Chena Hot Springs Fairbanks Alaska
by Jani Freimann
Title
Chena Hot Springs Fairbanks Alaska
Artist
Jani Freimann
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The pathway towards the hot springs was heated. I had expected that it would be icy cold, but no, it was very comfortable to walk on. I also expected to be greeted with a heavy sulfuric smell, but that was surprisingly lacking in intensity. A very good thing.
The moment my toes touched the water, I felt relaxation seep into my body. Starting with my toes and growing slowly upward towards my head. A sensation much like one gets when getting a soothing massage. Upon every step deeper into the water I became engulfed in relaxation. How could I not submit to its glorious powers. It felt so good. My first time in a hot springs was better than I could have possibly imagined.
We, my sister-in-law and I, waded further and further into the springs until we were up to our necks heading towards an area where the springs got warmer and warmer until it was almost unbearably hot and then we waded back to the "cooler" side. All the while I scooted and twisted my feet into the course, sandy bottom. Why not exfoliate the feet too while I'm here. The fountain in the center sprinkled down and sounded like fat raindrops hitting pavement making a soothing musical-like pattern. The sun had been at its sunrise level for hours now casting a golden hue on everyting it touched. Silhouetting human shapes in the ethereal steam that rose up from the springs to meet the crispy air.
We only had about a half hour to enjoy the springs and that was exactly enough time. Until then, if I was getting too warm, I would pull my hands out of the water and my body temperature instantly cooled down a few degrees.
At the half hour mark we slowly exited the pool to head back to the hotel to meet up with my brother and head back towards Anchorage. After exiting the building we were met with cold, crisp air. I could feel my pores closing and the cold air felt as wonderful as when we entered the water.
Chena Hot Springs is about an hour and a half drive from Fairbanks and totally worth the picturesque drive. It was sunrise the whole way there and back. For most of the day, this time of year (March) in Alaska, the sun is either sunrise/early morning or late afternoon/sunset. Absolutely fantastic lighting for photography.
The hot springs were discovered in 1905 by gold prospectors seeking to ease their painful rheumatism brought on by poor diets and grueling work. By 1912 Chena Hot Springs had become the premier resort of Interior Alaska, visitors traveled 4 to 14 days by stagecoach from Fairbanks. Luckily, today it takes less than 2-hours by car.
Uploaded
August 19th, 2016
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