Art, I've heard of whales going up river to die do you think that could've been the case? Do greys (or any whales) regularly go up the Kuskokwim?
60 miles is a long way for a whale to go in freshwater.. First whale seen there in anyone's memory. That was part of the problem cutting it up, no one knew how.
I have heard first hand accounts the stench was/is incredible!