I love this photo of Jane chilling out with a book at Yukon Crossing in Alaska, the night before the night of nights. We had been on the river for almost two months and it was the night we parted ways with Lars and Suzi and the kids.
Back in 2016, the Yukon River was running fast and high. After leaving our friends we had a teeny tiny accident during the night. While I might like to think I can’t be held responsible for what happened, it was me who chose where to sleep that night. In Jane’s defence she did wonder at my choice of location for pitching the tent – it was on a very flat area of sand and gravel. Some might have said it was the riverbed – but let’s not get bogged down by details, eh?
Interestingly, after many years of canoeing and kayaking, in many countries, playing hiding and seek with humpback whales, avoiding calving icebergs, katabatic winds, and all manner of biting things – bugs and bears – the Yukon busted me back to rookie, greenhorn, and, as the Scots might say, a real numpty.
Yep, it’s a word.
Anyway, around four in the morning, the so-called bathtub floor of the tent felt cold and lumpy. (I’ll just add that I now fully appreciate why that part of the tent is called a bathtub!) I woke up and had a peek outside, followed by an “Oh, shit”, moment. During the night the river had arrived, and the wonderfully flat campsite was now in the Yukon.
In the first photo of the campsite, the canoe is turned on its side… in case of rain.
Yep, I know.
If it hadn’t been turned on its side, we might have lost it. The bleary-eyed photo above was taken during our rapid departure from the campsite.
I keep using the word campsite, but really let’s just call it what it was – the river. We camped in the middle of the Yukon River … and survived to tell the tale! Cue early morning we’re still alive photo. 🙂
But the real question on my mind was the same question I always asked myself when doing something silly in Greenland: Did anyone see us?
If they did, they were kind enough not to comment. However, if the canoe had floated away, knowing the generous nature of Alaskans, I’m certain they would have been kind enough to rescue us too, and any comments they might have had would have been more than justified.
Chris
