June 20, 2018 Wednesday 08:36 pm
Ross River, YT Y0B 1S0, Canada | 82°F
370 miles today. Started down the Campbell Highway. Beautifully glorious day with warm temps and sunny skies.
Saw an arctic fox near Carmacks. I think I got it on video. Also video of a black bear and two cubs. The cubs were really cute. I could hear Sharon proclaiming "Oh honey, I want one."
Today was all about these reddish purple flowers that I assume are some kind of Fireweed. They lined the highway all day today, much like the bluebonnets in Texas in the spring. They were spectacular.
I liked the Campbell Highway best of the northern remote roads. I nearly had it all to myself. Almost no trucks and very few cars or campers. The road wound around the Yukon and Pelly River bluffs often providing breathtaking views.
I did have to go 10km off the highway into Faro to get gas. When I got there I was greeted by a sign on the card lock stating they would be back at 3:00pm. I had to wait about 15 minutes. I had no option. It was okay. I met a local young man with really bad teeth. Said his name was Nigel. He was quite enamored with the Husqvarna. He asked questions nonstop till the attendant returned.
I am at the best camp spot of the trip so far. Lapie Canyon on the Lapie River. My tent is 30 feet from the roaring rapids created as the river funnels into the rock fissures of the narrow canyon walls. It is violent and calming at the same time. I would not want to be in the water here. I dipped my toes. It was really cold. Just as well. It was all too turbulent to even consider getting in.
I started this day in the scriptures, as is my habit, and words from the Psalms took me back to conversation from last night. I spoke with a man from Ontario who had a GSA 1200 loaded to the max. He spoke broken French English. He did, however, seem to be fluent in the use of the "f" word and peppered his conversation with it repeatedly. I suspect he was an okay sort of fellow, just a little crude.
We chatted about the benefits of his motorcycle versus the benefits of a lighter one like mine. He then began to relate stories from his trip up the Dempster. He was apparently right behind me and encountered the same mud that I did. He told about entering the mud at too high of speed, sending him and the big bike into an out of control right to left weave that increased with each oscillation. He said he counted six right to lefts and was certain he was losing it.
Then he said, "I don't know if the bike just pulled out of it but if you ask me I was lifted up." He did not mention God but he implied it clearly. He said he cried. I suspect this man was not a regular regarder of God and I doubt he knew Him intimately. On that day, in the face of catastrophe, he acknowledged God. I told him that none of us had arrived at this place without the favor of God. He agreed and moved on to the next story.
All of this came flooding back when I read Psalm 108:13 "With God we will perform valiantly." How true indeed. As I read on I came to 109: 26-28 'Help me, Lord my God; save me according to Your faithful love so they may know that this is Your hand and that you, Lord, have done it. Though they curse, you will bless. When they rise up, they will be put the same, but Your servant will rejoice."
I camped 30 feet from this roaring river rapids.
This little guy really put up a fuss at me. He chirped and barked at me the whole time I set up my camp.