Inside Alaska - Fairbanks, Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska » Summer

Tweeting in the Last Seven Days: Owl, WEIO, McKinley

FCVB — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:26 +0000

There has been a high level of activity on the Fairbanks Twitter account over the past week. An owl closeup has been clicked a record number of times, while photos from this year’s World Eskimo-Indian Olympics are not far behind. We also saw great traffic flowing to North Pole and Denali photography…as usual.

Terrific owl photo taken in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/2hQbb
Mt. MicKinley from the air, shrouded in clouds: http://ow.ly/2hjmQ
Just published: our set of Two-Foot High Kick and Ear-Pull pictures from the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics: http://ow.ly/2hw4C
Stunning photography from the Brooks Range thanks to @alaskaphoto – http://ow.ly/2eFwC
Great Fairbanks/North Pole area sunset photo: http://ow.ly/2fKxn
Stunning photos taken in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by @alaskaphoto – http://ow.ly/2gIBD
Great post/photo from @alaskaphoto on ‘Denali and Wonder Lake’ – http://ow.ly/2hXbG

Top clicking tweets from the past can be found in our archives.

WEIO 2010: Two Foot High Kick, Ear Pull

FCVB — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:29:20 +0000

We were able to spend some time at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics or WEIO again this year. We took pictures at two of the favorite (and most photogenic) events: the two-foot high kick and the ear-pull.

Here are descriptions of the events you see above from the WEIO website:

Ear Pull

In this event, there are two people sitting down facing each other with twine looped around each other’s ear – right ear to right ear, left to left. The two begin a “tug-of-war” to see who the winner is. Best two out of three wins the match. There are times when the loop will slip off one opponent’s ear – that person is the loser of that round. Each participant alternate each round using alternate ears. A game of stamina to pain, the victor demonstrates he/she can withstand pain, a trait sometimes needed to survive the harsh realities of the North.

Two-foot High Kick

This event is similar to the one-foot high kick with the difference being the athlete jumps off the floor using both feet, hits the suspended target with both feet together, and maintains balance upon reaching the floor. When landing both feet must touch the floor at the same time.

Years ago, in the coastal whaling villages, in order for the village to know that a whale has been taken, a runner would run back to the village and when within sight of the village, the messenger would jump and kick both feet into the air while running. In that manner, the people of the village would know a what was caught and prepare themselves to help in “beaching” the whale.

WEIO has a great website. Be sure to check it out for more. Also check the Inside Alaska archives for more photos and videos of WEIO from previous years.

Tweeting: Solstice Sunrise, Denali, Antique Cars

FCVB — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:11:59 +0000

Photos from around the area top our most-clicked list again this week. Denali National Park is included, along with the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center here in Fairbanks. There is also a very interesting video taken at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Summer events also received good traffic.

Nice new shot of a post-Solstice sunrise from the Fairbanks Flickr group: http://ow.ly/25lh2
Coupons for your Fairbanks trip on our website: http://ow.ly/25oFY
Good post and set of pictures from a trip to Denali National Park: http://ow.ly/24XQa
Nice blog post and photos that feature sites around Fairbanks including the Morris Thompson Center: http://ow.ly/24Yq6
Terrific video featuring @AKcarmuseum in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/261g1
Take a summer exhibit tour at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/24hpk
Cool event: ‘Arts in the Park at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks’ – http://ow.ly/23sKF

You may also follow us on Twitter to get each of this updates as they are posted.

The Moose Family Saga Continues

FCVB — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:37:00 +0000

I looked out my living room window last evening and saw the moose cow and twin calves I had referenced previously here and here. This time I was equipped with a 200mm lens! I observed the mother and her young ones for fifteen minutes or so from across the street and was able to capture these images.

The calves have really grown since we first saw them. It has been neat to see them growing up before our eyes. Just another day in Fairbanks!

Baby Moose Twins Return for a Visit

FCVB — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:17:40 +0000

We wrote an earlier post on a moose cow and two calves that have been hanging around my house this summer. Sunday night they were back. The twin calves were curious, and ready to come very close to the guy standing in the driveway (me). In the photos below you can see how they progress from the trail across the street, to the open area in the bushes, then across the street and into the yard. At that point Mom had to step in and call them back. Before leaving, they took a moment to nurse and then headed back into the woods.

This was a pretty rare wildlife encounter. Just so you know, my wife and I were always cautious and never came between the cow and her calves. The last two pictures were taken from inside the house, as the moose were only about 20 feet away. It is important to use caution whenever interacting wildlife.

Things to Do and Summer: Tops on Twitter

FCVB — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:08:05 +0000

Our 101 Things to Do in Fairbanks got a lot of traffic on Twitter and on this blog over the past week. Among the most clicked items were summer photos, a new summer in Fairbanks TV spot and the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan auction. Click your favorites in our top seven for the past seven days:

101 things to do this summer in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/1NdDu
Really cool image showing the progression from brown to green in Fairbanks: ’2010 Green Up’ – http://ow.ly/1OglX
Our new ‘Experience Summer in Fairbanks’ TV spot is pretty cool: http://ow.ly/1Oj0i
Very interesting photo of a cloud formation taken at Fort Wainwright here in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/1NOUm
Interesting photo from @alaskaphoto ‘Segway riders in Fairbanks’ – http://ow.ly/1NclY
Great panoramic view of Denali National Park: http://ow.ly/1NOQZ
Really cool: you can bid on a Fairbanks travel package using Alaska Airlines miles: http://ow.ly/1Okxa

You can become a Twitter follower or “like” us on Facebook any time. Also subscribe to this blog via e-mail for future updates.

New TV Spot: Experience Summer in Fairbanks

FCVB — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:29:08 +0000

We just began airing a summer TV spot, which you may see below. Great weather, midnight sun and an abundance of things to do are among the top reasons to visit! A typical summer weather forecast calls for sunny skies and nearly 80 degree temperatures – and there are always a bunch of great events scheduled.

Experience Summer in Fairbanks from insidealaska on Vimeo.

Start making your plans for a Fairbanks summer trip today!

101 Things to Do This Summer in Fairbanks

FCVB — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:09:08 +0000

We recently partnered with local radio station Magic 101.1, to compile a list of potential activities for your summer trip to Fairbanks. Take a look at the options here and let us know which you like best.

1. Picnic in a park
2. Find and go down every slide in town
3. See what grows in a botanical garden under the midnight sun
4. See what’s been collected at a museum
5. Rent a canoe or kayak
6. Ride on a historic sternwheeler
7. Explore downtown by foot
8. Pedal around Farmer’s Loop
9. Pass off your list to Santa
10. See giant burl animals on the Rich
11. Life jacket up and go boating
12. Watch for wildlife at Creamer’s Field
13. Jam with the bands at concerts in the park
14. See ice sculpting in action
15. Grow your own grub
16. Read a good book from the library
17. Play a round of mini golf
18. Share your travels in the explorefairbanks.com photo contest
19. Make MTCVC your first stop for trip planning

20. Explore a national or state park
21. Wet a line for an arctic Grayling
22. Take a balloon ride over Fairbanks
23. Catch a summer league baseball game
24. Learn to play tennis
25. Hit the beach at Chena Lakes
26. Bring those binocs and go bird watching
27. Soak in a natural mineral hot springs
28. Pitch that tent in a local campground
29. Take a flight seeing tour to the Arctic
30. Sign up for a run or walk for charity
31. Hike nearby trails
32. Take a rail vacation to Denali
33. Ride a historic narrow gauge train
34. Pick that favorite horse and ride a carousel
35. Enjoy an old-time melodrama
36. Catch a concert or performance
37. See who’s fastest at the drags
38. Tee off at midnight
39. Pet those sled dogs

40. Visit Alaska’s Arctic University
41. Observe musk ox and reindeer on tour
42. See free films daily at the MTCVC
43. Walk the shores of the Arctic Ocean
44. Take the family out berry picking
45. Visit the pipeline
46. Take a driving tour of Fairbanks
47. Rent a public use cabin in the woods
48. Bowl a few frames
49. Get a season pass for the state fair
50. Camp for the night in a state park
51. Shop for local produce at the market
52. Search for treasure at a garage sale
53. See antique cars
54. Soak up the sun on a waterfront deck
55. Hit the town on rollerblades
56. Stay up all night celebrating summer solstice
57. Peruse the exhibits at the MTCVC
58. Set up a net and spike your way to victory
59. Rent an RV and create your own adventure

60. Learn how to play congas, harp or sing gospel
61. See the largest parade in Alaska
62. Visit local monuments and statues
63. Try your hand at gold panning
64. Celebrate America’s birthday
65. Go on the search for Alaska wildlife
66. Enter Fido in a dog show
67. Dine on fresh Alaskan seafood
68. See if your rubber ducky wins the race
69. Make vacation plans on a seasonal air carrier
70. Get started on your holiday shopping
71. Have a BBQ with friends and neighbors
72. Get your hands dirty fixing up your yard
73. Go jet skiing on a lake or river
74. Take a drive north to cross the Arctic Circle
75. Take a class in ballroom or square dancing
76. Let your dog run free at a park made just for him
77. Make a raft out of duct tape
78. Sample locally-brewed beverages
79. View art of all kinds at monthly First Friday events

80. Learn what the knuckle hop is
81. Sample fresh spring water
82. Watch a grizzly take to the turf
83. Try a different kind of golf…with a disc
84. Paddle your own raft on a whitewater excursion
85. Get new sunglasses
86. Clean out your closet and donate items to charity
87. Learn something new at Summer Sessions
88. Enroll your kids in a summer camp
89. Take a CPR or First Aid course
90. Create your own art in a craft class
91. Visit a local art gallery
92. Learn about Alaska’s aviation history
93. Get a tan
94. Take a swing at a softball field
95. Bask in the sunlight as you swing in a hammock
96. Learn how a wood bowl is carved
97. Rent a rig and head up the Dalton
98. Relive winter by going ice skating
99. Catch the action on the soccer fields
100. Donate your time by volunteering
101. Arrange for an overnight getaway at a hotel or B&B

Our main site will give you all the detailed information you need for making plans to do these things and many others. Be sure to check out our online Visitors Guide as well or request a paper copy by mail.

6/19: Exciting Fairbanks Summer Solstice Events

FCVB — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:38:31 +0000

On this week’s update we give you a partial run-down of many of the best events happening around Fairbanks on this solstice weekend. You can find the rest at our special solstice page or posted on our calendar of events.

Download the 6/19 Midday Update

A Stroll Through Sunny Downtown Fairbanks

FCVB — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:18:14 +0000

The summer weather in Fairbanks is generally among the best in the state. This year has been particularly nice, with almost constant sunshine and warm weather. Today I had a chance to get out in the sun while working on getting photos for another project. Here are a few of the shots I captured:

Find out more about our downtown at the new Downtown Association website.