Day 16: 09/25/2025

Start time: 9:25

End time:

Starting Mileage:91070

Ending Mileage:

Low Temp: 27

High Temp: 50

Total driven: XXX miles drive time X hrs. XX min

Blog Entry:

Well today did not go as planned. Not in a hurry so got up late and slept in to 7:00 AM. Was going to be a beautiful blue sky, high wispy clouds kind of day and boy we sure are glad it was. Saw a lot of spruce grouse today.  About two hours down the road climbing seven mile hill, the low pressure tire alarm went off and I looked down and sure enough the left rear tire was down to 69 lbs. Hit the gas pedal to try and make it to a pull off that is flat and not on the steep grade of the hill. Not far up the road there was a flat pull off and down to 59 lbs. Ok flat tire no big deal not the first time and we are prepared for this, even have two spares. Well something you wouldn't expect to happen happened. The hydraulic jack broke and we couldn't lift the truck to change the tire. Took everything out of the flanks to help with weight and it still wouldn't lift. 

Lesa grabs the sat phone to call Eagle Plains which is about 70 miles away at this point to see if we can get someone to bring us out a hydraulic jack. Well Lesa couldn't find the phone number in the book called the Milepost...so much for it being the bible of the north, so she called our great friend Cindy S. and told her to look up Eagle Plains and what was going on. Cindy gave Lesa the number and Lesa called. Cindy S. thank you again! Garage said they would send two hydraulic jacks with someone who was going south and that it might be at least two hours before someone got to us. 

Well it ended up being 2.5 hours, got the tire changed, loaded up everything and everyone and on our way to Eagle Plains to get gas, get the tire fixed and try and buy one of these hydraulic jacks from the garage. On the way we see a grizzly running down the side of the road and  it runs into the bush. Looks to be collared and ear tagged.  Took what pics I could and then on our way again. Got to Eagle Plains got the tire fixed, gassed up the truck and have to wait for the boss to come back from filling up the water truck. Lesa and I decided that we should just call it a day and stay at the "motel" at Eagle Plains.  No problem getting a room since there are not many people up here this time of year. The whole time we were waiting three semi's and one pickup went by us.  I didn't flag anyone down since I knew we were getting help from Eagle Plains…eventually. So all in all we really lucked out, it wasn't pouring down rain, snowing, cold or windy as hell.

We were able to get the tire changed, to Eagle Plains get gas and get the tire fixed, get some take out at the restaurant and get some unexpected showers. I'm sure we can strike a deal with the boss of the garage for the hydraulic jack. If not he will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands…lol.

It is also the first time Moxee will stay in a motel with us and so far she is doing well, of course one of us has to stay with her or I'm sure she will start barking.  That is what she does when we leave her in the truck.

Well talked to the boss tonight. He doesn't want to sell me the jack but he told me to keep it and in Inuvik see if I can buy one and on the way back drop off his jack. We really appreciate that!