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August 4, 2008
By early August, northern hillsides are starting to take on a purplish tinge from the summer's fireweed growth. As the name suggests, fireweed often quickly colonizes burnt areas left by forest fires, but in reality, it grows well anywhere there is open space and lots of light. Once brush and trees start to take hold, the fireweed starts to die out. Historically recognized for more than just its vibrant colours, the fireweed has been used to suppliement local diets as a good source of vitamins C and A as well as serving as an herbal medicine to aid in healing of cuts or other abrasions, and it's significance to Northerners is demonstrated by its role as territorial flower of the Yukon.
August 11, 2008
Vetter Falls is hidden just a couple of minute walk from the Nisga'a Highway in the midst of the lava flows from the Tseax Cone, which erupted a couple of hundred years ago. The falls are created by the water flowing off the edge of one of the flows, and are surrounded by beautiful landscapes and features not seen anywhere else in western Canada. The northern Coast Mountains are home to a smorgasboard of minerals, including gold, copper and molybdenum, much of which has been formed or brought near to the earth's surface by the same tectonic forces that built these rugged mountains and caused the volcano to erupt and create havoc in this valley in the first place.
August 18, 2008
Northern BC winters are hard on things. This bent-out-of-shape piece of rough-cut Yukon lumber is all the proof needed. However, it isn't destined for the scrap heap quite yet - there may be a job or repair that this piece is perfect for. Northerners, particularly those living and working in remote areas, tend to be collectors of pretty much anything that isn't tied down (or stacked properly, as was likely the case with this 2x4). As long as there's room, there's probably a piece of something-or-other to fill it. It's not a question of being an obsessed scrounger or packrat - it's more a question of necessity. Chances are if you can't find a use for it, a neighbour can, so it's probably worth hanging on to. That's a good thing in the North.
August 25, 2008
Placer mining on Holloway Bar is all about water. Water is pumped up to the Wizard to separate the gold from the raw materials. Water is used to dip your gold pan into when you're hand-panning your riches. Muddy water settles into the tailings ponds. Hot water washes the miners at the end of the day. High water prevents equipment from crossing the McDame during the spring runoff. Rushing water helped carve out this valley. Gravity-fed water flows through the turbine to generate electrical power for camp. Cold water surrounds the grayling that live in McDame Creek. Clean water nourishes Victoria the Moose and all of her offspring. Without water, there wouldn't be much here. Water is everything on Holloway Bar...
