Beluga whales in Churchill, MB!

So I made my first trip to Churchill from Gillam a couple of days ago. I had been looking forward to this since getting the job. The train ride up was really neat itself. The thick Boreal slowly transformed into tundra shrub and webs of muskeg seperated by ponds and lakes. There were ducklings and goslings along the way marking the first time I had seen Canada Goose goslings in the wild.

The photos were all taken at a beach close to the hotel we stayed in. I found a crack in the rocks with a width that held my phone securely (albeit on an angle) for a self portrait by "atlantic" waters.

The vertical pano was taken on the rocks along the shore where I hopped, ignorant of the sign I later discovered warning people that polar bears often nestle in between the rocks. Just another tourist.

The large stucture is the grain elevator we deliver to. I wasn't feeling well this trip so I didn't get to see as much as I wanted. I am looking forward to the next time I get here.

And the video. The narration says it all. I was actually just walking to the beach hoping I might see a glimps of a Beluga. I had no idea they would be so numerous or active. I was leaving a voice message for my mom when mid-sentence I noticed them from the road. Definately one of the most memorable experiences so far.

No polar bear sightings. I hope I do get to see one this year (from a safe distance, of course). They are around, though. As we departed Churchill, we saw a conservation truck on the road pulling a bear trap behind it. No doubt setting up to catch a problem bear to put behind (temporary) bars in Polar Bear Prison.

Bye for now!

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Gillam

So here I am in Gillam. Very small town owned almost entirely by Manitoba Hydro. The video is of a dam wide open. This one of many dams in the area that produce alot of energy. I am told much of it is sent to the states.

The ride up to Gillam from the Pas went a lot quicker than I thought it would. I caught a ride with another trainee named Adam (seen momentarily at the end of the video). We stopped for a quick bite in Thompson before taking the only road - a 294km gravel road - to Gillam. Many flats have been reported. Aside from a few surprise bumps, it was a fairly smooth trip.

We found the bunkhouse, pictured above, without too much searching, despite being in fairly well hidden by trees and located in the outskirts of town. My room is bigger, has a softer bed, thicker pillows, a closet and a desk with drawers. So far so good.

The next picture is the Gillam train station where we take the trains either south to Thompson or north to Churchill. There is a Via passenger train that passes through here and I've already trained on it.

Someone got internet here and are kind enough to let my phone on it. I am going to Churchill for the first time on late Monday night or early Tuesday morning which I am really excited about. There will most certainly be updates following that trip.

Until then!

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Flin Flon

The first picture is what appears to be weed or hemp being grown in a garden outside the Chicken Chef restaurant. I wont eat their chicken but people say it's good and I think I've stumbled upon their secret recipe. Note the finger in the photograph. Yes, I once worked as a photographer.

The second picture is a memorial erected to honor those from FlinFlon who gave their lives during WWII. The neat thing is, it's built on top of a mine turned bomb shelter. I was hoping I could go inside but it's locked up.

The pictures of steps is somewhat of an attraction. The steps lead from the bomb shelter's entrance to the memorial on top. The picture of the door is the entrance to the mine. Only a 2x4 is nailed accross door to keep it closed. It would be tempting to come one night with a claw hammer and take a peek inside. I probably won't be comimg back here so that idea is out the window. That I am too chicken to do someting like that.

So that's all that I have to report. Not much has transpired over the past couple of weeks. Two things I hope to get pictures of: a man in the Pas who rescued a crow fledgling and bonded with it and Lady Slippers - dozens of them along the track to the paper mill. There are yellow ones along with the normal pinkish ones which I found interesting.

Good night, internet.

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The Nickel City

So it has been a while since I've last updated. I was in a hotel in Thompson MB that didnt have the best internet connection. Also, the video above displays another short coming of the hotel. That, believe it or not, is full pressure from both hot and cold. I neglected to take further video evidence, but the sink faucets would spew bits of solid black chunks. I was on the very end of the line and was getting all the builup in the pipes. At least that is my hope.

My time in Thompson was enjoyable. We had long days doing train stuff. I couldn't ask for a better couple of guys to train under. Both the engineer and the conductor (pictured above in a restaurant at the hotel) were super helpful and always in good spirits. The last day we were there, we worked 16 hours straight then got a cab home at midnightish and back in the Pas 5amish. I was so happy to lie down after being awake for nearly 24 hours.

Also pictured - one of many very cool rocks that were strewn about as ballast by the tracks. Thompson is a mineral rich region with gold, nickel, iron and traces of platnium mined frequently. I am told that the glitter in this particular rock is Mica.

Not pictured: my new magic bullet to make being a healthy vegan easier and a knew knife as the ones in the bunk house are about as sharp as spoons.

Lastly - a picture of me enjoying a Pas sunset.

That's all for now.

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Not much happens on the days off

Not much to report but did get to meet some puppies today. Meet Bob's extended family pictured above. Victorian style bull dogs. The one eating is dad, the other is mom. The pups are only about a week old. The guy holding the pup is Lyle (the cat care taker). Bob's wife wanted to drop by the bunk house to show them off. Super cute things.

Aside from the puppy invasion, it was a pretty lazy day. Worked out, did some grocery shopping and watched way too much TV. Went out last night just for something to do. That's the gang I've been hanging out with mostly. From the left, that's Jamie, Travis, myself and Jordan. The next picture is of them by the southern welcome sign for The Pas.

That's all folks!

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Why is this happening?

Nothing like a little snow in June to make a guy ask, why is it snowing in June?

I am sitting in what I've told is the only espresso bar in the Pas. I haven't had an Americano since a day before leaving BC. The coffee is really good - although, I'm not much of a connoiseur.

I have the weekend off which is nice but I'd almost prefer to be working to keep myself in the groove. I don't really feel like getting accustomed to time off. It will be nice to get to the gym, though. I haven't been since Tuesday.

So far I am really enjoying the work. Most of the guys are super helpful and pleasent to be around. I will be going up to Thompson on Tuesday which I am excited about. Not much else to report. Missing everyone. <3

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Flin Flon

The train ride to Flin Flon is gorgeous. I have never seen so many lakes in succession as I have today. The bits of land we travelled on were just like small bridges between lakes. Beautiful. This gave me the opportunity to use my video camera which takes surprisingly high quality video.

The conductor and engineer on this trip were great. Helpful and cheerful at every turn. I felt like I really learned a lot today. The trip lasted about 8 hours in total with a few switches along the way. Plus paper work at the end of the shift made for an 11.5 hour day. Nice long days weeks ahead of the grain run. Can't wait for my first pay.

Enjoy the video and I'll update again soon.

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