Adventures at Work 2021

[stuphoto]

Hi everyone,
My new adventure has officially started.

Before leaving this was a news story, directly related to where I am going.

We call it Margaret Lake camp, and although it isn't open to the truckers it is usually open to security.

The weather


I flew out of Kelowna Airport on February 1st and spent the first night in Edmonton.
This morning was cold and they had to deice the plane.
Sorry for the lousy video

Oddly enough there was still some liquid on the wings when we landed in Yellowknife.

This is who we flew with


And this is inside the Yellowknife main terminal

The first time I saw this sculpture I had to remark to a friend

Look, they Both Lost

[stuphoto]

Our trucks.

Mine had 574km on the odometer.

Then we all took some test.

After all that hard work, not even a single positive

I have at least one day off, so I may post some more tomorrow.

[stuphoto]

I just thought I should add,
I am considered as an Essential Service up here, which is the only reason I am allowed in the territory.

This required me to semi isolate myself at home.They were happy with small town Midway being listed as my address and no recorded cases there.
Now I am allowed to shop for the basics but must maintain my distance and always wear a mask.

I will not be allowed to do much sightseeing but I do have several older photos of Yellowknife I will share in the next few days.

Oh BC has it easy compared to Alberta and the NWT.
They aren't even allowed in any restaurants for a coffee.

[zookeeper]

Where do you stay? Where do you drink coffee?

[stuphoto]

The next couple nights in a hotel then a camp.
As for my coffee, I think Norma said she is bringing it up for me
It may get a little cold

[GordonH]

Buddy’s kid (late twenties) is a commercial diver he did some work for diamond mine in NWT few years back, I couldn’t imagine diving in those temperatures.

[stuphoto]

there is a good chance I met him and we would recognize each other.
It's like one big family.

The temperature isn't that bad until the wind picks up Gordon,
The 10 - 30 km speed limits is what gets to you.
In the 1 ton my speed limit is either 80 or 90 this year.

I will get teased as a traitor from some of my long term friends but all in good fun.

[GordonH]

the temperature isn't that bad until the wind picks up Gordon,
The 10 - 30 km speed limits is what gets to you.
In the 1 ton my speed limit is either 80 or 90 this year.

I will get teased as a traitor from some of my long term friends but all in good fun.

I’m talking about water temperature in middle of winter (he’s a commercial scuba diver).

[stuphoto]

You are right about that Gordon,

In my opinion the most important workers up there are called the Flooders.
Where the ice is thinner or is damaged they drill holes. Then pump water up allowing it to freeze faster and make it safer for the rest of us.
These guys are outside their trucks working with water cannons, and I would think it's unbearable.

Although I do have some photos of them working I can't find any at the moment.
I will be sure to post a small video this season.

[Brushy Bill]

Ice road trucker or groomer ? ))

[stuphoto]

I have 6 years as an Iceroad trucker Billy,
However this year I was asked to join the security team. So I jumped at the chance.
It's more or less the police force up there.

I have several friends still driving up there, so you just know they'll tease me.
It's all in good fun, and will go both ways

[seewood]

In my opinion the most important workers up there are called the Flooders.
Where the ice is thinner or is damaged they drill holes. Then pump water up allowing it to freeze faster and make it safer for the rest of us.
These guys are outside their trucks working with water cannons, and I would think it's unbearable.

I've seen some video clips of them using an auger to punch a hole through the ice and with a pump and hose(s) spray water on the road surface to increase the thickness. Right in thinking not a very glamourous job. Can't imagine if it is windy while spraying.

I have 6 years as an Iceroad trucker Billy,
However this year I was asked to join the security team. So I jumped at the chance.
It's more or less the police force up there.

Wonder about substance abuse in those camps. Do employees have to comply with pee-in-the-cup tests? is this the kind of thing that is "policed" or are you more involved in excessive speeds on ice roads etc?
I know a couple from the Penticton area that work at the diamond mines up there. Good coin they said.
Love the legacy 737's.

[dirtybiker]

Thanks for bringing us along on the adventure.

[stuphoto]

I snuck into old town Yellowknife for a few minutes today.

This is my favourite floating house.


However that is not the reason I went there.
I knew the Snow King had started building the snow castle.
http://www.snowking.ca/

Here is where they are at today.




You can't tell from the photo but the King himself is running the bobcat.

[stuphoto]

This is inside the castle 2 years ago.


My good friend Johnny was playing on the bass guitar with this band.


The snow Fest is always the first week of March and if you can handle the cold a magical experience.