(Sun City, Arizona, USA) Yukon 2020™ expedition leader Art “Karts” Huseonica is excited to announce that his expedition canoe will be christened COQUETTE. It is an 18’ open canoe with two seats. Although this is technically a solo expedition, Karts will have several indigenous peoples joining him for river segements in the Yukon Territory and Alaska.
The expedition canoe, manufactured by Nova Craft Canoe, is made from a specialized blend of composite materials designed to withstand an arduous journey. It also has a unique paint scheme unlike any other canoe.
The canoe is named in honor of Robert W. Service’s canoe COQUETTE. Robert was a British-Canadian poet, writer, adventurer. He worked and wrote for several years in the Yukon Territory of Canada, garnering himself the nickname “The Bard of the Yukon.” Karts will visit many of the places recognizing Robert in Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon, Canada.
Robert W. Service (1874-1958) is pictured here in 1911 in his birch bark canoe COQUETTE. He journed far and wide in northwestern Canada, including the Yukon River.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Longepe
The naming process was the result of a collaboration between Karts and the estate of Robert W. Service. Karts had been searching for a name for many months. This seems to be the perfect fit. COQUETTE is French from the late 1700’s and means a flirtatious lady. Click HERE for Robert’s Facebook page.
Robert’s biographical work by his great-granddaughter Charlotte has been an insipration for Karts. The book will be featured in the expedition’s documentary film.