Another Weekday Getaway

Soakin it in at Manley Hot Springs

During Michelle's last 3 days off we decided to check something very important off of out list: go to Manley Hot Springs.

The town of Manley Hot Springs is 160 miles mostly west of Fairbanks at the end of the Elliot Highway.  We had heard good things about the springs but internet searches did not yield much good information, much less a website.  We finally found the owner's phone number and dialed Gladys up.  She was happy to have us although she warned that she was having some trouble with her cold water inputs and it might be a bit on the warmish side (a little fourshadowing here).  We rented a cabin, packed the car, and headed down the road.  The weather and the drive were simply amazing making the 3 1/2 hour trip very nice. 

A view north from the Elliot Highway

As we got farther from Fairbanks yellow and orange were the primary colors we were seeing on the deciduous trees.  The only wildlife sighting to report was a moose and her calf crossing the road. 

Blue tubbin it and greenhouse entrance

After "checking in" to our funky little cabin we were excited to hit the tubs.  The hot springs actually consist of 4 concrete tubs in a humungous greenhouse.  It has no sulphur smell whatsoever. I guess in its prime the couple that own it grew crazy amounts of tomatoes and other veggies (they may have had the first in floor heating system - only this one in a greenhouse and with old mother nature providing the heat).  Now days she mainly sticks to exotic flowers and some very large grape plants. 

Some flowers in the greenhouse

You rent the tubs for an hour ($5) and get them all to yourselves, so after the clothing came off we stuck in a toe.  We were quick to discover that the old gal was telling the truth, the water was damned hot.  We didn't soak during that first hour but did dangle our legs and and generally enjoy the beautiful environments. 

 

Not Alaska's bridge to nowhere

Although a little disppointed at first, we were determined not to let this dampen our spirits.  The area was still beautiful and we were in a new place that deserved exploration.  I didn't mention that the town of Manley Hot Springs has like 60 year round residents and no desire to create a hot springs resort (hence the lack of web information), so there isn't anything going on, which is right up our alley.  We hiked into "town" and had a great time playing by the slough and using the town teeter-totter.  They also had a nice picnic area with a great views of the immense skies of interior Alaska. 

Success at last

We stayed at the springs for 2 nights and were finally able to soak in the early morning hours.  The rest of the time we played, snacked, and hiked.  Even though we weren't able to soak as much as we wanted we still loved the trip and wouldn't mind making it back up there before leaving in November (providing the cold water gets fixed of course).  If you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere, interior Alaska, you might want to stop in for a quick soak, say hi to Gladys for me ; ) 

The weather in interior Alaska has really shifted with crisp cool temperatures dominating the mornings and daytime temps still in the 60's.  It won't be long before we see that first morning frost and hopefully our first northern lights display of the fall.  We have just over 8 weeks left in Fairbanks before moving on.  We're so excited to see where we will be heading next, we should know a lot more in 3 weeks or so!