MAKING A COLD CALL TO MAKE SURE THE BAGS WERE ON THEIR WAY – PIC PAUL DOHERTY IN ALASKA FOR DONEGALDAILY.COM
PIX: PAUL DOHERTY: This is just an update with what has been happening with us.
We landed in Fairbanks last night at 11pm, which would have been 7am in Donegal, to realise that our luggage didn’t make it and was still in Paris where we got a connecting flight. This was a major set back for us as Paul had a lot of equipment in the case which he needs for filming… not only that but neither Paul or Denis had a coat in these freezing temperatures!
Eventually we had it organized that the bags were to arrive 24 hours later which means they should be here tonight at 11pm which is perfect as we leave Fairbanks to begin the drive early the next morning.
After leaving the Airport and on the way to the hotel we had the pleasure of watching the Aurora Borealis, swirling around in the sky, out of the car window the whole way to the hotel and even looking out of the hotel window – talk about a window with a view!
Today we had to get a lot of things organized (while still wearing the same clothes from Wednesday!) such as food supplies for the week and survival equipment but we still had time to visit the World Ice Sculpture Championship, which is being held in Fairbanks this week, and we were blown away by the detail and size of the ice sculptures. I have attached a photo of Denis and Leslie sitting in an Ice House.
Tomorrow we leave the Hotel at 7am and head to Carlile Transport HQ where we will meet some of the Truckers to give us a bit of advice for traveling this treacherous road, after we meet them we begin the journey. On day one of the trip we hopefully will make it to Coldfoot, which is the half way point and inside the Arctic Circle. After leaving Fairbanks we will have no Phone Coverage or Internet, we have been told there is a pay phone in Coldfoot so we will call back to Donegal then to let everyone know how the first leg of the Journey went.
Overall our opinion of Alaska so far is that the people here are very friendly and helpful while the town is very clean and well maintained.
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Thanks again,
The Donegal Ice Road Trekkers
