It's Interesting to Note ...

Today is my first full day in Inuvik. Here are some interesting things to note so far …

It's interesting to note that the “u” in Inuvik is pronounced “new”. In-new-vik …

It's interesting to note that the weather here isn't much cooler than at home … today my van read +23 (that 73F if anyone from the US is reading this).

It's interesting note that some of the newer buildings here are built with Geo-thermal cooling systems to keep the ground solid during the summer. Normally any building would have to be built on pilings so that during the summer when the permafrost warms up they don't sink into the ground. These systems super cool/freeze the ground underneath a building during the winter so when it warms up there isn't a problem. Also during the summer this same system will refrigerate the ground to keep it cool.

The pipes on the side of the building are for geo-thermal cooling

It's interesting to note that the first native man to get his pilots license was from Inuvik, and this is his plane. It's also interesting to note that the man who run's this place, Oleoff flew this plane and help restore it. It's even more interesting to note that Oleoff look like Sean Connery and sometimes sounds a little like him!

It's interesting to note that many of the buildings were originally painted like this. This was to help improve mental health during the long dark winters, and apparently it worked! Kathy maybe you should do a study on that …

It's interesting to note that may of the people working here, native and none-native make a lot of money! Oleoff was saying that people here think they would be getting paid what oil execs get paid, and may do! Which is why people can afford 4.98/kg for bananas and drive $60,000 trucks. It's also interesting to note, and a little sad, that for those who don't make that they can still make around $12/hour for sitting at home on welfare.

It's interesting to note that nothing here gets really old. For example, they are building a new school. The old elementary and high schools are still in good shape, but the town wanted a new one. So when the new school is built the two old ones will be torn down instead of renovating and/or re-purposing them. Ironically you can't buy plastic bags here because there is such a big push for recycling. If you do need bags, for groceries they cost $0.25.

It's interesting to note that most of the home are connected with this “utili-door” This conduit holds water, gas, and sewer.

It's interesting to note that you can go golfing here. It's called “End of the Road Golf”. Perhaps I'll see how much a round of golf is. It's also interesting to note that this is not the most northern golf course.

It's interesting to note that some guys bought this boat for a dollar but don't the the money to do anything with it, so they parked it here .

Finally, it's interesting to note that the ice road is closed :p

~ Until next time