Day 35: Around Inuvik: Flight to Tuktayuktuk

July 9, 2010

Although today was a rest day from cycling, it was filled with activity. I took a flight to Tuktayuktuk and got back to Inuvik in time for the opening ceremonies of the Great Northern Arts Festival.

I started the day by going to the hotel that was the centre for the tourist flights to Tuktayuktuk. I was able to secure the last seat on the plane. I then ran a few errands before the flight. I got some groceries and put them in a box. I took these to the Visitor Centre to be sent to Eagle Plains for my return trip.

The flight was a on a small plane with about a dozen or so seats. We flew north to Tuktuk and did a tour with a native guide. There were a surprising number of churches in town, but they are less popular today than they were in times past. I asked the guide if there used to be a Hudson's Bay trading post here. It seemed to bring back fond memories for him. Everyone took turns standing in the ocean and having their picture taken.

We returned just in time for the opening of the Great Northern Arts Festival. The Marshall family who were on the flight from Tuktuk gave me a lift to where they were taking place. It started with several speeches which were perhaps a bit too long. The cultural part followed. It was great. It included the Aklavik dancers who appeared at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games. My favourite part was the Elder song. I must try to find the lyrics somewhere. The line I remember was "We must cherish our elders and those that we learn from". Beautiful song. I ran into George Roberts of Bandit Blades and his buddy Gary after the ceremonies.

Prime Minister Diefenbaker opened the town of Inuvik in 1961. It was also his administration that started to build the Dempster highway as part of the 'Roads to Resources' program. Originally, it only went as far as Eagle Plains - about half way to Inuvik. The road was not completed until over 20 years later. Unfortunately, Diefenbaker passed away 2 days before the official opening. An empty chair was kept in his honour at the opening ceremony. http://archives.cbc.ca/science_technology/transportation/clips/13552/

A stuffed polar bear at the Inuvik Airport.

Note the way the land has 'cracked' in places into a pattern. This type of landform often occurs in the Arctic.

A pingo. This is a landform that occurs in the north. They have a solid ice core and can be anywhere from a few metres to 70 metres tall and 600 metres in diameter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pingo

A fisherman displaying his catch just outside the smoking house.

The northern terminus of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Some good looking person standing in the Arctic Ocean.

We were told this was the northern-most part of Tuktuk.

We were able to visit the community freezer. Since this was in permafrost, they simply dug out a shaft, tunnels and rooms. This is looking up from the freezer after climbing down the ladder.

Today's ride: 15 km (9 miles)
Total: 3,566 km (2,214 miles)

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