This morning none of us got up before the sun. It was already quite aways from the horizon at 4:30. With temperatures in the mid-40s, jackets felt good, but we so appreciated having a dry, clear day for our riverboat cruise in Fairbanks. The boat had three decks, almost solid walls of
windows for those who chose the comfortable inside seating, and video monitors for everyone to watch, just in case a closer look was needed. We cruised past beautiful riverfront homes, some with their own boat and/or plane parked in front. A pilot put on a demonstration of takeoffs and
landings with a float plane. He was able to talk back and forth to the boat captain, so we also learned a little bit about the plane and Alaska flying. We watched a fish wheel in action; saw reindeer (which we learned are domesticated caribou); were introduced to the late Susan Buttcher's Trailbreaker Kennels, watching puppies playing and a team of sled dogs pulling a four wheeler; and compared the clear water of the Chena River with the gray, silty water of the Tanana River. The Tanana is now too shallow for the riverboat to use, so we turned around where the two rivers meet. The highlight of our cruise was an hour stop at Chena Indian
Village. Young native women explained the Athabascan lifestyle. They showed homes that they would live in, furs that would be trapped and beautiful handmade parkas made from the furs and skins. After a deli lunch stop, we drove 120 miles along the Tanana River to Denali National
Park. Everyone saw the movie and then either looked at the displays or walked one of the trails. The weather was just perfect all day. Tonight we are staying in beautiful rooms right alongside the Tanana River.-Laural Johnson, Tour Director
windows for those who chose the comfortable inside seating, and video monitors for everyone to watch, just in case a closer look was needed. We cruised past beautiful riverfront homes, some with their own boat and/or plane parked in front. A pilot put on a demonstration of takeoffs and
landings with a float plane. He was able to talk back and forth to the boat captain, so we also learned a little bit about the plane and Alaska flying. We watched a fish wheel in action; saw reindeer (which we learned are domesticated caribou); were introduced to the late Susan Buttcher's Trailbreaker Kennels, watching puppies playing and a team of sled dogs pulling a four wheeler; and compared the clear water of the Chena River with the gray, silty water of the Tanana River. The Tanana is now too shallow for the riverboat to use, so we turned around where the two rivers meet. The highlight of our cruise was an hour stop at Chena Indian
Village. Young native women explained the Athabascan lifestyle. They showed homes that they would live in, furs that would be trapped and beautiful handmade parkas made from the furs and skins. After a deli lunch stop, we drove 120 miles along the Tanana River to Denali National
Park. Everyone saw the movie and then either looked at the displays or walked one of the trails. The weather was just perfect all day. Tonight we are staying in beautiful rooms right alongside the Tanana River.-Laural Johnson, Tour Director
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