Bear it all in Cochrane & Wachay @ the Bay events August 2009

Bear it all in Cochrane & Wachay @ the Bay!
WHEN: Long weekend August 1-3rd 2009
WHAT: This is a unique one time event for adventurous geocachers ( 2 events actually)
Wachay is a Cree greeting and the Bay refers to James Bay
Get yourself to Cochrane Ontario ( www.town.cochrane.on.ca ) for Saturday August 1,2009 for a special geocache event . Bear it all in Cochrane. Lots of new local caches will be available in the Cochrane area in time for the event.
While there, visit the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village. www.polarbearhabit.ca Take a short drive to see the Gardiner Ferry, one of the last cable ferries in Ontario. Have a Timmies in the town that was home to Tim Horton, take a swim in Lake Commando in the centre of town, or in the new pool at the Tim Horton Events Centre.
Spend the night in Cochrane, several local hotels and B&B’s to choose from. ( Camping is available at Green Water Provincial Park ½ hour out of town) and board the Polar Bear Express train www.northlander.ca on Sunday August 2nd for a historic ride on the rails to Moosonee ON. Ontario Northland's Polar Bear Express connects residents of the coastal communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory to Cochrane and is one of North America's last remaining "flag stop" train services.
As well, the Polar Bear Express offers visitors from around the world an opportunity to connect with Canadian history, Aboriginal culture and the landscape of the North.
This old-fashioned rail excursion travels 186 miles between Cochrane and Moosonee, including over the Moose River - through Ontario's most pristine and spectacular scenery.
During the summer, the Polar Bear Express features a full dining car in in addition to a snack car. Take in the scenic view from the popular dome car, which features windows that round up towards the ceiling and allow you to take in the most of the majestic environment; and, your ride aboard the Polar Bear Express would not be complete without a stop in the entertainment car to enjoy live music! (licensed car).
The summer train also has a family car, with family-friendly movies, children’s games and crafts - all coordinated and supervised by Polar Bear Express travel counsellors.
Once arriving in Moosonee join us for the event “Wachay @ the Bay”, on the shores of Canada’s only inland sea. We will travel by boat to the shores of James Bay for a traditional picnic. . (Note: There will be a Water Taxi fee to get to the event site, but we are currently looking into funding to make this free for cachers). This adventure is family friendly and there will be kids’ activities available as well. There will be lots of local caches available in Moosonee and on Moose Factory Island to help pass the time while waiting for your train home on Monday. Smoked geese, bannock, fossil hunting, fur trade history, a chance to see belugas, seals osprey, and bald eagles-- just a few of the great things offered by the James Bay Lowlands! The long weekend is usually the final weekend of GOOP (Gathering of Our People) on Moose Factory Island, a Cree Cultural Festival full of rich traditions.
You can budget for this event by checking out these websites for travel and accommodation costs
www.polarbearhabit.ca
http://www.cochrane-on.worldweb.com/
www.northlander.ca
www.moosonee.ca
http://www.jamesbayfrontier.worldweb.com/Moosonee/WheretoStay/
www.town.cochrane.on.ca
We will update the forums as events continue to unfold. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or make suggestions. Pencil this on your calendar today.
As weather changes quickly on the James Bay coast remember to pack accordingly. Rain gear and warm sweaters are a must!

Awesome! Well i have tried to convince the wife, but she is adamantly (and illogically) against the idea.. I am free to go though!

I started saving my pennies already. This is one trip I don't want to miss! Just the additional photos in my portfolio will make it worth while.

Question!

Swimming with the polar bears - is it like 2 pools with a glass wall? will they let me take my underwater camera in?

yes 2 pools & cameras allowed. go during feeding time...better pics

thanks everyone who came all the way up to Moosonee and Moose Factory for the events!!! It was so great to meet cachers and share first time experiences with everyone.