What a wet day here today! We're still here in Taloyoak. We managed to get Doug out. There was one seat on the plane, and it only flies to Cambridge Bay three days a week. We're booked right through tomorrow afternoon. We leave here at about 2:10 pm, and get in to Yellowknife at about 7:00 pm, leave there at 9:00 pm, leave Edmonton around 1:00 am and arrive in Toronto on the red-eye at 7:10 am Wednesday, at Terminal 3. We were very lucky to get our seats changed around because all empty spaces are being gobbled up.

It's pouring rain here. We're glad we're not out in it. We probably got the last 11good days of the season. We had beautiful weather. Today it's cool, wet, drizzly, overcast. I imagine the waves out there are pretty heavy. We got in just in time.

We didn't do much today. Poked around the only two stores in town - the Co-Op and the Northern Store.

We saw the artifact that Sam had. Sure enough! (chuckle) How can I put this? It's wood, about a quarter of an inch thick. It's quite weathered, but the lettering is well-preserved, and the year 1857 is in red paint. It has "...NCE" in front of it, and below that it has "Store in a dry place". (more chuckling, attempting seriousness) We think we've figured it out. Ron suggested something and when we heard it, it made so much sense that we've just been laughing ourselves silly. (coughing and laughing) It probably says something like, "Heinz pickles, since 1857"! (W: Now everyone is laughing!) Probably made in 1990! You'd better put that on the website before someone else figures it out! We haven't had a chance to share our theory with Sam and Leah; but I am sure this would appeal to their sense of humour as well.

This is the piece of wood found by Sam and Leah. While it is possible that it dates back to 1857 - it is quite likely much more recent. The "NCE" before the year is likely a statement from the manufacturer indicating that they have been in business "SINCE 1857". John Harrington professes a weakness for jumping to conclusions at the slightest hint of something significant. The conclusion that the piece of wood was a recent artifact was a bit of a letdown although John was able to laugh at himself over it. Leah and Sam should be commended for their interest and efforts in finding clues. The local residents can be an on-going resource of clues and evidence that will help in opening up the past. Stories of white man's graves and sunken ships were shared with the team - these will provide numerous reasons for future trips into the area.

We didn't do much beyond visiting with Sam and Leah. People work here Monday to Friday, and go out on the land on the weekends. Tomorrow, before we get away, we hope to see the retired Hudson's Bay manager whom we met before. The whole community here seems quite interested in what we are doing. Seems we're the first ones out here doing this. They are very free with information. They have told us quite a few things that make us consider coming back again. I think John would just stay up here if he could. He's exhausted from working, taking notes on tent rings.

I'll call you tomorrow from the Edmonton airport, or somewhere along the way home.
(W: Unless something unusual happens tomorrow, this will be the last report from this expedition. Watch for the addtion of photographs and more details once the team returns home.)

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