Spring at the Arctic Circle

My friend Jay went on a spring fishing trip to the shore of Hudson Bay, near Arviat, in Canada and sent me a few photos. Jay and I worked together at Camp Stephens summer camp for many years. When he was Camp Director and I was Wilderness Coordinator (organising canoe trips), we had two great summers of laughs and outrageous shenanigans (instigated by Jay, larrikin extraordinaire).

Jay, beside an 'inukshuk', used to create landmarks to navigate across the wide snowy landscape.

Jay could also win the prize for most creative and inspiring theatrics for staff and camper parties. He once had the YMCA emblem (upside down triangle) floating on a dock in the bay lit by flaming arrows shot from the roof of the nearby lodge roof, while spellbound campers looked on. It was not the safest exercise, nor did it always work, but the funnest part was anticipating which emblem-lighting scheme Jay would come up with next. Having a staff member ride a bike off the dock through the burning triangle into the water was one stunt that did not go repeated! Just a few risk management issues to contend with there.

Jay now teaches Inuit kids up in northern Canada. Jay takes his love of life with him and I am assured there are plenty of opportunities for pranks and laughs up there!

The ice will not melt until July (i.e. middle of summer in the rest of the country) and there is now 24 hours of light. The ice is still six feet deep, though there are seal breathing holes and milions of geese, cranes, and swans returning for the summer.

I love these photos as they remind me that there are many paths to happiness. Finding beauty and an expanded perspective in your surroundings is one of them.


6 foot ice auger used to drill an ice fishing hole, during a spring fishing trip



A traditional drum dance ceremony.


















Jay and friend/fishing host, Frank