Slight Dilemma

This is a picture of my suitcase, in contains all those handy things like shoes, a hair brush, change of clothing.  Note the pretty green lock ... and the out turned pockets on those pants? That's where the little key is supposed to be; not on the counter in my old apartment in Cross Lake where I suspect it might be. Clearly I will not be arriving in Fort Smith looking my best.

A Fond Fairwell

Today I embarked on the next segment of my Northern Experience.  I'm not there yet but I'm my way.  I'm writing this in my hotel room in Edmonton. (You have no idea how excited I am to have high speed.)



Saying goodbye to the friends I've made in Cross Lake wasn't easy but it was a real treat to have some surprise visitors for my send off.  My dear friend Roseann, Cindy's mom and dad, Richard, and a couple other surprises too.

I had to snap one last picture of Nick (Cindy's Dad)...I just love his smile; it lights up a room.



I was happy to see that in the end I broke Richard down and made a hugger out of him (ok maybe just temporarily). That was a fabulous fairwell hug...good job Richard!

It was amazing that I kept it together so well, since as my friends in Ottawa say on a scale of one to ten on the "mushy" scale...I'm a twelve. I do confess to shedding a few tears once I was in the air though ... okay and again while writing this.

Raymond had stopped by in the morning to say goodbye too and mentioned that he would be out on the ice for a dog race. When we were taxiing onto the runway I could see some dog teams; it made me smile to think that Raymond was probably one of them calling "come back!" as the plane took off.  If you are able to zoom in on the picture you can see them on the ice by the trees.

Unlike my flight coming into Cross Lake, this one had only two passengers.  We had to sit at the back to balance it out. This shot of the interior is for my friends back in Ontario so they can see just how tiny the plane is. 



The shot out the window is of Norway House which is a stop along the way to Winnipeg.



...and one of the plane, once we landed in Winnipeg.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; if the people of Fort Smith are half as nice as the ones in Cross Lake, I will be very lucky.  There was not one person that I met while in Cross Lake that wasn't nice to me. I can't say that of any other place I've been. I will remember my time here forever.

The Undisputed Queen of Packing

As you can see from the picture below I am still the undisputed Queen of Packing.  Look how uniform and neatly sealed the boxes are.  These ones are now shrink wrapped and ready to get shipped to my next destination Fort Smith Northwest Territories. With all the Tricksters that I've been working with, its hard to say what might be packed in with my boxes.

It has been a bitter sweet day.  I'm excited to enbark on my next adventure but I'm also sad to be leaving all the friends I've made here in Cross Lake.  Everyone who works in the store here have been a delight to work with.  I can't think of one person I haven't loved meeting and sharing laughter with.  We've been there for each other through some pretty touch stuff but not a day has gone by that I couldn't count on several people making my day a little brighter. I'm sure I'll post another blog before I leave, but I can say that I will definately miss my "Three Dirty Old Men".  Here they are...the instigator, the flirt, and the tease.  You have been a constant source of amusement for me and  I will remember you fondly.

A Mushing Good Time!

Woo-hoo, today was the day I got to take a turn at dog sledding.  Sure it was on a straight stretch so no wild curves but still it was fun.  The men up here just don't seem to realize just how "hearty" I am.  I think they're all afraid that I'll hurt myself...little do they no the crazy adventures hidden in my past.

A huge thank you to Raymond for taking Andre and Sonia out when they were here visiting and for ensuring that I got to have try before I leave town.

This is what a professional looks like (a.k.a. Raymond)...

...and this one is what an amateur looks like (Me!)... but don't I look happy?

But what about the dogs...did I kill this one?

Thanks Raymond...this was so much fun!

Ouch!

With the title I've written and a picture of the Nursing Station you are probably thinking "Oh no, she's hurt herself". Nah, I'm just tricking you. Though I did make my first trip to the Nursing Station this week.  In my usual fashion I got the flu for one day but it made my asthma go crazy. I am such a bad patient that the inhaler I had, which was almost empty, actually expired in 2007. It wouldn't be bad if it were a rescue inhaler and I'd just been really good for the last few years, but no, this is the one you are supposed to take every day...like I said, I'm a bad patient.

I figured I would gather up my entertainment, for the long wait, and trudge off to the waiting room.  I didn't bother with the full "emergency room kit" since Andre wasn't with me and no painful breaks or other injuries were involved.  That's right, I've been there so many times with him that I come totally prepared to spend the entire day (or night).

So why did I title this "Ouch"? Although it was only minus 14 outside (according to the sign across the street) it felt like about minus 35 or 40. Up here, when it is really cold, it doesn't make you say brrrrr it makes you say ouch. It hurts more then feels cold.  With only this little bit of skin exposed it still hurt like blazes!!!!

A Sight for Sore Eyes!

Finally, after months of anxious waiting, I got to visit with my youngins! After being apart for six months a week really doesn't cut it; especially when I had to work several days. I'm sure all the staff at the store felt like they already knew them since I talk about them a lot, but it was nice to get to show them off like the proud mamma I am. 

A few nice dinners with friends up here, a lot of hanging out and talking to one and other and next thing you know the week is over.






What Northern experience would be complete without dog sledding and freezing temperatures. Here are the two of them taking turns "mushing".

I planned this visit to coincide with the Trapper's Festival and had hoped to take in a lot of different events. I have to say the scheduling a progam guides here are not what I'm used to. In the end we mainly took in the Dog Sled Racing. Sonia was the hit with one of the competitors who was also an employee at the store.

Unfortunately the Northern Lights are still being allusive; hopefully they will come out a little more frequently at the my next destination.