ON THE TERRAIN AND IN TOWN

Friday, August 22nd, 2025

Iqaluit, Nunavut

Since I was young, I wanted to see, feel, and experience the tundra regions of the north.  Now, decades later, I have that opportunity.  Approaching such a rugged terrain. Didn’t become a reality in the ‘raw’ sense (our group drove a mere two kilometres out of town to trek a small piece of the territory).  It is a desert – no trees – a good large section of the Great Shield.

Anyways, what was it like to cover some of that surface for a couple of hours?  Because of the time in the summer when most days are single digit figures – temperature-wise, we were not confronted with any bugs.  With a strong sun on our backs, we could see clearly our steps.  What were the steps like?  Well, one foot is on firm ground in the form of rocks (the oldest on the planet), while another can be on a spongey moss or lichen.  It’s all uneven, so it can be fun.  One second you’re up, one second you’re down.  It’s quite difficult to muster up speed if you’re not experienced.  Some locals know how to do it.  Spotting wildlife isn’t easy.  The caribou herds don’t come this close to town.  And I’m told the muskox are more north.   The closest we got to capturing sight of wildlife was a rejected teddy bear, face down. 

The purple saxifrage flowers are there to lift spirits.  It’s the official flower of Nunavut, and the flower is a source of food in the native area without berries.  The flowers are good as tea as well.  Anyways, walking the terrain was a bit challenging, but highly recreational.

Back to the city and back to the CBC we go.  Apart from the interview for television which got broadcast throughout the entire north, including the Territories which is a major landmass, I met the staff.  Fantastic people!  Sam, Travis, Raphael, appear to me to be nice introspective types.  And at the Visitors and Library centre, lively talks we had with Arin and friend.

Another great day for gratitude.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

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