I feel like I have not been out lately enjoying Inuvik as I once did. The only place I have been is the hospital and my house. Work has been demanding and short staffing doesn't help. I don't remember the last day I have enjoyed 2 days off in a row since Christmas time. We have had wonderful weather. The sun has been out, beautiful red sky (me sneaking out of ER to see the sun rise yesterday), and warm temperatures for Jan. I walked down to the mailbox, then ventured down to bootlake road today, one of my most favorite spots. Seeing Hero on my way, we decided to catch a hot chocolate/coffee at the cafe. Walking home I noticed the sun was on my Right and the Moon was on my Left. A beautiful site to see.

On my way home I thought to myself.. This is the life, being able to enjoy the simple things in life. Oh how I am so happy I took this little adventure and change for the year.
All I have to do now, is get away from work for a few days to spend more time doing the things I want and need to do. That is my goal!

Now I am home, and need to rest for tonights night shift.. see what I mean!

It's got 4 legs, a wet nose and is 100lbs+ in weight.... she's Nanook
And Willie and I are her new Sitters..
Between working, Willie and I are responsible for this crazy 4 legged friend, throwing her ball, feeding her large tummy and giving her TLC while her Mommy and Daddy are visiting back home in Ontario.

She thinks she is a lap dog, trying to lie on top of you when you are sitting on the couch.. what a silly dog. She is learning though.. She sure is cute..

And only 8months old... she is taller than me when she stands right up.. look out Lindsay and Jeremy.

Desperately needing a break on a Saturday Night

I think we have all deserved a relaxing night in one of the Mackenzie Shivers lounge chairs. A few of us hanging out chatting and having a beer.. a well deserved one I must say.

Then back to work Sunday AM... do I like being a nurse????

My AIR TRIP- (I'm over road trips)- air is the way to go now
"meet the right people and get places"

That's right, as mentioned earlier I met some pilots. Pilot Steve made my first trip happen. The Twin Otter took off from Inuvik Airport Jan 18th at 2:30 from Inuvik Airport holding 6 passengers, 1 dog, 1 Pilot, 1 Co-Pilot and Me. That's right, the boys were great to me, I got to sit in the one and only seats behind the pilots basically in the front of the plane. I even got hooked up with a head set so the three of us could enjoy a few jokes and conversation on the 2hr plane ride there and 2hr plane ride back. And where did I go you ask.... SACHS HARBOUR. A well known place to us at the hospital as we care for many from this small community in the North.

For my Want to know about it friends/ Family:

Sachs Harbour is a small community (officially, a hamlet) on the southwestern coast of Banks Island, NWT. A count in 2000 indicated 153 inhabitants, but the 2001 sensus count listed 114 people. The two principal languages in the town are Inuvialuktun and English. The traditional name for the town is "Ikahuak", meaning "where you go across to". Bulk supplies of food and other items are brought by barge in the summer months and flights from Inuvik, some 325 miles (523km) to the southwest, operate all year. Sachs Harbour is the only permanent settlement on Banks Island. Sachs covers 290 square KM on a map (big place eh).

Geographic Location:

Latitude: 71º 59'N

Longitude: 125º 14' W

Elevation (m): 86

Major Activity: Trapping, hunting, fishing, tourism (couldn't tell you if there is a hotel?)

Non-Renewable Resources: Oil and gas exploration continuous in the Beaufort Sea

Renewable Resources: Arctic Char, ring seal, bearded seal, beluga, caribou, polar bear, arctic fox, wolf, musk-ox

Sachs Harbour is one place where those big white furry creatures called Polar Bears are found. I was so hoping that I would have the pleasure to see one (if you call it that), but maybe next time!

Here I thought the Artic Ocean was neat. I thought I would have seen more unfrozen open water, but I didn't. Small cracks in the ice could let you see the cold water.






Really all I saw was the lights of Sachs, and could only imagine what the
very few houses would look like.

Sach's Harbour
the Airport

Looking out from the Airport- all I see is snow (no sun here yet still in darkness)

A Celebration Any Day..

or as some would say a little PAR-T!!!

I think everyone I have met has had a b-day in the last 4.5months I have been here. So here we go again.. a great way to get together, have some laughs and enjoy a good night out. And No we did not go to the TRAPPER.... Instead ended up at the Pilots house!!

Oh Our house is always ready for a get-together!!

We had the bar going at the house, making up fancy drinks.. I still have not mastered the Cosmo...

The Inuvik Beach..

Why have I lived here exactly 4 months before I discovered the wonders of the Inuvik Beach. That's right the local Swimming Pool. What a beautiful pool. You walk in all bundled to the core, and automatically have a gotta get this winter clothing off feeling. The heat and the music (have to say they do have a great collection of music playing), make you feel like you are in the sunny south at a resort soaking up the sun. The atmosphere is one to be talked about... And after the swimming or aqua fit, sitting in the hot tub just makes everything better. Not just great exercise, but a great social atmosphere... Just another way to meet new people!

Doesn't this look like Heaven!!

Oh the sun.. Is it ever great to see the sun again. I cannot believe we have lived without it for about a month or more. It is so nice to see the sky with the bright shades of red and the big orange/red sun above our horizon. I might even pull out my bathing suit.

I have to admit, the darkness does get to you. As many of you know me, I am the type to get up early, get about 50 things done before 10 am and then have 100 things more to do after 10am. Up here I don't even open my eyes to see the darkness until at least 1030am. What a change. Then the problem is, I am up all night (Kim I could beat you maybe). I just am hoping that this all changes before I leave this fine place.

Suntimes for Jan 12th-

Sun Rise: 1257
Sun Set: 1507

Jan 13th-

Sun Rise: 1251
Sun Set:1513

That's still a whole lotta darkness
I'll keep you posted.. no worries

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

A night of good eats at the Mackenzie, then off to Sunrise Festival and then a relaxing night at the house.







A night in is just what we needed. Together with friends just "chillin", eating cake and playing games. Hope you enjoyed your day Jeremy!

Let It Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine.

Saturday Jan 6th was our Sunrise Festival, and the first Festival of many this year. It all started at 7pm Saturday night. All wrapped up in Parka's, hats and Mitts, people gathered for the Fireworks and bonfire to celebrate the Arrival of the Sun.

Many cars filled the streets just outside of town. I have never seen so many cars in the North before. I honestly believe that the whole town and surrounding areas were there.

There is something to be said about the colours in the sky in the North. They really do light up all the snow. A great way to say Hello to the Sun again!!


A huge bonfire created some heat for those around the area. You don't even feel the cold at all. It really is a different kind of cold. But this doesn't mean you don't need to dress for the winter occasion.

Here's to the New Year!

Well New Years started off as a low key night at friends house. Lots of yummy foods, that are "some good" a true newfie saying, and cosmopolitans. Being surrounded by friends to ring in the 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Years is the way to do it.

And yes, you cannot have New Years with out the Party Hats. Mel thought I was joking when I said we would bring the Party Hats.

Lindsay's Birthday was at the strike of Midnight. Jan 1st we not only celebrated 2007, but A Happy Birthday to Lindsay.

Oh what will 2007 bring.. I am excited to see..

Booyah to 2007 Everyone!!