A Year in the North

It occurred to me the other day that we have now spent just over a year in Northern Canada - 13 months to be exact.  It's been a year of challenges, amazing memories, and lots of personal growth.

Looking back, I don't think either of us could have predicted the experiences we would have. 

I remember...

Walking together at 1:00am by frozen Frame Lake and the government buildings in Yellowknife, while watching curtains of green and blue auroral lights dancing and pulsing across the sky.

Winterizing our sports car (including chains at one point), and the many laughs we received from locals.

Being referred to as a "Southerner".

Cooking Colombian food in our thermal underwear, while it's -45C outside.  Using a hairdryer to melt the 2-inch thick layer of ice that formed on the inside of our windows.

Traveling 6 degrees above the arctic circle and finding an igloo church.

Braving the ice bridges of the north and visiting First Nations communities.  We now know that it's safer to drive the ice bridges without wearing seat belts, just in case you have to bail.

Learning how to knit (scarves, socks, and most recently a sweater).

Discovering that Northern Canada is a true wilderness.  Seeing moose, bison, bear or beavers firsthand is now not such an unusual thing.

Snow in June.

Soaking in the hidden hot springs of Northern BC.

Prepping myself to appear in local newspapers, radio stations, and even TV.

Welcoming a new puppy, and later a new kitten into our family.

And finally, I remember feeling so proud of Janier when he was accepted into the pre-med program in Fort St John, starting this fall.  One more step on the way to becoming a doctor.

One year has passed of memories, laughter, and growth.  I couldn't have asked for anything greater.