The Next Phase of our Journey

Rain continues to follow us as we search for brighter skies.  Last night, we received another torrential rain storm, giving us seven straight days of liquid sunshine. At least last night, the canvas did not seep.  Now that we are far from Hyder, even the rain seems not to be a burden.

Over the past week, we have changed from warm weather gear to cold.  The daily highs are only reaching into the upper 50s now, with lows dipping into the low 40s at night.  With the added dampness, we have spent several of the last evenings huddled over our little propane-powered heater.

The vast majority of the RV rigs are heading south now, as most heed warnings to be off the Alaskan Highway by the first of September.

There are very few of us heading north.  But north we go, bound for the Dempster once again, a full week earlier than originally planned.

Locals tell us that it has been a cold, wet summer for Canada and Alaska.  Many predict an early winter.  Already the upper elevations sport new dustings of snow.  Along the roadside, leaves are just beginning to tint in gold.  We are hoping that this is a good omen for all of our friends sweltering under the summer heat in Texas and beyond, and that they, too, will have an early fall.

Unlike last year, we packed our heavy winter gear for this trip, just in case an early snow settles in over the Yukon and Northwest Territories.  We left Texas a full month later than last year, hoping to find the caribou migrations.

We are now in a balancing act between autumn's gold and the first snow.  If the snows come too early, the leaves turn brown quickly.  Perhaps, however, if the snows come sooner rather than later, the caribou will begin their migration earlier.  

We feel as if we are hovering in Whitehorse tonight, wondering which direction the wind will blow us before we head up the Dempster.  Hopefully God will provide the answer by morning's light.

Regardless, we are as ready as we can be for whatever adventure awaits us.  So for now, dear friends, just know that we are happy and living adventurously expectant!  (Romans 8:14-16, The Message Version)

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees.  

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, 

and the storms their energy, 

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."  

-John Muir