Go and Reiko's Diary in Alaska 2001 We are stuck in Fairbanks by the terror attack 9/11
	We went to the Denali National Park and Preserve to see the wonderful autumn view during September 10 - 14, (another one of our 3 day trips).
10 (Mon.)	Arrive at Fairbanks airport at 3:30 pm. Go to "Sophie Station Hotel" by taxi and check in. Woo! All rooms in this hotel are suites. We have a big dinning room, kitchen, living room and bedroom with a bathroom. It's bigger than our house in Japan, isn't it?
11 (Tue.)	Leave our hotel at 7:15 for the railroad station. On the way to the station, our driver tellｓ us there was a big terrorist's attack in New York and that all US domestic airports were closed. But, we didn't recognize now huge it was going to be at that time. At 8:30, our train on the Alaska railroad starts slowly to Denali. 5 hours later, we check in at the "McKinley Village Lodge". In the lobby, a lot of people are watching TV fearfully. Now we really understand what happened. Then we call our son, relatives and friends shortly after, to tell them that we are still alive and everything is OK.here in Alaska.
12 (Wed.)	Take a tour bus at 6:15. The reason why we start so early is we have more chances to see the wild animals. Almost all animals have their food in the early morning and evening. So, we can see "dole sheep", "caribou" "several moose," "grizzlie" and other small animals. We go to a further area of the park. So we can see Mt. McKinley. We see unbelievable and wonderful views here. The whole ground is colored with red or purple grass carpet which continues into the horizon. On the way to Fairebanks, we see an old couple we sat next to when we went to Denali. We are in a dinning car; they come, but no vacant tables, so we ask them to join us. Their names are "John and Ruth." We talk three hours and now we are good friends. Knowing about the cancellation of our flight, they volunteer us to show us arround Fairbanks and give us their address and phone number.
13 (Thu.)	Today is the day we are suppose to go home. But the airport is still closed. We go to the airport early in the morning and negotiate to get a new reservation. Finally we get a reservation for next Wednesday. It's a morning flight to Tokyo. "We are stuck here. What shall we do?" "Let's clear our minds and enjoy this special vacation, honey". I call John to tell him we will stay until next Wednesday. He says "OK, I'll pick you up at 9:30 tomorrow.
14(Fri.)	John and Ruth pick us up and take us to the Alaska pipeline, his second house. His relative's house is nearby also. There are many dogs and slays.
15 (Sat.)	We go to Downtown first, then go to a gold mine to dig huge (?) gold nuggets. We get tiny gold nuggets. Happy!
16 (Sun.)	John and Ruth take us to a church in North Pole.. North Pole is a small town next to Fairbanks. The preacher introduces us to the people "Go and Reiko Shimada came from Japan". After the ceremony, we join the tea party and see many people. One of the couples, Cliff and Jackie, invite us to their house. We went to Chena Hot springs this afternoon. This is the place many Japanese come to in the winter to see Northern Lights.
17 (Mon.)	17 (Mon.) We visit John's friend, Cliff and Jackie. He built his house himself. It's really a big and gorgeous log cabin. He also built a pool and sauna. He also grows many kinds of vegetables. He shows us edible berries and nuts to try. The cakes Jackie made are very good.Thank you for inviting. us.
18 (Tue.)	Today is a last day in Fairbanks. John and Ruth take us to a museum in the University of Alaska Fairbanks. After we returned to the hotel, we invite them to our room and see the movie we took. We say good-bye to them. Ruth and Reiko are hugging a long time. We will miss them.
19 (Wed.)	Wake up at 3:00 am. Leave our hotel at 4:00. Our flight is 6:15, but security in the airport is very strict and it takes a long time to check in. We are afraid we'll miss our plane. Anyway, arrive in Seattle at 9:30. Our flight to Tokyo is delaied one hour because of the typhoon in Japan.
	We appreciate everything John and Ruth, Cliff and Jackie, Steve and Pam and many other people did for us in Fairbanks. Everyone is so kind and warm hearted. We miss them and would like to go and see them again. Thank you. Go and Reiko Shimada