Never a dull moment: Takhini River ?!
Bob a world class paddler, enjoyed outdoor education forays. For Bob, Yukon teenage youth could always present a challenge equal or greater than some of the most challenging whitewater.
The group was either a group of local grade 9 or grade 10 students; 14, 15 or 16 years old. Time has erased this detail. Spring was reawakening the Yukon forests; birds were calling to their mates, early season flowers were calling to insects and teenagers were full of hormonal energy.
We had spent the day, practising skills on the Takhini River’s elusive “Jaws of Death”. Bob bravely sucked up his boredom, sharing experiences and creating challenges for these students. It wouldn’t be an experience without a few cold water swims on this early June, bluebird day.
Below “the Jaws”, on river left is a beautiful, sunny & sandy low-water site. Ingredients for teenage antics. Excitedly, camp was struck, meal prep was under-way, then down time ensued. As leaders we were to stroll the grounds watching for untoward behavior. I believe Bob did the first round, returning to the leaders’ circle grinning. In a quiet tone, Bob explained that one of the female students had a full display of g-string underwear and interesting bras draped in front of her ten, situated for full view for a particular male tent.
Turning toward the lead teacher, and with an even bigger grin plastered across his face, Bob asked, “What are you going to do about it?”
From that point onward, and for seasons that follow, I think to myself, “The birds, the bees & g-strings.” The Takhini River, is many things; boring is not one.
