On to the Town of Churchill
Churchill. We have arrived! |
After two nights on the Tundra Lodge, we took an hour Polar Rover ride to the Polar Rover Launch site where we were met by two smaller busses that would transport us for the next three days (two nights) of activities.
We had a couple of sightseeing stops before heading out to a dogsled demonstration and ride. The dogsled dogs were more excited than we were. There were also four ten-week-old pups learning the ropes. This was the highlight of the day and we got a ride on the training sled (not enough snow yet for the real sled).
Becky playing with a ten-week-old dogsled pup. |
The four companions, Larry, Tom, Doris, and Becky, |
We're off! Racing around the tundra! |
Another group on their way back. |
After dogsledding, we stopped by the outside of "Polar Bear Jail" to learn about the management of polar bears around the town of Churchill. There is a careful watch out for bears in zones around Churchill. If a bear approaches the zone, they are "encouraged" to move on around the zone via, trucks, blanks in shotguns, and even helicopters. If the bear doesn't get the hint, they are captured and sent to Polar Bear Jail. Depending on the bear, they are kept in the jail for around 30 days with no food or water (bears don't need to drink and don't eat before they move onto the ice, so this is not cruel). When released from jail, they get a free helicopter ride north of the town and they are on their way.
Polar Bear Jail. There are currently seven bears in the jail. |
We spent two nights in Churchill at the Seaport Hotel with dinner and evening programs.
Main street Churchill. Population, 899 (in 2016). |
The Seaport Hotel. Our hotel for the last two nights in Churchill. |
The second day in Churchill, we went back out on the Polar Rovers for another full day of tundra adventure. In the evening, we went to a presentation on how polar bear tourism started in Churchill.
Back in the rovers and out on the tundra |
We spot a fox out on the tundra looking for eats. |
Another bear lying comfortably with its head on a rock. |
"It's hot out here but I have to make it further north. |
"Y'all looking at me? I know I am good looking." |
This woman and her husband unknowingly started the whole polar bear tourism in Churchill in the 1980's. |
The next morning was some more exploration of Churchill before our flight back to Winnipeg.
Another talk from the unofficial Churchill town historian. |
Our last day in Churchill was 17 degrees Fahrenheit, |
Becky, Doris, and Larry in the Churchill museum. |
Churchill struggles to survive and is further challenged by the train tracks
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Time to head back to Winnipeg. It has been a great adventure! |
After getting back to Winnipeg, we had our farewell dinner. It was a very exciting adventure that we all enjoyed very much. We spent another relaxing day in Winnipeg before an early start the following day heading home.
We will miss the bears. I hope they have a wonderful season out on the ice and fill themselves up!
Back to - 2018 Polar Bear Adventure, part 1