last hurrah

Well today was the last outting for the snowmobile before I let it go. My friend Paul Mooney and I took a trip up the Soper River valley.(part of the same route to Iqaluit that I took last weekend) The weather was mild, but we had hoped for a little more sun to give some contrast for pictures. We had originally only planned to go about 25 km up the valley and stop at 'the willows', but we got there in good time and had enough gas, so we decided to go another 14km or so to Cabin #7, the group cabin, of the chain of cabins between Kimmirut and Iqaluit. We got there about 11:45, and had lunch in the cabin. I had brought along my little Peak 1 stove, so we had some hot soup and tea. We looked at the gas gauge and thought we could go a little further before we had to head back. Well we ended up going all the way to Mount Joy, which is about almost half way to Iqaluit, and where the trail climbs out of the valley to cross the high plateau. We spent some time taking pictures at a 'miniature glacier', where a waterfall was completely frozen over. Actually, these valleys were once completely filled with glaciers and there are morains and eskers all around. After climbing out of the valley along the trail for a short time, and taking some pictures we headed for home, with a little less than a half tank of gas according to the gas gauge. We made a few other stops on the way back, and after we passed another snowmobile with a komatick and extra gas, I felt a little more comfortable. We made it back with no problems and gas to spare. It was a wonderful day and now I feel I can give up the machine with no regrets. The next two weeks are short weeks because of Easter,and there is the hint of warmer weather in the air. Life is good.