Hello there,

I haven't written an update in a few days...we have just been so busy. Well, I should clarify some, I have been busy, poor Amy has been quite bored. I must start by telling you about our beach experience last Saturday. Amy had been invited to a birthday party for the daughter of one of the teachers at the school and her mother had invited me to go along as well. The beach is probably 10kms outside of town and the way in which I got out there was definitely a new mode of transportation for me...I went by quad!!!!! There were a few times that I thought I was going to die, but we did eventually make it out to the beach. Now I hope I can paint a clear enough picture for you so that you will understand...to our back is the Tundra...flat, lichen everywhere, muskox are roaming around, and really nothing manmade for miles and miles. In front of us is the Northwest Passage...now here is this body of water that I had heard about all my life, a body of water that men have died trying to find and some dying once they have found it...just amazing. And, here is Kelly in the middle of all this with 2, not 1 but 2, winter jackets, a pair of mitts, splash pants over my pants, and a winter hat (one of the ones with the ear flaps)...just another beach day here in Nunavut! It actually was an amazing time. I met a few other teachers, one being Amy's teacher ( a very nice person and happens to be from Newfoundland). So, after a few hours of this, I have had enough and go home (in a truck), meanwhile, my 12 year old daughter goes onto another party where she stays until 11 or so and then goes to her first sleepover...we have only been here 4 nights!!!! She had a blast and then went to church the next morning, I am hoping that one has nothing to do with the other!

I have more to write, but I have to for lunch, so if there is time this afternoon I will catch up...I promise...until then - take care of each other and we love you!

Well, we finally made it.  After two days of traveling, a lot of tears (the cats'), and many more nerves, we finally landed in Cambridge Bay.  My first impression was that if you ever see any photos of Cam Bay, it looks exactly like them in reality.  However, once inside most of the buildings I have been shocked at how nice, large, spacious everything is as I kind of expected the inside to look like the outside.  The people here are beyond nice...we spent our first night here with another teacher and her family, which was great as her daughter is in Amy's class so they became fast friends.  They have provided as many things as they can to help us get through until our belongings arrive.  There is also another person who takes care of this apartment building who has loaned us things such as a microwave and even gave Amy some popcorn ($8.79 for a box of 3 and he gave her 12!) and has given us as much information as he can remember regarding the ins and outs of life in Cam Bay especially pertaining to the barge orders (once a year) and the food mill (orders placed whenever).  As I write this it is 9:30pm and the light is as though it were 5:00pm back home.  Last night when I fell asleep it was still light out and I never did see sunset or darkness or anything of the sort, but I suppose when it is dark 24/7 I will be grateful for these days.  I am going to get into the school tomorrow to get some work done, but other than that we will be exploring.  I did actually go into the school yesterday (our first day here) and it is really a beautiful school.  I saw my classroom or at least the one they think will be mine.  Anyway, that is most of the info for now.  I promise to write later.  Love to you all and we miss you like crazy!!!  Please be safe and give yourselves a hug from me!

Hello Everyone,

We will be leaving on Aug. 11 for the great metropolis of Cambridge Bay.  Although we will miss you all here, we are both so looking forward to the new experiences that the North holds.  Except for the cold, although I guess if we dress for it we will be fine.  This next week will be crazy with packing the apartment, my office at the school, the movers coming, going away to say goodbye to friends and then finally leaving.  We still have so much to do, it seems impossible that it will all be done in a little over a week, but then it has to be done.  I will keep this blog going for as long as possible and once we get there I will try and get pictures for you so you can have an idea of our surroundings.  Until the next time, we love you all! 

The decision has been made...Amy and I are off to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.  We will be leaving probably the 2nd week of August.  I start work on the 19th and Amy starts her first day of gr. 7 on the 21st.  This is the first year that I will be teaching on my birthday!!!  Well, I had stated a few months ago that I wasn't too sure how I wanted this blog to take shape, I have decided that what I want to do is to tell you of our journey to the Arctic Circle.  If any of my former students happen upon this, then maybe they will gain some insight into how others live in our great country.  If nothing else, this will be a way for me to document our travels.  As of right now, Amy is still in Calgary visiting her father, but she will be back on Wednesday of this week, finally, and then the big move should be in full swing.  I am just in the process of trying to decide what we are taking with us and what will go into storage here in Yarmouth.  Well, that's it for tonight.  All the best, Kelly

Hello Everyone,

I am deciding what is the best format for this right now, so please be patient and keep checking back to see what direction has been taken.  In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see here or what you would like me to write...please let me know.

Pike