Off The Grid

The National Geographic Channel does a number of programs that focus on living in harsh environments or doing dangerous jobs.  One of those programs focuses on living off the grid north of the Arctic Circle.  To say these people are hardy is a gross understatement for sure.  One of the personalities is a woman who lives out there all on her own.  She is a tough ole broad for sure.  Her thoughts about living where she does facing the harsh environment especially in the winter are that they are challenges.  It is these challenges that make her feel alive.  Another of the characters who lives out there with a wife and five children demonstrates the importance of working as a unit and working every day to survive.

I talk about this because for the past week or so, we have been off the grid, so to speak.  We all are so accustomed to having cell phones and wifi keeping us connected all the time.  I know I take it for granted.  Not having connectivity has been troublesome for us, for sure.  Before leaving Alaska, I added cell service so we could make calls and texts from within Canada to the US.  It never occurred to me that we would not have cell service at all!  Our return route is taking us through an area in the Yukon Territory and British Columbia that is quite remote -- no cell service.  Most of the campgrounds do not have wifi or if they do, it is only in a restricted area not at our camp site itself -- no email or internet.  Gee whiz!

Add to that, Jim came down with a nasty virus complete with fever and coughing.  Luckily, a nearby town where we are staying had medical services.  The doctor confirmed it was a virus and rest, fluids -- all the usual things would take care of it.  Thankfully, I was fine so played my role as a nurse.  Just as Jim started to improve, I came down with it, ugh.  So while we are not facing harsh, life threatening elements, we have developed a greater appreciation of all the conveniences we enjoy day-to-day.  As a consequence, I have not been able to post to the blog.  We are lucky to be able to get this post up just so folks know we are okay.  Oh yes, just to make it interesting, the fires in Washington, Oregon and Idaho are adding to the fun.  We changed our original return route and eliminated the Okanagan Valley to avoid them.  Thank goodness we have no real pressing schedule.  We plan to cross the border and arrive in Seattle by the 4th of September.  We could hunker down somewhere along the way and wait should condition require it.  We will not be foolish and put ourselves in danger.

Have no fear however, I will catch-up with all our adventures once we are back in civilization.  We have seen marvelous things and I have lots of picture to share.  Ta Ta!