Road Trip Across Canada…via an SK-61

We started the journey at the end of June in Ontario which lead us to Quebec, back to Ontario, over to Manitoba, back to Ontario, across to Alberta, and ending in British Columbia.  The summer was nothing less than EPIC!  I was able to see so many faces that we worked with in Afghanistan that I hadn’t seen in almost 4 years, so it was so much fun to at least catch up and say hi!  Once the final call came that ended our fire season, we started making our ferry trip flight plan back to the home base.  Here was the route:  Fraser Lake, B.C ~ Prince George, B.C.~ Edmonton, Alberta ~ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ~ Dauphin, Manitoba ~ Dryden, Ontario ~ Geraldton, Ontario ~ Timmons, Ontario ~ Val-d’Or, Quebec ~ Wendake, Quebec!

We were able to work alongside some of the most professional and hard working crews that are in the biz, which made it enjoyable for everyone. I am amazed at not only the crew at HeliCarrier but all the crews and helicopter companies that “make it work” all summer.  The days and hours are long and arduous, they go weeks without seeing their families, they sleep in not always the best conditions…forget about your dietary needs and nutrition, as you never know when your next meal might be or how long you go without one.  If you have to do laundry at 10 PM just so you can have clean underwear for the next week…then that’s what you have to do. When they fly 8 hour days or longer, sometimes they hit the start button and don’t shut down until the day is done…so on fuel stops they hop out quickly to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs for 5 minutes and then back in the chopper they go.  Don’t even think about planning anything on what may come the next day, let alone the next hour as you never know if you’re coming or going.  Sometimes its the release phone call on a fire at 6PM and they relocate you 6 or more hours to the next fire…then it’s the hurry up and get there flight and logistics. The only thing you can count on and plan is ABSOLUTE RIGID FLEXIBILITY.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute (well mostly lol) of being able to tag along and see what happens behind the scenes on fires….as I used to be the one digging the dirt on the ground…not in the air!  But it definitely takes a toll on ones body and mind and this lifestyle isn’t for everyone.  Aaron and I have a unique situation and I’m lucky enough to be able to take some time off and travel along…but 99.9% of everyone else can’t have their significant other tag along…so it can become a lonely journey for sure.  

So the next time you meet a chopper pilot or crew member of a helicopter company….make sure you thank them…as the work isn’t easy and those guys and gals go above and beyond to make sure you have trees, homes, structures, parks, National Forests and cabins to go home to…and to the crew members at HeliCarrier and more importantly my favorite pilot of all times….THANK YOU for this unbelievable and indescribable summer.  We are like family…and we all look out for each other. Until the next adventure……cheers!