We stopped again in Natuashish, population 856, the only Innu community on the itinerary. Then on to Hopedale, population 596. Next was Postville, with 177. Finally Makkovic, with 365. It was high school graduation in Makkovic. Three graduates. The whole town turned out. A few came on board looking for potato chips with which to celebrate. Apparently they’ve been out of chips for months. Very happy to have the ferry running again. Unfortunately there were not nearly enough chips to meet demand.

All of the Inuit communities were extremely welcoming and apparently happy to have fresh faces to talk with after a long winter. So interesting to hear of school life, fishing, and family life in these small, remote, northern communities.

From Makkovic, it was back to Rigolet, saying goodbye to the icebreaker on entering Lake Melville. Seven days of ice. From Rigolet we sailed overnight on open water back to Goose Bay. About three days delayed, but very pleased with the Journey.

There were fifteen of us that made the round trip. A couple from Germany on a five year world tour in their very impressive German RV. They had already driven South America and a portion of Central America. Got sidetracked by COVID, and now had their RV shipped to North America and are continuing their trip. We had another German couple, two couples from Prince Edward Island, two couples from Ontario, a women from Maryland, and a retired member of the US Navy. And me. The variety made for great conversations as we milled from group to group and watched the ice go by, or compared notes from shore excursions. There is definitely something to be said for slow travel. Though it certainly doesn’t come naturally to me – I’m learning.