Saturday, August 7, 2010

ISKUT, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

ISKUT, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Morning came bright and early in Junction 37, Yukon Territory, Canada.  The decision had been made that we would be going through the smoke/fire region of the Cassiar Highway, Junction 37 Road.  The road was officially closed but a pilot car was leading a group of vehicles through the area a couple times a day if things remained stable.  There was always the chance that the wind would change direction or something else would change the “safety” situation.
























































So we were all to be ready to leave the park before 7AM to caravan to Highway 37 and await the pilot car.  It was not supposed to come before 9AM but we needed to get in line as a group and wait. That meant I had to be up by 5:30????  Oh well, you do what you have to do.  LOL.  We were chosen to bring up the rear --- now you would think that was because we are always last anyway??  But, Alex, the wagon master (previously the number 2, now promoted to number 1, since the original #1 left with engine trouble a week ago!!)  said that was not the reason --- it was because our site was in the back where we could make sure everyone else was in line.  Now the reason our site was in the back was because we were the last ones in the night before.  LOL.

Anyway, everything went very smoothly and we were in line by 7AM, parked and waiting.  Everyone parked and got out to walk around, visit and witness the sight.  It was incredible to see all the motor homes, trucks and other vehicles just sitting there waiting.  There was always the chance that we would not make it through.  As Bill stated some people left the group and went home another route rather than go through the fire/smoke area.  Bill had considered that but I’m glad he chose to stay with the group.  One of our very hospitable and generous ladies, Ginny, opened up the slide of their beautiful Class A Diesel Pusher and cooked pancakes and bacon for everyone.  It was pretty funny, everyone standing around outside their rig eating breakfast.  She’s always planning a get together --- she’s the party girl of the group.


Finally at 9:45 the pilot car arrived and we started through.  The smoke was not as bad as we had feared (thoughts of ServPro went through my head to get the smoke out of the motorhome!) but we kept the vents and the windows tightly closed (okay, I did open the window once to try and get a good picture!!).  It was sad to see how much damage there was from the fire that had started from lightning.  The fire had burned right up to the road and to any streams, lakes or ponds in the area and was still smoldering.  Although it was sad to see the blackened areas of the forest we know that by next spring there will be new green shoots of trees coming up surrounded by the beautiful fireweed.  God is in control, his world continues to flourish just as our lives do after tragedies, as we continue to love and serve Him.

























Some pictures of the fire when it was active.  It is still smoldering.





































































































































































It took us 1-1/2 hours to get through the area, the pilot car turned around to lead the group there to the side we had started from.














































When we were on our own Bill needed a break.  We made another stop or two for photo ops and then stopped at Jade City, where they claim 92% of the world’s Jade comes from.  I thought that would be China??  They had a huge selection of Jade jewelry and decorative objects that were beautiful.  They even had jade dice (at $10 a piece, that would be $60 for a “Farkle” set.  Bill purchased my very first pieces of Jade --- for my birthday, which was almost a month ago but still continues in his mind!! (not complaining mind you!). 




























































On to camp for a 5PM briefing ---- we pulled in at 4:55, we made it!!  This was our last briefing, we would only be traveling with the group one more time.  Hard to believe how fast the time has gone, how much we have seen and experienced and how blessed we have been to have this time!  Alex & Renie,  newly promoted wagon masters, were doing a great job.  This was their first ever caravan trip as wagon masters, they were in training and two weeks before the end of the trip they find themselves in charge.  They have been in constant contact with Sam & Sue (the #1’s) and the office of “Tracks to Adventures” but they still had the “nerve wracking” job of getting us all through the smoke/fire.  They had lost several rigs who decided to leave and go their own direction and had dealt with a lot of rescheduling and paperwork but we are all proud of them and appreciate them very much!  They will need a vacation at the end of this trip.





Alex & Renie -- our newly promoted wagon masters.  Last Briefing -- to Stewart and then the trip ends.











It was George’s birthday so Joan was planning on a little party --- cake and games.  She had picked up the ingredients and her and I both baked one of the “Better than anything cakes”.  She was planning games, which made Bill hope for rain.   It ended up being rather fun --- she had written down different people, places and things which we had encountered on our trip --- one was placed on each person’s back and the goal was to ask “yes and no” questions to figure out who/what you were.  I was “Denali” and Bill was “Sign Forest”.  The next game was Pictionary with the same type of things to draw for your team.  It ended up being crazy, we were all laughing really hard and then Bill got his wish and it started to rain but good.  Party over – Happy Birthday George!” and off to our rigs.  An hour or so later George and Joan came over for a visit --- we had a great evening, had a little “DVD” time and off to bed.



When Joan & George stopped by it had almost stopped raining and we had a beautiful rainbow!!

















When they left they noticed the sky had pink clouds in the darkness.  We tried to capture this --- but it was fading by the time I had the camera ready.  Pretty cool though, huh?













Our last drive with the group is  tomorrow morning to Stewart, British Columbia on the border of Hyder, Alaska, 262 miles to go.  2 nights in Stewart and then our “Alaska Adventure” caravan trip is over.  We are getting a little sad about that.


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