October 23, 2010

Polar Bear Expedition


polar-bear-poster

Thank you for all of your get well wishes and prayers. I am happy to report that I am on the mend. It’s a good thing too because we’re in our full packing mode today! Next week, we’ll be sipping hot chocolate, wearing parkas, riding in a tundra buggy, and photographing polar bears! We’re going on another wild and wooly nature tour with Natural Habitat Adventures.

We are flying up a day early to spend a little time in beautiful Winnipeg, the capital of Canada’s Manitoba Province. It will be an absolute delight to relax at the Fort Garry Hotel a total of three nights (two on the front end and one on the back end of our trip). Similar in architectural style of the grand Fairmont hotels in Canada, it was built in 1911 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Such lovely traveling digs for folks who wear hiking boots and going on a Canadian wilderness trip!

Fort Garry
(photo courtesy of Fort Garry Hotel web site)

After a brief stay in Winnipeg, the tour will fly us up on a charter plane to Churchill, a small seaport on the western edge of the Hudson Bay. This region is the undisputed “polar bear capital of the world.” We’ll have modest accommodations here, but that is quite okay with us. This destination is all about the bears! We will venture out into the icy wilderness in a cozy tundra buggy, which will keep us safe from the bears, yet provide us direct access to their world. Weather permitting, we’re signed up to also take a helicopter trip over this unique landscape.

Even though it is late October, it has been warm enough for an occasional ensemble of shorts and t-shirt here in Tennessee. But next week we’ll be bundled up in winter clothing! (Now where did I put my gloves?) The projected temperatures are in the mid 30s and snow showers are also expected. What a nice change!

Marty is in charge of the cottage and blog during our absence. Let’s hope that he behaves himself. I’ll see everyone once again on the other side!

Special Note:
You might want to check out Natural Habitat Adventure’s
Churchill Polar Bears Blog this coming week!
You can follow along and find out about the latest
sightseeing events on the tundra!
Our guide will be Elise.

16 comments:

  1. Donna, so glad that you are feeling much better. Now it's onward to enjoying what sounds like an amazing trip. I'll not wish one moment of it away by wishing that you were back sharing it already...that'd be just plain selfish! Have great fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for pointing this out...I wouldn't have returned without the tip. Now I'll be checking on you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh My! this sounds like such a great adventure! I'll have to tell my son about it! He loves things like this. So glad you are better! Have a fabulous time and I am so looking forward to the pictures and all the tales you will have to tell!
    Thanks!
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad you are feeling better!!!

    Oh what a beautiful looking hotel. Bet it is lovely, inside.

    Gentle hugs...

    And don't forget...

    On Nov. 3rd, throw the trash out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So glad you are feeling better and ready for your next adventure. It sounds so exciting. That is one grand looking hotel that you'll be staying at. Don't forget to pack the long underwear...lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. Have a wonderful time! Can't wait till you return with incredible photos! Leave a few extra carrots out for Marty.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have a wonderful time, and thanks for sharing your good times with us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So sorry you have been ill! It is that time of year...
    Your trip sounds awesome!!! I cannot wait to read all about it and see the glorious pics :) We are headed to Alaska in July and I am over the moon!
    And, yep, I wore shorts to the barn today! East Tennessee weather is never predictable, is it!
    Have a safe trip!!!
    xo, misha

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh this sounds fabulous! I hope you have a wonderful time and look forward to seeing the photos :)

    Stay safe!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so happy to hear you are feeling better! Have lots and lots of fun on your adventure!!!
    Love ya~Judy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad ur feeling better sweetie! Hope u enjoy ur trip!! I'll be back next sun or moon.... Enjoy!!!
    Hughugs

    ReplyDelete
  12. So glad you are feeling better. Have a wonderful time on your vacation and take lots of pics for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope that your boots didn't get any $not on them! Gosh, that was a great link you put in at the end for us...lots going on up there! You're going to have so much to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yay for feeling better and another trip! Have a great time. ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  15. A blizzard? You're in the middle of a blizzard? Having fun yet?

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hope you're having a whole load of fun! I can't wait to see the photos!

    ReplyDelete

Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!