The pipeline crosses an active fault line, three mountain ranges and hundreds of rivers and creeks. 
The 48-inch pipe runs above ground and also below ground. Below is a section of pipe as it drops into the ground.
There are many place you can view the pipeline but the easiest spot is eight miles out of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway, which is where I took these shots. There is a Visitor's Center set up there, but we visited around 9:30 tonight and we were the only ones there. During the day it is a popular spot for tourists and you are likely to run into several tour buses full of tourists. Fortunately, this is a private tour and we had the place to ourselves. It was overcast, so the pictures aren't as bright as I would like, but I did like that no one else was there.
One of the tools used to keep the pipeline functioning is a pig. They are launched and retrived at pump stations along the pipeline.
The photo below shows a section of pipe with a pig inside. Pigs are used to clean the pipe and check on the condition of the pipe. Just behind the pipe you can see my husband. That gives you an idea of the size of the pipe.
The next photo I took standing under the pipeline looking up.
Since the first oil began flowing on June 20, 1977, 15 billion barrels of oil have been pumped through the pipeline. I moved to Fairbanks in 1973, right before the pipeline was built. When it was built it was the largest privately funded construction project and cost $8 billion to build. That was an exciting time in Fairbanks and a visit downtown was a little like going back in time to the old west.
I hope you enjoyed our tour. Hmmm, where should we go next?
