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High Temp.
-20 F
Low Temp.
-33 F
Wind
W 10-20 MPH
Miles Traveled
0
Hours Traveling
0
New Snow 0
Inch
(since last update)
People
Seen 200
(since last update)
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Posted: Sunday, 2/23/03 9 PM Easterville, Manitoba
| On Thursday night, when we posted our last update, the
lights of Easterville sparkled on the distant horizon. We planned
to travel the remaining 15 miles to the small native village, pick
up a few supplies, and quickly be on our way. However, Easterville
had other plans. Glorious, sunny weather, prevailed as we skied across
Cedar Lake on Friday. The temperature never rose above -15 degrees
F. Shores lined with black
spruce and birch
were filled with |
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| animal tracks, but a few noisy ravens
were the only other animals out enjoying the calm, clear, crisp day.
When we reached Easterville we found that the stores were closed for
the day, and so we set up camp on the outskirts of town, planning
to get a few supplies in the morning before pushing on. |
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We were up early, and the thermometer hovered around -30 degrees
F as we shoveled down oatmeal with a healthy dollop of peanut butter.
Out next task was to walk into town for supplies and find Floyd
George. We were told that Floyd would be able tell us about the
unsafe ice on the east end of Cedar Lake and show us a short cut
through the bush leading to Grand Rapids.
|
The store was hopping on Saturday morning and buzz of excitement filled
the air. A man on a snowmobile greeted us by the door of the store. A minute
later we were hoping in the back seat of Floyd's brother, Troy's, car and
barreling down the snow covered streets of Easterville looking for Floyd.
On our way to Floyd's we found out that there was a big fishing tournament
that started in a few hours. Everyone was gearing up for the chance to win
the $20,000-First Prize for the largest fish caught. Everyone who wasn't
fishing was off to the 11th Annual Chemawawin Cup hockey tournament happening
at the arena. After talking with Floyd we were dropped off at the arena
to watch a little hockey.
|
So much for a quick trip to Easterville. Saturday was spent drinking
coffee, chatting with locals, and of course watching a little hockey.
Jim, the Easterville School's principal, took us under his wing
and introduced us to all the locals. We met too many wonderful people
to mention, but we especially enjoyed talking with the older men
who lined the walls of the lobby.
Occasionally they would glance through the glass at the ice rink,
or ask what the score was, but hockey was not the main attraction.
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We were told on several occasions that the Cree are always looking for
a chance to get together and socialize, and that is exactly what these
old timers were doing: sitting against the wall, taking everything in
and visiting with their buds.
We hit a gold mine! Soon the stories of the old days filled the air.
Traveling by dog team, living in tents with their young families in the
bush, traveling 50 miles by dog team to attend a dance, were only a few
of the tales we were told. The stories kept flowing and Frosty and I were
all ears, soaking in all of the wonderful stories about the old ways.
Click on photo to enlarge
A day late, and $20,000 short! Dave holds up the 15 pound
monster that Peter Young of Easterville helped him land.
|
The thermometer read -33 degrees F when I lit a fire
in the stove this morning. The tent soon warmed to around freezing,
but outside it stayed cold, cold, cold. Zach, one of our new friends,
picked me up at 10 AM to show me the trail we would take to Grand
Rapids. After seeing the trail, he dropped me off at the arena so
I could take a few photos before we hit the trail. Frosty was already
at the arena and had made another friend, Pete. Pete took second place
in yesterday's fishing tournament, and invited us to go ice fishing!
Well, how could we pass up ice fishing with a master like Pete? Pete
said he would be back in a little bit so we drank some more coffee,
met some more people, and watched some more hockey. |
Pete returned with platefuls of moose meat and other home-cooked goodies
for us to munch on, and we all hopped in his truck and headed for his
ice fishing shack. Pete's friend got the wood stove going while Pete drilled
the fishing holes and got the poles ready. Soon we were all sitting in
his 8 by 10 foot plywood box peering through holes in the ice. Pete said
they would be biting soon and showed us how to jig our lures up and down
to attract the fish. Just as I was starting to get a little tired of jigging,
about 5 minutes, my line jerked and before I new it this huge fish was
on the end of my line. "If you would have caught that fish yesterday,
you would have won $20,000", Pete said with a laugh as he wrestled
with the 15-pound Northern Pike which flapped around on the floor of the
ice house. We all laughed and headed outside to snap a few photos, before
throwing it back.
We caught 8 fish in about 2 hours and had a great time. Catching the
fish was fun, but getting to know two men who live and work in the north
was the real keeper of that fishing trip. We learned a lot in that ice
house and got a glimpse at what it is like to grow up and live in Easterville,
Manitoba.
The Wilderness Classroom Organization
4605 Grand Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
(630) 204-0420
info@wildernessclassroom.com
All content copyright (c) The Wilderness Classroom, 2002. All
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