How did this ever get posted? I did not intend to post this as there are errors and I have to change the photos. I hope you read the edited version of this post.
It seems that one incident I write about reminds me of another incident.
As I've said many times , I spent five years in the Arctic. I was active and many adventures gave me interesting times.
The people and the land changed my life immensely. It gave me a completely different perspective.
Our school care takers still went out hunting beluga whales. They agreed to have us come to their camp on the shores of the Arctic ocean. They had been there for a few days and had caught 2 or 3 whales and were in the process of butchering them and preserving the many parts of the whale that they would consume.
Their camp was between Tuktoyaktuk and Kitigazuit at a place called White Fish station. . They were in a neat little cove that that did not face directly out to sea. They were well protected from storms and high seas. There were not many high seas and the tide was about 18 in.
The next morning they took us out. We were in our own boat and were to follow. About a mile off the coast a beluga was sighted. They made a shot but were not sure if they made a hit and the whale sank or if the whale got away.
They looked around for an hour or two and then went back to camp and continued preparing the meat. We were about 3 miles off the coast and were seeing small chunks of ice so it was time to get out of there. About 8 miles off the coast there began to be large areas of ice.
Later on that afternoon I climbed over the 50 foot ridge and went down to the beach. I was by myself and sat on a large piece of driftwood on the beach away from the other people. .
I gazed out into the Arctic ocean. It hit me that there was nothing between me and the north pole. That experience has stayed with me. So there was nothing but ice.
The little protected cove behind me
Sounds like a profound, quiet experience. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI still like sitting by myself in a very quiet place.
DeleteYour five years spent in arctic sound awesome dear Red 🤗
ReplyDeleteI found this read both fascinating and exciting 👍
I have seen on geographic channel once a beach town somewhere in your part of land where people would catch a really huge whale and preserve it for whole long year as their major source for the food. You were to witness the experience which must be exceptional .
I was moved by your moments spent on ridge also. For me it would have been a spiritual experience 🥹🥰
the food from the whale would be a major source of food. However, they spent most of their time hunting. In the winter they got seals and polar bear. Thy also had dried fish.
DeleteA very interesting experience for sure!
ReplyDeleteI saw whales in the eastern arctic as well.
DeleteNot many people will have had that visceral experience. We merely have a passing acquaintance with such things.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like being out there.
DeleteYou have definitely lived a very interesting life, Red.
ReplyDeleteLife has been interesting but was also risky.
DeleteIt's amazing all of the interesting experiences you have had in your life, Red, that I have never even thought of doing!! Your stories are great!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that many of the things you have done, I would find interesting.
DeleteYou had unique experiences up there, and were accepted enough to tag along on such adventures.
ReplyDeleteI spent part of my time in the settlement with the people. They are a humorous people.
DeleteRed, the beluga hunt and the time spent at the camp must have been incredible to witness, and I can imagine how powerful that moment on the driftwood was -- realizing there was nothing but ocean and ice between you and the North Pole. Another interesting story!
ReplyDeleteI also saw belugas in the eastern arctic from a helicopter.
DeleteDid you ever watch any of the TV series called "Alone" on the History Channel? I'll bet you would enjoy it.
DeleteThat must have been surreal, to imagine yourself so close to the North Pole (or at least with nothing but open ocean between you and it). I can't imagine having to butcher a whale. That sounds like an awful job.
ReplyDeleteA large percentage of their life was butchering. Most of their diet was meat.
DeleteAn amazing part of the world. You had some incredible adventures, Red.
ReplyDeleteI could have stayed home and in the warm house but I got out and it was rewarding.
DeleteSounds like a memory you will never forget.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen the belugas in the zoo. Take care, have a great weekend.
Well, you have one on me. I've never seen belugas in a zoo.
DeleteAn experience that lasts a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteUnforgettable experiences.
DeleteWhat an adventure Red!
ReplyDeleteAs you know the farm is an adventure and I just kept going from the farm.
DeleteThat’s an amazing memory Red! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering... When you lived up in the Arctic what was insect life like in the summertime? Were they really bothersome?
ReplyDeleteMosquitoes were very bad. We were going to pull onto the river bank and camp for the night, We didn't get off the boat but quickly backed up. There were such clouds of mosquitoes that we couldn't get off the boat. and travelled all night until about 6 Am when we found a sand bar with very few mosquitoes,
DeleteYou sure have adventures!
ReplyDeleteWhat an unforgettable adventure!
ReplyDelete"Amazing But True" - that could be the title of your memoirs!
ReplyDeleteSuch a different way of life - but it sounds like you fit in well by being open to new experiences. I can imagine the feeling when you thought about the vast nothing between you and the North pole.
ReplyDeleteNot too sure about the blubber, but what a neat place to visit!
ReplyDeleteBill Hess is a photographer. He has a book called 'gift of the Whale'. If you have never seen it, you should try to get a copy. I am sure it would bring back happy memories.
ReplyDeleteGift of the Whale: The Iñupiat Bowhead Hunt, a Sacred Tradition https://share.google/jROktIvR0fpITiKm6
Bill used to blog but no longer does. He is on Facebook but has recently lost his oldest son. He and his wife are grieving their loss terribly right now, and he doesn't post a lot right now.
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ReplyDelete5 years! This would offer a different perspective. I can't imagine having to work that hard for food.
ReplyDelete