Saw the AK Pipeline

Yesterday I traveled to Fairbanks (It's becoming quite popular as a stop for other points in AK.) when we landed it was -2 degrees. 

We headed Southeast towards Delta Junction, Alaska about a two hour drive into the interior for a business meeting.

US Post Office - North Pole, AK

There were two things I was hoping that we would see along the way.  The first is North Pole, Alaska.  I'm not sure and I've tried to figure out where letters to Santa end up but it's hard to resist stopping and taking a picture of North Pole!  And yes, there is a "pole" that stands next to the highway and a huge Santa towers right next to it! 

The mayor wants you to..."Come visit North Pole!  And remember, Santa knows who’s been naughty or nice!" says Douglas W. Isaacson, who is the Mayor of North Pole.  Check out the city's
website, there's a bunch of interesting info there!  http://northpolealaska.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=77

We continued on towards Delta Junction and crossed the Tanana River at Big Delta Junction.  It's one of the places where you can see the Alaska Pipeline as it crosses the river and runs parallel to the road.



Stopped and took a pix of the Pipeline crossing the Tanana

The $8-billion Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, is one of history's most difficult engineering feats, and was the largest private construction project of its time.  When you reach Big Delta,  the Trans Alaska Pipeline Bridge holding the Pipeline is elevated 40 ft. above the Tanana River, this 1200-ft. bridge is the second longest on the route. (The longest crosses the Yukon River north of Fairbanks). In addition there is a good view of the Alaska Range to the south. Large parking area at east end of bridge.  You can clearly see the ice starting to build up in the Tanana River.  It won't be long with Winter temps around -30 that this river will be frozen solid. 

The 800-mile long Trans Alaska Pipeline System is one of the world's largest pipelines.  It starts in Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope and runs through some tough and beautiful terrain towards Valdez.  Since the Pipeline was put into place in 1977, there have been more than 16 barrels of oil transported through the pipeline.  It was an interesting thing for a Southern girl to see!