Reflection - Part Three: The Mysterious Dance of Fate Fate is like an enchanting dance, a rhythmic interplay of events that beautifully converge at the right moment. The essence of this mysterious dance lies in the belief that certain people are meant to cross paths for a reason. These encounters can invoke a feeling of familiarity, understanding, and an inexplicable connection that hints at a shared past or a deeper bond. Divine timing is the concept that everything happens in its own time, often in ways we cannot foresee. In the realm of soulmate connections, divine timing suggests that the universe has a plan for when and how these encounters…

Reflection - Part Two: The Lee Valley Settlers Long before he earned the nickname 'Mountain Man' (the last decade here at Eliguk), Aron Toland was shaped by the untamed beauty of a 300-acre farm deep in the backcountry of Northern Ontario. Born in 1963, growing up the youngest of three older sisters, the farming burdens fell upon him. He was the last child at home with much older parents, and his father was fifty years old when Aron was born. The eldest daughter had already moved out of the farmhouse and was married before Aron was born - needless to say, it was an unexpected pregnancy for his mother, who…

Reflection: For the Lack of Anything Except Ordinary. Looking back on our experiences and evaluating them. Gaining insights that lead to personal growth. Introspective thinking and contemplation to understand thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences. Seeing our own reflection as gateways to our inner selves. Today I'm contemplating the beauty of life's routine moments. As I cozy up in my log cabin this Sunday afternoon, the delicate dance of snowflakes outside reminds me of the beauty in life’s fleeting moments. Winter might be trying to hold its grip, but inside, I’ve stoked the wood stove twice, whipped up breakfast and lunch, tackled the dishes, and even tamed Mountain Man's sawdust glitter…

My Lumberjack I have found over the years, that celebrating iconic dates that the rest of the world holds as significant, doesn't rub off unless you are part of that bigger society. The vibrant festivities that once adorned our calendars now seem to fade into the background, eclipsed by the everyday demands of a simplified lifestyle. St. Patrick's Day nearly slipped unnoticed this year, with the flag raised only after breakfast, a gentle reminder of cherished tradition fading into the background. Yet, as we approach Mountain Man's 62nd birthday on the first day of spring, I feel a spark of creativity rekindling. Whether a plan comes together or not, all…

My son turns 36 today, and I can’t help but reflect on what a remarkable age it is. It’s a time when one possesses a profound understanding of life, paired with the energy and time to chase dreams. Yet, as I ponder this milestone, I realize we’re not in the same world that existed even a few decades ago. The whirlwinds of change have swept through our lives, and we often find ourselves living outside the grasp of mainstream culture. This is why I chose to venture into the wilderness—to escape the relentless tide erasing the traditions and values I hold dear. Out here, among the trees and the whispers…

It was relaxing to organize all my seedlings and watch with excitement as they started to sprout. The feeling of getting down to your last few prized heirloom tomato seeds you acquired from halfway around the world - all because you somehow missed collecting that variety of seed from last year, can be daunting! Needless to say, when that tomato seed finally germinates - I feel more at ease. However the stress of it making the journey from seedling to full blown fruit producing tomato plant, is a challenge I don't mind taking on - I think that's half the excitement of gardening! I know some of you think planting…

Lake walks The cold snap came to a close yesterday, right after February's full moon. While some scientists say the full moon doesn't affect the weather much, my observations suggest that temperatures more often than not, rise once its cycle ends. I could face the coldest nights of winter without my Mountain Man, even as the mercury plunged to -33°C (-27.4°F). It's not terrible, especially compared to the -51°C we endured a couple of years back. Still, my heart races as I track my husband’s journey to town, hoping he avoids any mechanical mishaps that could leave him stranded. It's one thing to walk 20 miles any other time of…

Cold Snap of February It's been a hectic week at the Outpost, and we're currently experiencing a cold snap, similar to many places around the globe. We've received five new snow inches, meaning we can travel by snow machine. Driving the Jeep is still an option. We've had two phone calls from the US today. Both are friendly folks who have been following our journey for years and are unrelated/unknown to each other. Both want to apologize to their President following the announcement of tariffs on Canada. We are equally sorry that our Prime Minister retaliated with the same, creating a tariff war that only the citizens will suffer because…

All is quiet along the EIiguk lakeshore, while the cold sets in; and the moon rises over the horizon... The extra-curricular life of school teachers is structured; there’s no cutting work early, which means that when you prepare for a weekend adventure, the earliest you can set off with a trailer full of gear and fourteen enthusiastic sled dogs is around 5 pm. The four-hour journey to the end of the Kluskus, followed by three hours of unpacking the dog teams, harnessing the dogs, clipping them to the gangline, and packing the sleds for the exhilarating twenty-eight-mile mushing to Eliguk, becomes a testament to dedication and passion. We had spent…

A Mild January Winter - Watching the lake ice melt away. Just when I thought I was finally settling into my cozy hibernation—like a bear in a cave, only with plush fuzzy blankets and a streaming service—I received a message that shook me from my slumber: “Wanna go to Vancouver with me?” Nadine from the Fort St. James Hoy clan seemed to have a sixth sense for detecting my all too secluded deeply introverted isolation. I was hoping to get away with over-wintering like the rest of my dormant garden beds, tucked under a layer of mulch awaiting the change of seasons. Nadine wanted me to join her for a…