Summer in Yellowknife

Hi Everyone:

Hope this finds you all well. I can not believe it's been a year since we started this Yellowknife adventure!  Whenever I talk to a new military spouse, about her first posting away from home, I always tell them to give it a year before you begin to feel at home in your new location.  We are definitely feeling at home here!

I've had an employment change since I last blogged.  Now working at the MFRC (Military Family Resource Center), as the Information and Referral Coordinator.  Basically, my job is to get information about programs, education, and community activities offered in Yellowknife, and get that information to the military families.  We also do a lot of socializing with families that are here on house hunting trips, and then again when they move here.  I love it!  I feel like I'm putting my 30 years of  experience being a Military spouse to good use!

Summer in Yellowknife is great!  OK, we have had a bit of smoke from local forest fires, but not that much, (everyone tells me it is so much better than last year).  It never gets too, too hot, (good thing, as there are not many air conditioned places in Yellowknife), but it's warm and comfortable, and sunny. June 21st was the longest day of the year with almost 24 hours of daylight. Black-out blinds and curtains are a must for the bedrooms.  It's great after all those months of darkness to go out after supper, return home and it's still daylight.

Rick and Matt have become fisherman.  Rick bought a boat in June, and they have spent many weekends out on the many lakes in the area.  The size of the fish is amazing!  A lot bigger than the little ones Rick and I use to catch in rivers in NS.

Lots of activities around to keep us busy.  Every Tuesday at 5:15 - during the summer months - there is a Farmers Market held down at the Somba K'e Park, (an outdoor area located beside city hall, by the water).  There are always a lot of people and lots of venders.  Matt and I usually go and buy supper. There are places to sit, and watch some local entertainment.  You usually run into someone you know. I've attached a picture of the Mobile ATM machine that is there to use, as the venders only accept cash. This area is also used for other community activities.  There was lots to see on Aboriginal Day,

and Canada Day. I love that it is just a 10 min. walk from where we live. Don't have to worry about parking.  Canada Day is different here, as there is no point to having fireworks - never gets dark enough.  There is a parade, and a gathering at the Somba K'e, and everything is done by 3pm.

Rick and I spent a week in Ontario.  It was great to see friends and family.  While flying back we flew to Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.  Really neat to see the scenery from the airplane (happy I had a window seat).

I hope in the past year, I've given you a bit of an idea of what our life here is like.  The rest of the summer is certainly going to go by quickly.  I'm taking a class next month on how to make porcupine earrings, and a glass workshop in September to make stenciled and sand-blasted glass pieces.  I've also taken a paddle boarding class.  Trying to take advantage of every new opportunity available.

This may be the last blog for awhile, as I think I've pretty much covered a year of life in Yellowknife.  Feel free to send me a note if you have any questions.  Take care, Joanne