The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Monday, July 9, 2018

We're cutting it close, so hopefully we'll be okay.

We did some grocery shopping in Inuvik yesterday, making sure we had sufficient supplies to do us at least the next five days. We're hoping to be in Dawson City by Friday, but that may or may not happen due to a storm that's supposed to affect the area between here and Dawson City on Wednesday. We were originally planning to spend a couple more days in Inuvik, but our delays in Tuktoyaktuk, plus the upcoming storm are making us head south quicker. We tried to get into the big community greenhouse in Inuvik, but it's closed on Sundays.

We're hoping that storm isn't as bad as they're forecasting because we would end up stuck in Eagle Plains again waiting for the road to dry up... the same way we did on the way north!

In the afternoon, we drove. We wanted to visit the village of Tsiigehtchic (pronounced See-ge-chic, pop 150) on the other side of the ferry crossing at the Mackenzie River.

About 45 kms (28 miles) south of Inuvik, we stopped at the Tithe geh Chii Vitaii Lookout trail...

Part of the trail leads to a viewpoint overlooking Campbell Lake.

We could see part of the stairs they built for the loop trail, so we decided to get some exercise.

Perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes!

The mosquitoes are now out in full force. We came prepared for them, and with jeans and the bug jacket I only had to put bug spray on my hands. But, it was a warm day and we were too hot hiking with all that clothing on. The bug jackets work great to keep the bugs off you... but they don't breath as well as I would have thought, and they're of course annoying to see through.

However, without the bug jackets we would not have been able to hike at all. There are simply too many mosquitoes, and even with bug spray on our heads and faces we don't think it would have been an enjoyable hike. Still, the bugs and bug jackets don't prevent us from getting good photos!






So, we did end up having a good hike and getting some exercise despite the bugs and having to be overdressed. I forgot to put the GPS tracker on for this hike, but we think we did about 4 kms (2.5 miles).

We carried on south...

This motorhome flew past us. 

It could have been the same young guys that flew past us the other day when we were heading back from Tuktoyaktuk!

Yikes... better stay in the center of the road!

Looking at the river down below.

This is a boring stretch of the Dempster Highway.

Heading down to the Mackenzie River.

On the ferry to the village of Tsiigehtchic.

We had met some fellow travelers on the way up who had told us about their good experiences in Tsiigehtchic. Many people bypass the village because you have to specifically ask the ferry to drop you off here. Otherwise, the ferry simply goes across the Mackenzie River and connects the Dempster highway.

Here, I'll show you on a map...

Normally, the ferry runs between where the highway ends at the river.
You have to specifically ask for the ferry to take you to Tsiigehtchic.

On the other hand, I read where some unprepared travelers mistakenly get off at Tsiigehtchic. An interesting story said that the village wanted to take advantage of that, and started a small tourism board in anticipation of the increased number of visitors coming up to the new Tuktoyaktuk highway. And, they learned that if they have a tourism board, they are eligible to apply for $250,000 worth of territorial funding to improve services for tourism!

Apparently there is a small unserviced campground here with picnic tables and outhouses, but by the time we got off the ferry it was 6:30pm and the tourism office was closed. So we simply parked there for the night and we will explore the town this morning.

Tsiigehtchic.

Oh, there's another reason we are heading to Eagle Plains in a bit of a rush. Our propane is getting really low! In fact, In eleven years of RV'ing with Sherman, the level has never been this low. There was a propane place in Inuvik, but they are closed on Sundays, and of course the two times we have been in Inuvik, it was a Sunday both times! We thought about hanging around up there until this morning, but we really didn't want to, and we need to make it to Eagle Plains before that storm.

Propane is available in Eagle Plains though.

Sherman's propane gauge!

I figure that if a full tank (80% is full) allows us approximately 40 days of use, then a tank that is 8% full should allow us 4 days of use. Sounds logical to me... I guess we'll see! We're cutting it close, so hopefully we'll be okay.

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Wow... check out the price of this Hitachi 50" LED TV...

Hitchi 50" LED Television

And in Canada...

Garmin Vivofit Active GPS Watch


16 comments:

  1. Living on the edge... So exciting. Awesome views, the mosquitos thank you for the feed...

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    1. We wore the bug jackets because we know you're not supposed to feed the wildlife!

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  2. Yikes - I've seen bugs that bad in the interior of BC a couple of times, not fun.

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    1. Nope, the mosquitoes are definitely not fun but at least with this bug jackets on we can still go out for a hike. :-)

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  3. Awesome hiking trail and views. More pictures of mosquitoes please....hahaha! Safe travels.

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    Replies
    1. It was a nice trail and we were happy to get out for a proper hike!

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  4. Hi! Second time commenting. Promise I won't BUG you too much. Haha. Thanks for replying to my first comment. That propane tank is pretty low! I'm thinking just the fridge and cooking maybe 2 days. There is an add a flow tee you can get to attach a 20 lb BBQ auxiliary tank or portable ( Weber Q100 ) to the RV tank. But that's more for when sitting still camping. If you happen to be passing through Oliver B.C. in the South Okanagan on your way South, please make sure your propane tank is right empty because I will fill your propane tank for free! Put that in your monthly expenses! Haha. Oh, I also have the fill check valve that was previously sticking. Those things stick and leak a bit once in a while usually in high humidity. usually just put a glove on your hand and gently pop it a bit with a screw driver or gently tap with a piece of wood and it will seat and stop. Not hard to change though when the tank is empty just need to borrow a large socket or wrench if you have room. I've got a new one for you for free if you pass by this way. I'd offer you a free car wash too as I can see Sherman is in bad need of a bath, but unfortunately I don't have a big truck bay anymore. Just small car and truck wash. I got propane though! Still enjoying the blog ! Cheers! Scott

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    Replies
    1. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and especially for the lovely offer that you have extended to us and we most likely we take you up on it. And, in return we would love to make a delicious dinner for you.

      So far so good with our propane hanging in there, we should hopefully make it to Eagle Plains by this afternoon where we will be able to get more propane. Ever since that one time in Texas that we had trouble with the check valve we have not had a problem since with it but thanks for the tips on how to correct it if we do. :-)

      Sherman will definitely b needing a bath before we get down to see you, in fact they have a spray wash at the junction of the Dempster Highway and the Klondike Highway and I expect that Sherman will at least get a good spray down there. Surprisingly enough he really isn't all that dirty if you compare him to most of the vehicles and RV's that we see on this road.

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    2. Thanks for the reply. All the other vehicles must get so dirty because they are driving a hundred miles an hour and missing all the great scenery. I will definitely slow down when I RV to Alaska! Hope to see you for a free propane fill anytime at Okanagan car wash in Oliver, B.C.

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    3. Yep, a lot of them are filthy, especially when they drive fast and in muddy conditions. We wait and let the mud dry up somewhat and then just take it slow and easy. Glad we have convinced you to take your time when you eventually do this trip. :-)

      Looking forward to meeting up with you. BTW, we made it to Eagle Plains and still had propane to spare. The tank is full now!

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  5. Do you all carry bear spray on your hikes in the bush?
    www.oneincomedollar.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we always carry bear spray and an air horn whenever we go out for a hike, even a small hike.

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  6. Glad your on your way south. Mosquitos are terrible but glad you came prepared for them. Thought the season would be over by now but maybe it just started up there. Enjoy your drive.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, we have made our way south but we are held up once again because of the weather, hopefully it won't be for too long of a time.

      Now that the mosquitoes are out full force the only way to go for an enjoyable hike is to wear the bug jackets.

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  7. Priorities, right?
    In July, one year, we were in Labrador and those nasty black flies were out in full force. Their bite (as you probably know) is terrible, and on me, the itch and swelling lasts for a full week. The bug jackets really came in handy, though, like you said, it isn't easy seeing out the netting. At least we can get Out and About, enjoying our hikes.

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    Replies
    1. Yep, if you want to hike in a bug infested area then you have to be prepared to "enjoy" it anyway that you can! :-)

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