Friday after class we met Phillipa the librarian and she showed us the archives and the library here in Pond. We dropped off some slides from Julia (who's father had been a photographer here about 15 years ago).
On the weekends here the town is pretty much deserted as many families go hunting and winter camping. Saturday we got a chance to go out on the land with the local mechanic Sandy and the temporary mechanic Paul. We met Sandy's brother in law Grant who is originally from Pickle Lake (shout out to Pickle Lake). His mother is Daisy, the social counselor at the school! Grant and his wife Angelica met when she was a teacher in Resolute Bay a few years ago (shout out to Resolute Bay). Small world! The people of Pond Inlet are very generous and lent us a Ski-doo for the day. With Sandy as our guide we travelled 1.5 hours out of the hamlet along a frozen river to a small lake, named Ukta that is situated between 3 mountains. The mountains didn't appear to be that large but once we attempted to climb them we were proven wrong.
Unfortunately Emily had to ride with the rookie driver Paul who played a mean trick on her. While tailing Sandy and Sarah on the way home, he stopped to go to the bathroom and they sped on. After only a few seconds they were out of sight and Paul attempted to catch up. Meanwhile Sarah and Sandy hid (yes, there are places to hide on the ice) and Paul and Emily took the lead aimlessly driving in the wrong direction. Sarah and Sandy realized Emily was probably freaking out and Sandy sped up to catch them while Sarah grasped on to him for dear life (breaking a piece of plastic off the side of the machine). This whole scheme was planned in advance and it was not so funny until we were reunited again!
When we returned to Pond Sandy did a little show and tell and we got to see the different types of guns he uses (his father is a full time hunter). He showed us the pelts of caribou, seal and even polar bear.
Sunday we were treated to a buffet lunch at the Inn by our house parent Alice and Eli. After stuffing our faces with pancakes, eggs, veggies, fruit and dessert we met up with Julia (the grade 7 teacher her husband and her brother in law). The men were heading out on a 2 week dog sled adventure. We went down to the ice and watched them hook up the dog team to the komatik sled and saw them off. After this Julia took us cross country skiing. We followed the shore on Eclipse Sound, stopping for a hot chocolate break half way through. When her dog team returns we might get a chance to go skijoring (when you are pulled on ski's by the huskies). We headed back to town over land. Two of Julia's dogs just had a litter of puppies and we got to see them for a few minutes. They are just tiny balls of fur right now and are adorable. Her oldest dog Jack is their guard right now. Jack is a seasoned sled god (dog - typo stays!) having been to the north pole and back, twice and Siberia!
After this action packed weekend we were exhausted and went to bed knowing we had a full week of lessons and activities planned!
Until next time,
xoxo Glacier Girls
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