In Ontario we call it Garbage...

I went on a field trip last friday. It was my first time leaving town since I arrived in Dawson on December 5. Picture that for a moment. Never leaving the boundaries of a town for 3 months. Its just such a strange concept in Ontario because there are so many other communities around. We are isolated up here. Whitehorse is 6 hours away by car. Carmacks is closer. But why on earth would you want to go there.

On to the trip. It was an exciting trip. Wanda had been promising to take me to "the free store" for a few days and I was tingling with anticipation. (Not much else has been going on in my life).

We drove down the highway and got to the dump road which hadn't been plowed. Which was bad because it has snowed for 12 straight hours the day before (a rarity up here). I was worried this small car was going to slide into a ditch and we would be stuck and die. (Nobody has cell phones up here and apparently they don't work out of town). We made it safely to the Free Store.

Now I know you are all going to rush to judge me and I am ok with that. Here in the Yukon we are resourceful and are attempting to save the planet by not putting everything in the landfill. That is the purpose of the free store. Also it houses a squirrel.

There are children's toys, books, clothing, bedding, appliances, and old computer bits. I went straight for the books. You can't take your mittens off at the free store. Despite the fact that it is covered it is Darn cold. And there is snow on the clothing. I took Death of a Salesman, and this other random book that looked funny. I was slightly disappointed to see not one, but two copies of one of my favourite books. But what can you do. I also picked up a corel plate (which has subsequently been soaked in bleach).

Wanda got some books and walked up the mountain of clothing. I wish I had my camera. This would make these stories far more interesting. I also got a "winner" medal for my coworker Jo who is working like a madwoman. I'm going to give it to her when her program is over.

If you have any questions about the free store I will answer them. If you want to judge me hold your judgement until you too have lived in the Yukon for 3 months.