Here I Go Again> Churchill 2012

Sunday June 10^th 2012 I arrived once again in Churchill Manitoba. But this time I knew it was going to be a different experience due to a few things that were said and done close to the end of time here last year between a certain individual and I, however the point of this blog is not to dwell on the fact that it happened instead rather the point of this blog is for me to be able to share my adventures with those whom care to check it out. Not to mention it is way easier than writing in a journal J

So as I said I arrived on June 10^th and right away was welcomed with a warm reception. I am once again working for Sea North Tours however this time the company is under new ownership as Mike and Doreen Macri sold the company at the beginning of this year. The thing that works out well for myself is that this season I am working with those whom I was working with last summer. If some of you may remember the future Cpt. Remi who was being trained by Mike throughout the season last year, well it was his parents that bought the company. And therefore because of this it hasn’t been a hard adjustment, not to mention that the work is pretty much the same with a few minor changes down by the docks. Not to mention I have a new means of bear protection while working down at the docks too and her name is Tlapa. My bear monitor, really she is just a big suck!

 My first two weeks here we have been working everyday preparing for the up in coming season which should take off with full force by the start of July. My job thus far as been preparing and getting things organized on the shore, getting the boats ready, especially the big boat to which I spent almost a week and a half polishing. When Mike came down to the docks I was sure to thank him for not making me do that last season haha.

The result of my hands after polishing

 It wasn’t all that bad and the end result was defiantly worth it, the big boat looks amazing especially with the new logos on it.  From there I started painting the snorkeling shed as well as the life jacket shed blue, or as Mike has named it “Sea North Blue” it looks good, it brightens the place up. Other than that minor changes have been made, but for the most part all is going great so far. We’ve had quite a few flow ice tours, two of which I have been able to go out on and I’ve also done my first Fort tour of the season. I was a little rusty but realized how much I loved it over there, its an entirely different world over there and to be able to share that with people is amazing.

Speaking of my first tour, well that sure was interesting. First off because the Fort technically doesn’t open till after Canada Day there were no bear monitors over there so we had a local, Yankee Bill be our bear protection. After getting off the zodiacs we headed towards the Fort and rather than my usual 1hr tour I only had between 30-40 minutes, so I hurried the people up there but to my surprise upon getting to the front gates we found we couldn’t get in! Now these people that I had with me really wanted to get into the Fort and as hard as I tried to describe the inside of the Fort to them it wasn’t really doing them any justice, like them I too really wanted to get inside. I radioed Remi to tell him our situation and that we had found a ladder and if I had the ‘OK’ that those who wanted to get inside would climb it.  Well sure enough everyone went up and I think it made a huge difference because they seemed to have really enjoyed it.

Once inside we saw that there was a giant piece of ice about 5ft high blocking the gates, and because  of the large snowdrifts that can pile up along the Fort we had to do a quick bear check inside just to make sure we didn’t have any unwanted visitors. So we finally made it inside and I gave what I would consider a very unconventional tour but again at the same time people still seemed to enjoy it. There were parts of the tour that I knew I was missing some basic information but to them I sounded pretty good and they didn’t seem to care/notice that I was missing anything, which made me feel a lot better.

I have also been able to spend time with my Uncle Hughie and Aunt Susie as well. The Friday (June 15) I met them at the Tundra Pub for a few drinks and a couple rounds of pool. It was nice being there because you are bound to run into all sorts of people. However back to the game of pool, I have decided that I probably shouldn’t play against my Uncle because he took me to school haha I don’t think I have ever lost so badly before.  Either way it was fun.

So although I have only been in Churchill for exactly two weeks today! It hasn’t all been work work work, I have been able to catch up with friends and also family. My friend and co worker Hayley from last year is also back in town and on Sunday (Fathers Day) her and I headed down to the flats with a few other people for a good ol’ fashioned Churchill BBQ filled with good food, good music, good drinks, and a cute little gosling.  Someone had found this poor little thing out at Goose Creek all alone and decided to take care of it for awhile. It was too cute and had everyone’s attention. The evening was great.



Belinda taking her turn!

    Hayley trying to save the candy after it was shot with the gun!

I know this is a short blog but what else is there to say, I’ve been on the go constantly working and also trying to catch up on sleep. The time difference is no longer an issue for me I think I have nicely adjusted to that. I haven’t taken as many pictures so far but only just realized that I forgot my memory cards so I have to purchase a new one here soon. Other than that I will be sure to take as many pictures as I can and try to update my blog as often as I can as long as interesting things continue to happen. I know doing the same job as last year I may end having very similar pictures and stories, however you never know.

"Keep reading. It's one of the most marvelous adventures that anyone can have."

~ Lloyd Alexander

I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted!

Cheers.