in the land of the midnight sun (ok 24 hour) sets Inuvik, NWT, Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuktoyaktuk . 
Tuk is 69 degrees N just barely above tree line which begins at 69 degrees N. The contrast between these two cities and the rest of Canada is interesting because it seems that Inuvik is still in what I would think the 60’s were like, Tuk I feel is probably more like the 40s. Just the vibe I got.
Inuvik most interesting quality is their sewer and water transport system called Utilidors. The fact that due to the permafrost you can’t bury your utilities they are ran above ground. 
https://www.inuvik.ca/en/living-here/Water-Sewer-and-Utilities.asp Speaking to the locals when they were kids they were also used as ways to get around town. Some must still do it today as on the town’s website you should not walk or play on them. The original utilidors also carried hot water to heat homes. Both Roy and I were intrigued by these tubes running all through the town. The town is in the process of upgrading the system. This Wikipedia article is full of interesting facts about the utilidors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_tunnel#Arctic_towns I think it gives a unique flavor to the city.
This picture shows the view of the town with a utilidor in the foreground. If you ever thought there was no Walmart north of the artic circle we found the twin sister to those stores. It is called Northmart and according to one local just like Walmart only more expensive and less quality (I cleaned this up). The store itself even had a food court. 
I guess when you have a captive audience. The town itself is still growing but like any struggling town you have your closed up businesses. One place everyone said to eat at was Alestine’s I think every northern town has to have a restaurant that uses a bus somehow for a restaurant. The food was great locally caught white fish and for desert a piece of tail (Eskimo Doughnut with hot fudge and honey) . 
The first night was the Roost which was a Chinese/Subway/Pizza joint all rolled into one. I see a trend happening put everything you need under one roof. Another example one of the gift stores doubles as the feed store. There does seem to be a disconnect with technology some places still have dial up internet. It seems to be untouched by Facebook, Twitter, and people obsessed by their cell phones. (unless you count the tourists). This is why Inuvik in my opinion is stuck in the 60s. I did take a few pictures of the marina 
and where you used to dip your toes in the water and get your certificate.
The sign in this picture states do not leave boats unattended at the docks. Technically it’s not at the docks.
I do have to say Inuvik has lost some of the end of the road as far as you can go appeal because of the completion of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH). 
This drive had so many vast views and you felt like you could see forever. When we got to Tuk it was a strange feeling for me as I was truly at the end of land, you walk out to the edge of land and there is nothing but water in front of you. I’ve been to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean but I can’t put words on how this was different but it was. The Artic Ocean was at the top of the world maybe that was it. 
I did not put my feet in the water just my fingers. I have to say it was a tad chilly but warmer then I expected. I had my winter hat on and just a sweat shirt, not too bad though. The sense of accomplishment kept me warm. (ok my story). 
The town itself was quieter then I thought it would be no cruise ship land tours yet.
We ate a restaurant called ‘End of the Road’ I think it was a converted industrial building, housed rooms upstairs, a small store, and a lunch room style restaurant. Roy and I just had a burger. We did not eat at Gramma’s Kitchen though. I did stop at the Fur Place it was interesting because when you think of gift shop you think of a store front. This was her house, it was actually her kitchen area. There were shelves with local artists works available for sale. She was working on a pair of mukluks, such intricate detail work. I had noticed the amount of felt picture stories that are up for sale. She explained to me that is how they tell a story, be it the northern lights to hunting polar bears. Tuk felt untouched but I wonder how long it can stay un commercialized. I bought a hand made leather ornament in the shape of a pingo. It was enjoyable being able to talk to her about her culture and how she wants to share and pass down the traditions. I then stopped at the visitor center in Tuk.
I was greeted by three friendly enthusiastic young adults. I asked how they felt about all the tourists coming up this year. They answered it gives them the ability to share their culture with the outside world. It was well worth the trip to get here. I thought you would like to see the cemetery, the reconstructed sod house, and a landscape.
I have to say these two towns have become dear to my heart.
First thing first we had to give the car and Lancelot a bath (or the important parts).
and how it is one of the few buildings not built on pilings, because of the permafrost and ground shifting. The most interesting part of the night I took the tour was the story behind the woman who after a hunting accident painted all of the paintings inside the church.
It was something I thought I would never get to cross. I got to cross it three times in one day. (flat tire). This is another reason I am so glad Roy loves to drive.
We only did the door, the hitch, the water heater vent, and the refrigerator vent. All in all good safe travels with an experienced driver. I am looking forward to the trip back to Eagle Plains, and Dawson City.
We started on Sunday 6/23/19 at 10:43am. Side note the car and trailer are amazingly clean, which changed soon after.
It took us a little less then an hour to reach the Tombstone Interpretive Center this is where we noticed are first change in the landscape. Roy was looking at the landscape and described broken rock face hills to the right that quickly changes to a smooth black polished look. I also got my first look at snow. Tundra frozen or not always look so lush.
Driving along it was interesting how the trees turned to shrubs with an occasional tree.
you can see for 120 miles on a clear day which we had.
Other interesting things we saw this first day were our first pingo, 
an airstrip that we drove on (Ok it is the road that can be used by airplanes.), white flowers so dense it looks like snow on the ground, and of course snow. The one thing we did not see alot of on the road were cars.
10:04 pm. I have my sun glasses on my shirt because I am facing away from the sun, had to put them on when I turned around. The views seemed to be even more breath taking then on a regular day. Maybe it was all of the people also at the dome, or that it was the longest day of the year.
The road is on the right of the picture. Here is a better picture that I took on a different day. 
Then I think my best photo of the night was of the up and down rainbow at about 10:42pm
You have to look hard . It was a great night and I was getting tired and the crowd was getting rowdy. I was waiting for the shuttle for awhile and watched a truck camper block the way up to the pick up area so I knew it would be a walk to catch it. I want to give a shout out to the three people I hopped in their car for a ride down the hill. Tonight felt like a safe night to do that. it was in the air. So thank you Sunshine, Patrick, and I want to say Mary the driver?(I am bad with names).
NW MP and RNW MP North West Mounted Police and the Royal North West Mounted Police before they became the RCMP. Just interesting.
The other thing that was extremely interesting was seeing trees growing up the grave stones.
This is the view from the Midnight Dome in Dawson City. I am not sure why we did not do this drive last time we were here before. I know we left it for something to discover. We were able to check into the RV park 2 days early and just today we extended another day so we are back on schedule. So Sunday we will be in Eagle Plains YT on the Dempster.
When we were in line to take the ferry across the Yukon river to check out the paddlewheel graveyard Roy made a comment that maybe we could see Tony B’s barge. Ask and it will happen. Now all we need is more animal sightings I’ve been asking. It was cool checking with the ferry worker to be sure it was the right barge. He was funny, basically confirmed that every other word out of Tony’s mouth is F =$k this. Though he is a good guy and his kids turned out right even though Tony works them hard.
Check out the short video. Trying to find the place to get down on the beach took a little doing as it is not marked park here. The road to get there is in the Yukon River Campground. The access to the beach involved going down a slight hill across a plywood plank so your feet didn’t get wet then walking about 1000 feet down the beach. It was a nice walk and beautiful day.
On the Road with Buki-6 