May 27th and we are still enjoying Fairbanks. Today we have an early morning cruise on the Riverboat Discovery and it is a well run excursion. Our pink bus takes us to the dock and we board for a four hour tour. Oh No! That sounds a little scary, but we are on a river and cannot get lost. The three level paddle wheeler is built for comfort and besides seating has gift shops, food concessions and narration. We get to see a float plane take off and land next to us and then a stop at the Susan Butcher dog kennels. Susan and her husband were both Iditarod winners and their grounds along the river house many dogs and training areas. Susan passed away a few years ago and her husband and daughters still live here and entertain tourists in addition to their work with the dogs. The photo shows summer training where the dogs run in front of a tractor to simulate a sled. Most sled dogs are a mix of Malamutes and Huskies and are medium size dogs.
Next stop is the village where we get off the boat and visit a native camp and a reindeer paddock along with lots of narration and informational displays. Back on board we are treated to smoked salmon dip on crackers. This is in case you are hungry after the complimentary doughnuts and coffee served earlier. We finally land and hit the gift shop and then return to the campground.
Ziggy has been a very good girl on this trip, however, she is dirty! Her neck is filthy from wearing her choker collar and she constantly rolls in the dirt so she smells too. Luckily I found a place to bathe her and her appointment is this afternoon. Jeff and I drop her off in North Pole and continue to the Santa Claus House.This is a place where you can purchase anything Christmas any day of the year. Last year we met Santa and Mrs. Claus and posed for pictures with them. Santa even let me pull his beard to make sure he wasn't an imposter. This year the rotund, jolly couple were off for the Memorial Day weekend and their chairs were empty. One of the sales associates asked if we'd like to sit in their seats and have our picture taken. So here we are and don't we make a merry couple (of what) in our holiday hats. The price tags are still on the chapeaux just like Minnie Pearl. Look out Santa, we are looking for jobs.
We visited the reindeer paddock to make sure Rudolph and friends were enjoying their summer break and did a quick run to the supermarket. Picked up Ziggy who looks marvelous and clean and got back to camp in time to turn around and go out to dinner. Eleven of us were heading up to Fox, AK to a highly recommended restaurant. It was fantastic and the first time in a long time that Jeff could not finish his meal. The specialty was prime rib and the medium size cut was a huge slab of meat that Jeff said was delicious. Top that with a gigantic prawn that melted in your mouth and you get a good idea of some fine eating. I had the prawns and we all enjoyed the salad bar and baked potatoes. These folks up north do know how to eat right.
No comments:
Post a Comment