Discovery III - Fairbanks AK

Over 10 years ago on a Princess Cruise land extension we visited Fairbanks with Andrew and Kevin.  Today we repeat some aspects of that, as the caravan boards the Discovery III sternwheeler for a cruise on the Chena River.  (I think we were on the Discovery II back then, although the larger Discovery III existed.)

Discovery III

Discovery II from the Discovery III

Yes, this is touristy, but well done and worth the $55 cost and whatever you may spend in the huge gift barn.  This section of the Chena is attractive and the shore is lined with interesting large homes on large lots.  The boat is clean and comfortable, and there is no charge for coffee, donuts, and salmon on crackers.   We can actually understand the PA system.  The onboard narration is augmented by people with wireless mics on-shore giving sled dog demonstrations, or demonstrating how the natives catch and smoke salmon.  There is even an exchange with a bush pilot as he takes off and lands on the river.  There is a land-break as we visit a reproduction of an Athabascan indian village, and indians probably on college break give entertaining demonstrations of village activities.  Nothing too hokey.   Educational, entertaining, respectful, and no animatronics.

A live demonstration of raising and working sled dogs.

A demonstration of catching, trimming, and smoking salmon.

Yes, they responded to a toot - well, and some feed.

Home of a retired airline pilot.

"Capt Jim", a real river captain, founded the tour company now run by children and grandchildren. His sort-of retired widow comes out and waves to us in response to a horn toot.

On our own we take in the museum at the University of Alaska, featuring displays related to such things as the Alaska Highway building, the war, native cultures, Alaskan arts, etc.  Good for a town this size.

And of course no journey is complete without provisioning trips to Safeway, Fred Meyer, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and Sears – the latter being the only store we could find with portable electric heaters to replace the one we’ve been using while traveling the last seven years.  Others said they were "out of season".  Sears, a store I've been down on for years, said they were "out of season, but I think I have a few in the back".