The first day I paddled a respectable 60 miles, learned a great deal about the river and passed throught some wonderfully beautiful terrain. This section of the river is in the Yukon highlands. I pass canyons that lead to gorgeous valleys, bluffs collapsing on steep slopes right to the depths of this great river. The river, swift and bold with dangers all around. This was heaven on earth as I made my way downriver. Second day was the same, head down pushing the Minnow through treacherous waters for another 60 miles of surface travel. Sometimes this river has other ideas for my trip and for my life in general. Late afternoon on this second day would be one of those times. I dug my paddle deep on my left side only to realize that I was tangled with a sweeper lurking just beneath the murky surface. Passing by at 6 MPH in this shore current leaves little time for decision making other than knowing that I needed my paddle more than this river did. Twisting and snapping the boat to port I pull hard on the paddle. The Minnow is now beginning to list critically to port almost to the point of rolling bellyup. I twist the paddle and pull hard. The sweeper releases and the Minnow snaps back to even keel. Kicking the rudder to pull the nose from a collision with the quickly approaching shore we make it back to some deeper water and safer kayaking. During this 70 second fight I heard and felt a loud noise coming from my left shoulder. Now, this is not good at all. Stowing the paddle on the cowl I realize that my day is not ending as well as it had begun. My arm would not go above my head without pulling it with the right arm. I could not bridge the paddle nor could I lock my shoulder to get the power from my right hand stroke. I decided that I needed to make it to Slavens Roadhouse this evening and then check it out further. Might be medical aid there or at least a Ranger. What I was to realize in a few short minutes was that this was the best injury that I have ever suffered. Since my speed was reduced to basic current speed I could observe what I was floating through. No speed record now, just binos and a camera and incredible views. The Minnow also became a great reseach platform as I began to learn from the river and the wilderness around me. For the next 9 days I would paddle and float, camera at the ready and revel in the thoughts of the moment and beauty of the day. At Slavens I teamed up with Uve, a German that was canoeing with his friends. I mentioned to him once, ” in your wildest dreams did you ever think that you would be kayaking one of the great untamed wilderness rivers in the world”. We both remarked about how fortunate we were to be able to be on this river. We floated sometimes near, sometimes miles apart, immersed in our own adventure and the thoughts. I can thank the river for trashing me and opening my eyes to the beauty of a slower paddle and an opportunity to meet nature on her terms.