Well, not the actual wilderness. But close? Kind of? Yesterday I arrived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where I'm going to spend the next 6 weeks preaching and in ministry with the people of Yellowknife United Church. I've been here before, and it's one of my very favourite places on earth. I've always travelled here by plane, never by road. This time, my partner drove me here - a 7-day journey from Southern Ontario, camping along the way. They say everyone should see their country from coast to coast once in their lives, and now I can say I've done it!
The trip here was spectacular and full of ups and downs. We assembled a collection of "World's Biggest Roadside Attractions" to see along the way. Highlights included the World's Largest Coca-Cola Can in Portage-La-Prairie, Manitoba; the World's Largest Coffee Pot in Davidson, Saskatchewan; and the World's Largest Pysanka (Easter Egg) in Vegreville, Alberta. I was somewhat underwhelmed by the World's Largest Honeybee in Falher, Alberta (who knew Falher was the honey capital of Canada?) and I ripped a pair of shorts on the Giant Snowman in Kenaston, SK (the self-proclaimed blizzard capital of Saskatchewan).
I was so excited to dip my toes in Lake Superior for the first time (so beautiful!) The Peace River in Alberta is a wonder that everyone should see. I crossed the Mighty Mackenzie and said hello to many new four-legged friends in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. Now, I'm back on the shores of Great Slave Lake. I love this place.
We were also heartbroken to witness the devastation wrought by last year's forest fires. We drove through hundreds of kilometres of blackened forests in Northern Alberta and through the Northwest Territories. Some green is starting to return, and there were still ditches full of purple fireweed. Signs of hope amidst the destruction.
My plan is to write here semi-regularly over the next 40 days, like my own personal wilderness retreat.
