Day 95 - Monday August 20/17 (Written, formatted with photos, and posted on Wednesday September 6th at Prince Albert, SK)

An alarm at 6:30 started our day. We had the Ram to Aurora Dodge by 8am for an oil change, multi-point inspection, and several other servicings of fluid changes that were long-overdue, and then went to McDonalds for breakfast. Kari has loaned us her car while the truck is in the shop. Another example of the hospitality we received from this wonderful family. As we have arranged to have the whole extended family for a barbeque hosted by us but held at Kari and Lance’s on Tuesday night, we shopped for the hamburgers, hotdogs, salad and desserts. Then went back to the trailer for lunch.

Kari and Lance took us downtown to a jewelers because Nancy was hoping to buy a pair of NWT diamond stud earrings. She saw some she liked but wanted to consider the price before buying. We regrouped at Kari’s where Emily joined us and then along with Kari and Lance’s kids, headed out for an afternoon of fishing on Prosperous Lake near Lance’s family cottage. There were a few sprinkles of rain as we got into the boat. But slowly the skies began to clear. There were eight of us in the boat – Lance, Kari, Kaitlin, Tanner, Emily, Michael and Nancy, as well as Harley the rottweiler! Lance had fishing equipment for all of us. 

We went first to the rapids where the Yellowknife River leaves the lake. We fished for whitefish, casting out into the current. Quite a lineup of fishers! It was Nancy’s first ever attempt at fishing with a spinning reel, and she acquitted herself quite well - although it was 10 year old Tanner who was the star of the day when he caught and landed his first whitefish. We were pleased to be able to taste it later in the week.(photos)

Tanner with the catch of the day

A further bonus to our stop at the rapids was sighting two bald eagles up in the treetops not far away (photos)

Eagle flexing it's wings at top of tree centre-left

Lance then took us to the best spot for trout in the lake – a deeper hole. He gave us different rods with shiny lures and showed us how to jerk the line every so often. Unfortunately no one had luck in catching a trout. 

Michael makes a friend!

Trout fishin'

We headed back to shore and after loading the boat back on the trailer we drove to Shirley’s place where she had prepared a prime rib dinner for us and some other family members who had also arrived. We were truly "fêted and feasted" on several occasions while in Yellowknife.

(l to r): Emily, Auntie Ruth, Michael, Nancy, Alex (Lance's dad), Lance, Tanner

There was one dark cloud on the day - and not one in the sky. While we were having dinner Michael got a call from the Dodge dealership telling him that the Ram needed some serious repairs. The front brakes needed to be replaced and some of the bolts holding the exhaust manifolds in place had been sheared off. They needed to be drilled out and replaced. The cost was in the thousands of dollars and it would take a couple of days to complete the work. But what choice did we have? 

Prosperous Lake, from the beach at Shirley's

Kari and Lance immediately welcomed us to stay camped at their place, and Kari extended the use of her car, for as long as we needed it. At least if we had to be stranded somewhere it was so good to have family around to take care of us. We went to bed that night grateful for that care – and for credit cards. Nancy was also pleased she had delayed the earring purchase.