Aug 15, 2018 - Inuvik to Tuktoyatuk to Dawson City

Inuvik is a town of approximately 3500 to 3800 people. It is mostly Inuit. The town is spread out alon the Mackenzie River. Because of permafrost utilities including sewage are in utilidors....metal tubing....that snake between buildings and off the ground. There are 3 streets that run the length of the town with interconnecting streets. One is a town bypass. There is a round white church with a cross on top. It does tours at 6.30p Mon. Wed. and Fri. The Community Greenhouse does tours at 5.30p Mon. Wed and Fri.. At 2.30p there is a tour of...

Aug 9, 2018 - Dawson to Inuvik

We left Dawson after visiting with Mathers and going up on the Dome. It overlooks the city and the surrounding countryside. With great anticipation we approached the Dempster Highway. It was a beautiful day, lots of sunshine with broken clouds. 50 kms in we could see fresh snow on the peaks ahead. We stopped at the Tombstone Interpretative Center and picked up some more info. We went through their interpretive displays. Later we stopped atop the North Fork Summit at 1289m....the continental divide. In the distance...24 kms away we could...

Jul 16, 2018 - Next Park

Up early breakfast then on the road. It is raining, but not to hard. I was hoping for a sunny day for the trip. We are traveling about 300 kms. Have to 'dump' the tanks and gas up before starting out. Not a great start. Misplaced my glasses so we were delayed while looking for them. Then after dumping had to return to our campsite to fill the water tank. However when I got back I realized I had almost a full tank.... On our way to another territorial park. Only saw one buffalo this time in the park. Not like the 45 or so we saw going to...

Jul 15, 2018 - Salt Plains

Margret, George & Margaret are off to Church this morning. I am at the office using the net. Catching up on my email etc. The townspeople are putting together a book on the 50th Anniversary of a landslide. It is interesting hearing the discussions & stories. I am enjoying my interaction with these people. They just gave me a book by Francois Paulette. All though I may not agree with much in the book, it will make interesting reading! Later on we are going to the salt flats. While the salt plains was impressive, especially the panoramic...

Jul 14, 2018 - Fort Smith

Very interesting day in Fort Smith. First off, Fort Smith wasn't named after one of my ancestors. It was named for some chap from Scotland who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. Early this morning I went to the office to catch up on the journal. While typing away 6 or 7 of the locals arrived. Margret and I got into converstation with them. Learned a lot of the local history. Very interesting! Spent the morning there chatting. Met the Aboriginal gentleman who had met the pope, the Queen & also took William & Kate on a canoe trip, Francois...

Jul 13, 2018 - On The Road Again

Up early to pack up. Stopped at the Esso station in town to gas up. Used our 80 ltr card. Then to the visitor centre as they had a 'dump' station there. The trip to Ft Smith went well. The road was paved all the way. We saw a herd of buffalo right by the road, maybe 40 or 50 Bison. No other animals. This was in Wood Buffalo National Park. So it seems right that we should see buffalo. Rainy day. Stopped on a turn out for lunch. Mosquitoes don't seem as bad, and no 'bulldogs'! Arrived at the camp ground in Fort Smith. The park management...

Jul 12, 2018 - Pie & Ice Cream

A busy day today. Went to the office to catch up on mail this morning. Called the park in Fort Smith to book sites for tomorrow. We will probably stay in FT Smith until Monday. I wonder who it is named after? I didn't have any ancestors up this way I am sure. I will have to research it and see. Checked out the MH & car for the trip to Fort Smith tomorrow. We are not sure what the road is like as we have heard different stories. Had bacon & eggs for lunch today. Barb, Glenn, Margret and I went to the wharf in the afternoon. Watched the...

Jul 11, 2018 - Another day in the North

It is another hot day, +30c again. We are in another NWT Park. These parks are a good deal. All have power hookups. Washrooms and showers. They are all the same $29 a night except at Yellowknife where they are $32. These are government parks. Much better deal than provincial parks in Alberta that became very expensive after 'privatization'. I find camping in Alberta very, very expensive over all. We drove into Hay River today to run a few errands. Also drove around the town. It is bigger than I had expected. We went to the car wash and...

Jul 10, 2018 - On the Way to Hay River

We were up early and on our way by 8:30. We left early knowing the first 100kms would be slow going because of the frost heaves. It was a very hot +32C. We stopped at the turn outs quite often to stretch our legs. At one stop a bulldog flew by. It even left a shadow on the ground, scary. What's a bulldog you may ask? That's what they call horseflies around here! They come big.. Stopped at Fort Providence to look at some historical mission, then went for lunch at the Snowshow Inn restaurant. Finally arrived at the Hay River campground. We...

Jul 9, 2018 - Last Day in Yellowknife

Started out the day with a bad back and leg. After a hot pad, and then a hot shower felt a lot better. Went to town to the visitor center to renew our parking pass, free parking for visitors! Met Glenn and Barb there. They were also picking up the pass. They had gone for a walk as they aren't on their bikes today. Barb took a spill and hurt her wrist. Things come in 3 they say. She shouldn't have anymore accidents. (keep your fingers crossed). George and Margaret went out fishing with a local fisherman. He was going out to bring in his...

Jul 8, 2018 - Journal, Eat & Eat

This morning was spent catching up with the Journal. And other email. This afternoon we went to the 'Dancing Moose' for lunch. Good food. All day breakfast could be had, so naturally I went for the 'pulled pork benny'.. Was too much. Have to start cutting down or i am going to look like a bowling ball by the time this adventure is over. Well I have to start cutting down tomorrow as we had a great evening meal, hosted by us! George cooked the moose roast that Heidi and Hak had given us. It was delicious! We enjoyed it along with boiled...

Jul 7, 2018 - Lazy Day!

Slept in. A chilly morning. We went shopping this morning for groceries. Got to eat I guess! We had a small lunch. Margret & Barb went to the office to use the internet & played crib. This afternoon we all met at the cinema and watched Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. After the movie Glenn bought us a drink at the NWT Brewery. Thanks Glenn. Margret & I BBQ'd a steak for supper. Along with asparagus. Almost finished a book I am reading. Getting lots of reading in. Time to turn in!