#3 JOURNAL JUNE 30 TO JULY 5
June 30 Friday Day 8 On Water As I mentioned in the last Journal on Thursday I arrived at the camp at 1. KC and the Pastry Chef arrived at 5.
The Chef got knocked out of his canoe about 3 and he was freezing. He got too close to shore, was watching some of the racers and a “Sweeper†a tree hanging out over the water close to the water knocked him backwards out of the canoe. A couple guys helped him get his canoe and back into it.
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00The Chef in his blanket coat trying to get warm while I built the fire.
I built a fire quickly and he got out of the wet clothes and it wasn’t long he was warm and changed his clothes. A disaster if one were to be by himself. That is exactly why I hardly ever paddle close to the bank. Another reason is I don’t want a Mama Grizzly bear jumping om me from the bank.
KC didn’t see it happen. The way he has his canoe set up he rows going backwards most of the time. He doesn’t see a lot going on and misses a lot. He also is not as fast as my kayak.
-19565625745 
00We were up by 7 and I shoved off at about 8 and was at the boat dock in Cormacks about 8:30. Once I secured the kayak and changed out of my hip waders into my shoes, Stormy and I headed to town. I stopped at the Visitors center and plugged in the drone batteries and my battery pack. There has been no sun for the last 2 days so no Solar charging.
Then I stopped at the Rec. Center and found out they open at noon and I can use their Wi-Fi. Then we went to the grocery store and what a store. Unbelievable a little road stop like Carmacks has such a thing. I bought $200 worth of food and “stuff†and we went thru the checker and my debit card declined 3 times. The Manager, a great guy let me use his computer in his office and I checked my Mid Oregon account, Plenty of money. I had not wanted to use my cell phone because of the international rate charges but I called Mid Oregon and sure enough the Fraud Company put a hold on my card because of the out of country charge. I had forgot to let Mid Oregon know I was going out of country. They know now. Once I got that taken care of the Manager and I by now had become quite acquainted and he gave me a ride back to the boat dock.
Here is what I bought, thought it might be enlightening or entertaining:
Bag of oranges and 2 different kinds of apples, 6 bananas, a lot of pastries, some brownies, 2 cans of chili, 2 cans of fruit cocktail, 1 can of diced tomatoes, lb of ground hamburger frozen (I fry it up with onions then put some in the chili or mashed potatoes),1 onion, 10 red bull, 2 cans of tuna, 3 cans pop size V8 juice, box of large zip lock bags, small box of smaller black garbage bags, 1 small green can propane, 3 bags of ice, large container of yogurt, small block of cheese, loaf of bread, (I like making a peanut butter/jam sandwich and put it in my day pack), 6 packages of pastas, 3 packages of rice, 2 packs of brown gravy, 4 bottles of water and a 20lb bag of dog food.
Once back the store/motel had a Laundromat with showers. I washed and dried and took a shower. Then I went to the restaurant and had a Hamburger and fries with the Manager of the grocery store. Then I went to the Rec Center got caught up on the Wi-Fi and then stopped at the Information center and got my stuff that was charged up and went back to the kayak and finished packing and got my hip waders back on.
I have consolidated my gear and with being a good week on the river I managed to get it all packed. I am heavy but when we get to Dawson City on Thurs will top everything off and I can go for a good 2 to 3 weeks.
Stormy and I were both ready to get out of there. KC showed up, he had stopped at the campground and did what he wanted to do. He operates a lot different than me.
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00The Pastry Chef decided to end his canoe trio after the dunking and ride his bike the remaining 250 miles to Dawson. I don’t remember if I mentioned it or not, bur he had his bike broke down in the canoe. He is quite a guy for 65 I think he is.
We left at 3 and paddled until 9 and did 40 miles. We were both very tired, long day. We found a good camp on an Island and both of us were set up and asleep by 10.
July 1 Saturday Day 9 On Water We were up at 7 and on the water at 8. We stayed together for the 1st couple hours. I spotted a Grizzly with 2 cubs up on a slope, the sun was shining off their very light brown hair. I hollered several times and she heard me and stood up on her hind feet, her cubs got to her and hey headed up the hill to a ridge line then into the tree line. They were to far away for a picture but close enough for good viewing. They are the 1st bears we have seen. KC didn’t see them because he was rowing backwards.
Then I got out ahead of him and found another good camp on an Island at 53 miles and arrived here at 3:30, once again making very good time. Here it is after 5 and still no KC. I did take my sail down that is red and white and put it on the end of the Island on the side I am. He won’t see it if he is rowing backwards and hope he comes down this main channel I am on. There are 100’s of Islands so it wouldn’t be difficult to miss one another.
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Sun July 2 Day 10 On Water – KC showed up about 6 and got his camp set up. We planned the next day’s stop 50 plus miles. I slept good once again. Still sleeping on the ground. I haven’t had to get up and pee lately at night so that helps sleeping on the ground.
I was up at 4:30 and on the river at 5:45. Today I saw 3 black bears, 1 moose, 3 beaver and several bald eagles.
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00It started raining about 11 and rained all day. I ran into the 9 kids and passed them. They say they are on schedule to catch their flight out of Emmorak on the 19th. At the miles, I am doing I may get their about 6 days or more before them.
I got to the predetermined Island at 3:30. Still raining. Got tent set up and things arranged. Also built a fire. KC showed up at about 5:30 and it quit raining shortly after that. The sun came out and I got everything dried I needed to.
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00 Stormy had a rough day.
KC and I once again decided to camp on one of a couple Islands 50 plus miles again tomorrow. Doing 50 miles is very easy on this river with the current there is.
I am sure I will be up early again. I flew the drone once again and feel much more comfortable flying it. I don’t take it high or send it out far. I need to figure out the recorder so I can narrate on the videos.
July 3 Monday Day 11 On Water – Up at 4:30 again and on the water at 5:45. Just works for me. It was raining again when we woke up but quit just as I got out of the tent to start packing the kayak. I always try to be ready for rain, have my rain coat in the tent and of course wearing the hip waders. My feet have not got wet or cold one time. They also give me arch support and confidence getting in and out of the kayak.
It never rained again, cleared off about 11 and stayed that way until we did the 50 miles. I got confused on where we agreed to stay for tonight. The White River came in to the Yukon about 4miles back. It is heavenly laden with glacier silt. So it has turned the water a very milky light brown and has. Completely changed the dynamics of the river water. I have stopped on an Island in the main channel and put my sail up on the end of the Island on the side I am on.
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A thunder storm, a good one has hit with both lightning and thunder. It has kind of circled around me so I haven’t got a lot of rain. But the temp has dropped significantly. KC might have stopped to get off the river with the lightening. KC never did show up.
July 4 Tuesday Day 12 On Water Up early again at 5. It had been raining but quit when I started to pack the kayak. Got my breakfast made and hot tea and hit the water. I had decided to paddle the 67 miles to Dawson rather than make camp again ND have to break it down and only go 20 miles at the camp ground we are going to take a day at.
It got colder and fogged up. Very difficult to see. There are enough challenges as there are without the fog.
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0010 miles down the river I saw KC camped on an Island. He said he didn’t see me but that is getting to be standard practice for him. It is him rowing backwards.
At 22 in the afternoon it was 80 degrees and that is hot on the water. I arrived at the camp ground at about 4:30, very tired. Got squared away, had something to eat and KC showed up. I was asleep by 10.
July 5, Wednesday Day 13 On Water I was awakened at 2AM by a guy with a black hoodie stealing my little camp stove. It was sitting on a table. I hollered at him, got the zipper to the tent down and Stormy took out after him. He dropped the stove but later I realized he also took a pair of shorts. There are a lot of unsavory people in Dawson.
I was in town by crossing the river on the ferry. I washed clothes, bought supplies, had breakfast, took a shower, on the internet and it is 3. No easy way and the worst part of these trips. I can’t wait to get back on the river.
Stormy doing what she does best.
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