Alaska pipeline Fairbanks alaska gold mining native crafts

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• published: 30 Jun 2011
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From The Alaska Experience Travel Guide : http://www.Videosource.com for stock footage and complete travel program availability Transcript: Alaska's northernmost major commercial center is The town of fairbanks. once a booming gold rush town, modern fairbanks Still sits on alaska's frontier . It is the home of The university of alaska; ; and a jumping off point For activities in the roadless north. The university is a research center for alaska's agricultural and technological development , and the site of one of the state's most prestigious museums. the fairbanks museum houses Elaborate displays on native indian and eskimo culture, Wildlife, and technology. These exquisite examples of ornate apparel were fashioned from the many natural materials available to the alaskan native. To the native american, every day objects were sacred, And worthy of time consuming artistic embellishment. The beauty and craftsmanship of the artifacts on display Here reflect a world view that is as worthy of preserving as the endangered species that once shared this great Land with its first human inhabitants. Complementing The native crafts, are displays of the fruits of Man's labor in more recent times. One popular exhibit Features the gleam of gold that brought men from all over to seek their elusive fortunes. The university also maintains a large animal research Station where visitors can see musk-oxen, moose, Caribou and deer from the public viewing platform. creamer's field, located just outside of town Offers 2 miles of nature trails and provides a Sanctuary for migratory fowl. A few miles north of fairbanks, you can drive right Up to the great alaskan oil pipeline, one of the Huge technological feats of modern times. although the pipeline looks a little incongruous winding its way through the wilderness landscape, It was designed at a time when america was just Awakening to the need for ecological preservation, And it has many ecological safety features built Into its design. Portions of the pipeline are elevated To allow the unimpeded migration of the caribou. The pipeline is designed to slide on teflon sleds as Changes in temperature cause it to expand and contract. Expansion bumpers provide cushioning for these changes And are part of the engineering features that assure Structural integrity during an earthquake of up to 8.5 On the richter scale. In order to keep the warm oil in The pipeline from melting the permafrost below, the Posts suspending the tube are actually fitted with Refrigeration coils. the high tech design of the pipeline is quite a contrast To the old machinery displayed here in alaskaland's mining valley. This large theme park, built by the state of Alaska and open to the public free of charge, also Features a reconstruction of downtown fairbanks During the goldrush days. These log houses were Actually moved here from the old town center. A ride on the miniature model steam train is Popular with the kids, and is a good way to Explore the park. For a longer trip into alaska's Past, visitors board the steamboat discovery, The last sternwheeler on the chena and tenana rivers. The leisurely 4 hr excursion is run by the binkley Family who have been piloting these riverboats for Three generations. A few miles north of fairbanks on 9 mile steese Highway, another fascinating piece of alaskan history Awaits. ..... The famous number 8 gold dredge. This 5 story 250 foot rock eating monster took its Last bite of this rich placer deposit in the late 50's. today you can try your hand At panning the gravels that lay just out of reach Of the giant machine when it stopped working....