6/8/06 - Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks, AK

Mike fishing along the Chena River at 4:00 in the morning

Chena River 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Chena River 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Flowers along the road 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Close-up of flowers along the road 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

The road 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Mike fishing at 5:15 in the morning along the Chena River

Along the Chena River at 5:30 in the morning

Beaver Lodge 48 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Chena River 48 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Old car used as flower pot at Chena Hot Springs

Susan with antlers at Chena Hot Springs

Susan on old tractor at Chena Hot Springs

Mike "pulling" old plow at Chena Hot Springs

Ptarmigan Chena River 43 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Mike in Chena Hot Springs

Susan in Chena Hot Springs

Picture of what the original Aurora Ice Hotel looked like

Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

Mike holding a carved ice head

The huge blocks of ice used for carving in the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

Steve Brice, resident ice carver and 15 time world champion ice carver showing student finer techniques on carving a face

Student is one of two Hawaiian-based soldiers spending a week learning the finer techniques of ice carving

Martini glass being shaped

Ice carving work area

Interior of the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum. I lightened this picture but left the next one, which is the same, a little darker

This is the darker picture of the interior of the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

This is the railing around the bar area

Mike sitting at the ice bar

Mike and Susan toasting with the ice martini glasses

Susan and Mike at igloo

Ice fish luge. The vodka is poured in the tail and it comes out the mouth at just the right temperature.

One of four beds. This polar bear is cute but doesn't look very warm.

Mike at podium in the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

Knight ice sculpture in the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

Knight ice sculpture in the Aurora Ice Hotel Museum

Leaving Chena Hot Springs

48 Mile Pond, and yes, that is the name of the pond

Mike at picnic table along the Chena River 48 miles from Fairbanks, AK

Mother moose with her baby