. The pool area itself is a bit old, but in good condition. It's not an upscale pool by any means, but it's fun! he corridor leading outside is unheated and picturesquely covered in frost, ice, and snow. It was quite pretty besides the fact it was -20F outside and we were in only swimming outfits... after much cursing, running, trying not to trip and fall, and more exclaiming about freezing to death we ran right in to the hot springs!

There a ramp that gradually goes deeper along with a railing. Whatever you do don't touch the railing! I got my hand stuck for half a second and immediately thought of "A Christmas Story" and thought I would have to have my hand pried off. Luckily that didn't happen.

We went to the springs in mid-afternoon, but most people go at night so they can float in the hot water and watch the Aurora Borealis. We enjoyed flopping around and swimming in very very hot, but comfortable water. It was such a surreal experience to be outside in mid winter in Alaska of all places and actually be warm. The contrast in temperatures was so great and there was so much steam that I could barely see anything around me in a few places.


Make sure you bring lots of water! The elements in the water can make you dehydrated and light headed as an effect, so bring and drink lots! Don't wear any jewelry either as it might get tarnished. We stayed in for about 2 hours and enjoyed being warm for the first time in days. It was a really fun experience and would definitely be a phenomenal place to watch the northern lights.



We didn't stay to eat at the resort restaurant because of the prices, but if you have the means I'd give it a go! It definitely smelled delicious! Everything about the resort was very overpriced in my opinion with the exception of the activities and the hot springs. Definitely don't miss taking a dip in the hot springs, especially if you visit Alaska in the dead of winter!










"Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit."--Edward Abbey

Alaska Part 3--Aurora Borealis

"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious."--Stephen Hawking

Seeing the Northern Lights aka Aurora Borealis has been on my bucket list ever since I saw them in a documentary in middle school. I knew my chance was fast approaching as I had recently booked a light to see my best friend, Sarah, in Alaska.

There is a website where you can check the intensity of the Northern Lights each night on a scale out of 10. We saw the forecast for the entire week and knew there was only one good chance of seeing them. That night they were going to be a 5 out of 10. Here's the website if you're interested! http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

Sarah lives in Fairbanks, which is quite a large city, but not anything like what comes to mind when you think big city. Alaska's population is very sparse. They have lots of people, but everyone is so spread out and environmentally friendly that it is hard to tell that you're in a very large city. There is very little light pollution so spotting the lights when they are out is not too difficult.

We drove to a spot away from all the homes and the school on a little side road where there was a nice clearing and no trees to block out view of the sky. We were one of two cars there and both of us were intent on getting some great photography shots! We had some difficulty in setting my camera on the correct shutter speed and aperture, but after some fiddling and trial and error we were able to get some great shots. They aren't professional by any means, but I'm proud of them.

In every photo or documentary the lights always seemed to burst out of the sky and were so vibrant, however they seem to be dull in color until I edited them in my computer. I'm guessing the location was the reason for this.

Fairbanks isn't the only place to see the Northern Lights. The farther north you go the more likely you are to see more vibrant colors and the lights more often. Norway is well-known for Aurora adventure tours. In addition, any location near to the Arctic Circle will provide lots and lots of opportunities! The winter is also a much better time to go see them.

If you have the chance, definitely take the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis. There really is nothing quite like it anywhere else on earth.

 "You cannot rob me of free nature's grace, you cannot shut the windows of the sky through which Aurora shows her brightening face. " --James Thomson