HI PeaceBabe, I was stationed in the military at a radar facility, approx 25mi NE from Fairbanks known as Murphy Dome AFS.
We had a highway into the city, and would visit Fairbanks pretty much every weekend.
You're right, a beautiful place all around that area, cold as you-know-what in the winter months, but gorgeous in the spring and summer.
The Moose? Unless you have seen one up close, like in the middle of the road, 20-30 feet ahead of you, you have no idea of the enormity of the animal. Fearless, heck yeah; they're the biggest darn critter in the region!
We heard stories about how they would charge the railroad trains, when they were out grazing!
"Mr. Roberts, this is MY neighborhood!"
But the BUGS!! They would eat you alive if you left skin exposed, and no insect repellent on those bare parts.
Welcome to our foodfight factory!