Saturday, June 19, 2010 ~ Dease Lake, Hwy #37, BC
First of all ~ HAPPY FATHER’S DAY ~ Ralph & Bob. You are the best dad's in the world. We love & miss you both!! Ralph, you would love it here; this is FORD country ~ they must have a monopoly in Canada!!
Bbbrrr ~ it was chilly last night; around 43 degrees. Up around 8:30AM PT today, made a pot of coffee, threw on some clothes, packed up camp quickly & headed into town to find a tow truck………yes, a tow truck. Seems Chip did a little 4-wheeling last night before supper & got the Jeep stuck up (I guess that’s what they’re for ~ ay?).
Stopped at the general store & Chip asked a local guy with a truck if he wanted to pick up a couple extra dollars. Chip explained the situation & the guy quickly said “nope, you’re on your own”. Evidently he had “been there, done that”. We rode on down “Main Street” and came across a sign that said “24 hr Towing”; turned into the drive and Chip went inside the “office” to see what arrangements he could make. He was a little leery about getting out in the first place because the guard dog was barking & semi-growling at us. He courageously went in regardless.
So, I waited, looked around at all the junk cars & trucks & campers, etc. (my type of thing you know) & waited some more. Meanwhile, Nick was protecting me from the guard dog. He jumped into the driver’s seat, looked out the window & kept watch over things; occasionally revealing his lower fangs to the guard dog to show that he meant business as well.
Totally random, there was this cool, old army Jeep that had probably been sitting there since WWII (of course I got a pic). Don’t know why but I was totally infatuated with it; it would have been a great restoration project for someone (Brad??). It had wood slat railing on the sides of the bed, was painted in army camo (very weathered I might add), and had a gas tank strapped on the top of the cab (I’m sure that was a standard feature back then). If I could have packed it into the RV for you Brad, I would have.
Anyway, back to the story. I was getting concerned about what was taking so long!! So, I mustered up the courage to walk past the guard dog & check on things. Got to the door & that’s when I met Bill (William is his formal name). He & Chip were “chatting” (rather Bill was “nicely ranting”). We all ended up “chatting” a little longer………and longer……..and longer. Finally, Chip “politely” suggested we head back to the camp ground to get the Jeep.
Got there, parked the RV……….again………… & I hopped into the truck with Bill (I asked first of course). Chip walked down the path to lead the way (I wasn’t even sure how far back into the trail the Jeep was). To me, Bill’s truck was a reflection of him ~ dusty, bucket seats, International Flatbed, a little aged but dependable. He had a collection of cassettes neatly lined across the dash (we were jamming to Jerry Lee Lewis). We made small talk; he was nice enough (I think he was surprised I was even riding with him). He told me a couple towing tales; it was interesting to listen to his perspective. Then he told me a story about some crazy Moose hunters coming there, spending a fortune on their trip, not getting any “Moose for their money”, getting really stuck up, etc. He said “what a waste of money, should’a just stayed home & bought some beef, would’a been a lot cheaper - ay”.
Made it to the “battle zone” & I think he was relieved because the Jeep wasn’t far down the road at all nor was it severely stuck up. I said “piece o’ cake – ay”? He just chuckled. I jumped out of the truck (camera poised to photo journal – you bet ‘cha). Bill instructed Chip to get in the Jeep. He then commenced to winching the Jeep out of the mud. Simple enough; only took about 20/30 minutes. Then, back to the RV to settle up. Bill only charged us $125; we assumed it would be a few hundred (you know the deal – tourists, Saturday, driving a big fancy RV). But, he kept it fair. We chatted a little while longer, said our good-byes & we were back on the road in no time (but not before I got a parting pic of Chip & Bill).
Seems Bill is the youngest of 9 children (7 girls & 2 boys) & the only living sibling left – he’s almost 71. He’s been working since he was 15 years old. Got out of high school each day & went to work at the local service station (sometimes worked till 2:30am). That’s where he fell in love with what he does now. Back then they didn’t have much money, not poor, had what they needed, dad worked hard to provide, but if you wanted anything else, you had to work for it. Nice philosophy to live by – ay? His dad didn’t get his first new car until late in life; that was very important to them all.
Seems Bill & his wife live about 8 miles out of town, “didn’t want to live in town, would never get any rest ‘cause people would always be wanting him”. Hey, didn’t his sign say 24 hr towing?? And it turns out he has several huskies at his log cabin (which he built himself). He jokingly ranted about the instructions (or lack of) that came with the “house kit”. He said, “They call the logs ‘sticks’ and they didn’t explain how to properly stack them. Do you know how much those things weigh”? I chuckled to myself. Bill says he’ll never retire “until they put him in the ground”. He doesn’t want any employees either; does it all himself. Employees want benefits & it’s just too much of a hassle, etc. (again, another chuckle). Bill had to kill a grizzly one time (the only time). Seems the bear came up to the corner of his porch, the dogs were barking madly but the bear put his head down & continued towards them anyway then………….bam, Bill stopped him in his tracks (with his EU75 or some kind of gun). Bill says, “He was just a youngster, about 2 & that’s probably why the bear came up on the porch anyway – young & inexperienced”.
You know, Bill had the prettiest, clearest blue eyes for a man of 70. Those eyes revealed to me that he was a good man; that he probably had a few other tales to tell. Bill was from Arkansas originally, lived in Southern Cali for a while, then ended up in Alaska (not sure of the entire story). Of course, he had his opinion of Canadian politics & we joked about ours as well. We all have our opinions – ay??
And the guard dog, “her” name is Albert. Albert is an Aussie mix & “she” was as round as “she” was tall. Actually, Albert was supposed to be a “he”; seems the seller got a little mixed up. Nonetheless, Bill is happy with Albert. When he found out Al was a gal, he shipped “her” to the closest vet asap (200 miles away +/-) & now Albert is an “it”. He explained this with such pride & candor. I like ‘ole Bill. And for the record, Albert was totally harmless; I was never afraid.
FYI – Dease Lake is in the middle of nowhere land. It sits on the Arctic Pacific Continental Divide & has a couple other claims to fame. We have been in SUCH remote land for the past 3 days (I was so bored I started an Animal Sighting list). Just got into White Horse, YK ~ yes we are now in the Canadian Yukon Territory at Hi-Country RV Resort on Alaskan Hwy #1 & FINALLY have internet, cell, TV, people, civilization, people, stoplights, people. Will catch you all up later, getting ready to go into town & explore. We all safe & still cruising along.
Miss you all,
Cathy, Chip & Mr. Nick
First of all ~ HAPPY FATHER’S DAY ~ Ralph & Bob. You are the best dad's in the world. We love & miss you both!! Ralph, you would love it here; this is FORD country ~ they must have a monopoly in Canada!!
Bbbrrr ~ it was chilly last night; around 43 degrees. Up around 8:30AM PT today, made a pot of coffee, threw on some clothes, packed up camp quickly & headed into town to find a tow truck………yes, a tow truck. Seems Chip did a little 4-wheeling last night before supper & got the Jeep stuck up (I guess that’s what they’re for ~ ay?).
Stopped at the general store & Chip asked a local guy with a truck if he wanted to pick up a couple extra dollars. Chip explained the situation & the guy quickly said “nope, you’re on your own”. Evidently he had “been there, done that”. We rode on down “Main Street” and came across a sign that said “24 hr Towing”; turned into the drive and Chip went inside the “office” to see what arrangements he could make. He was a little leery about getting out in the first place because the guard dog was barking & semi-growling at us. He courageously went in regardless.
So, I waited, looked around at all the junk cars & trucks & campers, etc. (my type of thing you know) & waited some more. Meanwhile, Nick was protecting me from the guard dog. He jumped into the driver’s seat, looked out the window & kept watch over things; occasionally revealing his lower fangs to the guard dog to show that he meant business as well.
Totally random, there was this cool, old army Jeep that had probably been sitting there since WWII (of course I got a pic). Don’t know why but I was totally infatuated with it; it would have been a great restoration project for someone (Brad??). It had wood slat railing on the sides of the bed, was painted in army camo (very weathered I might add), and had a gas tank strapped on the top of the cab (I’m sure that was a standard feature back then). If I could have packed it into the RV for you Brad, I would have.
Anyway, back to the story. I was getting concerned about what was taking so long!! So, I mustered up the courage to walk past the guard dog & check on things. Got to the door & that’s when I met Bill (William is his formal name). He & Chip were “chatting” (rather Bill was “nicely ranting”). We all ended up “chatting” a little longer………and longer……..and longer. Finally, Chip “politely” suggested we head back to the camp ground to get the Jeep.
Got there, parked the RV……….again………… & I hopped into the truck with Bill (I asked first of course). Chip walked down the path to lead the way (I wasn’t even sure how far back into the trail the Jeep was). To me, Bill’s truck was a reflection of him ~ dusty, bucket seats, International Flatbed, a little aged but dependable. He had a collection of cassettes neatly lined across the dash (we were jamming to Jerry Lee Lewis). We made small talk; he was nice enough (I think he was surprised I was even riding with him). He told me a couple towing tales; it was interesting to listen to his perspective. Then he told me a story about some crazy Moose hunters coming there, spending a fortune on their trip, not getting any “Moose for their money”, getting really stuck up, etc. He said “what a waste of money, should’a just stayed home & bought some beef, would’a been a lot cheaper - ay”.
Made it to the “battle zone” & I think he was relieved because the Jeep wasn’t far down the road at all nor was it severely stuck up. I said “piece o’ cake – ay”? He just chuckled. I jumped out of the truck (camera poised to photo journal – you bet ‘cha). Bill instructed Chip to get in the Jeep. He then commenced to winching the Jeep out of the mud. Simple enough; only took about 20/30 minutes. Then, back to the RV to settle up. Bill only charged us $125; we assumed it would be a few hundred (you know the deal – tourists, Saturday, driving a big fancy RV). But, he kept it fair. We chatted a little while longer, said our good-byes & we were back on the road in no time (but not before I got a parting pic of Chip & Bill).
Seems Bill is the youngest of 9 children (7 girls & 2 boys) & the only living sibling left – he’s almost 71. He’s been working since he was 15 years old. Got out of high school each day & went to work at the local service station (sometimes worked till 2:30am). That’s where he fell in love with what he does now. Back then they didn’t have much money, not poor, had what they needed, dad worked hard to provide, but if you wanted anything else, you had to work for it. Nice philosophy to live by – ay? His dad didn’t get his first new car until late in life; that was very important to them all.
Seems Bill & his wife live about 8 miles out of town, “didn’t want to live in town, would never get any rest ‘cause people would always be wanting him”. Hey, didn’t his sign say 24 hr towing?? And it turns out he has several huskies at his log cabin (which he built himself). He jokingly ranted about the instructions (or lack of) that came with the “house kit”. He said, “They call the logs ‘sticks’ and they didn’t explain how to properly stack them. Do you know how much those things weigh”? I chuckled to myself. Bill says he’ll never retire “until they put him in the ground”. He doesn’t want any employees either; does it all himself. Employees want benefits & it’s just too much of a hassle, etc. (again, another chuckle). Bill had to kill a grizzly one time (the only time). Seems the bear came up to the corner of his porch, the dogs were barking madly but the bear put his head down & continued towards them anyway then………….bam, Bill stopped him in his tracks (with his EU75 or some kind of gun). Bill says, “He was just a youngster, about 2 & that’s probably why the bear came up on the porch anyway – young & inexperienced”.
You know, Bill had the prettiest, clearest blue eyes for a man of 70. Those eyes revealed to me that he was a good man; that he probably had a few other tales to tell. Bill was from Arkansas originally, lived in Southern Cali for a while, then ended up in Alaska (not sure of the entire story). Of course, he had his opinion of Canadian politics & we joked about ours as well. We all have our opinions – ay??
And the guard dog, “her” name is Albert. Albert is an Aussie mix & “she” was as round as “she” was tall. Actually, Albert was supposed to be a “he”; seems the seller got a little mixed up. Nonetheless, Bill is happy with Albert. When he found out Al was a gal, he shipped “her” to the closest vet asap (200 miles away +/-) & now Albert is an “it”. He explained this with such pride & candor. I like ‘ole Bill. And for the record, Albert was totally harmless; I was never afraid.
FYI – Dease Lake is in the middle of nowhere land. It sits on the Arctic Pacific Continental Divide & has a couple other claims to fame. We have been in SUCH remote land for the past 3 days (I was so bored I started an Animal Sighting list). Just got into White Horse, YK ~ yes we are now in the Canadian Yukon Territory at Hi-Country RV Resort on Alaskan Hwy #1 & FINALLY have internet, cell, TV, people, civilization, people, stoplights, people. Will catch you all up later, getting ready to go into town & explore. We all safe & still cruising along.
Miss you all,
Cathy, Chip & Mr. Nick
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