Last night I rolled out two sleeping bags, once recently purchased, hoping that things would a little warmer. One sleeping bag was alright, but I would wake up chilly. With two sleeping bags, one being used as a liner, camping is pleasant. I have camped out the last three nights as my previous housesitting gig ended -with a bang but that's another story. Last night was special because a thick fog had blown over Iqaluit by the time I headed out to the parc with bag and fishing rod. I took a few photos along the way, mainly of these big stone sculptures around town. The sculpture that stood out to me was of an Inuit couple walking with their hands held together. It isn't clear whether they are worried or in a hurry, but the looks in their face suited the foggy weather.
When I got to Sylvia Grinnel parc I cut across the flat stretches of Tundra which lie ahead of the ridges behind which flows the river rather then take the gravel road. Cutting through the Tundra was not made easy by streams, ponds, muddy patches, all invisible from the road. On my way up the ridge I saw two girls climbing boulders at the top. One of them screamed and ran down the pebble pathway-the other stayed- and said to me, as she passed, "Loose Dogs". I stood still. Lo and behold, Huskies were afoot, they seemed friendly, at least the girl up top thought this. When I reached the top the owner had leashed the dogs concerned as she was with the scream. We exchanged pleasantries, I went my way and found a suitable spot to camp, it also sloped. It would have had a nice view if not for the fog.
Once settled in I read read Miriam Toews The Flying Troutmans till it was too dim, now I write till I can't see.
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I can't see as I write. Its taking time to Fall asleep even though quite warm from the sleeping bags. I also wore the down vest my mother handed to me as I walked out the door in Toronto. The crumbs, an entire cookie's worth, came from an open pocket.There is something odd about human nature because I decided i could bear with the crumbs until morning, I didn't want to get out of the bags. Later, I compromised, I would make the effort but I would stay in the bag. In this way I learned to be an acrobat.