It’s 10°F outside…so it’s time to show you some pictures of our summer here in Fairbanks. Every summer there is a raft race down the Chena river through downtown or that starts downtown. Around July 20th. The rules as I remember them were that the rafts had to or were suppose to have a conservation theme. Since where I live (at the RV park) is so close to the river, I wandered down to the foot bridge and got some pictures of the rafters as they passed under the bridge. Many people naturally threw fruit at the passing rafts trying to splash the rafters. Some of the rafters carried those giant water cannons kids have these days and tried to wet those that threw fruit or those of us on the bridge taking pictures. I spent a couple hours there watching all the creative craft come floating by. I’m not sure any of the rafters really cared whether they won or not because they all seem to be having so much fun and unconcerned about their speed.
The first raft at the bridge...
Note that the weather wasn’t all that great that day even though it was the middle of July. I was wearing a coat as were most of the participants on the rafts. Can’t blame them for that or for some of the wet suits I saw at all since the water never really warms up here in Fairbanks.
Mary & Larry enjoying the race...
Mary works at the campground helping us keep the place clean, Larry has a Phd in education I believe and was working up at UAF.
Group rafting...
Some are not that exciting...
Not exactly the theme but a good effort anyway...
This guy was chugging along on his road bike adapted for the river...
Working hard...
More rafts, note the squirting water...
It does float, just not very fast...
Giving us a squirt...
Rocking Raft Stars...
Great fun. Just wish the weather had been warmer.