After a good nights rest, we met our new pilot with Golden Eagle Outfitters, Jim, who was Jesse’s uncle. The two Jims sat in the front seat, as we headed for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.

It was a beautiful morning, and the sea was so calm it reflected the clouds. Our plane was not rated for water, so we had to hug the coastline.

It was 100 miles following the shoreline around the Chukchi Sea. There is one small community that can only be reached by boat on the western shore

We flew into Serpentine Springs, which is an official airstrip and camping lodge for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Our plane was equipped with extra large rubber tires, so that it can land on various types of terrain.

Serpentine Springs is 170 degrees and no soaking is allowed in the open water. The hot springs has been used for hundreds of years by the Inuit people for healing purposes. Our pilot Jim, brought along some park signs for us to use.

A hot pool area has been created in a small building next to the springs. The water is 140 degrees F. The sign said no swimming suits, as they contain detergents, so we guess you soak nude?? (We felt the water and it was very HOT!!)

While our pilot checked the grass runway for soft spots, we hiked to a lookout above the springs. This entire area is overseen by the US National Park Service.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve was created in December 1978. It covers just under 2.7 million acres and receives 3,000 visitors per year.

Back at the plane we did some fun pictures…

Another Golden Eagle 10 passenger plane flew in after we took off. It was bringing in national park maintenance team.

We re-traced our flight route to Kotzebue. We had a few moments at the Northwest Arctic Center, which is the headquarters for all the national parks, preserves, and monuments in the area. The center was interesting with numerous exhibits about the wildlife and people of the area, and got our national park stamps 🙂

From the Kotzebue airport to Fairbanks we had a 3 hour trip back in our small bush plane. Spuddy Buddy was ready for the ride…lol

We had one last look at the Chukchi Sea.

The Alaska landscape was amazing…

On our way, we crossed over the convergence of the Yukon and the Tanana Rivers. You could see our plane’s shadow on the water.

Flying into Fairbanks

Jesse, our bush pilot, did an amazing job, getting us back to Fairbanks safely!!

We had to land at an off-site landing strip and then called a taxi to take us bank to the Fairbanks Airport. We had a very nice driver, who stopped at Wendy’s so we could eat before our flight to Anchorage.

It had been an amazing 2 days in the Arctic Circle of Alaska. Parts 1 and 2 of our Alaska Adventure were completed, on to Part 3…