Inuvik (Feb 10/03) - With more than three months remaining of the frosty, seemingly never-ending Northern winter, most of us can't help dreaming about that perfect vacation.

Northerners often call on travel agent Sherry Rioux at Mack Travel in Inuvik when planning that perfect vacation. Here, Sherry shows off the company's beach setting. - Tara Kearsey/NNSL photo

Whether it involves tanning on Bermuda's beaches, swimming with the dolphins at Sea World, or partying it up at a Cancun night club, almost everyone has that perfect getaway on their minds.

If Donna Keogak of Sachs Harbour had lots of money to throw around, she wouldn't hesitate to jump on a plane and head to Hawaii.

"It's just some place different," she said. "My parents went there and they said it was beautiful, so I wouldn't mind seeing it."

Keogak has visited several Canadian cities, but yearns to spend time in an exotic atmosphere, or "anywhere that has a beautiful summer and there are no bugs."

But because her body has become so adjusted to a Northern climate, Keogak doesn't think she would be able to spend more than a few days in Hawaii.

"I wouldn't be very good in the heat, I think. Inuvik is hot enough in the summer," she said.

In Holman, Colin Okheena usually spends time out on the land during his holidays. But he does dream about practicing his swing on a first-class golf course.

"I would look for some place to golf ... maybe in B.C. There's a real nice golf course down there," he said.

Aklavik Indian band chief Charlie Furlong has an interesting vacation spot in mind -- Nashville, Tenn.

"I'm a country music fan so I would like to see where all the great singers hang out and where they live," he said.

While there, he would hope to catch a glimpse of some modern artists such as Sammy Kershaw and Vince Gill, and visit the ol' stompin' grounds of Hank Williams and George Jones.

Trish Veltman of Tsiigehtchic has the romantic atmosphere of Paris on her mind.

"There's just something about Paris. There's just so much history ... the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower," she said.

On the other hand, some Northeners have been isolated for so long that they don't even think about taking a Southern vacation.

Christine Jacobson of Tuktoyaktuk is one of those people. She doesn't really fantasize about vacations.

"I have no idea. I've never even thought about it," she said. "I don't have the time to think."

But if she was ever presented with an opportunity to travel, she would definitely go "some place warm."