Summer is slipping by

It has been a while since I have made a blog entry. Finally a spare afternoon offers time to reflect, write and share with you the summer so far.

Since returning from Igloolik, I dove into my three jobs and as it was the peak of the summer, I have been on the run nonstop therefore the summer feels as though it is racing by.

Most days I am on the water taking people out to experience the curious and playful Beluga Whales. Some folk chose to view them either by zodiac, kayak or for those not minding a dip into the polar sea, by wetsuit and snorkel. Although I am at the helm, steering the boat as people float alongside attached to a tether, I feel like I am right among the snorkelers as I amuse at their gleeful giggles and comments coming out of their snorkel. The whales literally lie on their backs, underneath or beside the snorkelers, turning their heads in an inquisitive manner to watch the human visitors.

After a whale watching excursion, I change out of my gumboots and waterproofs and replace it with an apron and a chef’s hat, joining Dean in the Tundra Kitchen. Bison burgers, mussels, perogies, Tundra salad with prawns, Borealis burger (vegetarian delight), sushi and pizza are among the many items on the menu that Dean and I create. 

A few large groups consisting of 37+ people have come into the restaurant and tested the teamwork in both the kitchen and dining room. Whether serving, doing dishes or cooking, it certainly makes my day one filled with variety. I can’t help but admire the multitasking Dean as he tackles 10 different orders consisting of numerous dishes all needing to be cooked and served at the same time. I’m learning lots about working in a commercial kitchen. Dean has been a patient teacher.

A few weeks back I was asked by the third company I work for – Frontiers North, whether I was interested in learning how to drive a Tundra Buggy.  These are all-terrain vehicles built high off the ground and were specifically designed to take people out on the tundra to view polar bears safely. They are built right here in Churchill, they have International DT466 diesel engines, often found in highway semi-trailers. The tires are 5.5 feet high and 3.6 feet wide with 25 inch rims. The height of the vehicle was designed so that when a polar bear stands on his hind legs and places his large, dinner plate sized paws against the buggy, we would still be safely out of reach.

I feel like a truck driver when I sit behind the large steering wheel, maneuvering this giant rig along the rough roads first established by the military back in the mid 1900’s. I took my first group out just a few days ago and thankfully all went well. No breakdowns, no getting lost and everyone seemed to enjoy the afternoon excursion. We had a chance to get down from the buggy and onto the tundra which is so different in the summer than in bear season. The wild flowers continue to amaze me with their luscious colours, scent and abundance.

Arctic Arnica

Brave Arctic Hair - summer colouration

Curious Red Fox

Sightings of polar bears have been fairly sporadic this summer. It seems much quieter out on the tundra and more visitations seem to have taken place in the outskirts of town. The holding facility (polar bear jail) has at least 2 bears inside. They are bears that did not respond to the non-lethal deterrents and kept pushing their luck trying to come into the town. They were tranquilized then taken to the jail and in a week or so time, will be airlifted out and taken 50+ miles away from the town.

I’ve been surprised at the high temps and warm weather we’ve experienced throughout July. I never anticipated wearing shorts and flipflops as much as I have. Although locals are saying that the bugs have been minimal even though we’ve had the warm weather, to me they appear to be relentless as ever. I just about live (and sleep) in my bug jacket.

As we wind our way into August, the temperature is expected to be lower and the bugs fewer. My busy-ness should slow down a touch as the Belugas and birds begin to depart and the wild flowers disappear.  I’m looking forward to the berries ripening. So far I’ve seen bear berries, crow berries and wild blue berries popping up. It shall be quite the novelty, picking berries while lying on my belly J

Prince of Wales Fort, across the Churchill River

Fireweed is the final flower of the summer

The photos posted with this blog were kindly donated by my workmate and friend Monica Robinson.

Enjoy and I hope to have a little more time to keep you undated.

Thoughts of you all from 58 degrees latitude.

Hayley