Northern lights and rainbows

I have seen the northern lights a few times and they can be pretty spectacular. I finally had an opportunity to capture them on film. The problem is I dont have a tripod. There's a guy here who has a Canon Rebel so he let me use it as the camera on my phone cant be manipulated to drag the shutter. In anycase, there are some pics outside the bunkhouse in Gillam. As soon as I get my package from Lin I will be sure to take pictures without so much motion as she is including a little baby tripod. Thanks Lin :-) For now these will have to do as I am pretty excited.

As for the video - it was one of the most vibrant rainbows I had ever seen. It was almost a double rainbow all the way. I still dont know what it means. Sorry about the awful sound. Rainbows must be shared.

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Qualified! Also: Some things.

So I am a qualified conductor with the HBR and so far, aside from missing a few creature comforts and not having my loved ones around, it's been a really positive experience. Here are a collection of pictures and videos I've managed to take. Enjoy!

The first 3 are of the tundra approaching Churchill. It will be interesting to see all this covered in snow come October if I am here that long.

Sunsets are gorgeous here. Some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Pictures dont do it justice but there they are anyway.

Enjoy the videos. More soon!

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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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Meet Arggee.

I met a man here in The Pas by the name of Lyle. He's from BC as well. I noticed one day that he came back from getting a few groceries and included in the stack was about 10 cans of cat food. Of course I had to ask.

There was a pregnant mom cat that found her way to the locomotive shop. She gave birth to some kittens and Arggee was in the bunch. Argee grew into a tom and started spraying on everything and became unpopular with some of the guys and was booted around. Lyle took it upon himself to catch and neuter Argee. Since then he's been knowm as Lyle's cat and everyone leaves him alone. He has his own eating station, filled with water and several choices of cat food. Lyle really loves him and sort of talks to the cat like a certain mother of mine. That takes a certain amount of bravery with this crowd.

Lyle wss telling me that wasn't his first rescue. Just this past winter he was driving, early in the morning to get some coffee. On the way back on this 40 below winter morning, he looked in his rearview and saw a puppy chasing along behind him on the pavement. He parked at the bunkhouse which is only a few blocks from the coffee shop and the dog immediately went to him for comfort. He said that it was so cold he only kept two paws on the ground at once and was shaking like a leaf. Lyle took him in and kept him in his room and rode around with him in his work truck. He was starting to get attached to the dog and vice versa. He knew he couldn't take on an animal but as luck would have it, some other worker that Lyle became good friends with wanted a pup so the little guy found a good home with lots of land. Great stuff. Anyway, thats all for now! Enjoy Argee.

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Train time.

Finished rules class so I am now officially certified with the Hudson Bay Railroad. My first job is taking a train from the yard here in The Pas (train 291) to a place called Pukatawagan which is about a 10hr train ride to the north.

I did find a gym and have gone a couple times already. Great gym which is pictured above. Very few people use it so when we go, we have it all to ourselves. Two guys in my train class like working out and it's nice to have company.

That's basically it for now. Just wanted to show off my rules cards and gym pictures. Hoping for a more interesting post tomorrow when I go to the diesel shop with Lyle.

Bye for now :-)

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Almost a conductor

Today I received some shiney new gear for when I will be on the trains. In the picture you see switch keys, high visibility vest, safety glasses, a new lantern and a brand new radio. Along with the new boots and overalls I bought before I left, the old hats should have no problem picking the new guy out of a line up.

Classes have been going well. I haven't received less than 90% on any of our tests which are fairly easy considering they are open book. I should get 100% each time but that instructor makes a really tricky exam. He freely admits that one must be a skilled wordsmith to ace one of his exams.

Final exam is tomorrow and once passed, I will be CROR qualified with HBR, conversant in its special special insructions and general operating rules. Then it's time to take the real test - not screwing up. Of course it's bound to happen. The sooner I get it over with, the better. Excited about getting comfortable and out of probation :-)

I met a real character (one of many) who is from Liverpool. A self proclaimed "fat bastard" who made a very hilarious effort to bestow upon me the physical laws of "fat bastard dynamics 101" and how they prevent him from using tiny bathrooms in locomotives because, apparently there's not enough pork fat and shoe horns to accomodate his girth (his words). One of the funniest monolougs I've ever heard and coupled with a trainee vomiting he's laughing so hard (seriously, and there was no alcohol involed), one of the funniest moments of my life. If only I had it on video. It felt so good to be keeled over in uncontrollable laughter.

Aside from being asked (several times now) if I was vegetarian, things have been quite smooth. Look for another update tomorrow and bye for now. :-)

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new phone and more rules.

So today was much like yesterday. Did some more classroom work. We had our first test today and I got 95% on it which I am pretty happy with. Another test tomorrow so I'll be spending an hour or so preparing for that.

After school today I went to the MTS store and got a pre-paid cell phone. I am going to need one, much to my dismay. I was told by Telus that they had an agreement with MTS so a Telus customer could use MTS towers. So why no signal? Well, according to the MTS lady, the agreement was signed but has yet to be implimented. When? Well that depends.... She says maybe 2 days or maybe 2 months. Ok swell.

So I have a new phone. I will still use this one for internet stuff and calling on Skype (Bronwyn, get Skype, it's free!)

I am getting to know people more and more and they all seem like nice guys. People from everywhere. Liverpool, Portugal, Somalia, US and nearly every Province.

I keep meaning to mention the sunrise and set times. The sun is up at about 4:30 and sets at about 10:00pm! By the end of June, the sunset will be at 10:30 and when I get further north, there's only going to be about 3-4hrs of darkness each day! Neat.

Thats a picture of my new, pay-as-you-go $27 phone :-)

Bye for now.

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First day of rules class.

Today was the first day of rules class. Met more of the guys I'll be training with and everyone seems pretty normal, thank goodness.

Not much to report. My eyeballs rolled back into my head more than once, but I managed to stay awake for the whole day with the help of some fresh air every couple of hours or so.

So yesterday it was 25°C and today it's close to 0°C with flurries. Neat.

Everything is closed as it is Victoria day. I wanted to get some soup or wraps but I guess it's beans and srawberries again for me.

Saw an interesting warning today at the Super 8 where class was held. I find it amusing this was a problem big enough to order a sign for. See attached photo. Bye for now.

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Eating food in The Pas

Today I went looking for a grocery store. If you lookup grocery in Google Maps for The Pas, Extra Foods will pop up. It was only 650 meters from the bunk house so I started walking with the directions Google Maps gave me. I came to a bog at the end of a neighbourhood street.

I decided to start exploring the down-town portion of the Pas for some vegetarian options. I walked for about 25 mins and finally saw an Extra Foods.

I got a few things that make for a generally happy and somewhat healthy Nathan, but it got me thinking. In little towns like this, with out big "everything" supermarkets, it would be very difficult to eat vegan. The other "grocery" store was an elaborate convinience store that specialized in chips, pop, meat and dairy; it was an IGA. Oh well, before I head to Gillam, I will stock up on veggie soups and stews, beans, nuts and dried fruit.

Pictures! I cant figure out how to rotate pictures so just turn your head. Bye for now.

Part one: Bunk-housing and CROR.

Yesterday I left for Winnipeg Manitoba en route to The Pas, where I will be training as a train conductor for the Hudson Bay Railway.

I almost missed my flight, I got upgraded to a suite with a king sized bed at the Hilton in Winnipeg, got to use my TRX away from home for the first time and had a 10 hour bus ride on the bus with the smelliest bathroom of all time.

Finally in the bunk house at the Pas. Rules class starts Monday  morning so I have all day tomorrow to get refreshed and maybe find a phone that gets a Rogers signal.

First picture is the my room in the bunk house, second is the HBR office and 3rd is the outside of the bunk house (yes Mom, I checked for bed bugs).

Until next time!