Riverboat Discovery III

Don and Jody Johnson, friends of Dave & Tammy joined us for our adventure today, a ride on the Riverboat Discovery III.  A true sternwheeler shallow draft riverboat designed after similar boats that delivered cargo up and down the Yukon and Tanana rivers since the early 1900’s.  The family that runs the excursion boats saw the change coming and went from hauling freight to hauling tourists.  From a 25 passenger boat in 1950 to the present day Discovery III with a capacity of 900 the business has been run by the same family.  Our captain today was a great grandson of the founder.

The trip today took us past the kennels of Susan Butcher, four time winner of the 1100 mile Iditarod dogsled race.  We saw some puppies and a sled team that was hitched up to do their daily exercise.  They were so anxious to get started they just strained at their harnesses.  They were hitched to a four wheeler that just jumped when he untied the rope.  They went for a half mile run that maybe lasted two minutes.  When they were done they all got to jump into the river.  It was fun to see they joy that those dogs experienced just being allowed to do what they were bred for (run).

Future Sled Dogs

I want to go, I want to go

Whoa!

After the run a dip in the water, what fun!

The boat made a stop at a replica Athabascan Indian fish camp.  There young Alaskan Native guides took us around the camp and explained how the people lived in such harsh conditions.  It was very interesting indeed.  We saw some of the various waterfront homes.  Some big, some small, some new and some quite old.  They even had a bush pilot take off and land his Piper Super Cub equipped with floats right alongside the boat.  I think he could be airborne in less than the length of the Discovery III.

After the boat ride we went to dinner at the Pump House restaurant that we had seen from the boat.  Not sure but the captain may be getting a kickback based on the price of an entrée.  But the food was good and so were the drinks.  Just as we were leaving the restaurant the rains started.  It couldn't have worked out better.