VAN LIFE IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA: Free gold panning and searching for the northern lights in September!

[@jazziered142]

You guys did such an amazing job showing Alaska! I really enjoyed this series. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[@mikeandheather]

Thank you so much!

[@peteh3654]

What a wonderful trip you 2 have had. I have watched several of your videos and listening to Heather speak I could only think of WNY as that is where I"m from, I'm in Colorado now. . Then I saw a Canisius sweatshirt and the "Buffalo 716" in the van and my suspicions were confirmed. Nice to see someone from home who did this trip. I'm planning the trip to Alaska then up to Tuktoyaktuk in summer 2024 and cant wait. Best of luck to both of you in your travels.

[@mikeandheather]

That is too funny, small world! Heather is assuming that it is because she talks fast haha We are both from the Silver Creek area, about 45 minutes south of Buffalo but both went to college in the city. Best of luck in your travels next summer! We are envious that you will make it to the Arctic Circle! We were looking to see if we could make it up to Tuktoyaktuk after Alaska but it was a little too late in the season. That trip has been added to our bucket list for sure. You will have to let us know how your trip goes, we would love to hear all about it 😊

[@Patrick_Ross]

Glad you enjoyed your time in my long time stomping grounds. Funny how the locals…myself included…have never done the touristy things like pan for gold. The Northern Lights, however, is something I have never tired of and would stay up half the night viewing them with awe. Fall has always been my favorite season in Alaska followed closely by winter.

[@mikeandheather]

There are so many amazing things to do in Alaska that we can completely understand not doing the touristy things as a local! You are right, we could never get tired of searching for the northern lights too :) Thank you so much for watching, we really appreciate it!

[@nikkiemberson5064]

Loved these videos!

[@mikeandheather]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching, we really appreciate it!

[@roadtripmitch]

The little I know about the Northern Lights, from seeing them briefly in MN is they can come and go very suddenly. Any time you have smooth water incorporate that with you photos. It sucked you didn't have a little blue sky as the water, fall colors and blue sky would be incredible. I hope you guys have good weather coming back, kinda late for Canada. Safe Travels!

[@mikeandheather]

You are right, the Northern Lights may only be out for a short time and then they disappear which is why you have to stay up all night haha Thankfully we did have good weather on the way back to the lower 48! We will have to keep the water trick in mind for the next time 😊

[@llorylloyd]

Well you didn't strike paydirt gold but you scored on an Alaskan trip. So beautiful there Safe travels 💕

[@mikeandheather]

You got that right! Thank you so much for watching, we really appreciate you!

[@davebelcher3307]

If you make another trip to Alaska I would suggest a visit to Skagway. It’s in the southern part of AK just over the Canadian border. It’s a quaint little town that is a cruise destination. It is accessible by road unlike many cities along the southern coast that are only accessible by boat.

[@mikeandheather]

Thank you for the suggestion! We want to visit Canada more thoroughly in the future so we may just have to add that area to the list :)

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

I think you 2 have gold fever. I hope you both have seen "Paint Your Wagon".

[@mikeandheather]

That's for sure! No, we haven't seen that movie, we will have to watch it soon haha