Just hanging out in Resolute Bay

Resolute:

adjective, from the Latin resolutus, past participle of resolvere

Firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination

Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada:

A tiny settlement of approximately 200 people on Cornwallis Island, Nunavut (75 N, 95 W), on the shores of the Northwest Passage. The day's temperature, -37 C; Wind Chill < -57 C.

Resolute is a good name for this place; standing firm against the elements - strong winds, blowing snow and frigid temperatures.  I'm filled with amazement at the strength of the people that choose to make Resolute Bay their home.

Yep, we're still here. 

The day dawned late for most of us. After crawling into bed sometime after 5 am, the impressive lunch at noon was the starting point for most of our days.  The weather (as I mentioned in yesterday's report) wasn't looking too flash.  Flying to Eureka was never really an option, as things there were worse than they were here. It became even less of an option when our pilots abandoned us, returning with their plane to Yellowknife and leaving us in the abundant care of Aziz and his team of fantastic cooks (it's a harsh life!). To their credit, our alternate transport to Eureka (with Kenn Borek air, whenever the weather improves!) had already been arranged by the wonderful people that make things happen from Toronto, Eureka, Yellowknife or wherever else the day lands them.

Some of the team was determined to experience the real Arctic weather. Bundling into lots of clothing, they ventured out for short walks to explore the town, coming back with frozen eyelashes and big smiles. Check out some of their snowy pictures on our website: http//:acebox.uwaterloo.ca/eureka.  Oleg and Bec met a local craftsman, Oleg coming back with a gorgeous carved walrus and Bec, a promise of a polar bear, to be picked up the next day.  The afternoon passed quietly, with everyone hanging out in the kitchen and working on various projects. Check out the "Our Instruments" webpage! After dinner, we met the youngest members of Aziz's family: 2 week old Husky puppies. As you can imagine, there was a lot of oohing and aahing.  There was also a game of wizard, some TV watching, net surfing and socializing with other guests who included a stranded Grise Fiord resident and a team of dentists from the University of Manitoba's dental outreach program.  Unbelievably, the evening's lunar eclipse was actually clearly visible, and Mareile and Cristen ventured out in the cold to take photos.... while the rest of us watched out the window! 

Fingers crossed for better weather tomorrow,