Welcome to Arctic Bay (population: 690), our refueling stop on the way to the hamlet of Resolute (population 229).
Back on the plane. Since I finished Siddhartha this morning, and the view is just heavy clouds, I start The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The recent BBC series Sherlock has gotten me interested in this book.
After eating more food then we should have -- another full meal service! -- we arrive at Arctic Bay Airport.
After eating more food then we should have -- another full meal service! -- we arrive at Arctic Bay Airport.
There’s something out in the Bay, and those who know tell me it’s probably whales, but nothing surfaces while we are there. About 40 minutes before we arrived it had been raining.
We arrive at Resolute Bay airport. There is a large polar bear (stuffed) in the airport lobby but, alas, my photos didn't turn out.
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| Part of the Inuit Monument near the site of the original settlement |
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| The airport |
Resolute Bay is even prettier then I had imagined. Home to about 150 permanent residents, it hosts several business designed to support Arctic research and adventure. It is also home to nearly 100 Canadian military personnel who are doing training here.
Our hotel (the Airport Inn) is very different. It is run by Joy (who cooks) and Terry (who does everything else). When you enter, you have to take off your shoes -- snowy, muddy, dirty boots would ruin the white carpet. All meals are included. Everyone eats the same thing: whatever Joy decides. There are many snack options to aid us vegetarians. No special meals are made; if you don’t like what's offered, or can’t eat it, you are welcome to raid the fridge and fix yourself something.
Our hotel (the Airport Inn) is very different. It is run by Joy (who cooks) and Terry (who does everything else). When you enter, you have to take off your shoes -- snowy, muddy, dirty boots would ruin the white carpet. All meals are included. Everyone eats the same thing: whatever Joy decides. There are many snack options to aid us vegetarians. No special meals are made; if you don’t like what's offered, or can’t eat it, you are welcome to raid the fridge and fix yourself something.
Jesse, who is just starting his sixth season as the vehicle mechanic, took me on the “sightseeing tour.” Jesse started working this camp when he was 16. He now plans his entire year around it! Enjoy the pictures.
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| Monument / apology for having taken the land from the natives |
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| Resolute Bay. The white parts are ice floes. |
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| The Town of Resolute |
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| Our hotel! |
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| A final thought! |
I may be out of contact for as much as four days! In the morning, I’m probably going over to Devon Island with John, Jesse and Mark to set up camp. Everyone else will join us on Sunday.
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