I am now standing on the river bank, a narrow sandstone shelf about a foot
(30cm) above the water. My gear is scattered around me wherever I could
find room to drop the pieces in the brush. The boat's engine is pushing
the bow of the boat into/onto the bank, holding it in place against a
side current of about four miles per hour (flowing from right to left).

Captain Andy is preparing to lower the canoe into the river
for use by the other passenger (forgot her name).
A few days earlier I walked on the shadowy bench across the river.

Pinch me---I must be dreaming!
.