Saturday 15 December 2012

The long arctic night

In the high arctic latitudes, the sun is absent for two months. But sometimes, lucky days, the full moon shines:


Down here in lower latitudes we don't often value the precious sun light and warmth. Those are priceless but free gifts to be thankful for.

Photo: Carl Skou, Kullorsuaq, Greenland

Wednesday 12 December 2012

'Le' Wildcat Café - heritage site in the Northwest Territories, Canada


The Wildcat Café is located in the heart of Yellowknife, on old town's Wiley Road.


Coordinates 62°27′N, 114°20′W

In 1992, the cabin was declared a heritage site as an important old building, one of the earliest permanent buildings in town.


Built in 1937-1938 by prominent pioneers Willie Wiley and Smokey Stout, the Wildcat is a reminder of pioneering days.


The Café is a vintage log cabin structure and represents the mining camp style of early Yellowknife.


The Wildcat was a gathering place for the founders of Yellowknife: prospectors, miners and pilots.

Prospectors wheeled and dealed, community members held meetings and banquets, while visitors came and went.


Great place to try caribou, bison, muskox, arctic char in addition to the usual cuisine. And a coffee.


In 2011, the city of Yellowknife decided to completely renovate the log building, which had settled far into the ground and was leaning dangerously in several directions at once.

Reconstruction and repair continued during the summer of 2012 and the opening has been delayed due to a number of unforeseen problems.


The Wildcat Cafe is currently scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2013. It is now one of Yellowknife's most popular attractions.

The residents only disagree om the article : Le Wildcat, or The Wildcat ? As for now, the The wins.


It is surely a warm comfort to have a nice coffee in the Wildcat.