True that! I now live at the top of Lake Superior. I'd never contemplate living, or even going further north than Churchill, unless I brought 'everything' I needed for the trip with me :)) But definitely living along a VIA Rail route would be the best for sure. :)
What a small world! My dad was also stationed there, we lived in J Row on the Military base. I have many childhood memories of polar bears and my brothers floating away on an iceberg ( yes they had to be rescued) In my 53 years of life I have only met one other person from Fort Churchill. Interestingly he resided in K row and moved the year before we moved there. Always nice to hear from other people who grew up in such an isolated place. I hope to visit again someday.
"Northern" Stores are actually the orginal Hudson's Bay stores. (and were until about 1990 when Hudson Bay corp ditched its origins (fur trading and northern stores) to focus on urban department stores). Prices in Churchill and other towns that have permanent ground transport is much less than where perishable goods have to be flown in, and non perisheable are shipped bulk in summer to last a year (Nunavut communities). The Hudsons Bay stores were where locals came in to trade furs for goods in the original days, hence they were in every northern community.
It is weird. The Northern stores are owned by the "modern" Northwest Company and spun off from Hudson Bay company. The historic "Northwest Company" was the main competitor to the Hudson Bay until they merged.
The northern stores still buy furs, I worked in the back office of one and bought furs from local trappers. They had a whole guide book on how to price out the furs. Also most northern now have subsidy programs that make sure the prices aren't too extreme, they're not the best but also not the worst
Sadly this is the only cool place in MB. I've lived in this province for almost 10 and trust me. You wouldn't wanna visit there unless u love flat lands and boring towns and city of Winnipeg
@@kahlil2classy798 sounds better than living with several roommates and never having the prospect of owning a home. Also, the uncertainty that all your friends and family are being priced out of the city so who knows if you'll be able to forever afford Vancouver. Vancouver is lovely but not worth it to settle down and build a future IMHO
@@91lilfrozone23 Sadly most of Canada will no longer be able to live anywhere without roommates in tiny apartments in about 30 years if immigration and foreign investment in realestate continues the way it has for the past 15 years.
@@kahlil2classy798 You’re going to have to get out a little more before you say things like that. I’ve lived here all my life and there are *so* many cool things to do all year in this province, it’s beautiful, and while I like to travel, this will always be home.
I've been interested in Churchill, the town, the train journey, and the remoteness of it all. For these reasons, I appreciate this video. I also appreciate your excellent work, your relaxed and friendly style, and your humble way. Thanks for bringing joy and education to my life :)
I've been intrested in Churchill, too! Bc of a book I read, it's now my fav book and means a lot to me. I'd recommend anyone who likes the cold to read it! It's called Two Degrees
Great 3 part series Mike. Thanks for showing parts of remote Canada and and some amazing shots of the Polar bears . A trip everyone should make once in their life time!
Thank you for the three-part Story. My best friend got married in Churchill. It was a delightful reminder of the adventure lover she was. Her intended husband was working up there in the military. Your story brought back happy thoughts for them both.
Mike, I just love your channel. First off it's your personality and enthusiasm, you seem like the perfect upbeat guy to hang with and travel with. Don't ever loose that zest for life. I also love the fact that when you visit places you provide not just great video but stats, facts, history, background on the area or topic. Shows you've done your homework. Never been to Churchill but you sure made the adventure tempting. Keep up the great vlogs, not sure where you're going next, but hey, I'll be watching. Mike.
My buddy lived in Churchill MB for ten years when he was a kid. His dad was a Canadian Forces rocket scientist and Churchill is where the laboratory and testing grounds were located. This would have been the mid-1950's to mid-1960's. He said it was a great place ot be a kid and explore and learn about nature.
The original railroad port on Hudson’s Bay was actually meant to be in a place called Port Nelson. They actually built the railway there and the port but it was too shallow and stormy for ships so they had to relocate it to Churchill. Would be interesting to do an episode on that although I think it’s really hard to get to these days.
If you look up a place called "Nelson River Adventures" in Gillam Manitoba theres a guy named Clint that runs a tour service that goes to port nelson and York Factory by boat. It's fairly affordable for what you get. $600 per person, it's a full day (about 8-10 hours total) includes a BBQ lunch at York Factory. Of course they aren't operating at the moment but it's worth keeping an eye on when Covid restrictions are loosened
I felt like I needed a coat when watching this video. That’s wild how the bay freezes up. Churchill does look like a neat town but couldn’t imagine being that isolated away. Thanks for sharing!
@@bobnoheart7973 I've taken that route from Winnipeg to about half way up to Churchill and the line is terrrible, almost 3rd world. Over the years, the train was at least 4 hours late, and the last times I took it (in 2018) it was 12 hours late for a 4 hour trip. The day after my last trip on the VIA train, it derailed. When I was on it, as it neared Portage hitting 130km/h speeds, it did not feel safe at all (and that's exactly where the train derailed).
think about that very rationally the train stops at every town. myself id drive to thompson or gillam id be alot quicker then taking the train from winnipeg
@@polskiewinnipeg thanks for info! I haven't really had it planned out. It's more of a general wish to be done with COVID and back to travel as we used to. I'll definitely take this into consideration.
I’ve been trying to get back to Churchill for about four years - I was around 2 1/2 - 3 when we left and my sister was born there. First thwarted when the railway was flooded. The following had to change my plans due to lack of time and no hostel, 2020.... well we all know why. I am pushing for 2022 when I will be 65. Love Via!
That looks amazing. Defnitely going to have to make a plan to visit Churchill... And let's face it. If you hadn't found the Australians at the café, you would have run into them in the booze section of The Northern!
Another excellent video, Mike! Your mind seems to be a bottomless vessel of creativity and ideas - all the better for those of us who are your subscribers. There's nothing like my morning coffee and DownieLive to get my Saturdays off to a great start!
Back in 1965 my friends dad worked for the CNR at Glenella Manitoba ,which was on the mainline to Churchill.I remember the passenger train being full of people heading to all their remote northern destinations and this was way before polar bear tourism.
Mike thanks for this fun journey with your dad so lucky for the time together. I was in awe of the coffee drinks with the moose and bear claw art on top of the drinks.
Kudos to you for maintaining an outstanding travel channel during this time! You've improvised and adapted and continued on. Bravo! I'm sure you will continue to think outside the box and bring us even more very thoughtful and creative videos to watch! And as always I wish I was there with you! Thank you!
Thank you for featuring remote places of Canada.You have a well modulated voice, a good quality of a narrator , which makes your videos even more interesting to listen & watch. 👍👏
Greetings Mike! Wow!!! Wonderful overview of Churchill and your experience there. Very well organized video, with great scenery and great humor too. Kudos to your dad for his supporting role! Can't wait to see where you go next. Best wishes sir.
Just wanted to quickly chime in. Came to your channel while looking for information on VIA Rail trips. I'm now on the third video of yours for the northern trip and I'm really enjoying your style of video. Thanks for keeping me entertained!
For the past few years I’ve been travelling around Canada with my guide dog Colombo...yes I’m blind. I have recently settled down in Sparwood just outside of fernie waiting for this pandemic to be over...that and I settled down with a partner lol. I had just come across your channel and you have me longing for more adventures. I had thought about doing a UA-cam channel based on a blind person‘s perspective of travelling like this however I’m not sure where to start LOL. Thank you so much for these videos. I can’t wait to be doing stuff like this again with my guide dog. I can’t express how I feel finding this channel. I’m so grateful that you had decided to bring us along for the virtualride.
Thanks, Mike, this video was amazing. I liked learning more about the town beyond the bears :) And, referring to another comment, you do always seem to find the best coffee :) Your videos are so interesting and well done. I really appreciate them!
Wait, isn’t this the place where people have to leave their cars and houses unlocked because your neighbors might be outside and a polar bear might try to eat you so you have to run somewhere to avoid being eaten?????
A lot of this trip brought back memories of my time, in my early 20s, working at Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland. It was a support base for four radar stations of the now defunct DEWLine. You transported me back in time, Michael, when I was a young stud like you, lol!
Thank you for your videos. I have been to Churchill twice. Once for birding in the 70s, I was 6. Then again in the 80s when I was a junior in high school to photograph polar bears. It was cool to see some of the changes. Thanks again for a trip down memory lane.
Mike, The shot out of the plane window in Churchill gave such a good perspective of where it's located on Hudson Bay - beautiful. Being a more mature fella like your dad, I want his hat with the flaps - perfect for cold and windy. We had our first snow in Cincinnati the end of Nov., but didn't last long. It all depends on which front is strongest - cold from the northwest or a little warmer coming up from the Gulf. It's always dueling fronts here. Loved the video and thanks for taking us along.
I stopped in Churchill for overnight back in the early 80's, while flying a small bush plane to Bakers Lake and then Chantrey Inlet. Didn't see any polar bears, but remember the mosquitos. Heavier than I'd seen anywhere else. After watching this series I want to return. I like the fact that it doesn't seem to over commercialized and not crawling with tourists. Taking the train would be a great way to add to the adventure. Thanks for providing this content.
I was recommended your videos and they've been great! Giving me some ideas for travel options now that we can't really do much. And, after watching a few of them you started to look a little familiar, then I realized I went to high school with you! Great to see what you've gotten up to. Wicked content!
I lived there for 23 most enjoyable years and still so miss the place and its great residents, worked with such happy caring work force first at the National Harbours later at the School District
I moved to ft churchill when i was 8 yo and lived there tell we moved to town and now il be 60 yo next year and i pray i can see it again with my wife and adult children to see a place that has had a hudge impact on who i am and was the best 4 years of my singel life
I visited Churchill a couple of times back in the 80s/90s. It was a little less slick back then but not really changed its character that much. Love your trilogy. Am currently using it as a prototype for a model railroad layout and found your vids while searching for landscape inspiration. Thanks for posting them.
Thank you Mike. You bring refreshing perspectives and honest commentary. I hope you and you father enjoyed the experience. I know we all look forward to being to travel again soon.
That's fascinating that Manitoba (and probably Saskatchewan) exports its grain on ships via Churchill. But if you look at a map you can see that that is the shortest, quickest and cheapest route to getting grain out to the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, etc.
Mike this town visit was engaging; the Churchill community certainly commits their efforts into inviting and friendly! Your three video view tour is excellent. Beth Michaud in North West Montana
Remember the Hudson Bay Railway washout of 2017 that cut off Churchill for almost a year? Everything had to be flown in, so prices went sky-high. Two VIA locomotives and 6 cars stranded in Churchill were loaded onto a ship and taken to Montreal - VIA's main maintenance base, in October that year. IDKWYGNBIKIBTWY.
Definitely one of the most unique and bucket list trip! The scenery and polar bears were just awesome! And you got to make the trip with your dad🙂 - once in a lifetime memories(!), such a gift in of itself! Thanks for sharing!
Don't get too excited. It is basically a pretty decripid and humdrum place to waste your money on.. Trust me I spent my better part of my young manhood there. Would have had a lot of more in the bank if I had stayed in southern Ontario.
I have added you to my Downey Live playlist. I live in Montana but it is actually a balmy summer day here compared to Churchill. It is October 7, 2024. Thank you and keep on traveling.
Mounties is a nickname for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (aka RCMP). They used to ride horses, hence the mounted part of the name and where they get the nickname Mounties. They are the federal police force and run the police across Canada in all small towns and even some big cities. Training is a 6 month long intensive training done out of Regina, Saskatchewan. So, yes, there are Mounties in Churchill.
Awesome series, I've spent two separate weeks in Churchill, one in July (polar bear dip in the bay) and one in January..both incredible experiences! One of Canada's hidden gems for sure! I will return one day...thanks for bringing back some amazing memories! safe traveling.
@@senorpepper3405 Churchill seems almost Arctic. Sthlm is not. Usually temp stays around 0 c for most of dec, jan, feb. More often some or a few degrees over than below.
Great video Mike! The whole holiday seemed like it was so much fun! I can't remember what you said about the average temperature. Seems like there is always snow! I'm glad you had a great time!
Looking forward to this. I’ve been on the road for work and had my credit card compromised at a gas station in Surrey, so I’m just waiting for my new one to be couriered to me. Hopefully, there are still hats left. I plan to order a couple as soon as I get it. 👊🏻
Mike, thanks for the tour around town, which is something I didn't get to do when I was there, as I was only there 1 day, getting back on the train for the return trip that evening. As I mentioned on the previous video, I drove to The Pas. What I didn't mention was that I started in northern IL, and drove solo. This was a 1169 mi./1181km. drive.
Mike your trip looks amazing and sharing with your dad is something you'll both always remember. Trust me on that. ❤️. Thanks for letting us know it was October, I was curious as it looked so cold.....
Fascinating to visit Churchill. I visited for University and work and have been to all the places he talks about as well Fort Prince of Wales and the Rocket Range (Churchill Northern Studies Centre). Small correction. Longest road is 24 km out to the Rocket Range; it's only 7 km to the airport
I was in Vancouver in july of 2021, I brought home my motor bike I bought, only to find out I need to repair some things on it to drive it. Hopefully in the summer I will be on the road with it, let's hope.. Thanks for you sharing your video.
Life in North Canada is so very unique and beautiful also very harsh in it's climate and isolation the higher you go.For the most part the communities are filled with people that are hardy with strong sense of community I am grateful that i experienced working and living in high Arctic east to west . I spent 10 years up there I can tell you , there truly is no other place like the Canadian North
I’m a fairly new subscriber to your channel and I’m going back to watch your old videos. I have to say I’ve absolutely loved this series. It has shown me something I never would have seen or even known about. It was absolutely wonderful. Thank you!
Your trip looked like such a cool adventure and I really felt like I was there with you. Love the new hat and I hope to be sporting it soon in soon myself in Milwaukee. Maybe I will take a pic by the Fonzie statue for ya. If you are stuck in Vancouver, may I suggest a day in your life and local neighborhood? That would be cool to see...where does Mike go for groceries? or the outside of bars or restaurants (I know you cant go in) you sport? just a thought...
JJ, please send me a pic of you with the new hat when it arrives! And great idea for some local neighbourhood type videos. I'm not sure what else I'll get up to. Thanks as always!
I loved this series, Michael. Thank you so much for this. My company gives all its employees christmas boxes and this year it includes a round tray with cartoon-like graphics and it shows narwhals in Hudson’s Bay. At first I thought it was an error but it’s not! Did you know that we have narwhals?
Narwhal where never knowen to be in the Hudson Bay there more in the costal artic ocean waters I have never even seen native art work local to the bay only in the extreme artic ocean community's like Tuktoyuktuk never in Coral Harbour or Churchill
Enjoyed our trip to Churchill from Gillam about ten years ago, maybe more. With more time I may have tacked on a CalmAir flight to Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Frobisher Bay, and other places, and/or York Factory.
It's been nearly 13 years since I stayed a week at the CNSC for a research project. He didn't show it in this video but the CNSC also has a collection of old out buildings that used to be used for rocket launches. I made the mistake of watching one of the old VHS tapes of 'The Thing' which I hadn't seen before on a Friday afternoon that a storm was rolling in. No one told me that everyone else was going home for the weekend and I would be solo, they just left so yeah that was a stressful weekend.
I am addicted to this channel... Please keep posting videos regularly . I want to know more and explore more Canada through your camera.... Love you ... Stay safe
Have you been to St. Anthony, Newfoundland? I was there for a few months in 2003. It was the first time I saw the ocean freeze. I didn't know that could happen! It's amazing! There is a small airport a few miles outside of St. Anthony. Everything there is pretty much the same as far as businesses go. All local, no chains, at least there weren't any in 2003.
Very impressive that no chain stores have entered the town. Big and Small box retailers have destroyed the"Mom and Pop" entrepreneurship. Glad to see it alive and kicking in Churchill. Another great video.
It’s crazy that this is what 58 degrees North looks like in Canada, like the edge of the earth. Whereas I’m in Scotland at the same latitude. Thank god for the Gulf Stream!
Thanks for filming this incredible series. Glad that you and your Dad were able to share this adventure together. As 2020 comes to a close I want you to know how much I have appreciated all that you do to produce such a fascinating channel. Your never ending friendliness and positivity are a welcome mood lifter in this dark and dreary year. Wishing you and your family a very happy Merry Christmas and a much better New Year in 2021! ❤🇨🇦❄☃️🎄🙏🌎
I have seen that town on ice Road Truckers. Art Burke broke down and had to have his truck towed to Churchill to get worked on. While he was waiting, he went bowling!
The via rail Canadian train is actually starting off this month it only goes as far as Winnipeg but I am hoping to take it with my friend in the springtime pending on covid. I'm now i really want to go to Churchill
@@DownieLive I have been a bunch of times on the Canadian we I went all the way to Toronto my friend Ross has been on the Canadian the most amount of times of any passenger over a 100 times different segments.
The prices are cheap in Churchill because of the railway. But if you went to say Iqaluit or any where with no road or rail the prices just surge
Like in Northern Alaska
Absolutely. Rail is the most efficient use of transportation.
That makes sense. I was pretty confused by his assessment. I'd never heard Northern Store prices described as reasonable
Yeah, train shipping is much less expensive than the planes needed for other northern towns
True that! I now live at the top of Lake Superior. I'd never contemplate living, or even going further north than Churchill, unless I brought 'everything' I needed for the trip with me :)) But definitely living along a VIA Rail route would be the best for sure. :)
I lived in Ft. Churchill when I was a child. My dad was stationed there. What little memories I have are very special to me.
What a small world! My dad was also stationed there, we lived in J Row on the Military base. I have many childhood memories of polar bears and my brothers floating away on an iceberg ( yes they had to be rescued) In my 53 years of life I have only met one other person from Fort Churchill. Interestingly he resided in K row and moved the year before we moved there. Always nice to hear from other people who grew up in such an isolated place. I hope to visit again someday.
I doubt it
It's my dream to live there! I read a book about it (Two Degrees) And now I rlly want to move there!
"Northern" Stores are actually the orginal Hudson's Bay stores. (and were until about 1990 when Hudson Bay corp ditched its origins (fur trading and northern stores) to focus on urban department stores). Prices in Churchill and other towns that have permanent ground transport is much less than where perishable goods have to be flown in, and non perisheable are shipped bulk in summer to last a year (Nunavut communities). The Hudsons Bay stores were where locals came in to trade furs for goods in the original days, hence they were in every northern community.
It is weird. The Northern stores are owned by the "modern" Northwest Company and spun off from Hudson Bay company. The historic "Northwest Company" was the main competitor to the Hudson Bay until they merged.
Different logo and motto but the same folk.
I’m currently living and working at a northern on an island is Nunavut
The northern stores still buy furs, I worked in the back office of one and bought furs from local trappers. They had a whole guide book on how to price out the furs. Also most northern now have subsidy programs that make sure the prices aren't too extreme, they're not the best but also not the worst
@@gageparent5178sani?
No matter where you go, no matter how remote, you can always find a coffee shop!!
HAHAHA. True. Gotta warm up somehow.
@Bobby Rubarb Very true, even in the UK that would be pricey...but what if you wanted a burger as well....phew I can hear the wallet squeaking!
No, it’s still $18.
@@DownieLive 😃👍
Timhorton
Aaah it makes sense that you find the prices at the Northern not that expensive if you're comparing to Vancouver.
Sadly this is the only cool place in MB. I've lived in this province for almost 10 and trust me. You wouldn't wanna visit there unless u love flat lands and boring towns and city of Winnipeg
@@kahlil2classy798 sounds better than living with several roommates and never having the prospect of owning a home. Also, the uncertainty that all your friends and family are being priced out of the city so who knows if you'll be able to forever afford Vancouver. Vancouver is lovely but not worth it to settle down and build a future IMHO
@@kahlil2classy798 let me guess. You’re from Ontario.
@@91lilfrozone23 Sadly most of Canada will no longer be able to live anywhere without roommates in tiny apartments in about 30 years if immigration and foreign investment in realestate continues the way it has for the past 15 years.
@@kahlil2classy798 You’re going to have to get out a little more before you say things like that. I’ve lived here all my life and there are *so* many cool things to do all year in this province, it’s beautiful, and while I like to travel, this will always be home.
Canada is seriously stunning. I’m desperate to travel there.
Wait until covid is over my friend. We have some of the most beautiful things in the world in the great white north
It's so worth it!!
@@pattimuse1 That it is!
Canada, America..all the same to me
@@kingstonhalf-waytree9763 Open your mind!
Glad you indicated in the end that your trip was in October. Even more impact knowing it was that cold back then
Very true Robert.
I'd hate to see it now! lol
I've been interested in Churchill, the town, the train journey, and the remoteness of it all. For these reasons, I appreciate this video. I also appreciate your excellent work, your relaxed and friendly style, and your humble way. Thanks for bringing joy and education to my life :)
Glad it was helpful!
I've been intrested in Churchill, too! Bc of a book I read, it's now my fav book and means a lot to me. I'd recommend anyone who likes the cold to read it! It's called Two Degrees
Great 3 part series Mike. Thanks for showing parts of remote Canada and and some amazing shots of the Polar bears . A trip everyone should make once in their life time!
I absolutely agree. Glad you agree, Bill.
Thanks again.
Check how much they charge for that trip. If you're not rich better forget about it
Thank you for the three-part Story. My best friend got married in Churchill. It was a delightful reminder of the adventure lover she was. Her intended husband was working up there in the military. Your story brought back happy thoughts for them both.
Great content! As someone who has never seen snow, I can't even begin to imagine how cold it must be in Churchill.
Very!
It’s cold
Mike, I just love your channel. First off it's your personality and enthusiasm, you seem like the perfect upbeat guy to hang with and travel with. Don't ever loose that zest for life. I also love the fact that when you visit places you provide not just great video but stats, facts, history, background on the area or topic. Shows you've done your homework. Never been to Churchill but you sure made the adventure tempting. Keep up the great vlogs, not sure where you're going next, but hey, I'll be watching. Mike.
My buddy lived in Churchill MB for ten years when he was a kid. His dad was a Canadian Forces rocket scientist and Churchill is where the laboratory and testing grounds were located. This would have been the mid-1950's to mid-1960's. He said it was a great place ot be a kid and explore and learn about nature.
The original railroad port on Hudson’s Bay was actually meant to be in a place called Port Nelson. They actually built the railway there and the port but it was too shallow and stormy for ships so they had to relocate it to Churchill. Would be interesting to do an episode on that although I think it’s really hard to get to these days.
If you look up a place called "Nelson River Adventures" in Gillam Manitoba theres a guy named Clint that runs a tour service that goes to port nelson and York Factory by boat. It's fairly affordable for what you get. $600 per person, it's a full day (about 8-10 hours total) includes a BBQ lunch at York Factory. Of course they aren't operating at the moment but it's worth keeping an eye on when Covid restrictions are loosened
I felt like I needed a coat when watching this video. That’s wild how the bay freezes up. Churchill does look like a neat town but couldn’t imagine being that isolated away. Thanks for sharing!
Omg I was working that day at the airport (ywg), could of fangirl out for you hehe. Glad u enjoyed Manitoba!
So cool! Haha, next time, Nicole! 👋🏼
Can't wait, Love when you went through the Canadian wilderness with Via Rail!
Via Rail!
is shut down i heard i may be wrong
@@bobnoheart7973 yeah, I heard the same just recently
@@bobnoheart7973 I've taken that route from Winnipeg to about half way up to Churchill and the line is terrrible, almost 3rd world. Over the years, the train was at least 4 hours late, and the last times I took it (in 2018) it was 12 hours late for a 4 hour trip. The day after my last trip on the VIA train, it derailed. When I was on it, as it neared Portage hitting 130km/h speeds, it did not feel safe at all (and that's exactly where the train derailed).
I can't wait for damn COVID to finally end.. Doing all the way there from Toronto by train sounds like a great plan.
think about that very rationally the train stops at every town. myself id drive to thompson or gillam id be alot quicker then taking the train from winnipeg
@@polskiewinnipeg thanks for info! I haven't really had it planned out. It's more of a general wish to be done with COVID and back to travel as we used to. I'll definitely take this into consideration.
I’m planning a trip after covid too! Maybe we can go together? I’m in the Toronto area
THE SCAMDEMIC WILL NEVER END.
WE ARE LIVING IN THE BABY BOOMER MATRIX.
ONCE THEY ARE GONE COMMUNISM BEGINS.
@@ryananderson5202 Please seek medical attention.
Churchill hasn’t changed much in the since 1977 when I visited with my family and father. It is an interesting, out of the way, place to visit.
I’ve been trying to get back to Churchill for about four years - I was around 2 1/2 - 3 when we left and my sister was born there. First thwarted when the railway was flooded. The following had to change my plans due to lack of time and no hostel, 2020.... well we all know why. I am pushing for 2022 when I will be 65. Love Via!
That looks amazing. Defnitely going to have to make a plan to visit Churchill...
And let's face it. If you hadn't found the Australians at the café, you would have run into them in the booze section of The Northern!
Another excellent video, Mike! Your mind seems to be a bottomless vessel of creativity and ideas - all the better for those of us who are your subscribers. There's nothing like my morning coffee and DownieLive to get my Saturdays off to a great start!
Many thanks!
Back in 1965 my friends dad worked for the CNR at Glenella Manitoba ,which was on the mainline to Churchill.I remember the passenger train being full of people heading to all their remote northern destinations and this was way before polar bear tourism.
Mike thanks for this fun journey with your dad so lucky for the time together.
I was in awe of the coffee drinks with the moose and bear claw art on top of the drinks.
You deserve a television show. You're a natural at this. Love your videos.
Kudos to you for maintaining an outstanding travel channel during this time! You've improvised and adapted and continued on. Bravo! I'm sure you will continue to think outside the box and bring us even more very thoughtful and creative videos to watch! And as always I wish I was there with you! Thank you!
Thanks. It hasn’t always been easy, but I do my best. Thanks for sticking with me.
Thank you for featuring remote places of Canada.You have a well modulated voice, a good quality of a narrator , which makes your videos even more interesting to listen & watch. 👍👏
I stayed at the Lazy Bear Lodge. It was a great experience!
Greetings Mike! Wow!!! Wonderful overview of Churchill and your experience there. Very well organized video, with great scenery and great humor too. Kudos to your dad for his supporting role! Can't wait to see where you go next. Best wishes sir.
Many thanks, Larry!
I lived in Churchill from 1971-75 published a weekly newspaper - taiga times '71 and Baytides Bookstore. Fond memories.
Just wanted to quickly chime in. Came to your channel while looking for information on VIA Rail trips. I'm now on the third video of yours for the northern trip and I'm really enjoying your style of video. Thanks for keeping me entertained!
Alright! Welcome aboard and thanks for the kind comment
For the past few years I’ve been travelling around Canada with my guide dog Colombo...yes I’m blind. I have recently settled down in Sparwood just outside of fernie waiting for this pandemic to be over...that and I settled down with a partner lol. I had just come across your channel and you have me longing for more adventures. I had thought about doing a UA-cam channel based on a blind person‘s perspective of travelling like this however I’m not sure where to start LOL. Thank you so much for these videos. I can’t wait to be doing stuff like this again with my guide dog. I can’t express how I feel finding this channel. I’m so grateful that you had decided to bring us along for the virtualride.
Do it and I'll sign up
@@michaelfisher6354 alright :).
All roads lead to the airport in Churchill. Great grocery, etc. store. Amazing local artwork. Wonderful ending to your 3-part series.
Thanks, Mike, this video was amazing. I liked learning more about the town beyond the bears :) And, referring to another comment, you do always seem to find the best coffee :) Your videos are so interesting and well done. I really appreciate them!
Thanks Calvin. I’ll make sure I keep bringing you along.
Wait, isn’t this the place where people have to leave their cars and houses unlocked because your neighbors might be outside and a polar bear might try to eat you so you have to run somewhere to avoid being eaten?????
Yes
I feel like that's how some idiot gets you eaten
I believe so man.
Holy it's not that dramatic :D
It’s more like if you see a bear run to the closest house and bang on the door/nearest unlocked door
Incredible footage... Seriously obsessed with all of your videos!!! Creating my Canada bucket list just became wayyyy easier.
The 3 Churchill videos were very interesting Mike. I especially like led seeing what the town of Churchill is like. Thanks.
A lot of this trip brought back memories of my time, in my early 20s, working at Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland. It was a support base for four radar stations of the now defunct DEWLine. You transported me back in time, Michael, when I was a young stud like you, lol!
congratulations once again, I saw the three videos of your visit Churchill with your Dad, incredible adventure. Greetings from Santiago de Chile
Awesome, thank you, Francisco!
Thank you for your videos. I have been to Churchill twice. Once for birding in the 70s, I was 6. Then again in the 80s when I was a junior in high school to photograph polar bears. It was cool to see some of the changes. Thanks again for a trip down memory lane.
I really enjoyed this video and I love small towns myself. They have their own local charm. This place is awesome!
So cool! Definitely worth the trip. 👍🏼
This brings back memories from 1971 when I was 17.
Been thinking of doing Churchill...thanks for the preview
Mike, The shot out of the plane window in Churchill gave such a good perspective of where it's located on Hudson Bay - beautiful. Being a more mature fella like your dad, I want his hat with the flaps - perfect for cold and windy. We had our first snow in Cincinnati the end of Nov., but didn't last long. It all depends on which front is strongest - cold from the northwest or a little warmer coming up from the Gulf. It's always dueling fronts here. Loved the video and thanks for taking us along.
I live in Arlington, Wash, and love your channel! I have Canadian roots, so I am all about your great country. Keep up the awesome work!
I love these church hill vids it’s nice to know there is something cool In my province Manitoba
I stopped in Churchill for overnight back in the early 80's, while flying a small bush plane to Bakers Lake and then Chantrey Inlet. Didn't see any polar bears, but remember the mosquitos. Heavier than I'd seen anywhere else. After watching this series I want to return. I like the fact that it doesn't seem to over commercialized and not crawling with tourists. Taking the train would be a great way to add to the adventure. Thanks for providing this content.
Feeling the embrace gently glowing through the years where angel sings sweet refrain...💖
I miss Winnipeg. Also cleanest airport.
Saskatoon airport is also very clean. Winnipeg airport has a lot of wind blowing around the entry doors.
Saskatoon is the cleanest airport.
Thanks for your channel. I’ve escaped mentally for a little while. It made my day. 🇺🇸 🇨🇦
So happy to hear that. Thanks Jason! Have a nice evening.
I was recommended your videos and they've been great! Giving me some ideas for travel options now that we can't really do much. And, after watching a few of them you started to look a little familiar, then I realized I went to high school with you! Great to see what you've gotten up to. Wicked content!
Really?!! Cool! Go Demons!
I lived there for 23 most enjoyable years and still so miss the place and its great residents, worked with such happy caring work force first at the National Harbours later at the School District
Northern is a chain though, there’s one in basically every northern community in Canada
I moved to ft churchill when i was 8 yo and lived there tell we moved to town and now il be 60 yo next year and i pray i can see it again with my wife and adult children to see a place that has had a hudge impact on who i am and was the best 4 years of my singel life
What a wonderful adventure that was! I know you'll come up with something exciting for the next video! Thanks again for sharing!
You bet! Thanks Diane!
I visited Churchill a couple of times back in the 80s/90s. It was a little less slick back then but not really changed its character that much. Love your trilogy. Am currently using it as a prototype for a model railroad layout and found your vids while searching for landscape inspiration. Thanks for posting them.
Thank you Mike. You bring refreshing perspectives and honest commentary. I hope you and you father enjoyed the experience. I know we all look forward to being to travel again soon.
That's fascinating that Manitoba (and probably Saskatchewan) exports its grain on ships via Churchill. But if you look at a map you can see that that is the shortest, quickest and cheapest route to getting grain out to the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, etc.
I've never had an espresso but I find the art of decorating the tops of the beverage interesting.
totally amazing this video and other one I watched whilst in Churchill - regards from Auckland, New Zealand where summer is just about here!
Mike this town visit was engaging; the Churchill community certainly commits their efforts into inviting and friendly! Your three video view tour is excellent. Beth Michaud in North West Montana
Thanks Beth. Very kind.
Remember the Hudson Bay Railway washout of 2017 that cut off Churchill for almost a year? Everything had to be flown in, so prices went sky-high. Two VIA locomotives and 6 cars stranded in Churchill were loaded onto a ship and taken to Montreal - VIA's main maintenance base, in October that year.
IDKWYGNBIKIBTWY.
What a great experience for you and your Dad to share. I really enjoyed coming along with you, thank you. xx
Definitely one of the most unique and bucket list trip! The scenery and polar bears were just awesome! And you got to make the trip with your dad🙂 - once in a lifetime memories(!), such a gift in of itself! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely!
Don't get too excited. It is basically a pretty decripid and humdrum place to waste your money on.. Trust me I spent my better part of my young manhood there. Would have had a lot of more in the bank if I had stayed in southern Ontario.
I have added you to my Downey Live playlist. I live in Montana but it is actually a balmy summer day here compared to Churchill. It is October 7, 2024. Thank you and keep on traveling.
Another informative and interesting video to enjoy. Your narration is excellent and fun to listen to during the video.
Oh great! Thanks Donald!
How about a trip to Southern Canada and Niagara Falls?
Great idea!
Are there any Canadian Mounties around? I bet training is very rigorous for them. What is their official role in Canada?
Mounties is a nickname for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (aka RCMP). They used to ride horses, hence the mounted part of the name and where they get the nickname Mounties.
They are the federal police force and run the police across Canada in all small towns and even some big cities.
Training is a 6 month long intensive training done out of Regina, Saskatchewan.
So, yes, there are Mounties in Churchill.
Awesome series, I've spent two separate weeks in Churchill, one in July (polar bear dip in the bay) and one in January..both incredible experiences! One of Canada's hidden gems for sure! I will return one day...thanks for bringing back some amazing memories! safe traveling.
I’ll have to go back to experience the summer.
Thanks Gary.
The Whale experience is next level, and we saw bears
Fun fact. Being in Stockholm Sweden, I'm actually 1 degree North of Churchill.
i wonder how the temps compare.
@@senorpepper3405 Churchill seems almost Arctic. Sthlm is not. Usually temp stays around 0 c for most of dec, jan, feb. More often some or a few degrees over than below.
@@senorpepper3405 when/if it snows it's usually gone within a week.
@@beorlingo that's so interesting. Ottawa, Canada is on a similar latitude to Lyon, France yet we get over 4 months of snow and sub zero temp
@@andrewburney8075 if it wasn't for the Gulf stream, we'd prob have polar bears too.
Great video Mike! The whole holiday seemed like it was so much fun! I can't remember what you said about the average temperature. Seems like there is always snow! I'm glad you had a great time!
Great trip Mike looked SUPER COLD
Super cold 🥶. You would have hated it 😂
Kudooos to you mate by brining your dad along. Parents are our precious gems that cannot be replaced.
Looking forward to this. I’ve been on the road for work and had my credit card compromised at a gas station in Surrey, so I’m just waiting for my new one to be couriered to me. Hopefully, there are still hats left. I plan to order a couple as soon as I get it. 👊🏻
Oh man, sorry to hear that. That sucks.
There should still be some left for you. 👍🏼
Mike, thanks for the tour around town, which is something I didn't get to do when I was there, as I was only there 1 day, getting back on the train for the return trip that evening. As I mentioned on the previous video, I drove to The Pas. What I didn't mention was that I started in northern IL, and drove solo. This was a 1169 mi./1181km. drive.
Thank you so much. I've wanted to see Hudson Bay since I learned about it in school. It's so beautiful
Mike your trip looks amazing and sharing with your dad is something you'll both always remember. Trust me on that. ❤️. Thanks for letting us know it was October, I was curious as it looked so cold.....
Fascinating to visit Churchill. I visited for University and work and have been to all the places he talks about as well Fort Prince of Wales and the Rocket Range (Churchill Northern Studies Centre). Small correction. Longest road is 24 km out to the Rocket Range; it's only 7 km to the airport
Such a beautiful town..! So nice to see life in Canada
I was in Vancouver in july of 2021, I brought home my motor bike I bought, only to find out I need to repair some things on it to drive it.
Hopefully in the summer I will be on the road with it, let's hope..
Thanks for you sharing your video.
Thank you for sharing! I've always wondered what these towns look like in winter
Thanks for watching!
Life in North Canada is so very unique and beautiful also very harsh in it's climate and isolation the higher you go.For the most part the communities are filled with people that are hardy with strong sense of community I am grateful that i experienced working and living in high Arctic east to west . I spent 10 years up there I can tell you , there truly is no other place like the Canadian North
Living in WG, I watched this video with great interest. I really was surprised to see the frozen water, and the idea of walking on it.
I’m a fairly new subscriber to your channel and I’m going back to watch your old videos. I have to say I’ve absolutely loved this series. It has shown me something I never would have seen or even known about. It was absolutely wonderful. Thank you!
Wow, thank you!
Thanks, Mike. Learned a lot. Your videos brighten up my weekend. Can't wait for the next adventure. Hey how about making a Christmas video.
I was just thinking about that
Your trip looked like such a cool adventure and I really felt like I was there with you. Love the new hat and I hope to be sporting it soon in soon myself in Milwaukee. Maybe I will take a pic by the Fonzie statue for ya. If you are stuck in Vancouver, may I suggest a day in your life and local neighborhood? That would be cool to see...where does Mike go for groceries? or the outside of bars or restaurants (I know you cant go in) you sport? just a thought...
JJ, please send me a pic of you with the new hat when it arrives! And great idea for some local neighbourhood type videos. I'm not sure what else I'll get up to. Thanks as always!
Top notch travel documentary, I can't wait to watch more of your videos!
I loved this series, Michael. Thank you so much for this.
My company gives all its employees christmas boxes and this year it includes a round tray with cartoon-like graphics and it shows narwhals in Hudson’s Bay. At first I thought it was an error but it’s not!
Did you know that we have narwhals?
That is awesome! I don't think I knew they were in Hudson Bay. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!
Narwhal where never knowen to be in the Hudson Bay there more in the costal artic ocean waters I have never even seen native art work local to the bay only in the extreme artic ocean community's like Tuktoyuktuk never in Coral Harbour or Churchill
Thanks for taking me along. Nice production value and pacing. I love your enthusiasm! I look forward to your next adventure!
Awesome, thank you!
Great video series Downie. Excellent idea for an adventure and well put together episodes.
Enjoyed our trip to Churchill from Gillam about ten years ago, maybe more. With more time I may have tacked on a CalmAir flight to Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Frobisher Bay, and other places, and/or York Factory.
It's been nearly 13 years since I stayed a week at the CNSC for a research project. He didn't show it in this video but the CNSC also has a collection of old out buildings that used to be used for rocket launches. I made the mistake of watching one of the old VHS tapes of 'The Thing' which I hadn't seen before on a Friday afternoon that a storm was rolling in. No one told me that everyone else was going home for the weekend and I would be solo, they just left so yeah that was a stressful weekend.
I am addicted to this channel... Please keep posting videos regularly . I want to know more and explore more Canada through your camera.... Love you ... Stay safe
More to come!
@@DownieLive ♥️
Have you been to St. Anthony, Newfoundland? I was there for a few months in 2003. It was the first time I saw the ocean freeze. I didn't know that could happen! It's amazing! There is a small airport a few miles outside of St. Anthony. Everything there is pretty much the same as far as businesses go. All local, no chains, at least there weren't any in 2003.
Very impressive that no chain stores have entered the town. Big and Small box retailers have destroyed the"Mom and Pop" entrepreneurship. Glad to see it alive and kicking in Churchill.
Another great video.
Great video one of my best friends grew up in Churchill in the 60s was great to see his hometown today. 👍👍
It’s crazy that this is what 58 degrees North looks like in Canada, like the edge of the earth. Whereas I’m in Scotland at the same latitude. Thank god for the Gulf Stream!
Thanks for filming this incredible series. Glad that you and your Dad were able to share this adventure together. As 2020 comes to a close I want you to know how much I have appreciated all that you do to produce such a fascinating channel. Your never ending friendliness and positivity are a welcome mood lifter in this dark and dreary year. Wishing you and your family a very happy Merry Christmas and a much better New Year in 2021! ❤🇨🇦❄☃️🎄🙏🌎
Thank you so much, John. I’m happy to hear that. All the best in 2021 to you as well.
I have seen that town on ice Road Truckers. Art Burke broke down and had to have his truck towed to Churchill to get worked on. While he was waiting, he went bowling!
There is no road to Churchill. It is fly in or train access only. No road to town.
@@DownieLive, I was thinking of Thompson, sorry!
The via rail Canadian train is actually starting off this month it only goes as far as Winnipeg but I am hoping to take it with my friend in the springtime pending on covid. I'm now i really want to go to Churchill
It left Vancouver yesterday for the first time since March! I can't wait to go on it either, when COVID eases a bit. Maybe I'll see you on it!
@@DownieLive if u tell me when your booking on it I'll book the same time
@@DownieLive I have been a bunch of times on the Canadian we I went all the way to Toronto my friend Ross has been on the Canadian the most amount of times of any passenger over a 100 times different segments.
Gosh this looks absolutely beautiful!!!! I want to go to Churchill!! My gosh that cafe is a dream
I really enjoyed this video. I didn’t know the Hudson River freezes. Great content. 💥👍🔥👊🇬🇧”🎄🎄