June 10, 2018

It’s funny how hard decisions can be when you’re removed from them. As I sit on the banks of the Yukon near the dam just north of Marsh Lake I understand that the right decision was made. In the hustle and useless busyness of everyday life it can seem daunting to undergo a change and trip like this, but as I sit now, ready to begin another expedition it is all so clear. I am home.

The water here is amazingly beautiful. Deep turquoise in color throughout the width of the water, other than at the rivers edge where the clarity of the river shows the riverbed below, as if looking through glass.

It’s a bit chilly, overcast skies and rain this morning. The sound of wind and moving water puts me at ease.

I bought a Yukon fishing license for $37.75 Canadian. Equipped with Jackson’s 8 weight fly rod and reel I hope to get into some grayling, and further down river, salmon.

The land here is amazing. Pine trees, skinny and relatively small due to the short growing season line the landscape. Massive mountains capped with a fresh snow outline the horizon. It is truly an amazing place to be.

As Jackson dropped me off to organize gear I noticed an older gentlemen dragging a kayak through the sand, mid portage around the dam. After offering to lend a hand we got to talking, and I found out that he will be attempting to reach the Bering sea as well. It’s a small world.

With little gear, no satellite phone and going solo, Ray helped put into perspective how little you need to do a journey like this. All you need is a strong will.

A thick gray mustache and white scraggly facial hair helped date Ray, who must of been pushing 70. 2,000+ Miles through the bush of Canada and Alaska solo at that age is honestly inspiring. It goes to show that age truly is just a number. If you continue to push yourself at an older age and refused to except society’s mold of being “too old” to do something, I believe one can continue an active lifestyle for life.

Cheers to the Yukon and to beginning this epic journey.

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Day 1 of a 70 day expedition canoeing the length of the Yukon River, Source to Sea, Summer of 2018 #buffaloroamer