It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that it is impossible to get anything done in Yellowknife in July.
The last few weekends have been a case in point. A couple of Saturdays ago, I went down to Weaver and Devore, the local bush store, to check out its 75th anniversary celebrations. Before I knew it, I'd made arrangements to attend the Ice Pilots Jamboree that evening down at the Max Ward dock, part of the biannual Float Plane Fly-In. I had a great time at the jamboree. One thing led to another, and I booked a seat on a Buffalo Airways sight-seeing tour of Yellowknife the following day. Who could pass up a chance for a flight on a vintage DC-3? Before that, though, I was up early to attend the Bush Pilot Memorial fly past, up on Bush Pilots Monument. Had to skip the lunch barbecue, because there just wasn't enough time.
The big event this past weekend was the Old Town Ramble and Ride, an annual event celebrating arts and the Old Town. Saturday morning I gleefully added to my bank of "Yellowknife scenics" during a photo tour of Willow Flats and the Woodyard, led by photog extraordinaire Fran Hurcomb. I got most of the way through Wayne Guy's afternoon architecture walk before the rain put an end to the day's excursions. The rain kept me in the house for the next couple of days . . . I really didn't know what to do with myself. Mercifully, the clouds cleared late yesterday, so I got my kayak in the water for a paddle around Latham Island.
No wonder I'm not getting any writing done. Ah well, August is here and things will slow down . . . until September.
Photos clockwise, starting top left: "Buffalo Joe" McBryan receiving a model of his vintage Norseman float plane at the Ice Pilots Jamboree; the crowds checking out Max Ward's Single Otter; scenic truck and shack in the Woodyard; yet another scenic shack in the Woodyard; Buffalo Airways hangar; float planes gathering on Back Bay for the Bush Pilots Memorial fly past; the Weaver and Devore bush store; NWT Pipe Band playing at the Bush Pilots Memorial; Rick and the Relics' farewell gig at the Ice Pilots Jamboree; "Reserved for Max Ward" sign at the dock.
