Thursday August 31, 2006
Location: High Level, Alberta

Fall is coming; I can feel it in the air. In only a week the evenings have become cool and crisp and the days have that feeling that they could turn on you at any moment. Along the sides of the highway the poplar leaves have begun to yellow… It’s time to head south, before I get trapped in winter’s wonderland.

It’s only been a few hours, but I’m already missing the NWT. It’s strange, but true. Coming into Alberta you can see that just behind the trees that line the highway, there’s open spaces of clear-cut. This combined with the fact that there are already so many more people on the highways. I seem to be constantly tailgated by Alberta oil & gas workers racing home to their cozy High Level motel rooms.

The other thing I’m missing about the NWT, is how natural it is to light a fire. I’m not sure if it’s First Nation, Gwich’in or Inuvialuit influence, but it seems almost anytime or any place is an ok time and place to build a little fire and make some tea. I don’t get this sense from Alberta, but I could be wrong, I just got here. (I AM wrong. Sept 6th, found some places to light fires, but not as numerous)

Oh and CBC North… Oh how I miss CBC North… I miss the afternoon radio shows in Dogrib, Inuvialuktun and Slavey; languages I don’t speak, but love to listen to. And I miss the personal nature of the shows, as they send out daily birthday wishes or announce celebrations within the community. “To Lyle and Elke, best wishes from your son Daniel who misses you, loves you lots and wishes you all the best.” Just like that. It makes the world feel so much smaller and gives you a greater sense of community, people and place. CBC Just across the border isn’t bad, it’s just faster, slicker, and more mainstream, lacking that certain northern charm I’ve grown used to.

Oh and Sonya (at CBC in Inuvik), as I passed the border I thought of calling you, but there weren’t any phones. Go figure ;-) So a raincheck on that interview, we’ll get it done someday, maybe when the finished film travels back to where it all started. That would be a beautiful full circle.

Lastly, I miss the people. I’ve met some really great people throughout the NWT and Yukon. As I said, it’s only been a few hours, but knowing the road I’m set to travel brings the future heartache into the now. I hope to see you all sooner than later. I definitely plan on coming back.

Peace,
D