01Gumbridge Crossing
Under the rope shadow
A crossing on the map becomes an afternoon on the river.
Read the storyA fictional Big Bass field journal · AustraliaGo where
Go where
the river writes.
Six slow detours with Rowan Pike.
A canoe, a well-used notebook, and more to bring home than a fish.
GUMBRIDGE → PAPERBARK WHARFaround the bend.Open the journal
01 / Unfold the riverA route made
A route made
of moments.
Choose a numbered stop to enter the story. This landscape lives in Rowan’s notebook, not on a navigation chart.
06places to lose track of time02 / Pages from the waterNo two bends.
No two bends.
No two stories.
Read the day from first crossing to final landing, or begin with the scene that catches your eye.
01
02Whisper Reach
The door made of reeds
There is no sign at the entrance. Just a gap wide enough for curiosity.
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03Glasswater Pool
A cup of rain
The weather interrupts the schedule and improves the view.
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04Ember Shelf
The kettle bend
A lantern, a level patch of sandstone and the end of a good detour.
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05Rootshadow Bank
The open hand
The last movement of the story belongs to the fish.
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06Paperbark Wharf
Before the landing wakes
Home appears first as a rope, a post and a little morning light.
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03 / A pencil behind the earI came for the bass.
I came for the bass.
I kept the details.
“The map tells me where I meant to go. The notebook tells me what happened instead.”
Meet the fictional fisherman who measures a day in crossings, cups of tea and the occasional very convincing splash.
Meet Rowan04 / Objects with a little historyOne tin.
One tin.
Plenty of possibilities.
- The dented spoon
It never travels in a perfectly straight line. Neither does its owner.
- The short pencil
Useful for a quick bend in the river, less useful for grand plans.
- The enamel mug
A reliable excuse to stop before the next chapter starts.
05 / The evening entryEnough for
Enough for
one good day.
A dry pair of socks. A page worth keeping. A river that carries on without an audience.
Sit by the kettle06 / Take a turn in the storyWhich way would
Which way would
you take the canoe?
Read the scene→Choose a route→Find your ending
Three small decisions shape a fictional afternoon. No timer, no stakes, just a different way into the journal.
Try River Decisions07 / Keep the lightThe frames
The frames
between the lines.
Open an illustration, move through the set and linger over the details.
08 / Before the next bendA few notes
A few notes
in the margin.
Is this a real Australian river?
No. The gum trees and warm river light inspire the setting, but the place names, chart and events are invented.
Can I keep a reading list?
Yes. Open a chapter and choose Save this chapter. The Stories page can show only the chapters saved in this browser.
What is the activity?
River Decisions is a short interactive story puzzle. It is free and contains no wagering, purchases or cash prizes.