Way up north!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. Things are not going well there as forest fires rage across the northwest and many are losing homes and businesses. So far, the main damage in Thunder Bay is the smoke, and even though we are far from there, we have great concern for our family and friends back home. Our first night this week was in Manning as we enjoyed the sights around Peace River and, after a short drive, the museum in Manning. It was a voluminous display including the almost mythical 15 30 tractor. 

The 15 30

Then on Monday, we drove up to High Level and checked out the museum there. We stayed on the parking lot of the visitor centre.

Camping on Great Slave!

On Tuesday, we finally reached the Northwest Territories. They offered showers at the information centre and I found the seven minutes for a loonie was lots. We parked for the night in a gravel pit just short of the two waterfalls on the Hay River, that is Alexandra and Louise Falls. The gorge has been eroding around those falls, so most of the walkways were closed. Wednesday featured the short drive into Hay River, I think it was the first trip there for mom, although she remembers going in briefly when we were on our way to Fort Smith one summer. Anyway, we got the full dose of it this time. Mom did laundry, then we toured around looking for a nice spot for the evening/night and we found a beauty right on the big lake, on a nice sandy beach. Some of the sand away from the water gets soft—that’s where I got stuck! Fortunately, I have a small hydraulic jack and I was able to get some relief so we could close the steps, then a generous neighbour came by with his truck and a tow rope and pulled us free—yay! On Thursday, we continued the tour including Lady Evelyn Falls, the crossing of the Mackenzie, and settled for the night on the shore of the river in Providence.

Bison

Friday saw us driving through herds of bison to the newly developed Territorial campgrounds on the North Arm of Great Slave. This was our first time paying for a campsite, but we did enjoy having electricity without running the generator. Saturday, after the usual pancake breakfast, we drove into Yellowknife and enjoyed the reunion with cousin Cindy, who is hosting us to conclude the week—thanks Cindy—great week for sure! Otherwise, the world continues its troubled way; the Orange War continues to rage in the Middle East and the economies of the world continue to suffer as a result. Only the TSX is in the green for the month. MLB was off for the All-Star break; the Blue Jays have now returned to action, but are not playing any better! Riders have the week off, but are in a good position in the Western Conference. 

Erica writes, “Liam arrived back in PA on Sunday night. His plan—work on the upstairs bathroom. We have a number of little projects including repainting. I sent him back for several different sample pots of paint until we found one we all agreed upon. He finished most of the projects and headed back south on Friday. This weekend, he is taking motorcycle lessons. Eric is up north and I joined him on Wednesday. It’s been a busy week.”

Erin has reported of progress in the garden. The tomatoes are developing nicely, 

Looking good!

and onions and chives are growing like weeds. Beans, peas and peppers are developing. Strawberries are a failure so far! Kristian reported finding a dead bird at work. Apparently, it had crashed into the window...

Sigh!

Travis and Joanna are struggling with smoke-filled skies in Thunder Bay. It is a disheartening situation for sure, but the government is spending their energy trying to excuse themselves from blame. They need some substantial rain sans thunder and lighning to douse the fires without starting new ones! Updating the family, Travis notes, "Gemma has completed more than 1/2 of the requirements of being the primary “baby catching” as a midwife. Andrew is just finishing up his 6th straight 12-hour shift as a nurse (so he’s only working 1/2 days)." They are also concerned over their first Pomeranian, Jasmine's health, so we hope they find a solution to that! 

And that's enough for this week.