The eatin is good!

An early morning stop to the Bristol Freighter monument in Yellowknife

So today's schedule read as follows:

7 a.m. wake up call, 

breakfast and hotel check out,

a short ride to the airport,

a quick and easy check in,

no security lineup for flight in the territories, 

short 90 minute flight on Canadian North, 

a 2km. SUV trip to Cambridge Bay apartment,

unpack in preparation for work on Monday, and,

shopping blitz at the Northern for milk, bread, and staples.

WELCOME TO THE NORTH

p.s. it didn't quite happen as planned.

The early sunrise at 9 a.m.

Well, I've got some time to bring you up to speed. In previous editions, I've stressed the importance of air travel to Nunavut especially but to all the territories in northern Canada. This afternoon, all I can say is FHK...no...not that one... this stands for FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE.

Flexibility is the key to survival up here...a cell phone and Internet access are a close second and third.

The Polar Bear Chasing Seal display
on the Airport luggage belt

This day started here at the Super 8 with a hungry man's style brekky. Some fruit, coffees, danishes, a couple of hard boiled eggs and waffles...it's a good thing I wasn't hungry. All packed, and out of the hotel we taxied out to the airport early so we could get checked in before the lineup and to take some photos of the sunrise along the way. 

I met with a few familiar faces from the previous day's flight...and we all chatted about the weather. Here it was gorgeous blue sky once the sun had risen, little wind and no clouds. Our destination was a different world. Some snow was scheduled but the rest of the weather varied dependent upon who you were talking to. 

The flights to Inuvik and Norman Wells left as scheduled on time but the weather is those destinations was questionable. 

Several flights arrived. One from Calgary and another from a local community. The drama continued as our flight was called and was fully loaded by 11:00, the time of our scheduled departure.

This morning's de-icing on the starboard wing

Our pilot welcomed us to Canadian North 446 and reported on the current weather conditions in Cambridge Bay and our options for today's flight....HEADS?...no not like that... He simply stated that the weather was adequate for us to proceed to take off but that the weather was to deteriorate later in the day. He would keep us informed as we might be returning if it declined further..

We backed out, the tug on the nose, and for the second time in three flights I awaited the de-icing crew...Not to be disappointed they performed beautifully...a true ballet in balance, skill and spray after the towing machine had left.. We dripped a bit as the solution ran off those previously frosted wings...The frost on the aluminum glimmering in the early sun was picture perfect. The sun was rising higher now, but long shadows still prevailed as the ground crew toiled.

Then those magic words of doom..."Hi folks. this is the Captain from the flight deck. While we were getting de-iced we were in contact with Cambridge Bay and their weather has deteriorated to the point that we are returning to the terminal, and de-planing...you can leave your hand baggage aboard...we'll wait an hour and then re-evaluate. We'll just wait here for a tug to re-attach and pull us back to our parking spot. I'll keep you informed."

We waited for the tug to re-appear...and then another announcement. "Hi folks, your captain here again. I'm sorry to disappoint you but today's flight has been cancelled due to the weather." 

NOW, the fun really began...getting a hotel room re-instated, rebooking the flight...getting approval from Cambridge Bay staff....and getting it ahead of everyone else...including those earlier flights that may not be landing. Incredibly, by luck, I had picked up a business card from the hotel and put it with my travel papers. 

Returning to the Terminal..why is the gate always the furthest away?

As we waited for the luggage belt to roar back to life with our gear, I used my cell to call the hotel and hold my room from the previous night. The bed wasn't made and it's not approved yet by the housing committee in Cambridge Bay...but its a room and it's MINE!!!!!

A quick taxi ride stopping for another couple of photos for future blogs and we were back at the hotel and ready for a nap...but the flight is the next thing to get organized and so far I'm on standby for tomorrow.

There is good news in all this..and it relates to my supper last night.  The review, I wrote for Trip Advisor follows this below. But instead of having to wait another month to taste it again....I'm heading there again tonight! 
The Bison Rib Eye...awaits.

MY TRIP ADVISOR REVIEW: Coyote's Steakhouse and Lounge
WOW! That's the best way to describe the meal I just completed at Coyote's. Travelling further north on my next leg for work, a colleague suggested this dining experience as she stops here when in Yellowknife. Having just reopened today after a 10 day "Christmas break", she couldn't have been more"spot on".

The menu varies but I selected the Great Slave Lake Pickerel and twice baked potato...wow. Their medley of vegetables included spears of cauliflower and broccoli with carrots. I had the locally caught fish lightly battered and pan fried, FANTASTIC when coupled with a nice VQA white from the Okanagan.

When the platter arrived it was loaded and was so glad I hadn't ordered an appetizer...had been thinking about The Northern Fish Chowder made with Arctic Char and more northern whitefish. 

On my way out, I met the owner, Ed, a very down to earth kind of guy...and we discussed my next meal The Northern Bison Rib Eye with the Jack Daniel's sauce for my return visit next month. 

I can't wait !!!