Life in the Tundra Lodge

What's a Tundra Lodge you might ask -- this is...

The cars are as follows -- Left to right - Polar Rover, Staff Quarters, Kitchen/Dining, Lounge, Sleeping/Washrooms, back deck. The cars are separated by a steel grate deck -- very windy and Polar Bears can hang below them. They did not do it while I was at the Lodge -- disappointing...

My home away from home for 3 nights - the back deck was supposed to be the Mindfulness deck, but it was so windy, no one used it.

On the way to the Lodge we were given a briefing on what to expect – There was a dining car, a Lounge and sleeping quarters – they were linked by a steel grate, that you could see through, but no Polar Bear parts would fit in.  It made for a chilly passage.  At the end of the lodge was an open deck, kind of like the ones on the Rover.  We were instructed to in general be quiet – the walls are thin in the sleeping quarters & the Polar Bears can hear us in the Lodge.  We need to walk and communicate quietly so as not to spook them.  That was harder than it sounds.

I was lucky to get a lower berth & close to the lounge & bathrooms – and it was my lucky number – 3!

First Bear from the Lodge was curious and quick – she skittered away when 2 people yelped in surprise as she popped up out of the brush close to the Lodge. 

First Sunset from the Tundra Lodge

This is what happens when we see a bear at the Lodge in the dining room

We even had bear wine

Polar Bear paw prints outside the lodge

The sleeping quarters were described as a berth, a room-ette and a den.  I am the most fond of the Den.  If you stand up and stretch out your arms you can touch all the walls.  The bed is only @15 inches off the floor, so it is more than a little challenging to get up from it. So low I had to grab the closed door handle to help me get up (yes, I could reach it from the bed). That is a window on the Tundra too!

The next afternoon we had a few bears...

On the second day after the morning drive the wind really picked up (65 mph).  The Lodge was rocking and rolling.  Even the staff was remarking on the movement.  We had a few bears.  Often in the lodge, I would put may camera away and inevitably we would get bears.  Fortunately my room was close, so not such a long trip.

Sunset with the 65mph winds

My dining companions - Photo credit : Lodge Manager - Krys.

Don, Sue, Chris, Kevin, Debbie, Rachel, Arnold, Lianne (behind me) - Guide, Me

Same people except for Heather - Guide, photobombing us...

Bears from the next day at the Lodge

Watchful Mama with Cubs of the Year (COY) - Photo Credit: Lianne Thompson

Polar Bear Prairie Dogging - Photo Credit: Heather Chrystie

Nursing yearlings - Photo Credit: Heather Chrystie

On the final morning as I was checking to see if I had missed anything I saw this handle. If I had known it was there, I would have used it instead of the door handle.

We departed before dawn on the final day at the Tundra Lodge -- this group came to say goodbye.

Mama came very close -- she will miss us!

We bid adieu to the Tundra Lodge.