Spring is here...can't you tell?

The sun is stronger when it sets, these days

There are signs of Spring everywhere in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut....you just have to look a little harder at -20C degrees, our high for today. The days are getting longer, with these amazing sunrises just before 7 in the morning. As well, the sun seems stronger, could just be the winds are tamer or not quite as cold. When I arrived, I wore a face mask for added protection. After the second week, as I seemed to get more accustomed to the weather here, it has remained in my coat pocket.

The kids here play outdoors...even at these temps

I still carry it...plus the extra hood, just in case the wind is in the wrong direction and I have to do a long walk. I've been surprized how far I'm able to walk...the snow has always been firm as it blows together and you can actually walk on these amazingly high drifts that I posted about yesterday. The only danger has been that before the last blizzard we had freezing rain and it has made the under crust a little more slippery.

There is a trick I've learned from the others. Here, one learns by adapting and observing. I noticed that it is much easier to walk in the paths of others...especially if the 'other' happened to be about ten or twenty runs of a snow machine that has broken the snow's crust and made your footing much softer. The drive tread chews up the crust and smooths the surface...and you just have to follow in between the lines...of the runners.

The Rankin Stars Women's team

Before the blizzard, a few large rocks were starting to show through the snow. Warmed by the increasing sun exposure, the snow had partially evaporated and melted...revealing the rocks and boulders below. The photos of the landscape here without snow are quite a different scenario. Summer in Rankin is unlike anything I think I could imagine. I may never see it, but that's OK. I never ever thought I would ever return in Winter, so who knows what the future brings.

The frost INSIDE the Arena

The windy side of the Arena

The next few days are starting to show a trend of warmth...still below freezing but definite change. The hockey season has started to wind down. Last weekend's AVATAQ CUP, followed the previous four weekends of tournaments...with many teams and supporters from our other communities. This tournament was sponsored by First Air and the finals were delayed last Sunday night after the blizzard had officially landed. 

Once both semis were completed, the officials delayed the final so that everyone could get safely back to their homes, billets, hotels. Their planes wouldn't be flying so 's there was no rush to make their seats and safety was paramount. Rankin Inlet Miners eventually won the silver, while Repulse Bay won the Gold for Men's...duplicating the feat of the Repulse Bay Women the weekend before. The Polar Plate, sponsored by competing Calm Air, for midget hockey went to Iqaluit's team in a final against Rankin...and before that there were younger teams playing that respective tournament.

The rinks are ready for the Zamboni

Inside the Door of the Arena, the exit the Zamboni takes to Williamson Lake Outdoor skating rinks

At the end of March, each year, the community benefits from an outdoor rink on Lake Williamson in the centre of town. The rinks have been cleared, another snow job this week, and I hope to find out what time the Zamboni leaves the arena and travels across the road to flood both rinks. I would like to snap a photo. One resident told me today the weather is not quite as bad (meaning the temp and the winds) so its time for the outdoor rink.  I thought this funny, remembering the icy coatings on the inside of the arena on my last visit.

One of the multiple displays in the Northern

 While there may be no tulips or daffodils trying to break through the snow here, there is definitely spring in the air...How can I tell with all these snow drifts so striking? All you have to do is visit the Northern store. Atop the freezers and coolers, above the meat counters and over the dairy shelves. The latest load of two wheelers have arrived and are displayed...in time for Easter and just in time for Spring.