Still dreaming of float planes
I am still in Whitehorse enjoying some family time and waiting out a long weekend. Discovery Day is the Yukon August long weekend and lots of people from here are abandoning their jobs for a time and hitting the roads and campgrounds along with the tourists. I figure the campgrounds will be packed so I am waiting it out and just getting Vincent checked out. All the usual stuff, fluids, tire pressure, hoses etc. I was even going to give him a bath but before starting on 800k of a dirt highway doesn’t seem like the best time for that. Maybe when we get back.
Miles Canyon
While all of that happens I am getting lots of family time, exploring and listening to the horror stories of the locals…specifically about the Dempster Highway. So how bad is it. I know it is a gravel road but some people say that it is well travelled and well maintained and others say…it is a route from hell, a strip of road designed to eat tires. Of course Vincent and I have traveled with nothing but the silly donut spare that comes with a car these days. Obviously this is not adequate for the job. So, with these stories ringing in my ears, I give up. I am buying a spare tire and installing it on the roof rack for the trip. Oh, I hate to spend the money but enough people have told me stories of time spent on the side of the road where no tow trucks go that I have to believe there is something to the tales. I did have someone today say…don’t worry about the tires…its the windshields that you have to worry about…
So, how bad is it??? Who knows. I will take some pictures and report back first hand every time I see internet…or when I get back to Whitehorse.
Take care and I will probably check in one more time before leaving on Monday morning. Have a great weekend.
10:30 pm
Did I miss your ride in a floatplane somewhere along the line? Or are you hoping to one day? KH
Hey, say “hi” to the kids – give a “kiss” to the Little One [sure she won’t like it!!]
We did the “Demster” hwy, it didn’t seem much worse than the rest of the roads; of course that was in the year 2000, so maybe things have changed, but a “spare” is always GOOD!
Take good care
Love you
Mom
OK I thought you were nuts until I read your moms’ comments on the highway from Hell. I feel better about you going now. I love your blogs Vicki.
Love Rosie
Kids all kissed….no float plane rides yet but I can watch them take off just a short walk from here and I can hear them taking off.
I think if the Highway from Hell is dry…it is just a take it easy kind of thing. I checked with my friend who is doing her own quest across the country and took it a month ago…when it was 30 degrees and dry. She said that they got a flat but it wasn’t until they were on the way home and …. in a small town of all things. I just talked to someone who had no flats at all…. I guess it is like carrying an umbrella so it doesn’t rain…. I also have my rain coat, boots and umbrella. I feel like I am covered for everything….. oh and a snow shovel 🙂
We will all pray that you don’t need to use the snow shovel!!
I loved the teenaged philosopher and felt the glow on his face.
I got a thrill in the pit of my stomach when I looked at the picture of Miles Canyon. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to actually be there! Interesting about the signs for the forest fires that have burned, and how true it is that they are only a problem to almighty man. (and a few animals)