November 13, 2006
My Fairbanks
This post is part of our series, "My Hometown" These posts will feature the hometowns and local connections that our employees have with the ports that our guests visit. This week's post is submitted by Margi Ungrodt, one of our superstar team members in Fairbanks.
Q: What is your connection to Fairbanks?
A: I first visited Fairbanks in the summer of 1970, between high school and college. My brother and I stayed with my sister at the university before heading to a remote wilderness site to help them start building a log cabin. After college, my husband and I moved to Alaska in 1975 as carefree newlyweds (no debts, no jobs we were attached to, and no children), taught in the 'bush' for two years, and then moved to the Fairbanks area permanently in 1978. We have lived here and raised our two sons here; being active in school and community sports, soccer especially. We actually LIVE in North Pole, just south of town.
Q: Do you have a funny story or little known fact about Fairbanks you’d like to share? A: I saw this humorous saying on the blackboard at my favorite coffee shop a while back. "Fairbanks is not so much a city as a collective mental disorder in which people think that 17 degrees (Fahrenheit) is warm." After the temperature has been -40 degrees or so for a week or more, 17 degrees IS warm!
Q: What is your favorite time of year in Fairbanks and why? A: My first favorite time of year is summer, because of the long days and non-existent 'nights'. The joy of being able to see daylight and sunshine around the clock just gives an incredible rush of energy. Many Alaskans find themselves 'burning the candle at both ends' all summer long. My second favorite time of the year is what we call spring. That is the month of March (before break-up in April) when the sun shines twelve hours a day, the skies are clear, the snow is white, and most everyone is smiling. I guess I can't really say WHICH time of the year is my favorite, because I really enjoy living here year-round!
Q: Is there a particular food or song that reminds you of Fairbanks? A: The food that particularly reminds me of Fairbanks is salmon - smoked salmon, fresh grilled salmon, salmon chowder, baked salmon, salmon sandwiches, salmon spread/dip, etc.
Q: What is on your “must see” list for visitors to Fairbanks? A: The places on my must-see list include the Museum of the North, the Ice Museum in downtown Fairbanks,
Chena Hot Springs Resort (east of town about a long hour's drive), and as many of the art galleries in the downtown area as you can get to. I really enjoy the work of the local Alaskan artists who display their creations in these gift shops. If you want to hike without going out of town, try the ski trails up at the University or the shorter trails at
Creamer's Wildfowl Refuge on College Road.
Q: Do you have a favorite area of the city? A: My favorite area (other than OUT of town) is downtown. It's a small downtown with many small, locally owned shops and restaurants, and the river walk area which is growing,
Q: Is there a favorite activity that you enjoy in Fairbanks? A: We enjoy the many sports events from the university and the local sports teams (basketball and hockey mostly). We also enjoy First Friday which is a monthly, year-round event sponsored by all the art galleries in town. New shows are highlighted, beverages and snacks are provided, and we get to see many friends all in one night.
Q: Is there a particular restaurant that you’d recommend for visitors? A: We recommend Gambardella's or Lavelle's Bistro to folks who are going to be in the downtown area for a main meal. We've enjoyed our meals there for years.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add? A: Come up and visit us in March as well! As well as the
World Ice Art Carving Championships at the Ice Park There are sprint dog sled races, ski races, and opportunities for visitors to enjoy northern light viewing most every night.
Posted by Margi on November 13, 2006 10:20 AM
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