Fairbanks, Alaska Part 2

After the Georgeson Botanical Garden, we went to the Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station, where students and faculty observe muskoxen, caribou, and reindeer to determine how they act socially, how their bodies work, and how knowledge learned from these animals might be transferred to caring for other animals.


A large male muskox:




A young male:


Females:






Phillip, a yearling caribou, gets a willow treat from Emma, a graduate student in biology and music, an oboist, and a wonderful tour guide.




Look at those long eyelashes!


We learned that muskoxen have horns, that begin growing at birth and are like extensions of the skeleton. They are permanent, and if they are damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Antlers, on the other hand, are temporary, lasting for several months before being shed. Caribou antlers are incredibly heavy!


Emma also taught us about qiviut, the warm layer of wool muskoxen grow close to the body in anticipation of winter. While the qiviut protects the muskox from the cold, the coat of long guard hairs the muskox sports year-round protects the qiviut from the elements. When the muskoxen begin shedding the qiviut, groomers comb it from under the guard hairs in great sheets. It is then processed into qiviut yarn, which is thinner, yet warmer, than typical sheep's wool yarn, and does not irritate the skin.

On the 24th, we went into Fairbanks again. Beautiful artwork makes beautiful bannisters at the Post Office.








A raven at Golden Heart Park, on the Chena River:


This captivating bronze statue in Golden Heart Park is called "Unkown First Family."






A sign at the Yukon Quest (thousand-mile sled dog race) gift shop:


Miriam Cooper and Jim Langston set up behind the gift shop with some of the dogs from the Sled Dog Sanctuary. Miriam is the founder of the sanctuary, and Jim is a volunteer who puts in countless hours for the dogs. We were thoroughly impressed and smitten with Miriam, Jim and the dogs. Please check out Miriam's blog.






We could hardly tear ourselves away from the sled dogs, but we finally had to and continued on outside of Fairbanks to the Alaska pipeline viewpoint. Information boards and a couple retired pigs were on display. Pigs are routed through the pipeline to clean it out and to collect information about the stability of the pipe.








Next, we went to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North, where we watched a wonderful video on the Northern Lights. Bill looked like a giant in the small auditorium seats, especially with Sue beside him.