Wolf Communication: October 2011

Sorry for the hiatus folks. Being so close to Vancouver Island allows me to take on possible planting work in the area. After getting word from my close friend and work companion Jeff Burns that he was going to be putting on the planting bags and working a contract out of Campbell River, I jumped on a plane and joined him. As remote as Kingcome is, there are float planes arriving at the government dock, almost daily, throughout the week; when the weather is favorable. Bringing in everything from groceries to mail, and the occasional RCMP, it is also a quick way out of the community. It was tough leaving Jackie, but this was a great opportunity to jump into a fall coastal contract. It also allowed me to make a few essential purchases to make life in Kingcome a bit more comfortable.

Burnsy and I taking a moment on a hillside.

Sharing days highballing the gnarliest high elevation coastal cut blocks that either of us have ever seen, it was a good reminder to both Burnsy and I as to why we still love the job. Being on the management end of things in bush camp for a few years now, this was a perfect opportunity for me to apply all that I have learnt from my crew. Full days of jumping around in the dirt, rock and slash whipped my body into the best shape I have felt since last year, pre May 10th...ATV malfunction...crash bang boom. Leaving both Jackie and Atticus at home in Kingcome, I wanted to get back as fast as possible. What better motivation to plant my way out of a low-priced contract.

Our canoe being put to good use as the flood waters are rising.

Right in the middle of my vocation vacation, Kingcome was faced with three days of relentless rain. Inevitably, the river rose into town. Jackie and a bit more than half of the people in the village were forced to spend a few anxious nights at the school. Our canoe was getting good use, making trips across a small river that cut between our home and the big house. What could I do from Campbell River? Thats what I was asking myself nightly. I couldn’t really do anything if I was in Kingcome either though. Minus leaving Jackie alone, there was really no reason for me to go through that too. Some folks were trying to sort any way out of the community. Pretty scary situation, but after a halt in the rain, the river went back down as quick as it went up.

Jackie took this pic from the school during the flood.

The weekend prior to me leaving, Jackie and I picked a beautiful Sunday to paddle down to the government dock. Going down river at low tide made for a very nice morning. The river at that time is at its fastest and we took our time through the small chutes, cruising with a light steer and enjoying our hot mochas. The wildlife is everywhere: two bald eagles, a bunch of ducks, hundreds of geese, a curious seal and the feeling that at least one cougar had its eyes on us. After arriving at the government dock we took some photos, enjoyed lunch and waited for high tide; it's the only time its possible to paddle up river.

The 'Big 5 ft. Head that
watches over the river.

It took us about an hour and forty minutes of solid paddling to get back to the village. On the return trip, we stopped for a picture of the big head. Sitting on the bank about half a kilometer from the village, the five foot carving watches over activity coming up river. I noticed it during my first ride into town, but haven’t asked anyone about its significance just yet. During our weekend paddle, I decided that I was going to buy a small trolling motor for our canoe; one of my key purchases while in Campbell River. This little motor allows us to pick up our own fresh orders of groceries at the government dock and gives us a bit more freedom up river.

Another key purchase while on the island was a new Husqy 55 cc chain saw. My new baby is lying at my front door as I type this, waiting for me to go out and rip up some logs for fire wood. The dry heat from our wood burning stove is a nice blessing to the damp coastal air.
At that, its time for me to get out there. The season has definitely changed since I was last here and I can feel winter making its way into the inlet.