15°

[orthodoc]

I like radiant heat inside when it's cold outside. That's one thing I dislike about apartment living - no woodstove.

In Moosonee the winters were -40 and summers were 95 F. People liked the winter far more. BUT - we had indoor toilets! Outdoor toilets, NOOO!!!

Of course, the local Cree people went camping in winter with no complaint. So really, I am a wuss.

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

In Moosonee ...

OK, you might as well have lived in Baffin Bay. Even if it was the southern end of Hudson Bay (James)

What on earth made you leave there and, more importantly, how did you manage that?

[orthodoc]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

OK, you might as well have lived in Baffin Bay. Even if it was the southern end of Hudson Bay (James)

What on earth made you leave there and, more importantly, how did you manage that?

Why did I leave? I went south for a planned C-section (long story). And it really wasn't a feasible long-term situation. Not quite sure what you mean about managing - do you mean leaving, or arranging to live there in the first place?

I'm impressed you located the place. You're about the first person south of Timmins, Ontario, who's managed that.

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

Why did I leave? I went south for a planned C-section (long story). And it really wasn't a feasible long-term situation. Not quite sure what you mean about managing - do you mean leaving, or arranging to live there in the first place?

I'm impressed you located the place. You're about the first person south of Timmins, Ontario, who's managed that.

I guess I was being facetious in asking why would you leave? I assumed you were raised there and that led me to wonder how one could escape from a place as rural as that. I can only begin to imagine how many otter pelts it would take to come up with not only trainfare from the hinterlands but also a couch to crash on while you found a job.

I sense a fascinating, if chilly, story.

oh and you should be impressed; I can highlight, rightclick, and search google with the best of them.

[orthodoc]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I assumed you were raised there and that led me to wonder how one could escape from a place as rural as that. I can only begin to imagine how many otter pelts it would take to come up with not only trainfare from the hinterlands but also a couch to crash on while you found a job.

I sense a fascinating, if chilly, story.

Neither fascinating nor romantic; I am no female Nanook of the North. Born in Sudbury, grew up in Ottawa; spent a year in Moosonee in payback to the government for a year's worth of loans during medical school. We had a choice of small northern towns but decided to pass on the CNR and Kimberley-Clark ghost towns along Lake Superior's north shore and go somewhere 'interesting'.

It was definitely interesting but not sustainable. A good experience for a year, though. Oh, and the Polar Bear Express (I kid you not, that's the name of the train that comes in three times a week) isn't the only way out. Seven-seater bush planes flew to Timmins regularly, and the 'big plane', the 47-seater, went once a week. The big plane was the only one that ever crashed.

Eta there were no roads in.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

<snip>
It was definitely interesting but not sustainable. A good experience for a year, though.
Oh, and the Polar Bear Express (I kid you not, that's the name of the train
that comes in three times a week) isn't the only way out.
<snip>

One of the most interesting (to me) TV programs on PBS
several years ago was about the 200 mile train ride north to Moosonee.

At the start, passengers were self-occupied with reading, sleeping, etc.
But as the journey lengthened, conversations between passengers began as you would expect.
The surprising thing was that gradually, the sound of one conversationwas overlaid with another.
It amazed to me that it was possible to follow the simultaneous conversations with no real trouble.
Then, even a third conversation was added to the mix.
This took some getting used to, but after a few minutes, it was again possible to follow all three conversations.
Granted, the topics were what you would expect among strangers, but the program was memorable.

The main line story after the train arrived in Moosonee
was the annual migration of polar bears through the town, and
I think it ended with nighttime scenes of bears at the town dump.

I've heard polar bears are very dangerous, more so than browns or even grizzles.
I've since wondered if and how the townspeople ever get used to the presence of their bears,
and just how dangerous they are in Moosonee.

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

Neither fascinating nor romantic; I am no female Nanook of the North.

I'll take my romance and fascination where I can find it.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I'll take my romance and fascination where I can find it.

I've lost mine, so if you find some more do check it's really yours.