Summer Adventure 2018 Day 25

Discovery Riverboat Tour is my favorite tour so far. Everyone seemed happy to see us like we were friends, just like we had known them for years. The commentator was a gentleman who brought his family to Fairbanks more than 40 years ago and he is also a local radio personality. He talked to us about life in Fairbanks, the Binkley family who founded the Discovery Riverboat Tour and still run it and the Gold Dredge #8, we visited yesterday and introduced us to other presenters during our tour.

First there was a bush plane demo, taking off and landing, right there on the Chena River. Many residents along the river came out to wave as we passed by. When we arrived at the bank near Trail Break Kennel, Tekla Monson was there to greet us along with some adorable Husky puppies and a team of dogs ready to demonstrate how they run when harnessed to a sled. I wish you could have seen and heard all the dogs when the harnessing began. They all wanted to be chosen to run and not one of them was shy about asking, even though the team had been pre-selected. Tekla's mother, Susan Butcher, won the Iditarod four times.

Reward after the mushing demonstration.

After we turned around there was a stop at Chena Village, a replica of an Athabaskan village. A young Athabaskan woman demonstrated how salmon is prepared for smoking and storage. Following her demonstration we were permitted to go into the village for other presentations and photos. Tekla was there with some of her pups from the kennel and she was signing the book, Granite, her parents wrote about the little runt of the litter who became a great leader. He lead Susan Butcher to win the Iditarod four times and the only dog to win the race three consecutive years.

I have a great respect for the parkas made and worn by the native people of Alaska after seeing the presentation by two young ladies from the boat, who are Athabaskan. There are different animal furs used, each with its own special purpose, which I can't recall which does what now. Perhaps I should go on the tour again and take notes.

As I mentioned before Jim Binkley founded Discovery Riverboat Tours, in 1955  Mr Binkley built the Discovery 1 in his backyard, which was large enough for 150 tourists, then Discovery 2  was converted from a freighting steamboat in 1971 to accommodate 400 and in 1987 the Discovery 3 built for 900 passengers. As we passed the Binkley home on our way back to Steamboat Landing, 92 year old, Mrs. Mary Binkley walked near to the riverbank to wave as we passed by.

On board we were served complementary coffee and blueberry donuts early and later the Binkley's family recipe smoked sockeye salmon dip. It was all delicious.

Later on we went to Pioneer Park to explore there and have the Salmon Bake, an all you can eat salmon, cod, prime rib and King or Dungeness crab legs from 1/2 lb. to 2 lbs. could be added.

The first frame home built in Fairbanks.

I know you are wondering if I'll ever stop, I have come to the end, even though I'm sure I've left out many things.