When I was 17 I started working in an asbestos mine in the Yukon. I had the enthusiasm of youth, and looked beyond the things that a great adventure.

Mine is about 7 miles from the border with Alaska, on the banks of Forty Mile River, which empty into the Yukon River about 5 miles or up north.

I first arrived in August and began work on the surface Crew. E 'was the group responsible for maintenance outside of all things on the surface. And 'well when we hadfew relatively warm days in summer, but has become a bit 'harder to work out in less than 55F.

One of my first tasks was to keep clear the conveyor that took the unused asbestos out of the tailings piles. Tailings piles are basically the bottom of what was left after milling the asbestos and is run by the mill on conveyor belts to large piles behind the mill. At that time there were about 100 meters high.

I have a shovel and a small mask (a bit 'aspaper is that some artists use), and told to go shovel the band on the tailings piles. Whatever, I go with my little shovel to clear any blocks of asbestos from the conveyor belt. I remember that at one point was literally Knee Deep in Asbestos in the stack 100 meters high and looked in my very poor quality mask and seeing the inside (where it should be), all the gray dust of asbestos. I saw my hankerchief (yes, I brought a)and blowing the nose. Sorry for the crude, graphic description, but everything was gray. And that was my introduction to working in an asbestos mine.

In the early 1970s it was known that asbestos caused problems. Work in the mines, we would get brochures handed from time to time with the propaganda about how it has never been proven that asbestos was actually harmful. She was beautiful glossy brochures. I wish I could save one.

Even if I had the opportunity to enter the mill to have had moreIf I was happy not to work. There were people who worked in the mill whose sole job is to sweep the dust that falls on the floor. There was so much of what was a constant work in progress. The asbestos dust in the mill actually fell almost like snow and covered the floor completely. Without sweepers there would probably be several inches of asbestos dust on the floor within an hour or so. In fact, I remember seeing sweepers by pushing their wide brooms andnew construction dust on the floor behind them as they went.

Yukon itself was fantastic. Stunning in fact. I have a very good and there had seen some natural wonders that could not otherwise see. I came to Alaska Highway hitchiked with a friend. In those days the road is unpaved. Most of the trip was a nice family traveling in a converted old school bus is provided. Rattle and dust. Rattle and dust. But we have finally to Whitehorse, and thenon
in Dawson City. I loved Dawson. It 'was as reinforcements in the past. Not only the architecture and homes, but people who are old-fashioned friendliness and charm, but limited by a solution that a man should live in a harsh environment.

Yukon has a serenity. Almost a serenity that can be heard. I found that only those who were there and lived fully understand what I mean by that.

In all this beauty I suppose the asbestos mineis a cancer, cancer or the environment. Fortunately, now closed for many years nature is the restoration of its territory, but unfortunately asbestos mining of a legacy of asbestosis and back with a couple of their former employees. There are many resources available with information, legal and personal (www.mesothelioma-listings.com) but one has to be something which the body does not consume, consumes the soul. Humanity is a bit 'fragile after vagarities of life asis. Is there enough 'drama' will become of us without spending all our energy on guilt. Be quiet. I remember your duty in life is to help others. Thankfully they are and try to improve life around you.

As I write, I looked out the window, see my grandchildren learn to fish on Seawall again. There is simply nothing better than this.