Spell of the Wild

22 June: Day-15, Total-16; Miles-52, Total-538 – Chuck

A couple miles after we started this morning, the boats and canoes that were so noisy, when floating by us last night, were docked or beached on the shore. Bill couldn't resist shouting to ask if anyone still wanted to celebrate the Solstice, just in case any of them might be sleeping nearby.

About 8:30, the passenger ferry "Yukon Queen II" came down river. She also passed us last evening, as we were setting up camp she was going up stream. I had heard there was a ferry service between Dawson and Eagle. This afternoon she was going back up stream. Evidently they leave Dawson in the morning and return to Dawson each afternoon. The YQ II is a slick looking, fiberglass tour boat with two decks on a catamaran type hull, maybe 50 feet long. She throws a tremendous wake, especially when bucking the current going up stream. The skipper always slows that big rig down well before reaching us, even when our canoes are tied and floating at the shoreline. The last two times he has given us a blast on the ship's horn while lots of folks come out on deck and wave. This morning, one guy yelled to ask if I was OK. When we get to Eagle, probably tomorrow, I'll try to drop by the YK II office and have them pass our thanks to the skipper for being so courteous.

We are camped on Night Island and there are plenty of moose tracks. We were commenting that we had not seen even one moose today when a big one walked up out of the water about 200 yards away. We are not alone on this island.

We made 52 miles today and that put us over 500 miles for the trip, we may celebrate tomorrow night in Eagle. We have made reservations at the Eagle Trading Company. That is where Bill and I both have shipped our pistols. Bill has really been looking forward to getting his, he always has a few firearms when he is in the wilderness. I'll be glad to have mine in the event I need to use it, otherwise, it is just one more thing to fool with.

Guess we'll have to take a bath again tomorrow, this every other day thing is getting to be a nuisance :)