| The two RV Gypsies went on a 3-1/2 hour cruise aboard the authentic sternwheelers
Discovery II and III, a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena and Tanana Rivers, with a bush pilot's demonstration, and a fish wheel in operation.
Alaskan Native guides took everyone ashore at an authentic Athabaskan village where they experienced traditional native lifestyles, enjoyed the work of an
Athabaskan bead work artist, and met Susan Butcher's famous Iditarod sled dog team and her husband. |
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The cruise started
with an Alaskan bush pilot's display: a short field take-off and landing
along the banks of the Chena River. Bush pilots and planes played a vital
role in the pioneering of Alaska, succeeding the riverboats in Alaskan
transportation history. Because of Alaska's vast remote areas, service
by airplane was (and remains) essential to the timely delivery of supplies.
When bush planes first entered the country, sternwheelers ruled the transportation
business. It didn't take long for the bush plane to prove its utility
and send the riverboats into retirement.
Today, Alaska has the highest per capita ownership of
private aircraft. Due to the limited access to rivers in much of the
state and the seasonal nature of river boating, bush pilots can be seen
practicing their skills in virtually all parts of Alaska year round.
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Below: kayakers and swimmers |
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Below: Big houses along
the river and other scenery |
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Below: an old houseboat and old paddle-wheel boat - abandoned long ago |
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| Below;
The cruise paused on the river by the home and kennels of the late
four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher. Susan's husband Dave
Monson, a champion of the Yukon Quest, and a senior handler shared stories
of life in the dog yard and on the trails, as the puppies played in anticipation
of joining the team. Dave also told about kennel life and the challenges
that go into making a champion dogsled team.
Susan and her husband, Dave Monson, ran in and won almost every major dog
sled race worldwide. Additionally, Susan accomplished many challenges
never before attempted, including taking a team of dogs to the summit
of Mount McKinley!
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Below: The dogs were eager to run, but first they got a cooling down from the hose. |
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| Below: After the dogs pulled the
sled around the lake, they jumped into the 48 degree water to play and cool
down. |
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Below; The
original cottage Susan lived in is still on the property |
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| Below:
The two RV Gypsies were ready to go ashore at the
authentic Athabaskan Village to experience traditional
native lifestyles. The fish camp is the summer home for Interior Athabaskan
Indians who practice a subsistence lifestyle. Fish camp is also where family
elders work side by side with younger generations, passing down their history
and culture. It is at the fish camp that they catch fish to feed their dogs
and themselves throughout the winter. |
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Below: Despite the warm weather, a girl modeled an Athabaskan Yukon-style women's winter parka with sunshine ruff.
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Below: Lee Duquette examined the smoking salmon. |
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Below: A cache
of stored furs and supplies |
Below: An old plane |
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Below: The Iron Dog |
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Below: The
fish are caught in a fishwheel, which scoops the fish from the river as
it is turned by the current. |
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| Below:
As the boat left the village, a native guide demonstrated how fish are cut
and prepared for human and dog consumption. |
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Note: The two RV Gypsies treated their daughter and 2
grandchildren to a 10-day vacation in Alaska. After they arrived at the
Fairbanks Airport, the two RV Gypsies took them on this same Riverboat
cruise plus the gold mine and other places that they should experience
and enjoy. Those photos are also posted on this site in the order that
they occurred. But you can jump ahead to it if you wish, via this link.
The two RV Gypsies
also brought other family members here in 2016. Some photos may be repeated,
but most are different. If you do jump ahead, remember to return here
via the link posted there, or you will miss out on so much in Alaska.
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AFTER you have visited all five (5) sections, above, please continue
on to the adventures of the two RV Gypsies at 
