The First Mother and COYS (cubs of the year)

Wednesday was my first real day of work, my first time driving the small (24 seater) buggy, and my first time with a casual group.  I had 15 people of all ages and countries.  Even a family of 5 who had taken their kids out of school and taken the train to Churchill for real-life learning experience.   

I am now giving up on any photos as this blogger is so slow and I don't have any ability to move the photos around.  I will post images on my facebook account as soon as I can.

But for these pictures you do see the mother and cubs.  It is hard to believe such ferocious and dangerous animals can look so darn cute.  Even I just want to get down off the buggy, and bury my face in their fur.  Of course it better be good as it would be the last thing I ever do.   Not only are they cuddly they are great comedians.  Like all kids they roll around, chase and tease each other, experiment with new ways if sliding or rolling over little mounds of snow.  They also spend some time watching their mother and learning how to smash their forepaws into the snow, a skill that will help them catch seals later in life.   I could watch them for hours, but one must move to see what other secrets the Tundra Buggy can reveal.  

Home life is settling in.  Since I can cook I seem to make most of the meals, which is fine by me. It is cheaper and much tastier than eating at the SeaPort and probably much better for you.  So once home we have crackers, cheese and salami while we wait for the dinner to cook.  Then eat, and watch TV or work on our computers until 9:30 or 10:00 when I go to bed as 5:00 am seems so soon.

Our day is a busy one.  We begin at 6:30 with a meeting and breakfast,  get our daily buggy assignment, enjoy a 30 minute ride to the buggy launch in a van, rush to our assigned buggy, check the fluids, get the bathroom ready, load the lunches, greet the guests, give an orientation and safety talk, then leave the launch.  We serve coffee and donuts around 10:00 (usually while watching a bear), serve lunch (again hopefully in front of a bear), keep the bathroom clean, give talks, scan for animals, answer questions, help open and close windows, then head for home, clean the buggy, pile in the van and go home.  Whew!!! Now I am tired.