Inuvikphotos.ca (Daily views from the NWT)

There’s an Inuktitut-style statue outside the Mackenzie Hotel, right across from the post office.

It’s about eight feet tall, and it’s a pretty interesting thing to see. Kind of childlike in it’s simplicity but also meaningful.

Instead of representing a famous person — whether a politician or humanitarian or general or what have you — the Inukshuk merely says “people were here.”

I think it’s what Neil Armstrong should have placed on the moon.

Here are some pictures of the Inuvik Family Centre pool. As you can see, it’s quite tropical.

The outdoor angles are also very interesting. Strangely enough, they remind me of Ottawa’s war museum.

Here’s another picture from the recent military press tour near Aklavik.

Sergeant Jerry Vanhantsaeme accompanied the Canadian Rangers and explained the operation on this map.

Since it was getting cold near the water, he was nice enough to lend me a tuque. “That tuque has been to Afghanistan, Bosnia…all sorts of places,” he said.

Well, it had to happen eventually. The season of 24-hour sunlight is over and Inuvik now has short nights, which last from 10pm to 6am.

It’s strange how I’d become used to constant daylight. I was driving the truck last night with the dashboard lights illuminated, and suddenly realized I hadn’t driven using headlights for almost three months.

This is another view from the apartment window. I anticipate things will soon be like this all the time.

The Canadian military flew me to Aklavik recently for a press tour. While in transit, I had a chance to examine the landscape from a Twin Otter plane.

Notice these lake formations, and how improbable they seem.

I rushed to the scene of a fire the other day, after seeing it from my apartment window.

It turned out to be a training excercise, held by the Inuvik fire department.

Here’s another picture from Tsiigehtchic, which is a town of 150. I really enjoy my weekly visits.

Can you imagine living in a city of 150 people?

On the one hand, there are scenic views, breezes, and plenty of fish and peace.

One inconvenience, however, is that the grocery store is 1 1/2 hours away by car. (If you own a car.)

While travelling to Tsiigehtchic on Sunday, I met elder Noel Landry, 76. He was having a cigarette on his porch, after spending the day making dry fish.

Those coveralls protect his clothing from getting fishy.

What can I say: He makes smoking look cool.

Jigging contests are everywhere in the Beauford.

This type of traditional dance is very popular here, with contests often held in bars or outdoor jamborees.

The aim of the jig is simple: Just move your feet as fast as possible, while keeping your upper body still. Fastest feet wins!

This photo is from the Midway Lake Music Festival, which is outside Fort McPherson.

p.s. — That yellow powder is corn dust. It makes jigging extra difficult, because it’s slippery!

This is the view from my apartment window. You can see a river in the far background, as well as some of Inuvik’s industrial park.