Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. ~ Helen Keller3 years ago when I promised to love and support my husband accompanying him wherever he'd go- no one told me that would include following him over 5,000 miles to the Yukon (yes, that's Canada my friends) to mine for gold. How did I get conned into that? *Side note: did you know that a synonym for "con" is "gold brick?" I did! You can't fool me karma. I know the symbolism in that. The irony is not lost on me.
For years the men in his family have talked and dreamed of this expedition. Last year for about a month they made the first trek out to the beautiful country.
It was like being in the dark ages. No phone, no email. We waited (sometimes not so patiently) for any word from the boys as they worked and dredged (literally) through the terrain. I was like a schoolgirl at Christmas when he came home. I vowed to never let that much time go by without being with him. And now, I may have to eat my words.
The boys (Dax and Chase) have been asked to once again make the voyage again to British Columbia, Canada, only this time (along with their wives and babies) stay for possibly the whole mining season.
Breathe.
Camping... Tents... Dirt... Cold... Mesquitos? Bears?!
These are just the few things that run through my mind. How/ where do I begin? How does one go about attempting a feat this big? The answer: one small, slow, agonizing step at a time.
Which brings us to last weekend. Here is test #1. Today's adventure is to investigate how to set up the tent, ensure that it is indeed large enough for our clan and foresee any unknown kinks before the big day (which is quickly approaching...AHHH!) Don't worry, I took copious notes.
The tip top of the list was...DIRT! So much dirt. Dirt in the clothes, in the hair- on the face. Dirt in the bed. On the baby (gasp!). Dirt in places there shouldn't be dirt. Thankfully, this would be the desert so my constant variable is not so constant and I have to hope that the further north we travel the less dirt we encounter (a girl can dream anyway).I have to say, the baby did quite well. He was warm and happy (again, this is the desert so I don't put too much stock in the temperature trial).
We slept well. Protected by our defender and friend, the incredible Mr. Chaunch. Truth be told, he protected us so well that the first night we didn't sleep as well due to his constant barking and growling at every little thing. But we made up for it the second night.
We were warm and toasty (the canvas tents have a fantastic steel stoves to add to the warmth) and made it out in one piece.
Once again we'll work out a few more kinks and in the process pacify my fears a little more one step at a time.
wow the way you describe it it makes even me nervous. are you sure about this? this is your husband by the way. i love you .
ReplyDeleteYou are a better woman than I. I told Taylor about your crazy adventure and he said, "you would never do that," and I said, "I wouldn't have married you if I thought that might even be a possibility." Good luck with the shotgun. And the baby. Oh, I can't wait for the updates.
ReplyDelete