Spent much of the morning packing, cleaning and sorting again ( it seems like a repeat process from Friday ) and left behind the skis and larger square rubber container in Rankin as I am only supposed to be a few days in Repulse...its funny but this is a much smaller hamlet than either Rankin or Arviat and there has not been a regular social worker in 1-2 years, but somehow I think I am going to regret not being able to stay longer....perhaps thinking about some of the other remoter small communities like Arctic Bay that I enjoyed my work and relationships developed.

The blizzard has finally abated leaving many sculpted shapes. As I had expected to leave Friday and all the gear was packed, I didn’t unpack my skis again but would have had fun with some of the hills near the snow fence. Very hard packed went along with Cindy Matt and dogs. Matt on his skis on this crest joking said this is downhill skiing in Rankin Inlet. The dogs have fun no matter what chasing their Kong on a rope, pouncing on each other or just running. Still cold enough to be very wrapped up in several layers…the yeti look!   Coming back from our Saturday afternoon walk you can note how much snow was moved in this blizzard from the height of the plowed sides to the road. Here are both perspectives and one of the graders that helped with the clearing. They were working consistently through the blizzard week. Stopped for tea and conversation later and noted a few new additions……the new red dog sled along side the old one stored beneath the steps. I really do like this shot and how it is framed. A row here of drying dog paw mitts!

Among other things on Sunday I finally made it to church, the English service and now have a hymnbook in both languages! Afterwards a number of us went for breakfast at the local hotel…the Sinatarvik….if I remember correctly “arvik” means the “place where”. Inuktitut has many different dialects and when visiting with some of the teachers was shown a science textbook with many different animals and plants and different names from Rankin Inlet, Baker lake and Clyde River. Many seemed completely different names and pronunciations

      These shots are of the large rock inukshuk in the center of Rankin Inlet one probably one of the highest vantage points.

This is the Arctic College the building in the red. Taken Sunday afternoon about 1 PM  the rock structure was covered with frost and blown snow and some red grafitti marks.

I tried several attempts at a self portrait and this was the best but the cheeks were nippy.