We decided to spend two nights in a hotel in Inuvik for many reasons: we wanted to financially support the community; we really wanted to have a bit more space; we really really needed showers; and we really really really wanted a break from the hordes of mosquitoes at north country campgrounds.
We left our comfy and spacious accommodations a few times to wander about town and eat at one of the two local restaurants. One of the highlights of our walking tour was visiting the community garden, which is housed in the old hockey arena. All kinds of vegetables are grown and the northernmost apple tree bears fruit.
We also enjoyed chatting with the locals and learning more about life up north, where the sun shines 24 hours each day for 56 straight days in the summer. In the winter they experience 30 days of complete darkness before celebrating the return of the sun in January. Pa adapted fairly well to the endless daylight; tween and I stayed awake until ridiculous hours. After a sleepless night we learned that the previous night there had been a community baseball game that began at midnight. Had we known, we would have loved to have been there!
Next up is the 90 mile drive to Tuktoyaktuk, where the road ends and we get to the Arctic Ocean!