(July 28)
Dear Folks,
Today was a day to get ready for our trip back down the Dempster Highway.
We went into town and started with a stop at the hospital. We got some juice (free again), used the restroom, and ran around the parking lot. There is some interesting architecture in town. You see a photo of a church (the igloo church) and the structure that houses the weekly market.
Google works in town, so we input groceries and wound up at Stanton Distribution. They offer wholesale and to individuals and also ship food: important in such an isolated area. They had an excellent ramp made of metal mesh (typical for these parts). The Girls are getting more used to them. Someone helped us with the door.
The aisles are tall and narrow: too narrow for a wheelchair to pass a shopping cart. One of the ladies at the front asked what we wanted. We said crackers and baby carrots–crackers like Triscuits. She was off immediately and returned quickly. She rang up and bagged our food. It wasn’t until we went to put it in Miracle that we saw that the crackers were smoked gouda–a no for a vegan. I went back in. They only had that flavor. So we got another type.
While we were waiting, we saw at another counter two men and a woman getting a huge order. They were putting their items into very large coolers and boxes. We thought that they must live remotely. But when we went outside and saw a logo on their pickup, we realized that they are an outfitter. It’s big business this time of year taking tourists around the area and to Tuk. In fact, our contact at Whitehorse had asked us which outfitter we were going with. We explained we were doing it on our own. As I was getting back into Miracle, one of the people from that group asked if we had made out OK.
Then we went to Bob’s Gas Bar. It seems a little tucked away, by itself, but does a booming business. It is surrounded by huge tanks of gasoline and diesel since deliveries are infrequent. Again, there was mesh around the pump, so I could not reach it. There were lights on in the office, so I honked. A man came out and pumped for us.
When we checked in, we explained that we would not be able to reach the trash receptacles. The young woman said that whoever was at the office could help with that. She also said that perhaps they could help us get a shower. So we had been hopeful.
When we got back today, we saw no sign of life. We called the office and someone answered. We explained our situation and she said absolutely she would help. We got our trash ready and went out to meet Zoey, who just graduated from high school–a class of 35, the largest ever. She is working here for the summer — a LOT of hours. After the campground closes in September, she does not know what she will do.
We talked about life here. They have a big sunrise festival here in January when the sun comes back. They have it down by their twin lakes. They have fireworks and lots of activities.
Zoey helped us get into the shower building. They have a great roll-in shower, whose cost is included in the campground fee. Teri, it felt as amazing as the one in the Shenandoah. We had brought a clean top and now feel a little human again. We had also brought a microfiber towel for the Girls called a PackTowl. We haven’t used it for the Girls, so Mummy borrowed it. It packs down smaller and dries way faster than Terry cloth. We will buy more such items before another camping trip. We are learning so much about car camping. And we could give tips for ways to adapt for paraplegia.
Couple more things. We have seen several small landing strips along the highway. In fact, we even went on one by mistake. And we see lots of snowmobiles covered and all along the road–not near any habitation..
We mentioned that the office here is inaccessible. We mentioned that to Zoey. She said that they were trying to get a grant from the IRC: Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. They have been putting ramps on the houses of local residents who use wheelchairs and walkers. We have been impressed by the number of ramps.
Tomorrow we head down to Ft. McPherson.
Hugs and wags.
The Lowman Family