The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!

Nigel the dog looking for Pinkos

Distant Early Warning Line Gjoa Haven, Nunavut

 Went walking tonight with the dog up to the DEW Line - a throw back to the Cold War.  Took some pics for my history kids and used RED font in their honour. All the rest of you should Google it 

Yeah, that's right, I walked right up to Canadian military history and touched it.

Gjoa Haven from the DEW Line

Walking in the sand pit

The flight into Gjoa Haven had about 5 other teachers on it who were headed on to another community.  This one really large man in fake Adidas pants looked me right in the face when we touched down and said “welcome to the sandbox”.  At first this statement made me not like his face – so negative about a community that wasn’t even his.  Then I soon realized the man had a point; the place is a gravel pit.  There is sand and gravel everywhere and not just the larger gravel used on seasonal roads, oh no, we’re talking white beach sand all the way up to large rocks – everywhere! It’s a vacuum nightmare and it make walking anywhere an aerobic exercise.  My short cut into town (When looking at a google earth shot of Gjoa Haven, I am located in the newest section north of “down town”, across the gully.  My housing complex wasn’t built when the satellite photo was taken https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=gjoa+haven+nunavut&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x51f9f00f8dc44879:0x4e39c0d417fe92a7,Gjoa+Haven,+NU&gl=ca&ei=DVAYUIe9JOnp0QHLzoDgBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAQ) is through the sand dune gully.  Based on how my legs feel today after hiking that twice yesterday, I may just opt for the longer flatter road option.  

                After my initial walk about town with Nigel, I have started taking him north of town for walks.  This serves two purposes: allows me to let him off leash, and gets me off the sand.  North of town the land is covered in moss and lichen.  It looks like golf course grass from a distance but up close it is this incredibly complex ecosystem.  Nigel runs full tilt out here off his leash and he happily carries his squeaky chicken all the way out there so that I will throw it for him. North of town is also the DEW Line site which I plan on walking to after supper today with some other dog people.

I managed to grab some quick photos with my blackberry of my digs for all you curious cats out there. I still can't find my camera cord so the really good pics won't be uploaded anytime soon but at least you'll have an idea.  Enjoy!

 My front door is the one on the right.  I share the porch with a nurse.

 Handsome Nigel 

 My unit number is 37-027 but if you want to mail me something fun, you have to send it to PO Box 213 General Delivery for the School (hint hint)

 The back door and storage room complete with washer/dryer and laundry tub :)

 View from the mud room.  Bedroom/bathroom/bedroom to the right.

You know you wanted to see it ;) 

Sitting on top of the world :)

I’m finally here and it’s awesome.  It might be made more awesome by the fact that I had to earn it on the trip up, though.  Thursday July 26^th marked the start of a long and often tedious trip.  It was early when Nigel and I met our first challenge.  West Jet, oh West Jet I really did want to like you but alas I do not.  In fact, I may just hate you… it all depends on how you respond to my strongly worded letter, I suppose.  Anyway, I was told IN WRITING to show up to the West Jet Cargo building 2.5 hours before my scheduled flight so that Nigel the dog could be prepped for flight.§  Dark and early, at 4:00am I stood like a confused child at the empty West Jet Cargo counter and blinked dumbfoundedly at Doug (the forklift driver) as he told me that the West Jet guy never shows up before 5am – putting me less than 2 hours before my scheduled flight with 4 over sized extra large bags to check.  Doug also informed me that my water dish wasn’t right – despite all my phone calls and questions to West Jet.  I wasn’t going to cry.  Oh no, I was pissed.  Have you ever dealt with an automated system with “voice recognition” when you are right steaming angry?  Well I did, at 4am in the pouring rain.  It went a lot like:
                “For service in English, say English”
                “OPERATOR!”
                “I’m sorry, did you mean English?”
                “Yes.”
                “Please listen to the following -
                “OPERATOR!”
                “It sounds like you would like to be redirected to a sales super agent, although that may require               some wait time or you could stay on the line and I could help you right now.”
                “SALES SUPER AGENT!”
                “Did you say sales super agent?”
                “For the love of all things – YES!”
                “Ok, redirecting you call now.”
Anyway the lady who I eventually spoke to was very nice despite my obvious frustration and checked me in while I was waiting for this guy to come fill out the paper work on my dog. I have a feeling she also noted on my ticket that I was really, really, really dissatisfied because when I actually did make the counter in the airport, the girl waved my overweight and excess baggage fees (which is unheard of because West Jet charges FOR EVERYTHING - thank you, but not enough). Doug the fork lift guy really helped me out by giving me a proper water dish and he confided in me that West Jet always sends people to cargo without the proper information.  Whatever, I made the flight and my dog made the flight and we both made it to Edmonton safe and sound.  I just have an uncontrollable urge to spit and shake my fist every time I hear the words “West Jet”.
                Edmonton was humid and about 15C, other than walking Nigel the dog around until he was exhausted, I spent most of my time napping and eating room service.  I was able to store all my luggage for $5/piece overnight so I only had to worry about Nigel’s crate.  Friday, the first leg of the trip was Edmonton to Yellowknife.  I’d like to think that you can plan everything and get all the answers by calling  ahead and saying please but I can honestly say, it’s impossible.  I spoke to First Air and asked the girl at the counter where I needed to bring Nigel’s crate in the morning and she said to the counter and I asked “even with my 4 overweigh, oversized bags?” and the answer was yes. So I brought my dog and overweight bags to the counter – and didn’t they look me right in the face and say you can’t bring them here, they have to go to the oversized baggage counter.  I didn’t bother hiding my frustration. I explained that I asked yesterday and was told to bring it all here to THIS counter and that if I was going to have to bring my bags anywhere someone was going to have to help me since I busted my butt getting them here.  I got help.  Nigel the dog and I made it safe and sound to Yellowknife. 

It was a happy surprise meeting up with Tammy my RCMP officer friend who I originally met in Qikiqtarjuaq in 2008.  Now what was supposed to be an hour layover turned into an overnight stay due to a mechanical issue with the plane.  Tammy took me out to a steak and lobster military fundraiser and then on to an animal shelter fundraiser. I came away with a full belly and a “Sexy Northern Man” calendar.  I also came away with several new RCMP friends J Thanks Tammy!  I also got a bunch of travel and food vouchers thanks to First Air.  The rescheduled flight was supposed to leave Saturday at 10:45am but ran late and we didn’t board until 2pm.  Thankfully, Yellowknife Airport is super chill with dogs and let Nigel hang out with me in the waiting area.  He loved all the attention from other travelers who missed their own animals.  

The flight on the little plane was loud but smooth and I was met at the airport by my principal and another teacher. They drove my bags and my dog to my new house J  It’s big, with light hardwood floors, mud room, two bedrooms, big open kitchen, and laundry room. I’m impressed.  It’s nicer than the Qik.  I’m having a slight issue with the sand tracking through the house but I’m working on it.  I can’t wait for my vacuum to show up.  I’m going to have to talk to the housing people because my couch is broken in the middle and my kitchen chairs are all scary wobbly – like I haven’t sat on them, I’m terrified of it blowing apart under me.  Saturday night I stole some internet and managed to fire off an email to my family but I haven’t been able to get back on to it since.  Monday I am going to set everything up so I should have phone and internet.  Pictures will follow (or be updated) as soon as I can find my camera cord… I’m almost positive it’s being shipped…. Or maybe stored…

---

§ If Nigel and his crate had weighed at sum total of 100lbs he would have flown from the gate for $56.50 instead of Cargo for $400

One more thing on the list...

July 3 this year not only marked the 30th year of my life but it also added one more thing to the list of things to do before I leave for Nunavut.  Coming up the Kenilworth Access on Tuesday afternoon, I was rear ended into the car in front of me - yes, that was me blocking traffic on the access around 2:30pm on Tuesday.  You're welcome. 

Luckily, everyone (including Nigel the dog) in all three cars walked away unharmed.  My CRV however, isn't going to make it. I just got word today that I should start looking for another vehicle.

My original plan was to put fire and theft on the CRV and plant it on my parents' driveway for the 5 months I would be gone to Nunavut. But now I won't have to worry about all the rusting a stationary vehicle incurs nor will I be taking up prime driveway space.  

That's the sunny side - or as sunny of a side that I could make it.  The fact of the matter, though, is that I was in the middle of an accident that shouldn't have happened and there could very well have been serious injuries.

The accident required two tow trucks and a fire truck.  The police were called but the operator told me they weren't coming and was frankly quite rude to me about my insistence that we needed them... something that puts a very bad taste in my mouth. 

We were blocking a full lane of traffic on a blind curve, leaking coolant and any number of other engine liquids all over the road, and while we were waiting for tow trucks, there were almost 4 other accidents because there wasn't any traffic control.  Furthermore, from what I understand, police need to show up on scene if there is more than $1000 damage - which clearly there was.  The part that killed me was that the city crew who were blocking the right lane to cut grass and who witnessed EVERYTHING picked up their pylons and left almost as soon as the accident occured. Granted, there wasn't police on scene to take statements, but I sure as heck would have called them in as witnesses had there been any mention of me being at fault. Also, who is to say that the city had properly signed the area?  I can remember seeing one guy on the centre median with a weed whipper and wondering where the heck he came from because there were no "men at work" or "caution" signs.  The only precautionary measures taken were four pylons behind the city truck parked in the right lane signifying that the access was down to one lane.

There was also potential that I could be held partially "at fault" for the accident and have to pay.  Now, knowing me, you can probably guess my thoughts on having to pay even part of my deductible for an accident that I didn't cause. 


Good news is, I didn't have to squawk or take legal action - I was deemed not at fault and will not have to pay anything.  The guy who ran into me has been held 100% at fault for the accident.

Everyone is alright and that really is all that matters, but what a pain in the ass. I'm glad a stiff neck and some sore muscles are all that I've come out of this ordeal with. I also have a cute rental that is helping with the running around - I was spoiled, though, by the size and versatility of my CRV... the Nissan may have four doors but it certainly doesn't hold half of the stuff my Honda could.