October round up.

This kayak hangs in the lobby of Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik (Paula's school).

Gjoa Haven

Work has taken me to Gjoa Haven (pronounced Joe) for the week.
http//www.gjoahaven.com has info on my hotel.

A friend commented on the $225/night rate. If you wanted to come visit anywhere in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut that's the usual rate. Meals are cheaper here than in Taloyoak or Kugaaruk though, only $35 for supper instead of the usual $55! Quite a bargain. Hotels/inns here (and Taloyoak and Kugaaruk) have two single beds, and when it is full you'll have a roommate. Mine hasn't showed up yet, guess his plane couldn't land yesterday. Which is common too, the planes just fly over if the conditions are poor, and they often are. My plane landed ok, but the wind/blowing snow were picking up in the afternoon. It's colder here in Gjoa Haven than back in Kugluktuk, and there's a little more snow - still no great accumulation though. Glad I have my warm mitts!

Bye for now!

Sunrise and sunset

These times are from this site:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=1162

Rising and setting times for the Sun here in Kugluktuk

			Length of day		Solar noon
Date	Sunrise	Sunset	This day	Difference	Time	Altitude	Distance
							(106 km)
Oct 11, 2009	8:30 AM	6:22 PM	9h 52m 06s	− 7m 46s	1:27 PM	14.9°	149.317
Oct 12, 2009	8:34 AM	6:18 PM	9h 44m 19s	− 7m 47s	1:27 PM	14.6°	149.275
Oct 13, 2009	8:38 AM	6:14 PM	9h 36m 31s	− 7m 48s	1:27 PM	14.2°	149.234
Oct 14, 2009	8:41 AM	6:10 PM	9h 28m 42s	− 7m 49s	1:26 PM	13.8°	149.192
Oct 15, 2009	8:45 AM	6:06 PM	9h 20m 51s	− 7m 50s	1:26 PM	13.5°	149.150
Oct 16, 2009	8:49 AM	6:02 PM	9h 13m 00s	− 7m 51s	1:26 PM	13.1°	149.109
Oct 17, 2009	8:52 AM	5:58 PM	9h 05m 07s	− 7m 52s	1:26 PM	12.7°	149.067

I check the site every once in a while, it's pretty cool.

Yep it's winter.

Paula's first day wearing her winter coat. She's also sporting a made in Kuglutuk hat! The lady who makes these hats stops into offices throughout town selling them. Paula bought a couple!

Goofing around on the shore.

Still some open water, but it's quickly freezing!

This Yamaha motor isn't taking that boat anywhere anytime soon.

The freeze-up started a couple days ago, but it's surprising (to me) how quickly it's progressing. Locals tell us that freeze-up is a little early this year, usually not for another couple weeks. Lucky us! :D

-7 this morning

It's -7c this morning, with light snow. It's October 9th. Sunlamp on.

Yippee!

I have been offered and accepted a teaching position at Jimmy Hikok Elementary school.

Here's my grade one classroom!