WELCOME TO THE SPECTACULAR NORTHWEST TERRITORIES!

Alberta is put on hold for a couple of days while I travel about the Northwest Territories.   Loaded up the bike and went back to the room to do a final check and fill up my water bottle.  In doing so, I couldn't help but observe the irony of the "We can make a difference....Room to be green" sign, encouraging us to re-use towels,  sitting beside the plastic water cups, wrapped in plastic!   Umm....maybe re-usable glasses......?

Today was a very pleasant ride from High Level, AB to Hay River, NT with minimal traffic and a good road.  I didn’t stop much for photos and just enjoyed the ride.  The weather was perfect for riding – 20 degrees, overcast and no wind.  I did stop a couple of times for photos and the horse flies and mosquitoes immediately swarmed about the bike and my helmet!  I kept my visor firmly shut to make sure none of them got inside.  The landscape along the highway was flat and vibrant green with trees and grassy ditches.  Every once in awhile, a pretty river or boggy marsh would appear to delight the eyes.  I saw one lone black bear, but none of the bison I have been told are all over the road.  I have no doubt I will see that before I leave, though.  

Reaching the border, I braved the horse flies and mosquitoes to take a picture with the 60th Parallel sign.  Now, I have been north of 60 already by travelling into the Yukon, but they didn’t have a big cool sign that made me feel special for doing it!  I stopped at the Visitor’s Centre which is attended by two friendly young people.  I could have even got a certificate to prove I was at the 60th parallel, but I figured the photo would do.  They have some amazing wildlife displays and local arts in addition to their maps and information.  I succumbed to the temptation of ice cream and black cherry pop and decided to take a break.  When I got ready to leave, I could not find my phone.  Anywhere.  “Impossible,” I thought.  I had taken photos with it minutes before.  Searched high and low, checked all my pockets and little purse about 5 times each, and searched the bike.  Nothing.  All I could think of was maybe the couple that had been there at the same time had picked it up from the table by mistake, thinking it was theirs.  So, I left a card with the employees with the name of the hotel and headed out to ride the last hour and a half to Hay River. Intent on not letting the incident ruin my day, I stopped at Alexandra Falls just up the road from the border.  It’s a very cool waterfall through a deep gorge.  I was disappointed that I was unable to take a picture without my phone, but hung out for a bit watching the water crash over the edge and froth up in steamy mist at the bottom. 

Louise Falls was a little further up the road, but I thought I would stop on my way back out at that one, hoping Hay River would resolve the problem of not having a camera.  Spent the next hour to Enterprise thinking about what action I should take if my phone should not be found.  Stopped in Enterprise for gas, as there’s not much other reason to stop there, and continued on to Hay River.  My first stop was at the Visitor Centre to find out where my hotel would be.  I got off the bike and was greeted by Peter, a local gentleman who welcomed me to Hay River.  As I was entering, the couple I had seen at the visitor centre pulled in behind me!  I asked them about my phone and they said they had not picked it up by accident and graciously offered to call it and see if I could hear it.  Figured it was worth a try, even though I knew the ringer was on vibrate.  No luck.  Well, phooey.  I went into the visitor centre and was again welcomed by the friendly staff there, who directed me to my hotel.  

Upon checking in,  I went straight to the room to de-gear.  The day had warmed up considerably by the time I arrived at the visitor’s centre and I was darn good and warm when I arrived in hay River.   Bent down top pull up the leg of my riding pants to undo my boots and felt a rectangular lump on the inside leg……   Instead of putting my phone into the zippered pocket of my riding pants, I had put it into the zippered vent of my riding pants right above the pocket!  It had slid down the lining to my foot and I never felt it with my boots on!  Relief flooded through me and my ride finished on a positive note after all.   

Once settled, I changed my clothes and threw on my runners for a walk about the town.  Hay River is small, but has everything one needs.  Still in search of a cheap pair of flip flops, I stopped in at the North Mart.  They had exactly what I needed and more.  Chatted with Wendy and Anita, who had suggestions on what I should see while I am here and also on where to go for dinner.  Leaving the North Mart, I strolled up and down street for a few blocks and found the Town Hall and a neat Inukshuk by the fire hall.  In that short space, there was also a picturesque church and a couple of very colourful schools – loved them!   Heading back the other direction, I stopped at the dollar store in search of a Northwest Territories flag sticker for my bike.  I didn't find one, but did find some rabbit pelts - not your everyday item in your everyday dollar store!

My tummy beginning to whine about its neglect since ice cream and black cherry pop, I headed over to the Back Eddy, recommended by Wendy.  They have a great menu – something for everyone – and I had a hard time deciding.  Until I saw the whitefish.  I thought since I can’t go to Whitehorse without having arctic char, I should try the local fish in Hay River.  The server was a pretty, friendly girl who assured me it was good stuff.  When she brought it out, she said it had been swimming this morning – can’t get more freshly caught than that.  It was delicious, with a very mild flavour and thoroughly wonderful texture.   Nicer than halibut, I thought.  I had just begun my meal when Annette came in and sat a ways down the bar from me.  It wasn’t long before we were chatting away and I felt like I had stepped into my neighbourhood bar and been made completely at home.  Annette filled me in on the sights and secrets of adventures to have in the area and now I will have to pick and choose what I accomplish tomorrow!  Being like-minded, we talked of all kinds of things from children, and even to politics (since we have pretty similar ideas), patting ourselves on the back for being so smart.  😊

Can’t wait to head out on some explorations tomorrow!  Are you coming along for the ride?