Be resourceful

One thing you have to learn when you are working remotely in the north is to be resourceful.  I have been given the task of setting up a geotechnical lab here just out side of Tuk as it is affectionately known. I have an ability to use things for my purpose that were not originally intended for that purpose and it comes in very handy.  They are a little embarrassing to see sometime but it is all about getting things done.  I will share a few of those as we go along.  To the contractors credit they have done a very commendable job by providing a large trailer with heat lights, running water and all the desks, refrigerator, counters and useful items I will need.  A few  things are lacking but that is just the way things are when you work up North.  For instance potions of a shipment of lab equipment keeps showing up in random places.  Took 2 weeks to get water installed which is a real necessity when trying to run sieves.  When they finally took 3 days of fiddling and fooling around to get my water I didn't want to tell them that the pump will not shut off.  God knows how long it would take, probably without water, to get it fixed.  I just flip the breaker now to shut it down when I do not need it.  Interesting cast of characters here.  As you might well imagine. There are those who would come and enjoy this solitude kind of life style.  There are a lot of people who are here just to make a bit of money and don't really like it but endure it.  The other faction I speak of are fun to watch. As they say it takes all kinds to make the world go around.  Actually, to quote my late grandfather "it takes all kinds and I am glad I am not one of them". When in fact we are one of them.

Here is a crowd of the leaders on the contractor's side that are making this huge project happen.  This project which I already mentioned is going ahead by virtue of Stephen Harper's generous donation.  The total of the project is plus or minus 300 million dollars for 140 km of road.

I was asked several months ago if I would go there to work by my supervisor and because I have had so much idle time over the last few winters I agreed that I would go. Well, here I am in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT "Tuk".  The trip started out at the airport in Halifax, NS at 7 am. I had a 1 hour lay over in Toronto and overnight in Edmonton.  The next day I left early 7 am for Yellow Knife, Norman Wells and the airplane ride finshed in Inuvik at 3:00 pm. Next stop Tuktoyaktuk over the ice road(more onthat later) and the camp called "Artic Star"(more on that later) at 6 pm.  Unlike my other forays into the North this camp has great internet and even cell service.  The food is even bearable.  So, as far as remote locations go this one is ok.

Looking out the window on my third floor room it looks like this.

 

Good night all.