Epilogue: Wed. Aug. 3, 6AM, Tasiujaq

Had a fun evening with Jean and his qallunaa friends, among whom were some of the village’s teachers, nurses, construction workers, and police force … it was a terrific meal of musk ox steaks with pasta and salad and white wine. Hope we can stay in touch.

I’m packed up and ready, so I’m having a second coffee in the hotel’s kitchen while I look out at the Finger River flowing north past town onto the tidal flats. Leaf Bay with its craggy islands is off in the distance. I’m struck again by the grandeur of the surroundings. Not to mention how the brush is low to nonexistent here … I’m on the tundra, clearly.

Again I realize I want to come back here someday. Even now, tired as I am, I would do this whole trip over again in a year or two. First I have to get home, which is one day in planes and three more in the car away.

At 11:30 AM I’ve connected through Kuujjuaq and made the POV flight. Saw the last 40km or so of the Leaf’s valley from the air before it disappeared beneath the clouds. I’m grateful I got to say goodbye.

-Chad Boutin

Thanks to: Al Stirt, Lynette Chubb and Laco Kovac, Tija and George Luste, Beth Jackson, Brad Bassi, and Marilyne Marchand