Puppies and on the land

This weekend was beautiful in Repulse Bay. The sun was out and it was a good time to explore. Jenn and I went to see some puppies that live in town near the water with the mom dog. They are so cute.

Mama and baby

The view by them was also amazing

-12 today, but no wind

Shane went out early with Tim and Julia to try and catch a caribou, and they did find them, but weren't able to get one.

Hunter Shane

Arctic Rainbow

Julia, Shane and Tim

Lovely stroll in the Arctic

There they are!

On the hunt with Tim and Shane

Shane waiting for the right time...

Thanks Julia for the pics!

Penelope always wants to see what's going on outside, so I took her out today

And there are always someone who wants to see her (Agnes, Andy and Bridgette)

These three had just lost their aunt in an ATV accident on Thursday, so they needed some kitty love. Bridgette actually said, Penelope is making me feel better:) She knows how to do that.

Stay tuned for more Arctic Adventures!

Caribou and Water Part Deux

This morning we didn't go into school until 1:00, the water pump had not been fixed until then, and we were dismissed from school at 3:00, as there was a funeral in the community at 3:30 and when there is a funeral, everything closes.

Shane was able to go out on a boating trip to catch caribou today.

Conservation Officer Tim (in his seal skin parka)

Elsa and Julia

He had fun, saw a whale breach and some seals...but no caribou...but guess who DID see caribou?! ME!

Jenn took me out on her ATV and we went for a ride on this beautiful afternoon and just as she said "keep your eyes open for caribou"...there they were!

The view was amazing!

Me and Jenn Roop

Arctic Cat on the Arctic Cat!

And we turn another corner....and there was a herd of about 250-300 Caribou!

Thanks Jenn for an amazing time today! My first caribou experience! It's like National Geographic!

Stay tuned for more Arctic Cat Adventures!

Caribou and Water

Sunday night, around 8:45pm, there was a knock at the door...someone selling caribou meat. Well, I was wanting some lately, so I purchased the bag that the man had for $40. When I went to pick it up I could barely lift it because of the weight! I brought it in and Shane was about to put it in the freezer, but I insisted that we open it and see what was inside.... and here it was!

Imagine if that had been frozen like that! The butt of a caribou!

So for over an hour I cut the meat into freezable pieces with my ulu.

That night we put a roast in the slow cooker and had a lovely thanksgiving caribou meal. We also had a pot luck at our neighbours Elizabeth and Janie's that was delicious!

This morning (Tuesday) everyone arrived at school ready for the school week, excited from the holiday, and within 30 minutes we were all sent home because the water pump was broken at the school and it was a health and safety issue of course. So now I'm back home on this beautiful day in Repulse Bay with a mild -5 degrees enjoying the company of Shane, Ryan, Penelope and Isabelle.

Stay tuned for more Arctic Adventures!

Field Trip to the End of New Road

On Thursday our class went on a trip to the "end of new road". It's an area about 10 km outside of town that is absolutely beautiful where the students were taught by our resident survivor man Laimmiki about how to survive on the land. Here are some pics from our fun day!

Setting up the tent

Andy and Calvin inside getting the stoves ready to boil water

Kassandra and Cheryl collecting water and snow to boil for soup and hot chocolate!

Technology meets nature with Kendra on caribou skins with an iPad

Making a shelter from rocks and caribou skins

Inside the shelter with Andy and Jamie

Snacks by the fire...no trees...thus...no wood. Inuk are very creative when it comes to survival! Moss and small bushes are burned and are kept in a stone fireplace that Jerry (our other guide) and Laimmiki made.

Sliding and having some fun with Cassandra, Heather, Angelina and Kendra

Blueberry picking! (Macleod and Kendra)

 

Beautiful views

Just Chillin' with Andy, Calvin and Jamie

Thirsty...lets drink from the frozen river (Macleod and Heather)

Me and some of my cuties (Cassandra and Angelina)

Snacks anyone? (Melissa our Arctic waitress)

Some fun with a soccer ball on the ice

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I'm so thankful for all that Shane and I have, all that we have experienced and our family and friends we love and miss dearly. Hope to see you soon!

Stay tuned for more Arctic Cat Adventures!

Belugas and Haircuts

Last weekend Jenn took Shane and I out to the "Whale Bones". This is where the community would typically bring the bowhead whale to shore and cut it up, but they cut up the bowhead away from the community this year so they wouldn't attract polar bears. However, someone from the community caught three belugas and brought the bodies to shore near the community, now we are at risk of polar bears yet again. Here is one of the whales

This is not an inhumane thing. The people who caught this use the blubber as food for their family and community. Living off the land and minimizing our carbon footprint is what we should all be striving for, so for those down south...buy local at the markets or grow a garden! I miss the apples back home for sure and the wonderful harvest, but I was able to enjoy a delicious turkey soup Shane made for Ryan and I today.

Here's a pic of our roommate Ryan and his new best friend on our new furniture!

Shane's hair was also getting really long, so I gave him a hair cut...Ryan says I should open a shop called "Cathy's Cuts". Here's my hubby's new do

This week I also had a student get her book order in with an eraser for "Really Big Mistakes" and then she made a smaller one for "Really small mistakes", so cute!

Stay tuned for my next blog, our class is heading out on the land!