AzuluSpookd Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Just thought I would share these pictures with all of you....and a little story behind it..... My mom is 69 years old and loves helping people...she's been involved in the Out of the Cold program here in Midland for many many years and is a Social Worker. She decided at 40 years of age, to go to University with 4 kids and got her BA then BSW then MSW. My father passed away a few years ago and since then she's had this itch to go to remote places and help people. Well, last year she shocked us and informed us that she would be heading to Inuvik, North West Territories! I had an opportunity to suprise her when she took a vacation in December to Las Vegas, my wife and I almost gave her a heart attack when she saw as at Bally's, it was great seeing her for four days prior to her heading back.... Her town is where the Tropicana TV Commercial was filmed and plays every day on CITY TV on Breakfast television. They have almost complete darkness for a month in the winter and complete sunlight for a month during the summer. Crazy stuff. Ice Road Truckers was there to film the past few years. She's as strong as an OX and just loves it out there. She is set to return on September 2nd and were looking forward to having her back. She's already planning her next trip....to Labrador...I love my mom! Hope you enjoy.... Below is the map of where Inuvik actually is...top left corner...she flies weekly to a place called Sach's Harbour...directly across the Arctic Ocean.. Below is the DC3 that takes her and 2000lbs of gear to Sach's Harbour... Here she is inside... Below are pictures of the Beaufort Sea... This is her friend, a Doctor from Vancouver that helps out....she is actually touching the Arctic Ocean.... Here's a picture of Sach's Harbour from the plane.... Waterproof Sealskin boots... Bowhead Whale remnants... Current Fishing Gear.... Funny looking Christmas Tree.... This is as low as the sun currently sets...it's 3 AM !!! Muskox hide hanging off a house in Sach's... Muskox.....after her and her friend got back from this walk, they were told by the locals never to go out again alone. A Polar Bear was shot 4 days before and when they gutted it, there was no food in its stomach.... Pelts at a local grocery store... Look who's coming for a visit? TOO TOO....check out the menu!!! This is back in Inuvik.... I'm extremely proud of what my mom has accomplished in her life, with alot more to come. She's a great woman and I can't wait to see her in September!
lew Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 What a fantastic story and amazing pictures !!!! No wonder your proud of your Mom
alexcba Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 that's just awesome man! kudos to your mom, and you for supporting her in this
Tarzan's Jane Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 No kidding!!!! Wow...that's some Mom you have there. I have watched the Ice Road Truckers program a few times....LONELY LIFE I just don't understand though why people still live in places like that. Does not appeal to me in the least. But great that your Mom is able to go and give a hand.
troutologist Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 (edited) Thats an awesome post right there, I am always interested in seeing arctic related content, as I too spend a great deal of time up north. I can't wait to sit in a Borek plane for another 10000Km this fall! Edited June 22, 2010 by troutologist
Nipfisher Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Nice story and great pictures. My mom did her B.A., B.ED., M.Ed., and Principals courses in the 80s and 90s. She was a single mother of 3 busy boys and did all of her courses from about 8pm - midnight after finishing her 2 jobs every day. She was a teacher and a Figure Skating instructor. She will retire in 2 more weeks at the age of 67. She fought breast cancer over the last 2 years and is looking forward to retirment. She is not going to N.W.T. to help those in need but she is still super in my books. I am a Child Protection Worker with Children's Aid Society in North Bay so I think what your mom is doing is pretty cool too. Cheers to you and your family. Blair
irishfield Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 (edited) Thanks for sharing Marty!!! Reminds me of my mother going back to school at 47 (4 kids) and getting her nursing diploma. Edited June 27, 2010 by irishfield
John Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Amazing Marty thanks for sharing a little of your Mom's life with us.
ehg Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 What an inspirational story Your mom is amazing!
Fisherman Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Well got to give her a thumbs up, not many people are that adventurous, she'll get to see things in person most of us only get to see in pictures.
fishnsled Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Great story Marty!! As others have said, you have one amazing mother. Good for her taking on such an important role.
DRIFTER_016 Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 I just don't understand though why people still live in places like that. Does not appeal to me in the least. But great that your Mom is able to go and give a hand. If you ever get the chance to visit, you will find out why people like me live in places like this. I love it so much more up here than I ever did in Southern Ontario. The only things I miss are steelheading and the shopping.
splashhopper Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 great story./.. I felt like " i took a trip and never left the farm" on that one
mr blizzard Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Informative, inspirational and inspiring. What a tribute to you and your mother. Thanks so much for sharing the story and pictures. I tend to agree with you and Drifter. Cheers.
Roy Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 What a great story! You have every right to be proud of your mother.
Moosebunk Posted June 23, 2010 Report Posted June 23, 2010 Agreed with Roy. Your mom is purdy cool stuff. Those are quite the people, communities and lives people have in the remote north. Great photos too. Summers are beautiful up there I bet. Winters... nahh not so much. lol. Thanks for the post.
AzuluSpookd Posted June 23, 2010 Author Report Posted June 23, 2010 Thanks guys, she is an absolutely amazing person. She's in great health and just gets pleasure helping others out. I'm glad you all liked it....I wanted to go and visit her, but the cost to Edmonton wasn't bad....it was the cost to Inuvik from Edmonton that was a killer.... I think her next adventure is to Labrador to help out there...crazy stuff!
ccmtcanada Posted June 23, 2010 Report Posted June 23, 2010 Loved this post! Thanks for sharing! My daughter would wail at the sight of reindeer soup though...LOL. Great pictures...hats off to your mom!
Rich Clemens Posted June 27, 2010 Report Posted June 27, 2010 Thanks for sharing. Don't get to see many pictures of the Northern Reaches of Canada - enjoyed the pics.
wuchikubo Posted June 27, 2010 Report Posted June 27, 2010 Awesome tribute to your Mom and a great post! Definitely a very inspiring individual. Thanks for posting.
tjsa Posted June 27, 2010 Report Posted June 27, 2010 Yup, awesome, and inspirational. Nuff said!!!!!
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