Serena (our GPS) took us to where the old visitors centre used to be. It is now an information center about the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race between Fairbanks and Whitehorse. We got directions to the visitors centre and took a couple of pictures...
We found the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and started our tour inside. It had quite an extensive display but unfortunately, we really didn't give ourselves enough time since we had to be at the riverboat by 1:00. We did manage to see everything but it was a little rushed.
We arrived at Riverboat Discovery shortly after 1:00 and were surprised by how busy it was...lots of tour buses! We went in, paid for our ticket (using the 2-for-1 coupon book) and obtained our boarding passes...then wandered around the facility before waiting at the dock for boarding.
Fish hanging around the dock...
The boat boarded at 1:45 and we were soon on our way...
Soon after the riverboat left the dock, we were treated with a Bush Pilot Demonstration. The pilot took off and landed right next to the boat and then shared his stories of village life and the role planes play in remote Alaska.
There are some beautiful homes along the rivers edge...Nothing like having a dock for your float plane out in front of your home...
An old paddle wheeler...
Next was a stop at the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Dave Monson, Susan's husband, shared stories of life on the trails. We were also treated to a dog mushing demonstration where an ATV was pulled by the dogs instead of a sled...very cool!
The ATV is tied down...the dogs are straining to go...
There is no engine in the ATV... up on 3 wheels...25 mph dog speed...
A paddle wheeler home....
The riverboat went to where the Chena River meets the Tanana River and turned around...note the glacial silt from the Tanana mixing with the Chena...
On the way back, we stopped for a demonstration of fish preparation...
...and then stopped at a Chena Indian Village where everyone disembarked from the boat for three demonstrations of frontier living first hand with a guided walking tour of an Athabascan Indian village. "You’ll see an Athabascan Indian village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, a primitive spruce bark hut and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate. They will also share how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century."
This beautiful coat took 6 months to make...
The tour was well done and very interesting...then it was time to board the riverboat again...
The Pump House Restaurant and Saloon...
It was a great three-hour tour...we really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect! We're glad that we decided to take it. Thanks to Alan and Cec for telling us about it!
We were home just after 5:30 and sat outside for a bit before going in for dinner. We leave tomorrow and were hoping that Herb and Ginger would be home so that we could have a visit with them. We were in the middle of our dinner when they finally got home (they have the site right across from us) and they must have been thinking the same thing, because they popped over for a visit. Since we weren't quite finished eating, we ended up going over to their place a little later. We had a nice visit with them and after hugs and handshakes, we called it a night. More great people that we hope to connect with again somewhere down the road!
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