Going Out

Next week we are going to Fairbanks for the entire week. It is our Alaska A/G District Council. We have not been out of Fort Yukon in nearly 5 months, so we are all very excited. Unfortunately, there is so much business to do, it may not be as fun as we wish. We will take the girls for checkups at the pediatrician, Audrey is going to the dentist for the first time, and we all have eye appointments. It doesn't matter too much to me that we have doctor's appointments every day except Wednesday, because I get to go out to eat! We don't have a restaurant in Fort Yukon, so we cook 3 meals a day every day.

Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, but it is still a small city. Wal Mart just arrived last summer, so now we are finally getting some of the shopping and restaurants in Fairbanks that we've enjoyed in the Lower 48. We always shop at Sam's Club when we are in town. They will box and ship our groceries to us after we shop, and since we are usually on a time restraint, we let them do that. However, the cost for this service is 35% of your grocery bill. Of course, no trip is complete without a stop at Wal Mart, and we go to the grocery store to buy the things that Sam's doesn't sell. Then you have to add in the rental car, lodging, restaurants, haircuts, and doctor's appointments. As you can see, we can't afford to go to town too often!

Many places in Fairbanks have Bush Departments that you can call from home and order groceries or other needs. You just tell them what is on your shopping list, they do the shopping and mail it to you for a service fee and shipping costs. This is a nice benefit if you aren't going to town, but you don't get to eat out after shopping!