Arctic Cotton
Wandering around Clyde River today I could not help but noticed the large amount of "arctic cotton" (Eriophorum). I'd seen photos of these plants and heard people talk about them, but seeing them in-person was far more mesmerizing. They grow up out of the ground and have a stunningly white, cotton-like puffball on the top of stem. The puffball "points" downwind and appears to stay that way even after the wind dies away - kinda cool to see. They are very prolific in Clyde River and I'd be willing to bet that I'll see plenty more along my trek. See picture below.
Today I made the rounds around town and visited the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and the Hamlet office to give them my emergency contact info, discuss my plans and route, and get the telephone numbers. All seemed to grasp the idea of why a person would want to travel through this country and that helped to removeany lingering doubts - very minimal at thispoint. Today I'll also pickup some fuel (Naptha/White Gas) for my stove and transfer it to fuel bottles and a jerrycan for the journey that I start tomorrow. A gallon of the fuel up here costs $7.84 / gallon and I'll be buying two gallons. Although twice the cost of the same in the U.S., it is still affordable. There was news that a pod of Narwhal were in the bay last night about 10:30. I was already asleep, but definitely would have been up to see this amazing site. It is my hope to see more narwhal and other marine mammal life when we boat up the inlet tomorrow. - with the exception of polar bear, of course. I have no desire to see a single one along the journey. Hope you are all well. All my best,jim
[Photo credit: Jim Paulson - ArcticScape Adventures]
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"Never stop because you are afraid - you are never so likely to be wrong." - Fridtjof Nansen
