The winds howled all night and were still strong this morning so no helicopter rides. Instead we braved the elements to go dog sledding. Even though it is snowing and there is a little snow accumulated the sled was on wheels. The driver thought this was okay as he starts this time of year to build up the dogs’ muscle. He competes each year in the Hudson Bay dog sled race. This is an endurance test covering 400 kms. He won last year with a time around 30 hours. They go half way, rest for 6 hours and then finish the last half.

Apparently the weather we have experienced is fairly normal for this time of year except there has been more moisture. The ED of the Centre has been here 11 years and this is the wettest he has seen it. Th swayed accumulates on top of the ground as it cannot drain down through the permafrost. This should all freeze in a couple of weeks as the temperature drops.

The wind is from the north west and at high tide blows foam onto the beach road. Some guys drive their trucks through the foam, coating the trucks. Mike, the ED and tour guide says the truck will smell of sea weed and really stink for some time after this. Apparently if you are going to do this it is suggested you use someone else’s truck! A surprise when they get in it again. People will often leave their vehicles open with the keys in as theft is not an issue – there are no roads into or out of Churchill.

Today’s pictures are from the dog sledding, a visit to the Parks Canada facility which has displays of the PB dens and some of the animals we didn’t see, a outside tour of the Centre. The former rocket base had 5 different launch pads which are still there. There was also a series of “tunnels” (really culverts) for the staff to go between the pads, assembly, storage and control centre.