Temperature: -10 °F/ -23 °C
Wind: Light breeze
Cloud Cover: Clear skies all day

Oh, to rest our weary bones! It was a sleepy day at base camp, as we took our time getting up this morning. Sunlight shone brightly through the big plate-glass windows into the living room and a fresh pot of coffee sat steaming on the kitchen counter. We are back among people again. Late into the evening last night we could hear snowmobiles on the road outside our door. Young visitors stopped by this morning to help Simon with his sled runners and visit Lukie in the dog yard.

Qikiqtarjuaq , formerly known as Broughton Island, is a small town of approximately 500 people. From the rise above the village, one can see from one end of town to the other, with the white back drop of sea ice and mountains behind. Although its Inuktitut name means 'big island', Qikiqtarjuaq is only about 12 miles long and 8 miles wide. Known as the iceberg capital of the world, the northern cape of the island, near town, captures summer icebergs as they travel down Davis Strait from Greenland. The entire area is rich in marine mammal life including ring and harp seal, walrus, polar bear, bowhead whale, right whale, narwhal and orca.

While Inuit had lived in the surrounding area for centuries, Qikiqtarjuaq itself did not become a permanent settlement until 1953 with the establishment of the DEW Line System . The Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line began on 15 February 1954 when President Eisenhower signed the bill approving the construction. It was designed and built during the "Cold War" as the primary line of air defense warning of "Over the Pole" invasion of the North American Continent. Many tons of supplies and equipment were moved to the Arctic by air, sea, and river barge. The DEW Line remained in operation for more than 30 years following its construction.

We are here until Friday and already have a full schedule of events for the week. The day begins early tomorrow with a school presentation at 9:30 a.m. We are looking forward to meeting the people of this remote island village and hearing their stories from the land.

Much rested,
Abby