My Teacher on the Trail 2003 adventure flashback was flying over the Yukon River.  Jeff Schultz, Iditarod photographer, announced that we were right where the Koyukuk River flows into the Yukon River.  I squealed with delight and briefly mentioned the book to the pilot and Jeff.  They looked at each other, smiled at me and down we went to land on the Koyukuk River.

 

To my awesome surprise there was an Alaska native family taking a lunch break right at the point where both frozen rivers touched.  The family invited me to join them and their warm fire.  They narrated about their life on the river, the tradition of  their young son’s first gun he proudly held, proceeded to share their meal of fresh moose hot dogs and laughing with me while I was loving the scent of my smoky cooking over the open flames. I heard their great stories and traditions, the scenery was spectacular and I truly got a great and real sense and taste of Alaska.  By the way, a musher, Charlie Boulding flew by and we cheered together.