Today we flew from Vancouver to Seattle, then on to Fairbanks. When we got off the plane in Fairbanks the first thing we noticed was the heat - a smashing 80 degrees F. Who would have thought we would have to come all the way to Alaska to get into our shorts! What a nice change. The second thing that caught us off guard was the smell of forest fires filled the air. I don't think I have ever encountered that smell before - I would have thought it smelled like a burning camp fire - but not! It smells more of burning earth.
A driver shuttled us to our hotel the "Sophie Station" http://www.fountainheadhotels.com/sophie/photoalbum/index.htm and she was saying there are 80 fires burning in the state of Alaska. The air is clouded with smoke causing us to not have a clear view for any great distance.
Our hotel is on the outskirts of Fairbanks but all needed amenities are close - cold beer, munchies, restraunts and bus services. We are looking forward to being on our own tomorrow and doing some exploring.
Allan reading the local news and having a cold beer - it looks like he is eating snacks as well, it is not hard to see he is on vacation.
ALLAN IS DRINKING BEER AT 10.00 A.M. IN SEATTLE - it has to be 5 o'clock somewhere!
This is the little plane that took us from Vancouver to Seattle
Flying out of Vancouver 
Farewell to Vancouver until June 11th 