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
Aug 18, 2018, 6:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: US, HH
Posts: 894
The 2nd 2018 Alaska Mini-DO - HooDoo Choo Choo, Fairbanks, AK Sept 28-29, 2018
We liked the Homer Mini DO so much, we couldn’t wait any longer for another one!
Come ride the Alaska Railroad HooDoo Choo Choo Beer Train on Sept 29, 2018: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-...odoo-choo-choo
Cost and all that:
Practicalities:
Other Mini DO activities will consist of dinner Friday evening Sept 28, tentatively at Silver Gulch Brewery in Fairbanks (America's northernmost brewery). And you never know, you may be treated to the Northern Lights if the conditions are right!
Come ride the Alaska Railroad HooDoo Choo Choo Beer Train on Sept 29, 2018: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-...odoo-choo-choo
Cost and all that:
- Location: Fairbanks, AK
- Date: Saturday 9/29 – 4 pm to 8.30 pm.
- Cost: $200 – you have to call to book, info in the link.
- Refundable: recommend confirming terms when you book – it was verbally mentioned to me 90% refund up to 24 hours prior to the event, however the receipt is not entirely clear on that so YMMV.
- As of early 8/17, ~200 of the 240 tickets were still available (however it sells out every year so if you are seriously considering it, decide soon).
Practicalities:
- This is a DIY DO – the only thing that will be arranged is a dinner reservation Friday evening.
- You will need transportation - possibly Lyft/Uber/cab if you are not venturing far or frequent, otherwise rental car.
- There are any number of lodging options for points hounds.
- AS and Ravn fly to FAI and DL seems to still have flights as well.
Other Mini DO activities will consist of dinner Friday evening Sept 28, tentatively at Silver Gulch Brewery in Fairbanks (America's northernmost brewery). And you never know, you may be treated to the Northern Lights if the conditions are right!
Aug 18, 2018, 6:37 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: US, HH
Posts: 894
Some suggestions for things to do in your own time:
Places to eat/drink - let me know of others to add to the list!
- 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.
Places to eat/drink - let me know of others to add to the list!
- 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/
Last edited by GrjApp; Sep 22, 2018 at 10:39 am
Aug 19, 2018, 12:51 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Great title and thanks for stepping up to host ^
Although this will be the 3rd of the year
(guess 2nd mini 
)
PIT DO 2018: Post AS SEA-PIT Inaugural celebration Sept 6-9, 2018 [Alaska DO Series]
I'll see what I can do. Some great Thai food up there!
Although this will be the 3rd of the year
(guess 2nd mini )PIT DO 2018: Post AS SEA-PIT Inaugural celebration Sept 6-9, 2018 [Alaska DO Series]
I'll see what I can do. Some great Thai food up there!
Aug 19, 2018, 2:24 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
though not the same tour, I did one of the beer train a few years ago out of Anchorage The Great Alaskan Beer Run. Oktoberfest Alaska Style.
Last edited by CDKing; Aug 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Aug 19, 2018, 7:04 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,782
Aug 20, 2018, 12:52 am
#8
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,863
Great title and thanks for stepping up to host ^
Although this will be the 3rd of the year (guess 2nd mini )
PIT DO 2018: Post AS SEA-PIT Inaugural celebration Sept 6-9, 2018 [Alaska DO Series]
I'll see what I can do. Some great Thai food up there!
Although this will be the 3rd of the year
(guess 2nd mini )PIT DO 2018: Post AS SEA-PIT Inaugural celebration Sept 6-9, 2018 [Alaska DO Series]
I'll see what I can do. Some great Thai food up there!
Aug 20, 2018, 8:15 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Fares seem reasonable to FAI from ANC. Either $69 OW or 5K miles. I just am uncertain about trying to pull it off as I typically don't have weekends off, and I'm taking a substantial # off already next month.
Lodging looks reasonable however.
Aug 20, 2018, 9:36 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ANC
Programs: AS, UA, IHG, HH,
Posts: 171
We liked the Homer Mini DO so much, we couldn’t wait any longer for another one!
Come ride the Alaska Railroad HooDoo Choo Choo Beer Train on Sept 29, 2018: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-...odoo-choo-choo
Cost and all that:
Practicalities:
Other Mini DO activities will consist of dinner Friday evening Sept 28, tentatively at Silver Gulch Brewery in Fairbanks (America's northernmost brewery). And you never know, you may be treated to the Northern Lights if the conditions are right!
Come ride the Alaska Railroad HooDoo Choo Choo Beer Train on Sept 29, 2018: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-...odoo-choo-choo
Cost and all that:
- Location: Fairbanks, AK
- Date: Saturday 9/29 – 4 pm to 8.30 pm.
- Cost: $200 – you have to call to book, info in the link.
- Refundable: recommend confirming terms when you book – it was verbally mentioned to me 90% refund up to 24 hours prior to the event, however the receipt is not entirely clear on that so YMMV.
- As of early 8/17, ~200 of the 240 tickets were still available (however it sells out every year so if you are seriously considering it, decide soon).
Practicalities:
- This is a DIY DO – the only thing that will be arranged is a dinner reservation Friday evening.
- You will need transportation - possibly Lyft/Uber/cab if you are not venturing far or frequent, otherwise rental car.
- There are any number of lodging options for points hounds.
- AS and Ravn fly to FAI and DL seems to still have flights as well.
Other Mini DO activities will consist of dinner Friday evening Sept 28, tentatively at Silver Gulch Brewery in Fairbanks (America's northernmost brewery). And you never know, you may be treated to the Northern Lights if the conditions are right!
Aug 20, 2018, 11:27 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: US, HH
Posts: 894
Besides, last I checked, PIT is in PA, not AK. An AK DO is by definition - - - located in the great state of Alaska! But you’re welcome to call the PIT DO an AS DO if you wish
Aug 20, 2018, 11:45 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,250
Having to have been paid to spend way too much time in FAI for work and my ambivalence towards beer I will need to pass on this one. Have fun and enjoy the beer 🍺
Aug 20, 2018, 6:51 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
And @ANC RED-EYE is a co-organizer I think
and we do accept transplants.There's a flight at 9:54 PM (AS308) I'm tempted to book as a return flight to ANC. I'd work Sunday- just question the sanity of trying to make it from the train depot to airport in 30 minutes...