Fairbanks, Alaska

Our friend Kerynn gave Jack the octopus a quick tour of Fairbanks, Alaska, before whisking him off to Hawaii.

Here's what he saw:

Fresh out of the box, shortly before lunch on Weds 12/18, giving him about 36 hours to make the most of his Fairbanks visit.

UAF's time/temp sign from the warm confines of the car

This time, up close and personal on the snow. No bragging rights for being out there at -40 or colder, or the chance to pose with underdressed college students, who for some reason like to take their pictures in their bathing suits in front of the time/temp sign when temps bottom out. (Editorial note from Kerynn: "I'd like to think I had more sense at that age and not that I lack some sense of adventure and/or desire for bragging rights than those kids have.")

Taking in the pre-solstice subarctic sunset from Kerynn's office window

Jack arrived a day late to attend a lecture on the North Pole leg of the Olympic torch relay, but since Kerynn's boss was one of the torchbearers, Jack still got a chance to pose with the torch and other Olympic swag. (No kidding: that was an actual torch that was burning at the North Pole! What can she say: Kerynn's an Olympics junkie...)

Cooper "playing" with Jack. I don't think Stella would approve of his kind of play, though.

Shortly after solar noon, presolstice, with the old Creamers Dairy barn in the background

At the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

On the raven ice carving outside the entrance to the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center. Many businesses get ice carvings each year; there's also have a whole event dedicated to ice carving displays of all sizes.

On the antler arch (moose and caribou antlers mostly) on the path to the river.

On the antler arch (moose and caribou antlers mostly) on the path to the river. Find Jack!

Screen shot of their webcam as seen on Kerynn's iPhone

 The fall tundra diorama at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center

Inside a BLM cabin, enjoying the display of northern lights "outside." The cabin is identical to the ones many stay in on backcountry trips. The northern lights in the background are fake, but better on camera than anything Kerynn would be able to capture on her phone.

Inside a BLM cabin, enjoying the display of northern lights "outside." The cabin is identical to the ones many stay in on backcountry trips. The northern lights in the background are fake, but better on camera than anything Kerynn would be able to capture on her phone.

Taking in one of the displays of Athabascan tools and clothing

Pondering the options for a return visit to Fairbanks!

At the Fairbanks airport, getting ready to head south.

At Sea-Tac: an exhibit of Preston Singletary's glass art. It's amazing stuff: he recreates traditional Tlingit baskets, boxes, hats, etc., in glass form.

At Sea-Tac: the view from breakfast after the red-eye from Fairbanks

At Sea-Tac: an on-the-fly photo with the Christmas carolers (doesn't do justice to their full Dickensian outfits)

At Sea-Tac: getting ready to board the flight to Kona. Heading to warmer climes for a couple weeks is a time-honored, mid-winter Alaska tradition.

There you have it! The itinerant octopus's first adventure. Thanks, Kerynn!