Inuvik (Sep 10/04) - Like the unpredictable nature of the Dempster Highway, a new book about the 25-year-old road is an eclectic mix of tales -- some true and some not -- that are as engaging as one's grip around the steering wheel when trying to keep the wheels on the road at 140km/h.

Writers Mike Mulherin, Dennis Berry and Jason Watt hatched the idea back in March to create Dempster Highway Vol. 2 while sharing some creative writing with one another.

Since then, the trio rallied more volunteers, solicited the community for stories about the 741km highway, compiled them and went about the task of editing and putting together the finished book.

"The biggest challenge was deciding which stories to go in," said Berry.

Berry's favourite piece in the collection is Graham Riske's tale about loosing half his Twix candy bar to a hungry grey jay in the Olgilvie Mountains.

Berry, Watt and Mulherin also contributed several of their own Dempster Highway-inspired tales.

Those interested in more historical accounts will not be disappointed as Dempster Highway Vol. 2 contains several stories that pre-date the highway, including Mabel English's "Gwich'in Trail," Sam and Margaret Lennie's "Travelling Mackenzie," and Catherine Mitchell's story about her father's part in locating the infamous "Lost Patrol."

Also punctuating the pages are several accounts of the highway's construction. John Weidemann, who worked as a foreman for $2.35 an hour -- "good money in those days" -- paints an interesting portrait of the isolation and camaraderie among crew members during the cutting of the highway's route.

With tongues planted firmly in cheek, the editors also included a "Bush Camp Menu" from the Peel River Region, circa 1939, as well as two letters written by Watt to Goodyear and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

To the tire manufacturer, Watt requested the Goodyear Blimp do a flyover to mark the book's launch. To CSIS, Watt asked for a security detail to ensure the "high visibility event" would be a safe one.

While Goodyear respectfully declined him, the editors allege that CSIS shut down Watt's e-mail account after receiving his letter.

Received interest

Despite the security service's lack of formal response, the book has received interest from Up Here and Canadian Geographic magazines. According to Berry, both periodicals want to review the book for upcoming issues.

As for future publishing projects, the editors are currently working on volume one.

"Calling (Dempster Highway) volume two added a little bit of mystery to the launch and hopefully will create some interest in volume one, which is in the planning phase as we speak," said Berry.

Until then, Dempster Highway Vol. 2 -- brought to us by Flat Tire Books -- will make a good substitute for driving the Dempster, especially when the highway closes down for freeze-up in the coming weeks.