Hi we are back

After many comments about the blog I have decided to continue with the life of the McIntosh's back in Australia.

We are now living in the Blue Mountains and love it so much up here.
We do so miss all the folk in Canada but needed to be back with the Kids and the grandkids. Grandkids are so much fun!!!

Kylie and "Selwyn were married in January and Josh and Jane were married in March, so we have been a little busy at the begining of the year.

Phil is doing 10 hour days at his work and 2 hours travel a day. I am now at home trying to do some sewing. i have finished lots of quilts and am now making Aprons to sell.

When I have a bit of time I will post some photos and give you more indepth news.

I have put a button to a fabulous new blog spot. Drop past and have a look, you wont be disapointed.

Lots of love Tina

Fun in snow at Watson Lake

At Watson Lake in the Yukon while the Alaska highway was being constructed a homesick Marine nailed a sign of his hometown onto a post and this was followed by many more over the years, as you can see if you watch the video. (Click on the arrow in the middle of the screen then click on the arrow below the screen and wait for the video to load)

Phil and Tina

Encounters of the Alaskian Kind!!!!!

A few photos of animanls we have seen over the past week.
Beavers are elusive as they are generally avtive it night but this gave quite a display for us as it swam up the river mid morning

This is the first lot of animals we saw on our trip to Alaska. Here are some young Caribou. They are of the elk family, notice the white on the chest of the animals. Some of the information we read says that the Caribou actually migrate and you can see several thousand travelling together. Thats what we will keep our eyes out for.
We were glad we saw these big guys in the day light. There were 40 or so grazing just beside the road. They really paid no attention to the cars going by. There wernt that many cars I suppose either. There are signs to watch for these guys in the night as they are so hard to see.
I think moose must go down as being the ugliest animals I have seen. They are much bigger than I thought. Three of them were grazing by the road, 2 were quite timid but this one stayed for some photos.
This mother was with her baby just as we were coming out of North Pole after visiting Santas house. She was on the main road and running in between the cars but as you can see quite close to the cars. They can be very dangerous but she seemed more anxious to get her young one of the road than agressive.

We have been in Fairbanks for 3 nights now. It has been an interesting town with lots of character in the form of old buildings, old gold mine and interesting places to just look through. We are on our way to Anchorage over the next few days. We fly out next Tuesday. Alaska is an amazing rugged place and it will be sad to have to leave such an amazing country. It does remind me of outback Australia a little as in the rustic accommodation, the "interesting" places to eat and the people with an interesting yarn. (that is Australian for yack, chin wag. (Just interpreting for our Canadian friends.) ha ha) A lot of things are closed including whole towns so that has been a challenge to find something open. What an amazing trip we have had so far.

Till next time See ya Later mate!!

Phil and Tina

Historic Curved Bridge Alaska Hwy (Historic Mile 21)

Just north of Dawson Creek (mile 0) is this classic and unusual Timber Bridge, built in 1942-43 by civil contractors after the US Army engineers had carved the initial Pioneer Road for a supply line to Alaska for military Traffic.

It is constructed of 500,000 board feet (1180 cubic meters) of creosoted (a timber preservative) British Columbia Fir, and is the only original timber bridge still in use.
it is unusual in that it is curved, 9 degree's in its 534 feet (162 meters)
Although it is still in use, a new bridge was constructed in 1978 as load limit was 25 ton, heavier gross loads were increasing, and it was especially inconvenient for the expanding Oil and Gas industries.
in the photo below Tina is looking over the edge as I take the pic.

On the way to Alaska

We past through the town of Grand Prairie, in Alberta (a couple of hours below Dawson Creek) and something seemed wrong with this Gigantic sundial, it took a few minutes as to what it was, it was facing the wrong direction (well it was for me, someone from the southern hemisphere that is)
The BIGGEST is alive and well over here as it is in Australia, just a few K's up the road from the BIG sundial is the town of Beaverlodge with the BIG Beaver.

This sign gave us a chuckle
BIG and I mean BIG piles of trees at Louisiana Pacific pulp and paper mill on the northern side of Dawson Creek
Nearby the pulp mill is this Grain Elevator as the Canadians call them, (Silo for Aussies), I have not been inside any over here but I guess it is of similar construction of the one at Fielders Flour Mill Tamworth (New South Wales Australia) where I worked in the late 70's early 80's. The silo in Tamworth was 4x2's (2x4's for the North Americans) on there flat, nailed on top of each other, and had 6 or 8 internal bins if my memory serves me correctly. This style of construction was replaced with steel or concrete in the 50's and 60's.

North to Alaska

We are on our back to Oz, via Dawson Creek (B) Watson Lake (C) Whitehorse (D) where we are at the moment, and we are planning to go to Fairbanks (E) and then onto Anchorage (F) a few deviations along the way are anticipated if road conditions allow. The traveling conditions have been great so far with beautiful weather and good roads, though we were pleased we were in Whitehorse as the weather changed from cool overcast to heavy snow in about 15 minutes last night as we were looking for accommodation. This morning it is a lovely clear sky and about -11 with a wind chill to about -17,and we hope the roads are clear to continue to Alaska (our $750 Chev Corsica is going great so far)

After travelling about 600km to Dawson Creek we finally start on the Alaska Highway. It is signposted every 1 mile and we have a travel book that gives us a mile by mile description. e.g. dumpster on the northbound side at milepost 127.

Actually it is very informative and we would have missed a lot of history if we wernt reading the book. Phils description of heavy snow to me (and the locals) was classed as a blizzard.

As you can see this photo is the rocky mountains again. I suggest you lay on your bed, or the floor to get the best vantage point. Note the car down the bottom. Phil climbed up this mountains to get some overall views of the mountains. I had to sit and mind the car!!!! We travelled most of the last two days through the Rockies. Just unbelievable scenery.

We are going through towns of only a few to a couple of hundred people. Who knows where we will be tonight so am unsure of an Internet connection. Hopefully we will put a daily or two daily update for you. Note: It is spring -11 with a wind chill of -17.

See ya Phil and Tina

Some More Ice Road Photos

Hi from Canada again,

After all the enquires about the ice roads I thought I would post some more Photos. We were amazed at the response Macca had on the radio show after Phil had spoken to him. Folk have been interested in our adventures in Canada and it has been fun doing the blogs.
The first photo is of the ice roads. Phil could give you thickness of the ice and tell you facts etc but I just think "You must be crazy to drive on that slippery ice." He did enjoy the driving and the opportunity to do something he has never done before. Anything with an element of risk is what he enjoys, ( thats why he married me. ha ha)

I can tell you some facts about the above photo. This guys is digging a hole to see how deep the ice is. If the ice is too thin they put a large hose into the hole and pump up the water to flood the ice. As you have gathered by the photo it is somewhat cold, so the water freezes and creates a thinker layer. Hope that is right if not Phil could help you out with the details.
I just thought this was an awesome photo of a sunset. Phil saw the Northern Lights also while he was up there on the ice. He couldn't get any photos though as you cant stop on the ice and also still sorting out the new camera to get the best effects.
What a great photo of an inukshuk. These are usually found beside rivers or in rocky places made by kids or tourists etc. The inuit folk used to bury fresh meat etc under these for the next folk who came along. One arm is always longer to point the direction in which the first folk set out. It is one of the symbols of the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver. It is a great symbol of friendship and community spirit I feel. I wonder who built this one on the ice roads or was it a rock one made at another time and has just been covered in snow now.???
This last photo shows a lump of ice that has come up through the ice road. The water underneath is still moving and the ice does move as well. Also a good photo of Phils glasses and Toque.
On the 14th April Phil and I are going on a road trip to Alaska. Which will be interesting in our old car. After our 2 weeks holiday we then will be flying home arriving in Perth on the 1st May.
So sorry Cedar we don't get to see you this trip. We did try to get down to you guys, would have been fun. Maybe you might have a reason to be in Oz later on in the year????

We are spending some time with Kylie and Selwyn (poor Selwyn is being introduced to all the McIntosh boys next week all in one go!!! Then the week after he will meet us for the first time.)

We are then going to the central coast to await the arrival of our 2nd Grandson who is due the end of May. Phil and I will be looking for work and somewhere to live. It will be nice to be "home" but that comes with a sadness to leave our friends here. I have already had a few tears at leaving them. Maybe there lives will go back to being "Normal" when we aren't around to entertain, help, answer questions, teach a whole new language to and just love us.
Well next time we write we will be in Alaska. We are busy packing and spending time with our friends between now and then
Love to you all
Phil and Tina

Oh yet another trip to the Rockies

Hi To all our friends in Blog land!!! Well as indicated another trip to the Rockies last week. Gai and I had a lovely time and there was lots of snow and quite warm, well at least it got to 5 degrees.
I have cheated a bit in the pictures as the above photo was taken when we visited the Fairmont Hotel in Banff in January. I just love the mirror image of the mountains in Josh's Canadian beer. It was quite flat I imagine by the time he got to drink it. There are some better ones but they are all on there sides and I am still working out how to turn them.

This photo Gai took looking out over the Fairmont's balcony. It was really cold that day so this is the only outside photo that she managed to take of the mountains. It is the actually mountain in the drink above. What a beautiful season Winter is in the mountains.
This is a photo of the house we are staying in. Most of the snow has melted but there is a bit still hanging on. Last Friday when we were coming home we had a bit of a snow storm, which wasnt much fun to drive in. While Gai took photos and thought it was great fun I expressed my fear of driving in a blizzard. She called me a "woos" and told me to get over it, mind you she was a lot quieter when cars started spinning of the road and sliding when we got near the traffic lights. Oh the joys of winter. We got about 6 inches of snow over night I think and the path was covered once more with snow.
The last two photos are of Lake Louise. Gai took the top one last week. The other one was taken in September last year. What a difference from Autum to winter. People were skating on the lake and cross country skiing. There had been ten or more ice sculptures at lake louise when Clayton and I were there 3 weeks ago but because it was soooooo hot they had melted.
What an amazing country Canada is. Lots of new experiences each day. A whole new language to learn, ha ha. We havent picked up a Canadian accent yet but our friends have learnt a great deal of Australian. Chook seems to be one of the favourites which they still pronounce as "chalk". I will miss the amazing friends we have made here but hopefully we will be able to give them a tour of our own beautiful country some day.

Phil is on his last trip to the ice roads. He has enjoyed the experience a lot and has had the opportunity to see the Northern lights most times. How amazing is that. I will just have to look at pictures I guess. I am not allowed to go with him on the ice roads so have missed this adventure.

Well my friend, hopefully some of you are still popping in now and again. Sorry for taking so long but Tour guides dont have much time.

Hooroo

Tina

North on the Ice roads

Well I have done 2 trips on the ice so far, and it is interesting to say the least, before I start on the ice roads info I think I need to give you an understanding of how far north it is to Diavic Diamond mine.

To give all in Oz a point of reference I will use Hobart Tasmania.

Hobart is on the 42 latitude south, The equivalent latitude north passes through Pocetello in Idaho (due south of here) and Chicago on the Great Lakes.

If you were to travel 840klm (road distance) south of Hobart you would be on the 49th latitude, this is the same latitude as the Canada US border.

Another 620 klm south and you are on the 53rd latitude, the same latitude as Edmonton. (Macquarie Island is on the 54th latitude)

Another 1500klm south and you are on the 62nd latitude, the same latitude as Yellowknife.

Another 450 klm south and you are on the 64th latitude this is the same latitude as Diavic Diamond Mine. Approx 250 klm from the Arctic Circle.(Casey research station in the Antarctic is on the 66th latitude)

Or in land drive distances, If you were to drive the distance from Hobart to Townsville, south of Hobart, you will be as far south as Diavic is North.

The distance from Edmonton to Diavic is the same as from Peak Hill (south of Dubbo) to Townsville.

These trucks are actually parked on a small lake, it is only shallow and solid ice so is safe to park on till spring thaw.

A crack in the ice, there are a lot of these but they are not a safety issue

Moon over Lockhart lake as seen from the Lockhart Lake Camp

This is what it looks like from the cab, quite repetitive after a few hours as the loaded travel speed at 25klm/hour on most lakes, but does increase to 30Klm/hour on the more northern lakes. Travel speeds when empty are increased by 10 k /hour, and on designated express lanes for empty trucks 60klm/hour is allowed.

The weather was quite kind for the first trip according to the locals, only down to -37 but not much wind. I spun out (lost traction) on a portage, and had to put the chains on, it is surprising how adrenaline can make you oblivious to the cold, I had 8-12 trucks waiting for me to get mobile so we could all continue, ( no one could pass me where i spun out) in the rush to fit them i removed my gloves to do up the links, and I can tell you chains at -37 degrees and warm hands do not mix, Fortunately the was no moisture and my hands did not freeze to the chain links, and am I appreciative of that.

Though I did have a Dumb and Dumber moment the other day, it was in the -35 to -40 range and I unlocked the truck door with the key, i had a cup of coffee in the other hand, and instinctively put the key into my mouth so I could open the door with my free hand, the key at -35 immediately froze to my tongue and lip, luckily a key is small and the heat of my mouth warmed the key in a few seconds and i was able to free it without loosing any skin.

About the Ice Roads

This is a map of the location if the Ice Roads in the North west Territory, Canada. from Yellowknife to the Diavic mine is about 450 Klm and takes approx 15 hours to travel over the frozen lakes and portages (land outcrops), the longest lake is about 100klm 0f ice to drive over at a speed not exceeding 30 klm/hour, 3 hours non stop.
To leave Yellowknife we travel in groups of 2 to 4 trucks for safety, and we must travel as a convey, to the next checkpoint. Convoy dispatch times are 20 minutes apart. the first 70 Klm is along the Ingram trail, a narrow windy section of formed road, (speed limit 70klm/hour), the leader of the convoy has to call the direction of the convoy (on 2 way VHF radio) the number of trucks and the Klm marker he is passing, this allows others traveling on the road who is on the road, (you hear comments like 4 north at the 25k marker 1st 2 12 wide) if you are traveling


















south and are at the 27k marker you know you are about to pass 4 trucks and the first 2 are 12 foot (3.6 meters) wide. Overtaking is not allowed and each unit must space themselves 1 klm apart.
At the end of the Ingram trail the Ice Roads begin, there is a check in point called the Meadows, where the leader of the convoy calls security and reports the number of trucks, our direction(north or south) and the individual road user number of each truck, When all units have arrived and done a series of load and safety checks, clearance to proceed is requested and given if the previous convoy is far enough ahead. The Next check point is Lockhart camp about 150 klm over the lakes, expected time if travel goes well is about 8 hours. The speed limit and distance is decreased the max speed 25 klm at a minimum distance of 500 meters, no overtaking allowed. If someone has to stop for any reason you must call you have stopped and why, all traffic traveling the direction the stopped unit is traveling must stop when you are 500 meters behind the unit ahead. Security is monitoring the radio and come as soon as they here a call to oversee the situation, and get the traffic flowing as soon as possible.
There is no stopping on the ice except in emergencies, non emergency stops if required are allowed on portages with sufficient space to park safely.
Speed onto and off the ice is lowered to 10 klm/hour as the ice can be damaged if hit too fast.

There is a formula to determine the load capacity of the ice is 4 times the thickness squared, so if the ice is 5cm thick (5 X 5 = 25, 4 X 25 = 100) therefore the load carrying capacity is 100 kg, you can see on the chart above the load capacity for the thickness. The load capacity at the moment is 63000kg so the ice must be 125cm thick.























The cold is interesting, it is not as cold as I thought it would be, the locals tell me this is because the humidity is so low, the humidity affects the cold in a similar way like humidity increases the stress of heat, the higher the humidity the colder it feels.
When there is no wind , it is not too hard to keep warm if you wear enough layers, though, the wind is the hard element to take, it just increases the heat loss so much quicker, the charts beside and below allow you to see the difference in how the wind changes how cold it feels.
























For more info try this sight A field guide to ice construction safety

http://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/documentManagerUpload/Ice%20Construction%20Field%20Guide%20web.pdf