23 June: Day-16, Total-17; Miles-41, Total-579
– Chuck
Since we will arrive in Eagle this afternoon and I want to send all
of the recent journal entries, I am typing (small keyboard, can only
use two fingers) as I float downstream. It is about 7:30am, a clear
blue sky, temp is in low sixties but in warm sun I am comfortable in
walking shorts & tee shirt, plus the life vest is almost like a
jacket. Sitting here in the canoe with my bare feet on top of the cooler
(40 qt size, used as my kitchen pantry and as a table at camp) and looking
at the magnificent scenery, I wonder why I am so fortunate. There are
snow capped mountains off in the distance, the lower ones lining the
Yukon valley at this point often have sheer rock cliffs. Usually, the
outside of each bend in the river has the massive steep cliffs plunging
abruptly into the water and the inside shore of the turns is lower,
more flat and forested. The first few hundred feet back from the shore
might have alder, aspen or birch. Farther back and at a higher elevation
is fir. All of the hills and mountains, up to the tree line, are covered
with fir trees. There are lots of rock outcroppings, often exposing
steep rugged rock formations. There is a new spectacular view around
each bend. The silence, as I drift along, is captivating. When not paddling
it is so quiet that I think I can hear a faint soft scratching as the
canoe floats through the silt in the water. Occasionally, the stillness
is broken by the rush of water surging around some rocks. It is so picture
perfect and peaceful that it is difficult to remember that the river
has such massive force and that a mishap could result in a life threatening
dunking in 38 degree water and possible loss of our gear. But, as long
as I keep this thing right side up, the stunning views just keep unfolding
in front of me...
... I just took a paddle break to keep the canoe in the main stream
of flow. Reading the water correctly makes a big difference in how fast
we move downstream and in how much effort is required. We only have
about 20 miles before we reach the U.S. border then another ten or so
to Eagle, Alaska.
We just crossed into the good ole US of A. There was an American Flag
and a Canadian flag on the shore at the border. A cleared swath through
the forest about 100 feet wide marks the border along the 141st Meridian.
Somehow the landscape seems even larger and more grand just knowing
that it is our country. Eagle just appeared as we turned left around
a bend, it is about two miles ahead on our port side.
More tomorrow, stay tuned!