Return to the Northwest Territories not exactly as planned

Last summer our return to the Northwest Territories did not go as planned. We were to travel back to Yellowknife to meet up with some friends we have been meeting along the road over the past several years. Our Northern Lite truck campers were the reason we met in the first place and since then have had many visits around campfires with Ron and Anne. Being as Charlotte and I had been to Yellowknife before and had been shown around the highlights of the city and area by some friends that lived there, we could kinda be like tour guides with limited knowledge. Well, they got to Yellowknife, we did not. We got as far as Hay River, that’s where this story goes and the journey north ends.

It’s a good thing we like Hay River Territorial Park, on our first visit “Slim” our campground host was amused by our “only one night” registration that lasted being revised into just over a week’s stay, one night at a time. Hay River is not high on the tourist sites but there is a lot to that community we discovered.  Our let’s overnight and hit the road got scrapped when we discovered the big Arctic tugs left from Hay River, a must see for a flatlander from the prairies.

Well, we met up with Ron and Anne and spent a few days camping there at Hay River and all was good as we also met up with Dave and Theresa from Calgary travelling in their Hallmark truck camper. We had met this interesting couple back down the road at Louise Falls Campground. Dave and Theresa were headed to Yellowknife to leave on a canoe trip to the Arctic, we found out later they too had a change of plans and did not make that trip.

Well, when one spends an entire summer on the road not all plans work to perfection as those who are nomads can attest to. We all parted company from Hay River each going their own way and on their own time schedule. We left to find a small lake only locals knew about off the main road to spend a few days there before moving on. An hour and a half later we found the turn off and travelled our kinda back roads, lots of sand and dirt later we found the lake and it was as described beautiful, peaceful and very remote. Just move the truck and we are staying, that’s when all changed, a bad grinding noise from under the hood. In the middle of nowhere and no cell service, (we do carry a satellite phone) a bearing somewhere was going bad. Yellowknife was too far to chance so we returned to Hay River and stopped at the local Ford Dealership. The next day they could get me in and charge me an hour to troubleshoot the cause even though I narrowed it down to the air conditioner pump. It would only cost $285 an hour! Ouch!

Once again “Slim” would be amused that we were back. He gave me the name of two other shops that would be quite reasonable and good. Well, they did not charge $285 an hour so they were swamped and after getting the run around for two days I had the Ford dealership order me the parts needed and picked them up the next day. If a shop could not get me in I would do it myself. “Slim” did not mind and said with a big grin I could book the campground till fall if needed.

Next problem I had lots of tools but needed a puller. After checking many places with no luck, out of desperation I tried Aurora Freightliner and met a new friend Glen Seaton. He saved the day by taking the time to round up one I could borrow. That one did not work so I returned it the next day and he ordered not only one but three from there supplier saying I could take the one that worked and he would keep the other two to make sure I could get back on the road. That’s the best part of our travel lifestyle we get to meet some incredible people like “Slim” and Glen who go that extra mile to help one out. Well, I got that bearing changed in my campground workshop. Finally, after just over a week “Slim” was going to get rid of us.

We did not make Yellowknife as those we were going to meet had left and were heading west, we started heading south. One would think after my blog posts all I do is repair the truck, but really when you spend the best part of the year on the road and the miles we put on, one has to expect a few problems and no matter what you drive, if you use it, it will either wear out or break at some point. We have our home in the back of our truck and everything we need so are never really stranded, we’re always home sometimes just delayed, all part of the game.

Hung up on repairs I did not mention the great campground hosts at the 60^th Parallel Territorial Park just on the Alberta-NWT border. A very nice little campground, quiet private sites clean but no power or hookups for those requiring that we enjoyed our short stay there.

Another awesome campground on the way to Yellowknife located on the Hay River in the Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park, the Louise Falls Campground. There we met Sheila the campground host with the most. Sheila was struggling with fixing her bike and needed a wrench. I had an extra one so I gave it to her to help her out. We met Ron and Anne here, as well as Dave and Theresa and after visiting and comparing truck camper travels we kinda bonded being nomads in similar rigs. For some unknown reason Sheila kinda took a liking to our little group and invited us to a potluck dinner where she supplied fresh pickerel. Now that was a feast to remember. We almost hated leaving there as we were so welcomed.

It was from this campground one could see Louise Falls and from there could hike about a 5 kms round trip to Alexandra Falls. This is a must stop on your way into the Northwest Territories.

Hope you enjoy the images shared as much as we did taking them…don’t take my word for any of this, experience it for yourself. I have done a post in the archives of our trip previously to Yellowknife for those interested. From here we wandered down through the Peace River country on to Cold Lake, Alberta.

If you made it this far thanks for reading and we really hope to meet you somewhere down the road. Don’t know about you but we’re ready to hit the road and make some more memories.

Gerry and Charlotte (Slow Roaming Nomads)