Alaska - Chena Kickoff — Journey's Flow

April 20-24, 2023

Chena Hot Springs resort is very much an Alaskan version of a “destination resort”, not only because of all the amenities in a harsh environment, but it is literally the only destination at the end of a 57 mile road outside of Fairbanks. Nivaun was excited for us to return together, after his first stay with a dear friend several years ago on a bucket list trip. Our first day and almost 40 miles later, it was 9pm when we reached RoseHip campground at mile post 27 on Chena Hot Springs Road. After a very late night, our recovery day rolled on into a post-recovery day. At which point the realization sunk-in - to get to Chena before the weekend meant booking our stay for Thursday-Friday and riding the remaining 30 miles in one go.

AppleTini Anyone?

Once we arrived at Chena and cozied into our room, we had another agenda entirely - activity hopping. The choices were unique and varied, an ice museum/bar serving an AppleTini in an ice glass, the dog yard/sled ride including some veteran Iditarod race dogs, a tour of the greenhouse/hydroplant, the Aurorium/snow cat tours for viewing Northern Lights, snow machine rides and of course the hot springs/pool/hot tubs and massage cabins. By the time we walked into the historic bar for a second night’s dinner, and looked over the weekend forecast of frigid, single digit overnight temps with snow and wind gusts between 20-40mph; well, lets just say it was kind of like going to the grocery store after not eating all day. The justification debate was brief, we were booking two more nights.

Scenic Hot Springs & Icicles

Ice Museum & Appletini Bar

Afternoon Photo Walk & Early Morning Lights

Resort-Life in the North

Chena is nothing like any other resort I have visited in the lower 48. It has kept a reasonable pace with society enough to appease the world traveler’s expectaions coming for the “experience”; but, it also has not lost the remnants of what Alaska life was, and is still, for many Alaskans. The restaurant menu thrives using produce grown on site. The hydroplant and back up generators make their entire operation self-sustaining. Power outages are 10 minutes or less as we got to experience early one morning. The comforts are just enough and nothing in excess.

The nature of the place commands respect, not just for the wildness surrounding it, but what it takes to make a life in extreme environments. Even more enjoyable, it is a place that locals near and far still frequent daily, along with the tourists, keeping the vibe grounded rather than “disney-fied”.

The Greenhouse

By the time our final day arrived, the weather forecast still was not in our favor. Late-April and the temps were still not improving until at least mid-week. A bit reluctantly, we decided one more day would give us our best chance at departing in temps close to the ones before we arrived. Mother Nature was again slowing us down but not without purpose. A gentle reminder that destinations are not check boxes, if you move slow enough, you begin to appreciate the essence of a place.