Camping on Campbell Lake

August 26, 2012

Sunrise 6:58 am

Sunset: 10:50 pm

Temps: 10 - 17'C

After a wonderful first-anniversary camping weekend on Campbell Lake...well, why not do it again? The weather forecast was decent, friends were interested, and off we went.

Campbell Lake is a large lake about 40 km South of Inuvik on the Dempster Highway. We've enjoyed this spot a few times before. Gwich'in Park, on the East shore of the lake, offers camping, fishing and lounging in the sun.

The crew had already set up camp on the West shore of the lake, across from Gwich'in Park. I was later in arriving, having volunteered for one of the Greenhouse BINGO fundraisers (which, for me, was an important cultural immersion event). The boys came to fetch me, and we cruised across the calm lake to our camp.

The conditions for camping were, again, perfect. Calm and warm, with few bugs.

We enjoyed the sunset, campfire, snacks, drinks and company. The post-sunset darkening skies were almost an oddity for us, having gotten used to the 24-hour Northern summer light. At about 2 am, the skies were dark enough to see stars, and for a special treat, we enjoyed a glimpse of Northern Lights and even a shooting star.




We had a lazy morning, with drizzle and light winds.

Much to my kiter-husband's delight, the winds picked up, and soon we were water-bound! Kite surfing in Inuvik has thus far been a challenge, with winds being light and inconsistent. This day, however, I had a very happy husband.

Back in Inuvik, we cleaned up and headed to the Greenhouse for a little "End of the Vine" party, complete with live music, appetizers, drinks and prizes.

A little hike near Inuvik (August 12th)

August 26, 2012

Sunrise: 6:58 am
Sunset: 10:50 pm
Temps: 10 - 17'C

(Pictures courtesy of Amie Hay)

A few friends, a lazy Sunday afternoon, a little hike near Inuvik. On foot from our residences, across the highway, over the golf course (yes, Inuvik has a 3-hole course!) and up the hillside for views of Inuvik and the Mackenzie River delta.

Northern explorers

A cuddle with a view

The sprawling metropolis of Inuvik, NWT

The last of the summer's fireweed

Sudden storm

August 19, 2012

Sunrise: 6:29 am
Sunset: 11: 27 pm
Temps: 11 - 23'C

With warm summer weather (and decreasing quantities of bugs) what better way to enjoy the evening than a lake-side picnic? We gathered some friends and drove 40 km South to Gw'ichin Park at Campbell Lake. It appeared that we weren't the only ones with this brilliant idea - families with young children we out and about, at the picnic tables, on the dock, on the beach and on colourful inflatable flotation devices. People were laughing, eating, drinking...

It came to a head rather suddenly. We had seen some clouds in the distance, but in no time they were upon us, and the wind sprung up in force! The warm sun disappeared, the calm lake was wiped into whitecaps, the rain started and people scrambled for cover.

(In this picture, left, note the guy in the background, leaning unsteadily into the wind. Yes, his sobriety was indeed questionable, but he was doing an admirable job of trying to stay upright. The trees were fairing only slightly better.)

Fortunately for us, our friends had a pick-up with a lovely spacious canopy in the back. We climbed in, battened down the hatches and enjoyed the sudden storm in style.

 
A phenomenal amount of water came down, amidst thunder and lightning. This picture shows the wind, the rain and the rivulets that formed within minutes.

From the safety of the canopy, we enjoyed Mother Nature's onslaught.

It was over as quickly as it started. The rain stopped, the wind died and the lake regained it's placid appearance. We climbed out of the truck, had our picnic and enjoyed the rest of our visit, with the place to ourselves.

We have experienced a number of impressive thunderstorms this summer in Inuvik. The locals say this is unusual, that prior to this year they could count the number of storms they've experienced on their hands.

Climate change?
Perhaps.

Entertaining?
Definitely. I love it!

Exploring the Mackenzie River Delta

August 19, 2012
Sunrise: 6:29 am
Sunset:  11:27 pm
Temps: 11 - 23'C

If you live in Inuvik long enough, you are bound to purchase 2 things: a skidoo and a boat. These vehicles afford you the ability to explore where no automobile can go. And given that we, in Inuvik, really are at the end of the road, getting out and about somehow is a must. So Natou brought up our 12-foot zodiac.



 The Mackenzie River Delta is a maze of river ways and lakes of all sizes. You may recall this picture to this left, taken in late June. Here, the Mackenzie River is in flood, muddying the waters and blurring the line between river and lake.







This picture, to the right, is one of the channels that links Airport Lake (above, right) with the east arm of the Mackenzie River. The water levels have dropped considerably and the water is now much clearer.

That said, things can still be pretty mucky! The edges of the river channels are bush and steep banks, making it hard to find a choice spot to pull over. In other places, you have more space, but are likely to encounter sandal-sucking, slippery mud. (It adds another element to the adventure!)

The best bet is to go bare foot - a nice Arctic mud spa experience.

Of course, the going is best in the boat! Here is my captain, en-route on a delta adventure under the hot Arctic sun.

Inuvik puts on a show!

August 9, 2012
Sunrise: 5:46 am
Sunset: 0:08 am
Temps: 8 - 20 'C

As small as Inuvik is (pop. ~3500), it sure likes to put on a good show. Maybe, being at the end of a looooooong, lonely highway, the residents are in need of some good entertainment. Either way, there is no shortage of free food events, dancers and drummers, northern game demonstrations, jigging competitions, etc.

To the right, you see a local athlete in the air, having been launched there in the "blanket toss." The "blanket" is a huge piece of fabric, held by about 30 strong lads, which was used in the past by hunters to spot caribou, whales or other animals. Today it is part of the northern games.

More northern games demonstrations are seen on the left.

These two guys are skipping rope, in the push up position. If you look closely, you'll see that they are both in the air.

Hardcore.

Flight demos in Inuvik?

Natou came North around the time that hundreds of army personnel did, in preparation for a large disaster exercise. As a PR effort, they put on an air show. To the right are 7 "snowbirds" flying in formation, over the Mackenzie Delta.

Mid-July also saw Inuvik's 24th annual Great Northern Arts Festival (known locally as "gnaf"). Artists from across the North put on a wide variety of workshops, from printmaking, to beading, to goose-feet-basket making. There was also a gallery set up, transforming the local curling rink, where artists could display and sell their wares. There you could find paintings, carvings, mukluks, fur mitts, jewlery and much more.

Some people suggest budgetting at least $1000 for the arts festival alone. I exhibited significant restraint, and limited my purchases to a pair of colourful dyed goose feather earrings.




Each evening of the arts festival included some sort of free community event. Of course, the local Inuvialuit drummers and dancers put on a show, as did a drumming group from Fort Good Hope, NWT. There was also a jigging contest (Inuvik LOVES jigging contests!).

My favourites were the fashion show and the throat singers.

Above, you see a parka fashioned in the old style, made by the model herself, a local elder.

To the right, you see a mix of old and new.

To the left, you see a coat made out of muskox fur. It was pretty funny to see, and reminded me of Hagrid, from the Harry Potter movies.

At the fashion show, there were two items on display made out of muskox fur: this coat and a vest.

Apparently, at one time, there were actually three items in the collection, but no one knows what happened to the third. It was a bikini. :)







Finally, finally, a treat for you. You will have to tilt your head, because I didn't think about posting this video at the time I shot it, but it is of two Inuit women throat singing. I had never heard this before, and was quite entertained by it. Enjoy!