River Canoe

Here we are lazily floating down the river.  Anton seems to be much better at the time killing activities than I am.  I've still got a lot of go-go-go mentality, and that just doesn't work on a dugout canoe on a shallow river.  There are usually two to four guys in the front of the canoe that take turns pushing poles down into the water to test the depth and make sure that the driver knows if he needs to pull up the motor before it runs right into a big rock. 

In this picture you can also see all the loot that we float up and down the river with.  Clothes and camera gear and all other sorts of cargo that we probably don't really need, but just can't separate ourselves from.  Conversely, these guys have a small bilum bag close by that has some bui, a flashlight, a bush knife, and that's about it.  It would be quite nice to be able to just get up and move as these guys are able to do.

By the way, those umbrellas... Not really for rain... It's hot out on the river in the middle of the day and you can only put on so much sunscreen.  What a wonderful addition to be able to pop up your own mobile shade...  Anton and I often discuss how much of a curse it is to be white.  Makes me want to take a few of these guys back to Alaska and see how they like -40... ;-)