Winter Wonderland

Absolutely amazing this time heading to the mine, the Snow was fresh. Thursday the road was closed by an avalanche and a supply truck left the road. Come Friday, when I entered the logging road system all was cleaned up, the sky was clear and it was a fresh -20c. The road was hard packed with a layer of snow, it was smooth and really nice to drive on this time. At the mine the truck was put on steam and unloading took place Saturday morning, everything went smoothly. The only down part of the trip was the accommodations and the satellite phones. The Mines and my satellite phone were having problems holding a signal, the joys of being in a remote location. Rooms were limited, I was not on the reservation list so they lodged me in a cross shift room (who knows what that means, it was more of a musty closet). It had vinyl floor, try putting your bare tootsies on it with a draft coming under the door. The Internet was down and the room had no TV, apparently someone stole it. Okay, follow me here; You are 377km in the middle of know where and you have to be flown in and out. Would you not think someone would question you if you had a TV under arm? As they say, stranger things have happened!
The drive down back to Mackenzie BC was pretty much the same as the trip north, uneventful just the way I like it! Here are a couple of pics of the morning sun, I was waiting for another truck to pass.

SIZE MATTERS!

Wow, on the way back from Fort McMurray Ab. I ran head on with this truck pictured here. It had two tractors pulling, and man in a cab on the front part of the trailer, a man in a cab on the rear part of the trailer and three tractors pushing. It must be a bitch to parallel park!

Rhinoplasty

Well the Trimac garage in Oakville did an amazing job installing the new bumper. The new bumper by AliArc looks amazing and will protect more than that flimsy plastic bits that the manufacture puts on. Delivering loads in Northern BC and Ontario can be dangerous especially at night when there is a danger of striking animals crossing the highways. In the past I have had Wolf, Caribou, Moose, Deer, Ram and Fox not to mention smaller animals like Raccoon's crossing in front of me. Travelling in areas that I do, I am usually alone and out of cell phone coverage, hitting an large animal can cause serious damage to the truck, putting you out of service and stranding you out in the middle of no where. The new bumper will not stop damage, it will lesson the damage and most likely will allow you to get to safety should a collision occur. This bumper also has incorporated in it a better tow hook system should a tow need to take place. When I was in the ditch / Snowbank last time I used the hooks that came with the truck and one snapped. Can you believe that the toe hooks are cast steel!

I did have a word with a gentleman that expressed concern with pedestrian safetyand bumper systems like this. His concern that head injury could occur should a pedestrian happen to strike there head in an accident. I see the concern and agree that hitting a plastic grill would be better than hitting an aluminium bumper. Should a pedestrian / truck accident occur I think that would be the least of your worries as seeing that trucks weigh in excess of 80,000 lbs. Remember, look both ways before stepping from the curb. Like trains, it is hard sometimes to determine a trucks speed due to there size and like a train the shear mass takes longer to stop in an emergency.

The picture is not the best, I will up date it later.

Kemess Mine, Hooray, Unloaded!

Well we were able to get the product off the truck after 3 days of steaming. The product came off quickly and easily at 60f. pic 1. On steam pic 2. Backed into tank pad. Pic 3. Unloading

Living Quarters

This time I stayed in the living quarters of the mine. As I have mentioned in a past post the food is great and the people are too. The accommodation is not up to the Hilton but is better the Howard Johnson. The wash rooms and showers are down the hall, It is a quiet zone so there are no visitors. People are sleeping here all the time because of the different shifts. Each room has a bed and TV as well as a closet, WiFi is in all bunk houses and the dining hall. Satelitte public phone is located in the TV room accross from the dining hall. If you wish to lose your life fast, slam your bedroom door. Hold onto it when closing because it has a strong spring. Work boots are not welcome in the bunk houses or the mess hall. In addition, soiled work wear are not welcome in the mess hall. Leave your hats, caps, helmets, and jackets at the hooks on the way in. Again if you want to lose you life go against what I have said. You really do not want to be banded from the mess hall.

Here are few pics of the bedrooms.

Kemess Mine Redux.

Hello Everyone I am at the Kemess Mine again. The trip here was actually pretty good. The logging road was very smooth, hard packed and icy in some spot. Tire chains were a must this time. Over the journey here the temperature in the trailer fell to 25f. Upon arrival the trailer was put on steam. I will suggest with the organizers of this account to have the truck stop in Edmonton Ab. and have the trailer steamed there, so we could deliver the load at temperature and the customer would not be put out. I arrived at about 13:00pt on Friday and the trailer has only got up to 40f as of 18:00pt Saturday evening. They need to get the trailer to about 60f for the product to move. I think I maybe here for a few days. The weather here is great, clear sky's and very cold temperatures. It is Sunday Nov. 26Th and this morning it was -37c and tomorrow it is predicted to be -40c and that is without the wind chill. The snow is magnificent and the mountains are too. It is really dark here; that may seem like a stupid thing but in a large metropolis you have light pollution and you never see the night sky. Another thing that is good is the sky is clearer, along the most populated areas you have pollution in the air, none of that exists here. These picture were taken out the back door of the living quarter. It was to bloody cold to go off and if I could were would I go. Other than the support staff at the camp I am it., everyone else is at there work areas. The look I get from some people is weird, I think they think that I am high up at on the totem poll. I was wearing my Hi Viz yellow jacket and I was talking on the satellite phone and it was like Moses parting the sea. People turned and duck into were ever they were and went back to work. Little do they know how low I really am. Enough banter for one day, I will update if things change.

Salt Spring Island BC

Wow, It is paradise, many trees and very relaxing. The ferry ride is very smooth and the large Ferrys have gaming rooms, stores and restaurants and very cumfy. This says a lot about the BC Ferry from a person who does not fare well on boats. I would have no problem to go back. Driving a Trimac silver bullet has been amazing so far. I have covered most of Canada and the US. A far cry from my last company. I will post pics of my Island stay below, if drivers have an opportunity to go, GO!

Enjoy the pics:














The Morningside Bakery is locate on Salt Spring Island at fulford Bay. It is only a about 75m from the entrance to the ferry parking lot. It is an unusual little abode that sell many coffee's and tea's. They have many fresh pastries to eat, very yummy!











This the out side eating area of the Morningside Bakery, very quaint!

Ferry Docking Area

Kemess Mine British Columbia:


The Kemess Mine is located in one of the most remote areas that I have ever been in. It is located 377 km north of Mackenzie BC; trucks accessing the facility must drive the logging road that is mainly a Single track. It is not uncommon to be snow covered or muddy so carrying tire chains is a must, not an option. When driving the route one should remember that the VHF radio is you best friend, it helps you keep a track of trucks in the area. Loaded trucks and grading equipment have the right of way. Drivers will also have to call ahead at every mile marked stating there location, direction and if they are loaded or not. There is no commercial radio in the area nor is there cell phone coverage; this maybe best so the driver can concentrate on the driving and VHF radio. Should the truck slide off the road or crash it would be advised to carry proper winter attire and to have at least 24 hrs of food. In an emergency it could take many hours for help to come as well the drive takes you through avalanche areas that are well marked. Drivers should keep in mind that the road can be blocked by snow. Lomac trucks that run the road daily are equipped with satellite phones and are the best people to contact along the journey should one need assisstant. The Oslinka logging camp is the half way point, expect to take at least 10hrs loaded. The road is wash boarded, if you drive at 20kph which is instinct it will shake you to death. Driving at 60kph+ over the washboard sections will smooth the ride out. At the mine the food is great and the people are too. The two public phones at the mine to call out on only take calling cards or 800's. These phones are satellite phones, there is a delay. When talking wait till the other person is finished before you start and it will save a bit if grief. I have posted a few pictures and a map for people to see.

Map of Kemess Mine:























Many wooden bridges that are just wide enough for the truck;