Monday, July 4, 2011
Riverboat Discovery, Fairbanks, Ak., July 3
Hi everyone, We woke up to rain and cool temps. We had a reservation for the Riverboat but decided if it would rain we wouldn't go. But it did stop somewhat, drizzly yet, but since we were cooped in, we said we had better go. And are we glad we did! What an adventure! The Chena River was nothing much to look at and we were wondering about the cruise. The first surprise was a seaplane that took off right next to the boat. The narrator on the boat was wonderful! He explained everything about the people who lived there and the river itself. The Riverboat was started by the Binkley family and it is still going on for 5 generations. He explained about how Alaskans survive in a place where temperatures range from 95F. to -65F: We met Susan Butcher's husband who showed us his sled dogs and gave us a demonstration of them running. They are champion sled dogs. In case you didn't know, Susan Butcher was an internationally acclaimed athlete, four time winner of the 1,100 mile Iditarod Race. You will see her husband and I together signing his book that Susan and her husband, David Douglas wrote together before she died of leukemia. We were able to take a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village with informative talks on their lives and how they survived. It was a great afternoon. That was the highlight of our stay in Fairbanks. See you in Denali Nat'l Park tomorrow.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Pioneer park, Fairbanks, July 1
Before the mosquitos carried us off, we left for our new home. George washed off the first layer of mud off our vehicles but on our way to Pioneer it started raining so it was a wasted effort. Oh well!
This was kind of a chill day catching up on computer stuff etc. The neatest thing happened this morning. We saw a salmon bake sign in front of a cave that led us through to a great park with neat cabins and huge outdoors grills, bars, salad bar, desert cabin, a coffee cabin etc. This is where the salmon bake takes place. We thought we were alone but a man appeared and introduced himself as David Luther. He is the master chef and was cutting up salmon and cod. He led us into a walk-in freezer and showed us all the fish that he cuts up every day for 400 to 800 people every day for 161 days in a row. He starts chopping wood early in the morning and works until late at night. The salmon was extraordinary! He told us he works there in the summer and goes to Laughlin, Nevada and golfs for 6 months. Interesting character! He cooks the salmon and we had beer batter cod, crab legs and prime rib. There was a wonderful salad bar, a desert bar and beverages. What a feast! It was worth the trip to eat there. Oh, i forgot, it was all you can eat. The thin man on the blog is David. So if you are ever in Fairbanks, don't forget the Salmon Bake.
I explored the area and found a lot of neat things. Amazing what you can find when you go for a walk. I found a fish hatchery, a beautiful park on the river, a curling lodge, a miner league baseball field. I also walked down to the regal cinema to see what is playing. We are staying for 2 more nights. Love to all!
Before the mosquitos carried us off, we left for our new home. George washed off the first layer of mud off our vehicles but on our way to Pioneer it started raining so it was a wasted effort. Oh well!
This was kind of a chill day catching up on computer stuff etc. The neatest thing happened this morning. We saw a salmon bake sign in front of a cave that led us through to a great park with neat cabins and huge outdoors grills, bars, salad bar, desert cabin, a coffee cabin etc. This is where the salmon bake takes place. We thought we were alone but a man appeared and introduced himself as David Luther. He is the master chef and was cutting up salmon and cod. He led us into a walk-in freezer and showed us all the fish that he cuts up every day for 400 to 800 people every day for 161 days in a row. He starts chopping wood early in the morning and works until late at night. The salmon was extraordinary! He told us he works there in the summer and goes to Laughlin, Nevada and golfs for 6 months. Interesting character! He cooks the salmon and we had beer batter cod, crab legs and prime rib. There was a wonderful salad bar, a desert bar and beverages. What a feast! It was worth the trip to eat there. Oh, i forgot, it was all you can eat. The thin man on the blog is David. So if you are ever in Fairbanks, don't forget the Salmon Bake.
I explored the area and found a lot of neat things. Amazing what you can find when you go for a walk. I found a fish hatchery, a beautiful park on the river, a curling lodge, a miner league baseball field. I also walked down to the regal cinema to see what is playing. We are staying for 2 more nights. Love to all!
Friday, July 1, 2011
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