One Year Ago in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Last year my husband and I were living and working in the NWT. This is an area where
photographers go to get shots of the Aurora Borealis. It is also the jumping off point for
people traveling to the Arctic regions. So DH and I decided to celebrate our anniversary
by taking a dog sled ride way out to a remote cabin to get our own shots of the Northern
Lights. See all the dog houses behind us? It was after 10 PM before we even started and
somewhere between minus 25-30C. Notice there are no dogs outside their homes?
Even they weren't dump enough to be outside on a night like this one!!
I'm not real sure when it was that I lost the feelings in my toes, but I just kept thinking-'not
to worry, we will be at the cabin soon and there will be a blazing fire there where I can thaw
my little piggies. But as we approached the cabin I did not see any smoke rising out of any
smoke stack! And that was because we were the 1st party to arrive, and therefore we would
get the fire going for the following parties. Well, as you can see, it didn't take long for our
guide to get the fire blazing and my toes did thaw out-a bit.
My husband Tim, who relishes the cold and adverse temperatures, realizes he has a wimp
for a wife. So he got right to it with the hot chocolate making. A very good man I have there!
Our guide cooked and served us steak, potatoes, and vegetables. Yum! We made many trips out
for shots of the Northern Lights, but to no avail, they weren't out. At midnight several folks
from Japan showed up to spend the night and it was time for us to head back.
We did see the Aurora Borealis as we were heading back once again on the dog sled, but
it wasn't possible to get any shots then. The dogs were in full run and we were bundled and
wrapped up, making it impossible to dig out a camera. This is a photo I borrowed from the
web to give you an idea of what we saw. It was a wonderful experience & I can highly
recommend to all.
If I don't post again before the new year, I wish all of my dear blogging friends a blessed
end to 2011 and may 2012 bring you contentment, good health, and may God bless you
with what you need to live a fulfilling life.
Kimberly
What an adventure. When I was in college up in Maine, we saw the aurora borealis two times. The first time was late at night, past midnight and someone came banging on all of our dorm room doors. We were all out there in pjs, boots, and jackets enjoying the show.
ReplyDeleteKim, what a fascinating trip. I would love to do that, if I could stay somewhat warm. Thanks for the adventure:)
ReplyDeleteKimberly, What a trip to remember. I can't imagine temps.. that COLD. Glad you saw the lights. Sounds like fun. So does this mean it's Anniversary time again? If so Happy Anniversary. Hope you will be staying warmer this year. Have a great Day. Happy New Year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAngela
I have only ever seen those lights once in my life and not from the vantage you had. They are amazing! What a fun trip you and your hubby had. I would have wimped out, I think!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your family during the remainder of this year and into the New Year. I am so happy to have met you here this year- xo Diana
What an experience. Of course seeing the Northern Lights is a neat experience, but the cold and freezing body parts must have been memorable. I can definately relate having had experiences in such cold weather, more so when I was a teenager out skidooing with friends . The thawing out process can even be more painful. Aww memories. Kimberly, just in case you didn't see, the zellers coupon isn't good on sale items any more. They have retracted the offer and I didn't want you to go all the way there and find out. There has been a big stink about it online. Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteJody
I loved reading this! What an adventure!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year :-)
This Texas girl has never experienced any of this...so I loved reading about it. It was in the high 60's here yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't think you are a wimp..in my book you are very adventurous.
Happy New Year
Oh my! I don't do well in cold temperatures, so I think you are amazing to take this trip at all. It's too bad you weren't able to take pictures, but how great that you did get to see them at least! I bet it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours!
Now that sounds like fun, even though I don't like the cold either. Pretty wimpy for a Canadian gal, eh!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure, when the temps hit 30 I start wimpingout so I think you did well. Sounds like you were rewarded with beautiful sights. Hope its a blessed New Year for you and your family
ReplyDeleteWOW!! What an adventure! And if that is being a wimp, I wonder what I would be??! haha
ReplyDeleteMay your new year be full of His richest blessings!
HUGS, Debbie
I do hope some day to see the Aurora. It has always been a lifelong dream. Not to mention a dog sled. I have been a fan of dog sledding ever since I read White Fang when I was a kid. I am a big fan of the Itiarod every year. I hope someday to see that too.
ReplyDeleteI wish you the same and have a lovely weekend.
What a memoriable Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteNot very many of us can say we took a dog sled to a remote cabin to see the Auraora Borealis!
Happy Anniversary and
Happy New Year!
Such a change in a year!...and what a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! What a start to 2011. I'd never have guessed it. My husband and I are both cringing at the thought of such cold and no fire at the end of your journey through the night. Wimps. Both of us. Not something I would ever aspire to so thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's the only way we'd ever know!
ReplyDeleteMy piggies are frozen just looking at the pictures! What an adventurous duo you are. It has been great fun getting to know you in 2011. Happy New Year to you, too! Patty
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience! Now I see why you live in a cabin! You need to share more of your experiences in ? Alaska?
ReplyDeleteIts so cold up here and looking at you dressed so warm I lost my feeling in my toes just thinking about it.....but what a sight of Gods Beauty......worth every cold second......Have a blessed New Years!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, Oh how can I thank you enough for this post-you've covered two things on my bucket list-one is to go dog sledding and the other to see the northern lights. What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary-even if it was cold. So glad your hubby is such a thoughtful man.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Noreen
I was just sharing your post with my DH...he says you guys just aren't right! lol!!!! Beautiful pics and looks like fun to me, in our home I am the tough one!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip! That last photo is just stunning...wow!! I think I'll just stay in the warmth of my home and view the Northern Lights online! LOL! What can I say...I'm a wimp! I think you are very brave and adventurous!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
What an amazing place to live and such a beautiful Aurora Borealis photo, Kimberly! My oldest brother lived in Alaska for a few years many years ago and he still talks about the beauty of the night sky there all the time.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a very Happy & Healthy New Year!
Hi Kim! Wow, now that's an adventure. Hope your little tootsies got warmed up and what a sight! just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I've gotten to know you this year in Blogland and I'm looking to more blogging with you in 2012!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI loved your story, I froze my toes more times than I can count while growing up near Prince George, BC. We had the pleasure of seeing the Aurora Borealis many times while living there. They are MAGICAL! Something only a great and mighty God could create!
Hugs, Cindy