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Yukon Trail Magic
In 2018 we spent almost a month living and travelling in the Yukon Wilderness aiming to recreate Alex Van Bibber's 1943 Canoil Expedition from Mayo to Norman Wells. During our stay in Betty's Cabin away from distractions of modern life with emails, calls and other elements I literally had 2-3 nights where I awoke with poetry and verse flying around my head. With a pencil and my journal this is what i managed to jot down by head torch. There are three poems about the Yukon that i am sharing on my website.
Of course I am not the first to experience such inspiration as the famous Yukon poet Robert Service bears witness to the creative and spiritual nature of this wilderness. During our time in the wilderness we randomly met up with E’speciale Skidoo crew featuring Pete Beatty (who spent 30 years living and trapping in the Yukon Wilderness), Ken, Kent, Mike and Ray. What followed was a 48 hour micro adventure up the line by skidoo to the incredible Woodpecker Point, Pete’s home.
Hopefully we have made friends for life, pioneering people with a beautiful spirit. The Yukon is full of such people…Enjoy.
Heading to the northlands for some Yukon magic
Matt gets frostbite toes, departs early, tragic
A change of plan sees us seeking a bolt hole
Experiencing the wilderness for a month is the new goal
Exploring and skiing with the cabin as a base
We’ve been here 3 weeks without another a human face
Then out of the bush appear five men
Startling us greatly in our little den
Our means of transition is my human toil
There’s skidoos running over snow and soil
Ken,Ray,Mike , Kent and Pete Beattie
We’re out numbered so parley for a treaty
But we really didn’t need to worry
After beers and chats what’s the hurry
So it’s agreed then we all should stay
Eat ,drink and be merry and await the new day
Better still comes the offer come with us
Our skis aren’t so quick and there isn’t a bus
Club e’speciale our name and you can join our crew
Skidoo tandem it’ll have to do
Kent’s out front riding on point
Sloughs on the left, right and some are joint
Woodpecker Point is a faraway place
Not on a skidoo boyo, they sure can race
Worse still it’s snowing and the weather is no good
Snows piling on the windshield and over the hood
We battle on chasing the light
Don’t fancy being stuck out all night
We try a few channels that seem pretty sound
Til a beaver dam or a log jam means turn around
And after a few wrong turns and a few major
He’ll be busted down to corporal I’ll wager
We arrive at paradise there on the bank
It’s our host Pete Beattie we’ve got to thank
Stoves on, fires stoked we’re ready to talk
Of tales of the old ways and don’t need no chalk
These lessons are timeless and should be in school
The fact that they’re not seems pretty cruel
Hunting and trapping living off the land
Built these cabins in a month all by hand
Riding the trails like a king and queen
You’d be amazed by the things that they’ve seen
Wolves , lynx and plenty of grizzly bears
Making a living from the pelt and the hairs
And ken is a man who knows his stuff
A library of knowledge, he ain’t so gruff
Mike is my pilot and a kindly soul
Like a big brother that’s his role
Flying over the snow like a young Luke skywalker
Open her up mike, un-cork her
We hit a few bumps and get big air
Bumpy landing , smashed nose and a scare
Rays the steady driver and a curious type
A travelling Wilbury away from the hype
Kent is the comic of this most excellent bunch
Worrying us all with his persistent hunch
Tomorrow you’ll awake alone and want to scream
This paradise and good company was all in a dream
A mirage he offers with a mischievous laugh
You’ll all be freezing while I’m having a hot bath
I know he’s Joking when all’s said and done
Just knowing these guys the worlds full of fun
Kent’s got a secret agent status called Clint
Thousand yard stare and hard as flint
We needn’t have worried, with an awakening feeling
Of laughter and friendship full to the ceiling
And hopefully one day a reunion gig
With the band back together for another fine jig
