Today was our first real day with the tour group. We started off with a three hour bus ride to Talkeetna. Once we got to Talkeetna we got on a power boat, we road the boat to a little island in the middle of the river. The river was 36 degrees, and was moving very fast. When we first got off the island the nature guide told us why she was carrying a shot gun. She said she was carrying the gun just in case we saw a bear. She then explained that if we did see a bear we should all huddle in a big circle and slowly back away. With that cleared up we began our walk.

The first thing they showed us was a three walled lean-to that the Indians lived in. Then we saw a trapper’s cabin. There was the cabin, where the trapper lived, and a little hut up on stilts to store all the meat and furs. Then we headed back to the boat. As we were heading back to the boat they told us that on the way back we would have some fun and make sharp turns, and go in circles. But once we got to the boat we realized that wasn’t going to happen right then, because one of the three engines wouldn’t turn on. Then to make matters more complicated another boat needed to unload passengers at the dock, but the boat we were on could not move all of us with out the third engine. So we all stood to one side of the boat, and thankfully it moved. Then we got back to shore and called the mechanic. We waited on the shore while the mechanic looked at the boat, and thankfully got it running. Then we took our ride, and got to experience the spinning. Then we drove back to the town of Talkeetna. The town is only about 3 blocks long. Then we checked into our new gorgeous hotel. All in all I think it was a great first day!

-- Grace