Day 07 - Friday - 08/30/24 - Dawson City, Yukon Territory to Fairbanks

 Today set a record for us in a very unusual way.  We flew on a charter 737 that was put into service on January 25, 1983 making it the oldest 737 we have ever flown on.  It's interesting that the interior is a relatively modern design, but the engines are of the original design and tucked up tight under the wings unlike the more modern versions which have the engines suspended by a pylons under the wing.  Check in for the flight involved a hand sanding of wry passenger and a detailed inspection of every piece of carry on luggage.  Our group which was the first to arrive was assigned to sit on the left side of the aircraft but there weren't enough seats for me to sit with Angela, but they gave me a window seat in the back on the right side which worked for me.  


Holland used to take two days to drive to Fairbanks using the Top of the World highway, but has found it more efficient to charter an airplane for a one hour flight.  Our plane was picking up another charter flight back to Dawson City and then yet another to Whitehorse.  Phil, our new driver, picked us up outside the terminal and drove us to the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks.  Arriving at the hotel, we were given our new information packets, but many of the rooms were not ready so they also provided a storage location for our hand carry luggage so we could explore on the afternoon without having to carry it around.  


Our plan was to visit the Featherstone Antique Automobile Museum so I hired an Uber to drive us the 3 miles there.  We visited the museum which features pre WWII automobiles, many of which are brands I've never heard of and I'm a car guy.  Accompanying the automobiles were displays of vintage clothing (no reproductions).  After viewing the collection we decided to walk the 3 miles back to the hotel.  Along the way, there was a COSTCO, so we enjoyed a COSTCO dog and did some shopping where we found a very cool rechargeable battery pack for our phones that charges using contact.


The rest of the walk included a stop at the Blue Door antique shop on Illinois street which we have visited previously.  Back at the hotel, our luggage had arrived and we chilled out for a bit before walking back uptown for Thai food at the Downtown Thai restaurant.  It was very tasty.


Back at the hotel, we hit the sack as tomorrow is once again a very early day.  

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