A few days back soon after I left Tetsa Lodge a car stopped and a man got out to talk. Little could I have known then Id make some new friends and have a great time doing it. Honestly at the time I was still feeling lonely and still unmotivated but that all changed. The man introduced himself as Joey. He tells me a fellow employee named Shane has been following my journey and they have a place for me to stay at the Toad River Lodge up the road about 100km or so. He was headed into Fort Nelson for supplies with a few other employees when he spotted me. He offers the place right away and since hes on days off he can pick me up on their way back and drop me off the next morning. It had been cold and damp for days so this was an opportunity I couldnt pass up. We part ways as I hiked on and by dark I find myself en-route to Toad River. Since I stayed 4 nights there in the small community. Each day I would finish my hike then theyd pick me up, bring me back then drop me off again. This service also came with free meals, showers, and laundry. The timing couldnt have been better as it was cold and raining for days. I managed to make decent distance despite the rain and cold even hitting the Summit of the Alaska Highway. At 1295 meters or over 4200 feet its the highest point in the Highway. It rests at mile 392 so I took some time to film it and set up the camera for a series of pics. Yesterday I awoke to 10cm of snow and rightfully decided to only do 6km as the roads were bad and I was concerned for traffic. I had heard through the grapevine a few trees were fallen over the highway and seeing that it is already narrow and winding I thought it best for everyones sake to take it easy. Their enthusiasm for my journey really lifted my spirits causing and outburst if positive energy. I cant remember last time Ive felt so good. They too are on their own journeys... Joey who is originally from Nova Scotia actually just moved back to Canada not long ago after living 13 years in Sweden. Shane travels all over spending his summers working up north and his winters with all the pretty Australian girls that frequent Silver Star ski hill in Vernon. Irene is from Northern Saskatchewan who get wonderful gifts of homemade wine and dried fruit from her sister who lives in the Okanagan. She also prides herself on the West Coast Trail trip she completed this summer. There are three shy Philopenoes who also work here and the two owners Darrel and Matt whom I owe a debt of huge gratitude for putting up this weary traveler with open arms and enthusiastic smiles. They are all just one big happy family all in their own journeys who have come together as kindred spirits accepting me as one of their own. Im proud to call them my new friends and look forward to hearing more of their adventures to come. I met many Americans which was quite nice. Some I met out in the road like Randy Madigan and Ken Duff from Alaska on their way to San Diego California as Kens daughter is due to have twins soon and lives down there. Another fella Don just sold his house in Colorado and was on his way to his other house in Alaska when he broke down. Hes been at the lodge for a few days now and it was a real pleasure to get to know him a little. Another fella from Southern California was like a little kid so excited about the snow fall we got. He too is headed to Alaska for the winter. I honest cant thank the people at the Toad Lake Lodge enough especially Joey, Shane, and Irene who I also observed being unconditionally kind and helpful to all that graced the grounds... Next Ill write a little history on the odd but pleasantly strange place that is Toad River including how it got its name... Thank you...
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 04:55:49 +0000
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