Aug 18, 2018, 6:40 pm
Last edit by: beckoa
Confirmed:
- ANC RED-EYE
- GrjApp
- nomadic.relief
- krazykanuck
- MSPeconomist
- Seat 2A (lunch Saturday, tentative dinner Sunday)
- beckoa (so far no train)
Schedule:
Friday
- Early arrivals – do your own thing - see post #2 for suggestions.
- Happy Hour: LaVelle's Taproom, mobile pizza from Hungry Robot for a snack.
- GrjApp
- ANC RED-EYE
- Dinner - 7.30 PM - Jazz Bistro
- GrjApp
- ANC RED-EYE
- 11:30 - depart for early lunch in Fox (brief stop to view the Alaska pipeline en route)
- Noon - lunch Silver Gulch Brewery Reservation for 6 confirmed; please RSVP to @ANC RED-EYE if you need to be added or removed from the presumed attendee list posted here.
- 2:00 return to hotel
- 2:30 shuttle/uber/cab to train (we want to be there an hour prior to departure so we can get tables together)
- 4:00 train
- 8:00 return (MSPeconomist believes the return is 8:30 rather than 8:00)
- evening - tbd
Sunday
- Tbd – possibly a stop at Hoodoo Brewing.
- Departures home
Per MSPeconomist As of September 20th, tickets were still available. The train has a capacity of 240 people, probably in three cars, and all tables seat four.
The train people told me to plan to arrive about an hour early for the train, but they don't deny boarding if you get there at 3:01 pm. A photo ID is needed to get your ticket. I plan to also bring a hard copy of my email ticket confirmation.
The 2nd 2018 Alaska Mini-DO - HooDoo Choo Choo, Fairbanks, AK Sept 28-29, 2018
Sep 19, 2018, 1:01 pm
#31
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Sep 20, 2018, 1:12 pm
#32
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I'm in too, and I would love to trade beer for some wine. I'll even drink wine from Alaska.
Sep 20, 2018, 1:20 pm
#33
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BTW, SHS has rates of $75 per night for anyone with some sort of a military ID. AAA etc. rates are under about $110. Free airport shuttle 24/7.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Sep 20, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Sep 20, 2018, 3:14 pm
#34
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Unfortunately I'm arriving at about midnight Friday. Also staying at the Springhill so good to hear that they have a 24/7 shuttle.
Sep 22, 2018, 9:49 am
#35
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Just not anywhere near Fairbanks. The Bear Creek Winery in Homer had some interesting berry based wines, and iirc, also some from grapes sourced elsewhere.
Last edited by GrjApp; Sep 23, 2018 at 11:21 am
Sep 22, 2018, 9:52 am
#36
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I have updated the wiki with schedule info and post #2 with some suggestions for things to see/do and some places for food/drink. Feel free to add any additional suggestions to the wiki as well.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
Sep 22, 2018, 7:36 pm
#37
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I have updated the wiki with schedule info and post #2 with some suggestions for things to see/do and some places for food/drink. Feel free to add any additional suggestions to the wiki as well.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
I've been told that Alaska has wine, but I've never tasted any, although I have enjoyed a couple Canadian wines (other than the Inniskellan ice wines from around Niagra Falls). BTW, I only drink wine made from grapes and not other fruit, honey, vegetables or whatever.
Sep 22, 2018, 7:38 pm
#38
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The link in this post (which I meant to quote above) doesn't seem to work for me, so I'm quoting it in hopes that the link in the quote will work. [This is a trick that IME works quite often on FT.]
Sep 23, 2018, 11:24 am
#39
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I fixed the link in the original post (seems one has to manually add the link).
Sep 23, 2018, 2:37 pm
#40
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Got it. Thank you. [I knew that there were wineries near Anchorage and some located some distance from Anchorage, but I never saw the complete list.]
Now, who wants to trade wine for beer on the beer train (assuming that it's OK to bring wine on board)?
Now, who wants to trade wine for beer on the beer train (assuming that it's OK to bring wine on board)?
Sep 23, 2018, 2:41 pm
#41
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I have updated the wiki with schedule info and post #2 with some suggestions for things to see/do and some places for food/drink. Feel free to add any additional suggestions to the wiki as well.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
The weather so far looks to be fair, so fingers crossed it stays that way.
What does "weather looks to be fair" really mean? I've been seeing lows around 40 and highs around 50 for Fairbanks. Do we need to worry about ice and snow in September?
Also, with the train departing at 4 pm, will one be able to see much? What time does it get dark now in Fairbanks?
Also, with the train departing at 4 pm, will one be able to see much? What time does it get dark now in Fairbanks?
Sep 23, 2018, 3:09 pm
#42
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What does "weather looks to be fair" really mean? I've been seeing lows around 40 and highs around 50 for Fairbanks. Do we need to worry about ice and snow in September?
Also, with the train departing at 4 pm, will one be able to see much? What time does it get dark now in Fairbanks?
Also, with the train departing at 4 pm, will one be able to see much? What time does it get dark now in Fairbanks?
Sep 23, 2018, 4:00 pm
#43
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40 degrees in Fairbanks is going to feel just about exactly like 40 degrees in MSP - our freezing point is pretty identical to yours, so you probably won't see any ice. As I have not had a chance to google the precise answers to weather and sunset, I will defer to other capable googlers...
Does anybody have firm Sunday plans? I'm considering renting a car and wondering out of town towards Denali for the day.
Last edited by krazykanuck; Sep 23, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Sep 23, 2018, 5:48 pm
#44
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I didn't see anyone with their own alcohol on the ANC version. Based on today's sunset time it will probably be similar to when I did one in October where the last hour or so was dark, at least there was a band to help pass the time.
I thought about going but no luck finding saver space for the return and now can't take any time off work.
I thought about going but no luck finding saver space for the return and now can't take any time off work.
Sep 23, 2018, 5:50 pm
#45
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Some suggestions for things to do in your own time:
- The UAF campus has some options, of which two appear to be open Friday – the museum and the geophysical center. Unfortunately it looks like the large animal research center is closed already. There are some walking trails as well. https://uaf.edu/campusmap/for-visitors/visitors-guide/
- Antique Auto Museum (very good) – Fairbanks Antique Car Museums Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, Alaska (I am checking if they are still open, will post an update once I find out.)
- Creamer’s Field (visitor center is closed but walking trails should be open) - Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Drive to Chena Hot Springs – the hot springs has a day fee. They may have other activities as well that may be of interest - https://chenahotsprings.com/
- Visit Santa Claus in North Pole, AK!! Santa Claus House Experience North Pole, Alaska
- Hoar Frost Distillery- Friday 3-8pm, they may do a tour on request.
- Pioneer Air Museum - closed however their site states winter hours by appointment, in case it is of interest.
- La Velle’s Taphouse(no food but may have food carts, large selection of beer on tap)
- La Velle’s Bistro (have not been there; apparently they are catering the food on the train)
- Hoodoo Brewing – close at 8pm, no food but usually have food carts.
- There are a couple good Thai restaurants as well.
- There is a good ice cream place too but the name escape me
- Some more: https://www.explorefairbanks.com/restaurants-and-shopping/food-and-drink/breweries-distilleries-and-bars/
The UAF museum of the north is truly excellent, as is the auto museum. Unfortunately the off season presents some challenges, still it may be worth contacting any place you are interested in seeing as they may open by appointment in the off season.As for the restaurants:
- LaVelle's taphouse seems to have The Hungry Robot Pizza food truck on Friday nights. I just messaged them to confirm.
- I also messaged Hoodoo re: food trucks and additional events for the weekend and got this reply: "Hey there! Looks like Mein Diner on Friday, Golddigger Dogs on Saturday and Sunday. We will be pouring a whiskey barrel aged Stout on nitro next Sunday. We can’t wait for the Choo Choo!"
- Jazz Bistro I have never been to, but it looks intriguing and has live music on Friday evenings.
- The Crepery was a great downtown lunch stop on a past trip. Really enjoyed their crepes!
- Lunch Cafe and Eatery is also a fantastic breakfast, coffee, and lunch (soup/sandwich) choice!
- Thai House and Lemongrass are the 2 most highly rated Thai restaurants. I have been to and can recommend both!
- The Cookie Jar (breakfast/lunch) and Pump House are both well known Fairbanks institutions. The Pump House I enjoyed for dinner (though it wasn't a standout for me), I had a relatively negative experience with service at The Cookie Jar...so can't necessarily endorse that.
- And now for the worst possible news, I'm afraid I must report that Hot Licks (Fairbanks' famous homemade ice cream) is closed for the season).
Last edited by ANC RED-EYE; Sep 23, 2018 at 5:56 pm