When I left Eureka 4 days ago we were sitting at around -50C. There was a 24hr delay for the incoming flight, and as such we had a hot turn around of about 30minutes. Just enough time to refuel the plane, remove the passengers who were staying, and load us whom were heading south. The winds were right, and we had a 1.5hr trip from Eureka to Resolute. Another short fuel stop and we were headed southwest directly for Yellowknife. The winds were right on our tail, and we saw the speedometer on the Beechcraft 1900D clocking us at a blistering 331 knots....felt like we had been shot out of a slingshot! After arriving safely in Yellowknife we stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac to a balmy -30C. It was then off to the hotel to get checked in, and out to procure some grub and a cold beer. The Black Knight Inn was our destination of choice; the beers were cold, the wings were half price, and my Canucks were on tv! The next day was my second travel day to get south, a nice commute for work purposes! My flight from Yellowknife to Calgary was on time, but the flight from Calgary to Vancouver was delayed by almost an hour due to de-icing procedures and a backlog on the runway. Eventually landing in Vancouver, I was greeted to the tropical paradise that is Vancouver during winter. The temperature upon landing was +10C; thus completing my 60 degree temperature swing in 2 days. Needless to say, it took some time to acclimatize myself. Less formally, it was f***ing hot!!! My sister picked me up and we meandered our way up the Sea to Sky highway into the cozy town of Squamish. Dinner and bed were in order, the next day was going to be a big one!
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Friday was my day to spend in Vancouver while my sister diligently went to work. I tagged along for the car ride into town and was treated to the amazing landscape that the west coast has to offer. Once we got down to Kitsilano, I took the chance to walk around town and see some old sights from when I was a kid; catching up with my roots in a sense. I walked over to my grandmothers old apartment and took the view in, remembering the days when we used to visit and play in the local neighborhood.
I met up with my aunt for lunch near Granville Island, and we walked all around the island as well as Kitsilano, catching up and telling stories about times gone past. We walked along the shore and I was suddenly facing the place that started it all, the Maritime Museum. Within this museum is an old RCMP boat which used to tour the arctic waters. As a child I would often go here with my aunt and uncle and be fascinated with how they survived in such cold environments and the logistics of how they got there. Truly fueled my interest and love for the arctic, and we all know where that has led to!
Once the wandering around Vancouver was done for the day, I met up with my sister and we were off to the Canucks game at Rogers Arena, her first NHL game and my first time back at a Canucks game in Vancouver since my grandfather took me when I was a kid. Excited like a kid in a candy store who just got his allowance! We got to the game early and got a beer and off to our seats. The boys played well and took the game into OT and eventually to 7 rounds of the shootout, losing on a lucky goal by Minnesota. Wasn't pleased with the result, but to be able to take my sister to her first NHL game was priceless.
Saturday my sister and her roommate Arad took a lazy drive up to Permberton a little further north of Whistler. Found a great little spot for a hike along a river and a rail track. A random shepherd pup decided to tag along with us and give us the first-class guided tour of his neighborhood. Great day to be out in nature and soak up all that is the coastal mountains.
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| Kite Skiing |
Great trip so far, hoping to see more family before I depart for Toronto mid-week. The exploring shall continue!
Happy Trails everyone.
Mike
