Discover Life During The Alaska Gold-Rush: Chena River Boat Cruise

     

     Coming from Seward to see the glaciers, Trina (my daughter) and I proceeded to Fairbanks. Our schedule permitted us to embark on the three-and-a-half-hour Riverboat Discovery Cruise. This cruise demonstrated the life in a native Alaskan village during the times of the gold-rush. Photos above and below show Discovery III, the boat that we used for the cruise.

Image: Discovery III, the boat used for the Riverboat Discovery Cruise.

      Discovery III (above), a sternwheeler boat, brings back passengers to the time of the gold-rush fever into the Alaskan wilderness through the Chena and Tanana Rivers.We chose the 1:15 pm Riverboat Discovery Cruise situated a few minutes away from the Fairbanks International Airport. We took a taxi that took us to Dale Road, the access road. The price for the cruise was $60/adult and $40/child. 

Image: Steamboat Landing, the take-off point for the cruise.

     Passengers were advised to arrive 30 minutes before departure, so we had time to rest at the pier landing for a souvenir photo.

Trina (L) and me (R) before departure.

     This Riverboat cruise has been managed by the Binkley family in Fairbanks since 1950. This cruise with third-and fourth-generation captains allowed the guests to experience the beauty and history of this native Alaskan community through a full narration during the cruise.                   

Image: Boarding Discovery III in this once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan river boat adventure.

     Not long into the cruise, we witnessed one of Alaska's bush pilots taking off right from the river. Most parts of Alaska may only be reached through one of these small planes (below).

Image: Alaska bush plane taking off right from the river.

     The riverbanks were dotted with adorable log cabins and houses (below). We were informed that an American president was once a visitor in one of these houses.

Image: Log cabins found along the Chena River.

      As we went further along the river, we stopped at the training camp for the Iditarod kennel, run by the family of the late four-time-champion Susan Butcher. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers and a team of 16 dogs, of which at least 6 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 9–15 days or more (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iditarod_Trail_Sled_Dog_Race).

Image: Iditarod kennel training camp run by the family of Susan Butcher.

     Along the river, we also stopped by a riverside fish camp and learned how Alaska natives traditionally prepared salmon for smoking and drying. Smoked salmon is a gourmet food, native to Alaska.

Image: Smoked salmon being prepared by an Alaska native. 

     We had the opportunity to observe a native Alaskan community as we stopped for one hour at the Chena Indian village. The native Alaskan guides gave us insight in to the rich culture of their Athabascan village.The pretty girl below, wearing the beautiful dress made of animal fur, is of native Alaskan heritage and studies at the University of Alaska, while working part-time as guide. 

Image: Native Alaskan girl briefing the guests
on the traditional way of life of her ancestors. 

     During the tour of the village, we learned about the villagers’ connection to the land and the animals.

Image: Animal hide that they later turn into clothing.

     We also had a close-up view of the animals commonly found in the village.

Image: (L-R) Sitka deer and Alaska moose.

     The cruise offered doughnuts and coffee for free to the guests. Upon our return, we passed by this trading post (below) and bought some souvenir items found in the store.

     This Riverboat cruise is a showcase of the life, specifically, the food and clothing sources of a native Alaskan village during earlier times. This unforgettable experience is recommended to reminisce about the past and appreciate how the people managed to tame the Alaskan wild