North Pole on the Nice List

Nothing could have prepared me for the welcome and kindness I experienced in North Pole. The city and it’s residents absolutely go on Santa’s Nice List. I hadn’t planned on doing much sightseeing there since my family had explored Santa’s Workshop before our cruise a few years ago. I thought I’d spend more time in nearby Fairbanks, and just use it as home base for some wider explorations.

Doing these housesits provides a built in safety net and a solid starting point for my adventures. The homeowner hosts are always happy to share favorite local spots so you get the most of your time there, but Rob and Jess are next level hosts in every way. Jess sent me suggestions for things to see and do for weeks leading up to my arrival, we felt like old friends by the time I landed… which was hours later than expected thanks to my first travel snafu. She provided tons of field trip ideas for Fairbanks, but she (and North Pole) really gave this girl a birthday for the books.

I went to the Santa Clause House just a few minutes before the hour, and signage at the entrance said you could do Antler Academy with his reindeer team every hour at their pen. I ran across the parking lot to get a second round of reindeer games in. Reindeer school is SPECTACULAR. It’s really just an opportunity to feed and pet Santa’s beloved team. Their handlers make sure everyone knows the best way to get to know each other, and you hang out in a paddock with Dancer, Prancer, Vixen and friends. Rubbing reindeer velvet is something everyone needs to have on their bucket list. I was on cloud nine as I walked past the 50 foot Santa and made my way into the Christmas Wonderland.

There is a little sweet shop and all the ornaments anyone could possibly want or need, a very cute Santa’s Workshop to view through glass, but the main attraction is Mr. and Mrs. Clause waiting on holiday thrones to greet tiny travelers. I knew from my first visit that Santa offers to take a video message for any of his guests, but I hadn’t quite figured out what to ask for. The shop was empty and there was no one waiting to chat with Kris Kringle and his bride, so we talked about my trip to North Pole and adventure. When asked about a video- I said, I don’t know Santa. I started a blog called Spoiled Spinster to encourage other single girls to stop waiting and start living, just go after the things they want. Do you think you could leave a message about how Christmas is for kids at heart too, and it’s ok to not have any of your own?

Santa awkwardly held my hand, sang me happy birthday, and said that everyone should support the kind of life I’m living because that kind of freedom is a gift. He loves Mrs Clause and his hundreds of elves are like his children, but taking off and traveling and having adventures sounds amazing to Santa. I was gobsmacked, what an awesome kick off to an epic birthday weekend.

I left North Pole to check out the Arctic Frost Distillery. Do NOT follow google maps or you will wind up in a private field blocked from your destination by a sizable river. Apple Maps ends about a mile from your intended destination- so it was a relatively stressful ride around the Eielson Airforce Base, but once you find it, it is pure magic. You get to watch the military planes fly by, drink your flights in a hand carved birch log, and wander around flower fields. They have a corn maze and a little petting zoo, it’s fun for the whole family.

I ended my birthday eve at karaoke night at North Pole Alehouse. I worried about going to a bar in the Freedom State in covid, but it was pretty empty and after ordering my beer in a mask, I made my way to a quiet corner table to enjoy the engaging antics of the locals. I found two other birthday twins as the DJ wished them happy birthdays- so I found people to celebrate with, including the Mayor’s daughter, and had a marvelous time.

Chena Hot Spring and Resort is an iconic treasure in this area. I was considering booking an Aurora viewing vacation package with them on my break, but the rain and clouds in the forecast would have made that a terrible waste of time and money. Since Hot Spring Adventures have become a common thread in my travels, I decided to revisit this one. It’s about an hour scenic drive from North Pole, and it can and should take longer if you stop to explode along the way. The ride is spectacularly scenic. There are river views on both sides, and prime moose viewing opportunities along the way.

You’re going to want to spend the $50 to do the ice museum with an appletini in a hand carved ice glass and a day pass for the hot spring. You’ll tour the award winning ice sculptures, check out the ice hotel you’d have to be a complete nut job to pay $600 a night to stay in, and when they ask how strong you want your 90’s cocktail, pick strong. You’ll need the extra warmth. It’s quite the experience- and I figured the most special spot to get a birthday cocktail. It’s not drinking alone if it’s with 20 new friends shivering in a giant walk in freezer ;)

Everyone goes to defrost in the hot spring, and it’s a very special Alaskan way to celebrate- be it a birthday or a random Tuesday. When we went a couple years ago, we didn’t realize that different pockets of the hot spring are different temperatures. They pipe in colder water in varying quantities so walk around until you find a spot you like, chat with other visitors and figure out if you can offer each other advice on what to do and where to go. Relax and revel in the bounty of beauty only Alaska can provide.

I worried that booking a trip to Alaska to spend my birthday alone in the woods would be a terrible idea. It was my first birthday without friendly familiar faces around, but I needn’t have worried. Being a part of a homeowner’s village means the village rallies around you. Their dog walker delivered a sweet card and piece of cake, and their tenant took me up on a surprise float plane ride courtesy of my incredibly thoughtful and supportive hosts. Jess told me to borrow her rainboots, bring the dog and a jacket and head to a pinned spot to help her with an errand. Being sent to a float plane field was cause for lots of excitement!

Drew took me up in a tiny yellow plane that looked made of legos, it sort of felt like it too. It was a tight squeeze and a terrific time. Despite how hard it was for me to hear him over the tiny prop plane, Drew was a fantastic tour guide. He flew us over mountains, rivers, ponds, and beautiful views of Fairbanks. He flew us towards Chena and dropped us in his favorite small lake to check out some birds. We were taxing for take off when he aborted mission and dropped us right back in the water. I thought something was wrong until he pointed out a mother moose and calf. We floated along the water watching them play, and lifted off over Bald Eagles. It was a breathtaking morning, and my heart bubbled over with gratitude and hope. East Ramp Airport is a great place to watch the planes, and East Ramp Pizza is pretty fantastic- so even if you aren’t up for a flight, a field trip is totally worth your while.

I had prepared a spring roll dinner as a thank you for my host. I invited Drew over to join us, which turned out to be a great idea. After a slight miscommunication error, I learned I was off by a day for the return of my hosts. I had booked travel that all needed to be adjusted so I could fulfill my commitment. Stressed and freaking out, I was on hold with the railroad company to adjust my reservation when I went to the car to get my computer- and Oso chose that moment to pull a runner and push past me out the door. This is not a small yard, it’s a huge piece of property with bears and moose and an Oso that likes to bark at all other animals. I was truly terrified as I chased after him, my blood pressure already high from my travel disaster. Luckily Drew was walking over for lunch, and ran into Oso. I was so grateful to have both boys at the table for a celebratory lunch, especially when I got my travel sorted as I finished preparations.

North Pole was not just a home base for other travels, it was a home I felt incredibly welcome and comfortable in. I made friends I’d so very much like to come back and revisit. The weather didn’t cooperate for Northern Lights, but it would never be a hardship to come back. North Pole absolutely goes on the Nice List, and it should go on yours too.