Landed

Landed. Sarah Hennings was safe and secure. But only after 1.5 hours in flight and the pilot announcing that we had to circle the area a few more times for the fog to clear before getting to ground level. The thick fog happens often in this valley. It can prevent the fly-in planes from coming on their twice weekly trips. This was problem during covid as it limited the available supplies and opportunities for travel into Prince George. This was the closet major centre anywhere near the community I just got to… in fact it was really the only other community within five hours on a logging road besides a neighbouring First Nations village. This place was the same size, with members living spread out among the trees and into the valley. I, Sarah Hennings, had never seen anything like that before. Sarah the Nurse was on a new adventure again and I hadn’t even returned back home yet. 

Walking off the plane, I, Sarah Hennings noticed six pick-up trucks waiting around, all with at least four people packed in. One truck did stand out, however, and it was a white Ford. Out jumped a young female around my age wearing Dunlops and a raincoat. She came right over to me and introduced herself… “you must be Sarah? I am the health director, let’s load up the truck and get some boxes and take you to your place!” Looking around the rest of the people were gathering boxes off the plane and using their trucks to take the supplies to the town store. They were also taking locals back to town who were away visiting family. Going back and forth into the city was common for these folks as it was the only way they could get to see family. It was also the way TB came into such an isolated community. I, Sarah Hennings, could see the process of disease transmission unfolding and I was only five minutes into my new position. 

Pulling up to my accommodations, I, Sarah Hennings, realize it’s quite nice. A new, pre-fabricated one level home with all the comforts I needed. It was quiet but well stocked and a step-up in space from my other hotel room. After unpacking, I decided to make some supper with the food I bought in the city. It was difficult to plan just what I needed but was told to be wise because purchasing anything within the community was expensive and limited. Maintaining a healthy diet for anyone is difficult let alone doing so with food prices being any higher. I, Sarah Hennings, wondered how families could afford to eat healthy and was curious what strategies the people here had to survive. There was no Starbucks, there were no restaurants. There was one store, a school, the health centre, un-used RCMP headquarters, a gymnasium, one gathering place of worship, and that was it. Beyond that infrastructure were houses, dirt roads, trees, and one amazing river that fed the soul of the community. I, Sarah Hennings thought I knew remote until I seen this place.