HERMAN
The Eskimo Way
Sometimes the smallest problems on the road lead to the most meaningful encounters.
While in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, we stopped at a hardware store because one of the screws holding YOLA’s shovel mount had rattled loose somewhere along the way.
Apparently, the screw had decided it had experienced enough of our bumpy-road adventure and jumped ship.
John was standing outside trying to figure out the correct replacement when we met Herman. Herman had already noticed YOLA and told us how much he liked our rig. When he learned what John was trying to fix, he immediately offered to help.
We went into the hardware store together, found several possible screws and returned outside to see whether any would fit. None did.
Herman invited us to his home nearby, where he dug through his garage and custom-cut several screws until one fit YOLA’s shovel mount perfectly.
Then he sent us on our way with not only the screws, but the cutting tool itself and an entire box of drill bits — simply because he thought we might need them later.
When we asked why he would do so much for complete strangers, Herman explained that his grandfather had taught him to help others, be kind and always pay it forward.
Herman, thank you. You turned a small roadside problem into one of the most touching memories of our Journey.
A beautiful reminder of what kindness between strangers can look like.
And somewhere down the road, when we have the opportunity to help another traveler, we’ll remember Herman
– and we’ll pay it
“It’s the Eskimo way.”