Photo Log - Aug 1-3: Dawson Creek, BC

Lots of things went on while the group was in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Besides the preparations for the big trip, they had the opportunity to show off the military vehicles a couple of times.

The evening August 1, they AC'12 convoy lined up for the first time in order to head to the town of Rolla. While on the road, Mike shot some video of the convoy going around some open, sweeping curves.

On the evening of August 3, the AC'12 participants lined up in march units, and put on a display for the town of Dawson Creek. Below are two pictures of Electro-Willys all dressed up for the show.

- Ellen

Dawson Ck Day 2 - Aug 2

I have been enjoying looking at all the photos people are posting to Facebook and to individual blogs. I find myself looking closely at them to see if I can see E-W or the E-W crew. From the postings and pictures about the convoy and get-together at Rolla last night, it appears it was a lot of fun. I understand that 58 vehicles went on this little 12 mile side trip.

I guess today is full of meetings. There was a driver's meeting this morning, followed by march unit meetings. The convoy will be divided up into March Units. Each march unit will have a person in charge at the front, and a tail-gunner at the rear. Mike and E-W are the tail-gunner for a march unit made of jeeps.

Each participant and vehicle going on the AC'12 convoy has to be registered and safety inspected. There is a list of specific equipment that each must carry. A large enclosed car-hauler will follow the convoy full of spare parts that people have put in there. There will be a maintenance section, but maintenance and repair is up to individual vehicle drivers.

Over the last year, I have been listening in on Mike's teleconferences with the core team. There was a huge amount of planning that went on. As refuel planner, Mike investigated the Canadian and provincial rules on carrying extra fuel. He designed a monstrous spreadsheet with each days travel plans and stops. Included in the spreadsheet was everyone's military vehicle and any personal chase vehicles.

Based on mpg of the vehicles he determined fuel needs for diesel and gasoline. Both gallons and litres were used, as well as the projected cost. It became clear that refueling could become a nightmare at some stops that have just one pump for each type of fuel. At other times, the spreadsheet showed that vehicles with same fuel tanks were going to have to use their spare fuel cans. Mike called those days a "Gas Can Day". Most fuel stations are anticipating the convoy, and have said they will have plenty of fuel on hand.

Version ??? of the Fuel Spreadsheet

Dawson Ck Day 1 - Aug 1

Got to chat with Mike last night, and now I need to add to that list of things they are doing in Dawson Creek during their "rest days". As I suspected, there is no resting!

Mike, aka Gas Can Mike, is the refuel planner for the AC'12 convoy, and as such, is involved with meetings of the core AC'12 team. He is also working to get Electro-Willys and Juice Box running smoothly. And, of course, showing off E-W to anyone that is interested in it. E-W draws a lot of attention when it stealthily motors through camp.

Last night, it was a chore getting E-W and Juice Box out of The Cave. They had to unpack a lot of stuff before they could back out. But, hey, they need to reorganize The Cave for living quarters now, anyways.

The Cave at Round Lake State Park
(photo by Jen on 07/29)

This afternoon, the participants in AC'12 will get to practice lining up for movement and rolling out. The group has been invited to come over to the small town of Rolla to help celebrate the town's 100th anniversary. They will even get a RCMP escort.

Check out the Paper Doll Blog's posting of July 31: Day 12 - Recon Run to Rolla for some interesting facts about Rolla.

- Ellen

Travel Day 6 - July 31

It's the last day of the month, and the Rocky Mountain collection convoy arrived in Dawson Creek this evening. The E-W crew turned north from Hinton, Alberta and headed through Grande Cache to Grand Prairie. From Grand Prairie, the group traveled northwest to Dawson Creek, British Columbia and Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway.

Travel Day 6

I'm sure the crew is eager for the travel days to be done. They will have several days in Dawson Creek to rest, do laundry, meet the rest of the AC'12 convoy members, chew the fat, compare rigs, make plans, attend special events, go to Rolla. Hmmm... not sure that list of stuff sounds like rest to me!

- Ellen