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February 21, 2009

The Little Artic Explorer...

I couldn't tell you where the need to explore comes from. Perhaps it's learned. Perhaps it's inherited. All I know is that it's either there or it's not.

Like me, Jade has the need to explore. That was obvious to me just after she learned how to walk. She would try to climb the highest snow banks or walk through the thickest brush. Once, she made it halfway down the street before she looked back to see if I was following her. When she finally did and didn't see me (I was hiding), she just kept going, as happy as can be.

We went down to the airport yesterday to see some of the planes that were coming in for the airshow. Fawn and I watched the planes while Jade and Nanuq went exploring.

Let's peek in on their little adventure...

The bold Arctic adventurer, Jade, is ready to begin her expedition to the North Pole and become the youngest person to walk to 90oN using only her wits and the assistance of her canine companion, Nanuq.

The long slog begins...

Their journey is fraught with peril. Nanuq thinks he may have found a hidden crack in the sea ice.

Not wanting to stumble into the deathly cold Arctic Ocean, Jade stops to investigate.

It is a hidden crack in the sea ice. In order to avoid the deadly trap, Jade and Nanuq must make a detour that takes them twenty kilometers away from their destination.

The new route takes them away from the wind-packed drifts of Arctic snow and into deep pockets of softer snow. The going gets tough, but Jade's spirits remain high.

Even a blizzard cannot discourage our little Arctic trekker...

...but even hardy explorers need to take a break once-in-a-while.

The trip resumes, but it isn't long before the expedition reaches the vicinity of the North Pole. They begin the search for the actual pole1.
"It must be under the snow around here somewhere..."

Nanuq thinks he may have found it...

Jade steps in to confirm that the North Pole is buried under the snow.

"Hurrah! It's here! We found it!"
Success! Arctic Explorer Jade has become the youngest person to walk to the North Pole!


When asked what she wanted to next, Jade told me that she wanted to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. That kid is always planning her next adventure. She sure takes after her father!

1Yes, yes, I know there is no actual pole at the North Pole and that the constantly shifting sea ice means that even if one is placed there, it won't be long before it has moved away. It's an imaginary adventure! It's fun to pretend!

8 comments:

Jennybell said...

You still have that much snow!!!! I'm going to stop complaining now about the dusting we've got! An Alberta Clipper is coming through today bringing more. Can't you Canadian's keep your snow to yourselves!

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

You're like the Energizer bunny! You keep going and going and going:D (Regarding your last paragraph, that is) Then again, Queensland needs someone with that kind of persistence!

*Jade and Nanuq's journey was very enjoyable!

Matt, Kara, Hunter and Cavan said...

Very cute pictures!

Meandering Michael said...

Jennybell, we got another 1/2 foot today. As for the Alberta clippers, you're going to have to take that up with Alberta...

Anonymous said...

Don't complain about your snow too much. We had over 440cm last year in Ottawa...close to a record.
Mom

Anonymous said...

Question: Did explorer Jade and her canine companion stop to consider that the North Pole is PITCH DARK even at high noon in mid-February?

Anonymous said...

Nice story, when will your next book be published. I am enjoy reading your story.

Meandering Michael said...

Opa, I submitted your inquiry to Jade the Explorer and she pointed out that it's also pretty unrealistic that a three-year-old and a dog would be allowed to walk to the north pole alone (not to mention that their walking speed would be too slow to make any gains on the drifting ice). In the end, she quoted from the footnote. "It's an imaginary adventure! It's fun to pretend!"

And I thought she was using some sort of special night-vision camera...