This is an addition to my last blog...
November 4th continued...
We are in the midst of an early season blizzard. Technically it is just a storm as the temperature is too warm to be a blizzard. But none the less this is a dangerous storm.
I am in my cozy apartment as the wind howls and the snow swirls. I went out this morning to run some errands, after all I live in Winnipeg, and am used to an early winter storm. But I was surprised. The temperature is warm, around 0, there is not really all that much snow coming down, but the wind...it is a special wind.
Whipping from the South East at almost 70 kph, it flings frozen snow pellets at everything in its path. Walking is treacherous as the surface is polished into a slippery glaze and the wind tries to push me in the direction it is going. I cannot look into the wind as the snow pellets sting my eyes. So head down, I trudge along, carefully selecting each foot placement and struggling to stay upright.
But as I sit here, I am worried about my colleagues out on the Tundra. The buggy windows fog up so easily in this weather, and often the windshield wipers are unable to keep up with the heavy snow. So even though Environment Canada says visibility in town may be 2 kms. out on the tundra you are driving buggy blind. Added to that is the slippery nature of the wet snow and ice make it difficult even for the monstrous tires to find the traction necessary to climb out of some of the ponds. the huge size of the vehicles and the fact that they act like sails in these wild winds make driving even more difficult. But there is nothing I can do. I will ensure my house buddies have a warm supper waiting for them when they get back.
In the meantime, I cannot sit inside. So I will dress up and head back into the wind and snow, to see some more of Churchill.
Evening: This afternoon was wonderful. I headed off into the wind in search of the "Eskimo Museum". Of course on the way I helped a truck get unstuck in the wet snow. People looked at me with questioning eyes since I had a pair of yellow lens glasses on to protect my eyes from the icy snow.
The Eskimo Museum has some wonderful exhibits of carvings, photos, and artifacts. It is amazing to think that a culture that lived in such a harsh environment had the time to carve and create art that is unique and unsurpassed in carving skill. They also had two full size Inuit kayaks. As a kayaker I am amazed at the design and skill that was used to build these beautiful craft. The sea around here is so powerful and dangerous I cannot imagine hunting seals or whales from such a fragile platform.
After the Museum I went to another of my favorite places, the library. I looked at some incredible photo books of the Inuit people, and then headed for the gym for a quick workout. After that it was home to prepare a shrimp jambalaya for my roommates who had endured the fury of today's winter storm as they drove the buggies.
It turned out their day was an adventure (one I am glad I missed). The storm out on Hundson's Bay was wicked. No one could see past their buggy, at least in places. A couple got stuck, and a few found themselves lost for a few minutes as they were enveloped in the whiteness. But they all made it safely back, with all of their guests. Everyone now has a true arctic adventure to tell, plus they saw quite a few bears.
So now as I write this my exhausted roommates watch hockey and doze off. Tomorrow looks better, but still with some snow and wind, and I know I am scheduled to be out on the Tundra. I look forward to it with excitement, anticipation, and anxiety. I have 15 people to take into a new white environment, one that has changed completely now that it has been covered with a fresh blanket of snow. Stay tuned! Will I find my way on the featureless tundra, and will I be successful in locating the bears my visitors desire.
Bye for now,
Buggy Doug
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