Baking Day

Fridays baking went off without a hitch and Saturday finds me listening to the sounds of passing snow machines flying down the Tananas frozen body to their destinations. In the summer we trade the sound of the snow machines for the hoards river boats that occupy the river.  Many of them are locals and we know their boats by the hum of their motor.

There are the occasional greenhorn travelers that go by, sometimes we get to hear a couple of minutes of their story as they pass. One fellow floated by a few years ago he was following the ice down the river. I was out raking along the bank and said hello. Judging from his accent he was from Norway or somewhere near by. Where are you headed, I asked him nervously noticing only an ore and  a tent and sleeping bag rolled at his feet a canteen and a case of chicken noodle soup. Where ever the river takes me he replied, a white smile lit his face. The river is clogged ahead I told him, slowly he drifted out of hearing range.
Another family I met while watching a fish wheel being built on the bank. They pulled over for a potty stop. It was a little family and a very pregnant momma. They were on their way to Fairbanks to have their baby. The mother asked how far was it to Fairbanks by road? I can get you there in 40 minutes I told her. No, no she said I will make it by river. I am going to write a book about my adventure and I don't want to mess the story of going to the hospital via boat! She was laughing then cringed in pain from a labor contraction. I do know for a fact they made it to the hospital I made her call me!

Things are always changing on the river. This past year we saw a slew of Jet Ski's and Wave Runners which look to be so much fun. Until you fall off of course.Then you're dead. These kids just do not realize the power of the water in this river the churning muddy water the sticks and rocks and drags underneath the current is so strong that it can pull a normal float coat and person right under without any trouble at all. I don't think you even have to have a license to drive them so I am praying folks are very careful this coming summer.  Ok enough worrying for now just tell everyone you know double your floatation when on a churning river!