Day on the Discovery Riverboat

Our day started with a leisurely breakfast at the campsite and then a little truckkeeping. Next we were off to the riverboat Discovery III for a cruise on the Chena River. The Discovery III is a true paddle boat, 156 feet long with a capacity of 900. After a brief history of the life in Fairbanks and the major part the rivers played in the early development of the city, we were off for our cruise down the river. As we left port, we observed a bush pilot demonstrating a short landing and short take off from the river right next to the Discovery. These bush pilots live up to their reputations as daredevils. On up the river we visited the former home of Iditarod dog musher Susan Butcher. We were able to see her sled dogs in action as they pulled a four wheeler in excess of 20 miles per hour. Next we stopped at at an old Chena Indian Village where the natives shared their Indian culture with us. The ride on the riverboat was a great 3 1/2 hour narrated cruise. The Alaska Tour Saver book offers tickets 2 for the price of 1 on this Discovery cruise which was a saving of approximately $50.


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The Discovery III

Our captain on the Discovery was 19 and started at the age of 5 learning to steer the riverboats.

These bush pilots are amazing to watch. I never realized you could do so much with an airplane.

The home of the late Susan Butcher, the first person to win the Iditarod in three consecutive years.

This is a picture of Susan, her husband and her lead dog, Granite.

A fish camp along the river. There are still Native groups that spend the summer at these fish camps catching and curing fish for the winter. Fish are cured for both human consumption and the dogs. One fish per day for each dog.

An Alaskan Native showing her clothing sewn from animal furs such as: fox, wolverine, and caribou.