And now we are in Taloyoak. The airport in Kugaaruk called the hotel this morning...the flight would be in early and we needed to be at the airport by 12noon. Ok. We called taxi and left a message. Then sat down and had some lunch. The hotel was great and had our soup and sandwiches ready for 11:30 instead of the normal 12noon timing. There was another person at the hotel heading out on the plane. He is military, retiring in 5 weeks and had been in doing work with the local rangers. The RCMP had asked him to take a rifle out for them and when he called to tell them our change in flight times also asked if we could get a lift. Sure they said but someone will need to sit in the back. He offered to do it. Nice.

12noon sharp we hopped into the RCMP truck. Two in the back seat and two in the pan. A few minutes later they dropped us off at the airport and we waited for our flight. It didn't get in as early as expected and instead of being 45 minutes early we only left 20 minutes early. So we didn't need to rush our lunch...oh well.

I'm back in Taloyoak. I was here Fall 2007. It was suppossed to have been for one night but it ended up being two or three and I got to watch them unload the annual sealift. This is where I bought my packing doll and a couple pairs of beautiful mitts...which I am wearing on this trip.

Present day...we no sooner got off the plane then we had a ride to the hotel. One of the guys dropping off a passenger has worked for us in the past and was glad to give us a lift into town. I checked in, dropped off my bags and went craft shopping! Back to the little store. I had a purchase in mind. I wanted a tea cozy. I know, I really am an 85 year old woman in disguise. LOL. I want something other than my tea towels to keep my pot of tea warm and this is the perfect one to have. I've seen them before and knew better than to buy one outside of Taloyoak. Why not get it from the source if you can? And I did. They only had one in stock--a very pretty green with yellow flowers. The design is made to look like an Inuit person dressed in a parka...but a very fat parka. I'll post a pic at some point. I also purchased a wall hanging. It wasn't on my list, but it was very nice and even though I don't have much in the way of wall space I got it anyway. I picked up a pair of earrings for my mom...but then when she told me the cost was $50 I said no thanks. Sorry Mom. I love you, but they were too small to be worth that many $.

I'm at the hotel waiting patiently for supper. It is an hour away but I have the munchies. Guess cause I didn't eat all my dinner. Last time I was in town I stayed at the Boothia. This time I am staying at the Boothia...but the new one. They built a new hotel. It is more central to the rest of town and quite nice. Much larger than the old one, more rooms, bigger kitchen. And wireless internet! The only downfall is that they are booked solid tonight....which means I must share my room. My first time ever having to share in a hotel up North. And yes, my roomie has arrived so there is no chance of her flight not getting in.

Continued Tuesday morning...
The presentation last night went very well. We had about 30-35 people show up by the end of the evening. We even managed to get an interpreter. The kids that provided the refreshments were kinda funny...they arrived and didn't have any cups for the coffee. Someone went looking for cups. In the meantime the other girls didn't bother to even make the coffee so it wasn't finished brewing until after the meeting. The cups arrive and I finally ask...do you have cheese and meat? Yes, but no one brought a knife. I was assured that they would be going to get one shortly. Please hurry I asked as the meeting will be over soon. At the close of the meeting there was cheese and meat and coffee with a few crackers. No one minded and we were happy with the way the meeting went.

Back at the hotel I met my roomie. She is up for a few days working at the eye clinic. First time in Taloyoak. I gathered up my work and headed to the dining room to plug away at my files for a few hours. I wasn't tired and she seemed already settled into her bed. When I finally headed to bed at around 10:30 she was in bed, but not asleep. She was having issues with the light outside. I wanted to laugh but didn't...she laid in bed with her comforter over her head trying to block out the light. I didn't sleep well. Guess just knowing someone was in the room kept me from fully relaxing. Maybe a short nap on the plane later this afternoon.

This morning I have nothing to do but work on things I brought with me...and maybe take a nap. It is very quiet and when I finish this post I may head into my room for a pre-lunch nap. Ah, life on the go.

Another successful day of flying. We arrived in Kugaaruk this afternoon basically on time. A small snack on the way over made the afternoon go faster and a good book helped to pass the time.

I'm reading Mutiny on the Bounty. I've read it before, but found an old copy at VV the other day. I also found a copy of Casino...yep, James Bond. I hope to crack that open this coming weekend. But you don't care what I'm reading, you want to hear about my visit to the community.

The flight went from Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven and then on to Kugaaruk where we got off the plane. The nice guy at the airport called the taxi for us...no answer. No biggie. I asked this guy at the airport who was chatting with a few other people we knew if he could give us a ride into town. He said sure. I mean...town is small and everyone lives away from the airport so we couldn't have been that far off his route.

The two gentlemen I am travelling with spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting with me about work and looking at resumes. Then we had a yummy supper...caribou meat with a yummy gravy. Two carrots (full length) and a scoop of turnip. There was also pasta salad and dessert. Mmmm. After supper we headed up to the Hamlet building to do our presentation. About 23 people and a dozen kids showed up. There were some great questions and the whole thing lasted about an hour. I will be stopping at some of the offices tomorrow to drop off application forms and spread more of the good word...oh, and maybe take a few pictures while I am out and about.

I was tired today so instead of heading out tonight I came back to my room and am watching tv (and surfing the internet). There is great light for photos...but tired photographer. Maybe tomorrow. Happy to have free internet access at the hotel and happy that the connection is better than the one I had in Cambridge Bay. I have a room to myself. The guys are both sharing with other people. Lucky me! This is the hotel though that someone walked into my room before but then ended up getting another room. It is doubtful that will happen again...but one never knows. Always bring your pj's.

It's nice to be back touring the North.

Lori, you are such a clever lady to google map the places I am going. I'm going to do that and check it out myself. Hope to get some great shots over the next few days.

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm at the office doing a bit of work.

I arrived in Cambridge Bay Wednesday afternoon ahead of schedule and with both my suitcases. The sun was shining and I don't think I have ever seen such a nice day in Cambridge...and I don't think I will again.

I went straight to work and then had a wonderful walk home along the 'water' (frozen at the moment...but will be beach in a couple months) and unpacked. It was nice to settle into my own place. I lit a few candles, made my supper, read some of my book and fell asleep before 9pm. Some days life is very good.

The next morning I was confronted by the employee who lives on the other side of the unit. Apparently her boyfriend is allergic to scents and I am not to burn candles or use scented products. I lost it and got rather bit*** with her. How could someone not mention that prior to my arrival. Rrrr. I later said what if we comprimise and the nights your boyfriend isn't there I can burn candles. She reluctantly agreed. (We will see how that goes)

The office is the usual state of chaos. The work that I had asked to be done for some community visits wasn't done and I ended up trying to do it all myself on Friday. So if we don't have a room to stay in or no one shows up for our meetings I won't be surprised. Ah well.

My walk to/from work is great. I can either go thru town or I can walk along the water. I choose the water. It might be a bit longer (by mere minutes) but it certainly is nicer. For the most part it is flat and traffic free. I can imagine that I will get to watch the break up of the ice in a few more weeks and that will be nice.

We leave tomorrow for three communities. Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak. I haven't spent a night in Gjoa Haven before but I have in the other two. I only wish it was summer so I could see what they look like under the snow. Back Wednesday night. Short and sweet. Hopefully it all goes well.

I must be getting absent minded in my old age or I have too much on my mind. I went to the grocery store the other night and had a list of items to purchase. I also needed new laces for my boots as one had broken in the am. I got every item on my list. Then I got home and as I was taking off my boots realized I had forgotten to pick up the laces. Finally managed to snag them this am before I got into the office.

I brought diet pepsi with me. Not something I normally do. It is trick to pack unless you take a case and even then if the airline decides to freeze it...what a mess. This time I packed it in a cooler and brought 6 plastic bottles (710ml). I have only drank 1 thus far. That is more because I keep forgetting them at the house then anything. Like today. As I was leaving the store I realized I had forgotten my pop at home again. I contemplated going back but decided that I would just try and get by with tea. Believe me, it isn't the same.

The folks back in the Edmonton office are having a few ups and downs. There is behaviour that keeps popping up that is not entirely appropriate for our ages. At least I know it isn't just me as even in my absence the behaviour continues.

So much to do at work. And it is so hard to get it all done on time. Guess I better get back to it. I doubt there will be updates from the road...but maybe Thursday morning when I get back.

Happy Mother's Day.

Getting old and forgetful.

After work this evening my goals were simple.
1. Mail Mother's Day present
2. Buy mix.
3. Pick up prescription.
4. Pick up supper.
5. Go home.

I accomplished goal #1 with absolutely no difficulties...except maybe that I am a bit late getting it in the mail and it may not arrive on time. Happy Mother's Day Mom...love your S-L-O-W child. I even managed to get #2 done. I finished #4 before #3 and was quite proud of myself that I had finished all my chores. Except that as I started to walk out of the store I realized that my hand was empty. Hmmm. Somehow between the front of the store and back of the store I had lost my mix. I headed up to the front of the store and after checking the cash register (which had closed by the time I got there) we found my mix. So apparently I am now paying for goods and then leaving them behind. I did manage to complete #5 without any difficulties.

It was another hectic day at the office. I literally didn't do any 'work, work' today. I packed up all my files and got them ready for shipping up North. Cleaned up my desk and moved all my personal things around. A month away from the office (and maybe more) is a long time and there were lots of things to think about...will I need this or this...what about this file. There are three file boxes now waiting to be shipped North!

My truck is nestled into a parking spot at the office and is awaiting my return.

The house is almost totally clean. I keep putting off the kitchen floor. Ugh, I hate sweeping. And the garbage. It's like laundry. No matter how much garbage I take out it would seem there is always another bag. But that can all wait until later tonight. For now I am going to sit back, read some of my book and enjoy being in my apartment surrounded by my stuff.

I will have internet access in Cam Bay, but only at work so the blog updates may not be as often as I'd like. And I'm actually on a 'road trip' for the first week of my stay. I leave on Sunday and we hit all of the communities by the following Sunday. The dates aren't the greatest for most of the meetings, but it is the best we can do for this year. This was a project on side a of the office and then it became a project for side b. If side b had planned it from the beginning it would have happened a month ago (at least) and it would be arranged differently...next year. I've done these sort of things before and am looking forward to getting out into the communities again and meeting some folks. It isn't the turnout at the evening meetings, it is the talks around town at the various offices and the chats in the stores that makes the most impact.

Alright...enough blogging from Edmonton. I'll talk to you next from above the Arctic Circle.

It's been a Monday...all day.

The morning started off fairly well. I dropped off my passport application and should have a new passport in 6-8 weeks. I don't have a trip planned, but it is easier to renew than re-apply after it expires. I found it hard to believe that it has been ten years since I got my first passport. My how time flies...literally.

On my way to work I realized I had forgotten my lunch and stopped into pick up a sandwich--no problems. Then dropped off my truck for an oil change and to check the brakes. I arrived at work around 9:30am and wasn't overly concerned about my lateness. I had emailed my late arrival earlier in the morning.

The truck is still at the shop. They need to repair the tube that carries brake fluid to the brakes. I must have had some panic in my voice when he said they needed to keep it overnight cause he offered me their loaner. I knew I could get a drive home but I also knew I had errands to run so I took the loaner. It is very strange to be driving a car--a very low to the ground car. I felt small compared to the vehicles around me. Normally I look down upon the cars around me, today I looked up at them.

I'm now trying to pack canned goods and clothes in preparation of my trip Wednesday morning. Hard to believe I will be up North for a month (or more). I am glad of my own apartment and a bit of space to call my own. I know that if I had to live in the bunkhouse for the duration I would certainly go bonkers. And I still have a couple friends in town to visit so that will be nice. And on my last visit I ran into a guy that I had a couple of dates with when I was in Iqaluit. I am hoping that he would like to be friends again and that I will have a walking buddy during my time in town.

Tragedy struck my life this morning. On a chat to one of my co-workers in Cam Bay I got some bad news. The person on the other end of the phone was telling me the news from the weekend and mentioned the passing of someone who had lived in Cam Bay. He kept talking about other stuff and I fell silent. I got off the phone as quickly as I could end the conversation and sat without moving for quite a while.

He was one of the first people to befriend me in Nunavut. He was living in Cam Bay and I was in Pang, but we had the same job and he was one of the key folks who kept me going at work the first couple months I was there. We stayed friends over the years as we both left the employ of the GN and even still when he moved to Yellowknife. I actually just saw him in February or March of this year. I will miss his raunchy jokes and thrill for living. He didn't have an easy time of life always. He had polio as a child and got around on crutches in the North and a wheel chair when in the South. Mel...I will miss you.

Photos from my weekend in Banff/Lake Lousie/etc
For those who checked this out early Sunday...I have since updated by adding some text.

This is a view of Edmonton on my return. I need to find a spot that I can park and come back to this at night. I've seen it before and the lights are pretty cool.

This is the view I had for most of the drive from Lake Louise to Rocky Mountain House.
Fun drives. Up ahead (the tunnels) are actually wild life bridges. Created to allow all the woodland creatures to get across the highway without being killed. Very smart. I saw a couple other ones that were in progress and they are pretty neat. I hope the bunnies like them.
Banff Springs Hotel. Beautiful. Not the hotel I stayed at. This one was out of my price league, but it is pretty nice to look at.
Chicken at Lake Louise. I'm not happy with most of the pictures I took during this trip, the contrasts and colours are off. So...black and white classic shot for chicken.
This cabin is located at Lake Louise. Looks like a scene out of a Rocky Mountain Christmas card.
As pictured on the back of the old $20 bill. I think? It's been so long since I've had cash I can't be sure anymore.

One of the moments of nice weather.
View from the road. I stopped here to wish my sister a Happy Birthday.
Just off Turtle Mountain drive in Banff.
View of Banff from the hills above.


The following few pics are from the tour of the hot springs. I didn't go to the one you can actually sit in and enjoy. This is the place I paid $3.90 to see and recommend that you don't bother. Here are the pics...that''s good enough. Trust me.

This it outside..lovely sulphur smell.
This guy does a great job at letting people know where to go.
Inside the cave. These next few pics are backwards in order.
Walking thru the cave towards the springs

Entrance to the cave. Yep...wrong order.

It's Saturday morning. There are birds chirping outside my window, the sun is shining and the temperature is going to reach double digits. What more could one ask for of a weekend? Nothing.

I am writing up my list of things to do before I leave for the North. I'm heading up on Wednesday for about a month. Yep, a month. Lots to do and lots to pack before I go.

I checked my fridge this morning and it seems to be ready for my departure. I have two cheese slices left, some pancake syrup, partial bottles of capers, ginger and garlic, a couple tablespoons of pepper sauce (for chicken), half a bottle of soya sauce, an open tub of margarine and an unopened bottle of salad dressing. And that is it. (Well, technically at the moment there is also a half bottle of diet pepsi...but that will be gone before I finish this post...excuse me for a second while I go to the fridge.)

There are a couple loads of laundry to be done...why is it that laundry never seems to go away...like dirty dishes. I need to clean the bathroom and the kitchen and then the house is done...oh yeah, and I need to put away the mounds of clean laundry. And pack a couple of suitcases.

The list is getting longer by the second. Some for fun, some necessary things. At the top of the list is getting my passport photos done. I need to send in my passport for renewal before I head North or it won't be a renewal it will be a new application. I can't believe how fast 5 years can go. I am hoping that the new passport will take me to Italy next year. I have been making some plans for a trip in March. (Update...diet pepsi has been taken care of and will not go to waste.)

I know I haven't posted any pics from my last excursion...maybe later this weekend. But I am sure that over the next few weeks there will be a few more interesting pics from the North. I'll be doing a tour of all 5 Kitikmeot communities but will be in Cam Bay for most of my time.

One of the ladies in the office mentioned the other day that I would be able to save a lot of money while I was up North. She is under the mistaken impression that there is no shopping. I said that it would likely cost more. There are so many wonderful things to buy including a new fur for my coat, some kamiks I saw on my last visit (kamiks--boots), carvings, drawings, meat. So many choices! LOL. I think she was surprised. She shouldn't be.

Alright. I'm going to finish my lists and head out the door. By the time I'm ready to go the stores should be open.