Eliguk Outpost

Wild hair, don't care! Wild hair - don't care; I've got my Mountain Man back! It's taken a long time to hone this 'informal-happy-go-lucky' wilderness look and I'm quite comfortable with not having to be presentable on any given day (which may soon backfire.) Two weeks away again for the 100th time, over the span of several years and this just feels 'normal' now. One thing is clear on that first day back together...we just giggle all day. Mountain Man had left Vanderhoof early as usual while it was still below zero, so the ground was solid enough to make it all the way home towing his heavy load. Cottonwood…

Peeking Purple Passion Asparagus... You know Spring has sprung, (even in zone one); when your beloved tender 'purple passion' spears are popping up in the cold frame! This year we will be able to sample them. Asparagus has been one of the longest, most anticipated treats at Eliguk so far. The big table slabs in the greenhouse dried nicely over the Winter. Some of the smaller boards warped, even being weighed down. With the Spruce out here, we've found that; dead or not, it should be used right after milling and dry in place after you've nailed it down to a project. Otherwise it looks like something you pass-over when…

Windowsill Lettuce It must be two weeks now, according to what little fresh vegetables remain in cold storage. A couple weeks that you strive to use all those greens without any waste or spoilage. By my  calculations, if my husband is not heading to town until next week, and likely working on the plane there for a dozen days or so; that means the windowsill lettuce I'm growing now will be ready before he gets back to stock up the greens. I had better separate the little plants so they can grow bigger, faster! I'm not ready to plant the greenhouse just yet, I wont be able to haul all…

Unloading the sawmill at Rob & Linda's The trip into the wilderness was a long one, but successful in its intention. Get the neighbour’s sawmill delivered, and then race home while the snow was still set from the one cold night that had just passed. Arriving somewhere along Walts driveway at 7am to meet up with neighbor Rob Phillips. They loaded the sawmill from the trucks trailer; taking everything they had to transfer the weight to the cargo sleigh. Riding on the lakes up to the Phillips was the only way they could haul such a heavy load, they were already bottoming out through the snow on the trails. It…

Ceremonial Bonfire The red coals sizzled and hissed, as I stared deep into it's glowing hot embers. I got close enough to the huge fire, the warmth from the flames dried the flowing tears along my burning cheeks. The dogs gathered round with us and when the bonfire was just right, we placed our beloved Murphy on top of the wood platform that was built into the bonfire. Wrapped in his favorite blanket that I had just rocked him in, then tucked inside a box. We held each other as the smoke billowed high above into the sky. That's when we noticed the lunar halo. It's light refracted through tiny…

Waiting in the Hospital The chopper ride to Vanderhoof airport was smooth. I thanked Paul immensely for the prompt airlift and he assured me that I would return the favor soon, when he brings his family out to stay at Eliguk. My Prince George family picked me up and we were soon on our way to the PG hospital; where I would spend the next 5 hours. The sunglasses kept the bright lights from making my head pound harder. I didn't take any medication for the headache, just in case. I think I pretty much had the doctors stumped as they ruled out things with each test. Glaucoma, HIgh Blood…

Sunny days Welcome to March! I don't want to gloat, but that was the shortest Winter I can remember here in the wild West Chilcotin. It marked our 6th Winter off the grid, and the first two months flew by being as mild as it was. It's obvious that Spring is around the corner now. Brook even came into her 3rd heat 2 months early just a few days ago. We've decided to let nature take it's course and have her first litter. With a few homes already on a waiting list and the timing of this heat, we don't have any bookings for early Spring. Brooks gestation period will…

Now that's a load! It was only 2 nights alone this time, then my husband returned to our wilderness. Neighbors Rob & Linda met him out by his truck parked just down the driveway a few kilometers from the Kluskus Forest Service rd., on their snow machines. Thank goodness they had done so, otherwise I'm not quite sure how he would have managed to load the large crates of steel battery racks on top of the long mill extension. I was beyond impressed with the swivel mount set up he made to maneuver and steer the more than 20 feet of 'sleigh train' he had in tow. The clincher was…

Fully fit and ready for the wilderness; well at least that's what he says. I can confirm that he has put on a few pounds of needed weight and his energy levels have returned to normal. It's been a couple weeks of eating 'too well' and enjoying the ridiculously warm Winter weather. There's not much Winter left, so the restlessness to get a move on the number of things lined up, is creating a weight that needs to be lifted. We already know there won't be any ice harvest this year (there's only a foot and a half - mostly white ice). Our back up being the two large commercial…

I had the pleasure of packing weight on Mountain Man, while he worked his way up to a full days work around the resort. Full fat, high protein, and loaded with carbs; seems to be a chefs sweet spot when creating in the kitchen. I didn't disappoint. Steak, baked potato, Yam, Carrots, naan bread and salad. Butter Poaching Steak Benny                 I've also perfected those pumpkin rolls, now looking divinely similar to croissants! Pumpkin Knot Rolls The weather has been unusually warm, way to warm for February! January was mild, but now it's getting ridiculous. We count on the cold of this month…