New Year's Eve day found us in Killaloe, a 40 minute drive from here, in search of warm and waterproof boots for Rob. There is a wonderful shoe store in Killaloe, Afelskie's Shoes, and while a woman cheerfully helped Rob find a good fit, the owner Benny Afelskie entertained me with local stories of the past. "You probably noticed I only have one real eye" he said. I had to admit I actually hadn't noticed it at all. He lost sight in one eye apparently at a young age, when an awl went into it. I didn't think to ask how that had happened. He told me that years later he went to a doctor in Ottawa to see about having the eye removed, and while he was waiting, a nurse or assistant came out and sent most of the patients home for the day due to an emergency case. He was allowed to remain as he had come from out of town. As he waited, a man arrived with three very large men with him. One of the men had a grip on the man's chin, another had the man's head pulled up and back and was holding his head in place by pulling on his hair and the third man guided him. “He had a big nail stuck right in his eye” Mr. Afelskie told me gesturing at his own eye. Now some people can tell you a story, and it's just a story, but other people tell you a story and you can see it all vividly unfolding, and unfortunately Mr. Afelskie falls into the latter category, so I have to admit I was feeling a tiny bit queasy by then! Apparently it all turned out well though. A few months later, Mr. Afelskie was back at the doctor for a checkup (after receiving an artificial eye) and the very same man was also there for a checkup. He apparently had been well looked after in the office and was fine. The nail, I was told, went into the white of his eye, thus saving his sight.
While Rob continued to shop, I did a bit of browsing myself, in between some more story telling. A fairly constant stream of customers came in while we were there and everyone seemed to know each other. We have been to this store a couple of times and they have a great selection, good prices, and super helpful staff. Next door is a Natural Food store - Grandma's Pantry and we went in and picked up some granola and peanut butter and had a good look around to see what they carry.
We had read that there was a good diner in town; Dan’s Diner, well known for their home made donuts, so decided to try it for lunch. It was busy, and obviously a popular spot. It's like a real old style diner, complete with stools at the counter. We ordered two of the daily specials, and they were great. The person serving was alone and very busy, but still all smiles and most helpful and she did a wonderful job. What a delightful find, and we will return (and not just because the donuts weren’t available, they are only made on certain days!)
We made our way home enjoying the views of Golden Lake and the hills around us. It was the first time we’d come this route in the winter, and we noticed how different the area looks from the summer, especially with all the cottage rental places closed for the season. There were a few ice fishing huts already well out on the lake, which seemed a bit early as the ice can’t possibly be thick enough yet. Apparently it’s important to grab your spot early though!
New Year’s Day was sunny and cold with a high of around minus 15. Of course Rob had to try out his new boots, and decided to venture out on the edges of the ice along the river.
And of course he immediately went through the ice. Luckily we knew it was shallow at the edge, so no harm done. His boots are indeed waterproof, and warm. They are apparently warm up to minus 100 degrees, although we have no way of checking that claim out. We both ventured out on the ice again further along when we saw little tracks leading into the river and had to check it out. And of course we both then went through the ice. My boots are definitely not as waterproof. We checked out the area where we want to build, admired the river view, and then set out through the woods to see if we could walk through the area that the beaver sometimes uses in the summer. Sure enough it was under water, and we went through the snow and into water again. We finally gave up and made our way through the woods to where one of the pathways lies. Because of the heavy snow on the trees though, we couldn’t use the pathway, the trees were all bent down low over it. We just have to hope they will all spring back when the snow comes off.
Cutting around the pathway was difficult, the snow sometimes up to my thighs, and we agreed it was time to think about some snowshoes. Our friend Bob had recommended a place that sold them as a kit, with a bag and walking poles, and they offered free shipping, so we ordered ourselves some. Bob has some trails near his place too so we have agreed to meet up sometime in the next week or so to try them out. This week I have been in various shops and three times overheard someone talking about the great snowshoeing trails, so I guess we are in snowshoe country! As we love to walk and hike, I think snowshoes will be a great thing to have for future winters here, so I’m glad we splurged on some now.
Which leads to our next adventure. Years ago, when our store and warehouse were running smoothly, with capable staff, Rob and I had a dream of taking some time off and getting ourselves some kayaks. Our thought was that we would both like to gently paddle around the edges of lakes or rivers, no white water kayaking or anything! We checked out a few places including Ottawa Valley Canoe and Kayak to see what was available, and decided we would take some try-out lessons to help us decide which style of kayak to get. Of course, that’s as far as things went, the store and warehouse were soon taking up all of our time and energy again, and we laughed to think we had even thought about having time to learn to kayak.
This summer as we drove around the Valley we noted lots of boat launching locations, quiet waterways, and marshy wetlands, and kept thinking we would like to have a kayak to go out and do some waterway exploring.
We looked at some kayaks in Barry’s Bay in the fall, but the prices were still high. This week Rob spotted an ad for Ottawa Valley Canoe and Kayak, and so, on a cold and windy morning with the windchill approaching minus 25, we set out to look at what was available.
Located in a refurbished barn, complete with cats, dog, visiting friends, and a most welcome wood stove, we found ourselves in Beth's capable hands. In no time, we were sitting in a lime green kayak, set up on blocks on the floor, getting instructions. We learned that by law we are required to have a pump or bailer on board, a whistle, and a throw rope. And of course a Personal Flotation Device, which is a no brainer for me as I will not be in a kayak unless I am wearing one. I was glad that we could try on different ones though, as they all fit differently and Beth could help us get them adjusted properly for fit.
So, that’s how we came to be driving home, one cold and windy January day, with kayaks in the back of our truck, and big grins on our faces. It took us a few years, but it looks like another one of our dreams just came true! And I think, like the snowshoes, we will have them to enjoy for a long time, and we will be out enjoying the outdoors even more than we already do.
Today though, there will be no kayaking or snowshoeing, as we are in the midst of a January thaw. The warm temperatures caused the trees to drop their heavy snow load, and the snow on the roof is sliding off constantly as well. Our winter wonderland has disappeared, but I can’t help but think it is a good thing for the health of the trees. Now we have freezing rain, but hopefully the warmer temperatures tomorrow will cause it to melt and it won't become a problem for the trees as well.
With the holiday season behind us, we find ourselves looking ahead and looking forward to the coming year. Rob has been working on some new house plans, and a different design of timber frame, and it’s time to think about building and building schedules. It’s taken a while but we have both noticed a subtle shift in our feeling about being here; we both feel more settled, and comfortable now. It was a rather intense few months last year, closing the business, selling the house and moving, and I feel like we are just beginning to catch our breath.
When we first discussed moving here, and giving up our business and income, we talked about being more self sufficient, and learning to do things a little differently. Not knowing what was available up here, and at what cost, we talked about gardening, canning, freezing, and things like baking our own bread. I love to cook, but baking has never been something I did much of. (O.K. in truth I once baked muffins, and the cats got on the counter and batted them around like hockey pucks, and when they fell on the floor even Josh the dog refused to eat them!) But at Christmas we made and enjoyed biscochitos, so this week I tried my hand at some healthy oatmeal cranberry orange cookies. They came out pretty good, and the cabin was filled with the delicious smell of cinnamon.
Now I'm pretty keen to try my hand out on some bread. When I first met Rob he used to make bread and it was exquisite. Now it's my turn to give it a go. I went to the library and found a book on bread making and picked a couple of recipes to try. Hopefully by my next post, I'll have something to show for it, other than the ingredients!
My other bit of fun this week was building a snowman. Snowperson. Snowthing....whatever. Rolling up balls of snow and sticking them together. The best part is all the childhood memories it brought back. Trying to haul the pieces up and on top without breaking. Smoothing, filling in, patting the snow in place. Sitting in my snow pants deep in snow in glorious sunshine. Finding things to use for it's eyes, nose, mouth. Trying to work without mittens to shape the snow better. I stuck gravel in for it's smile, but it all fell out as the temperature rose, and now it looks badly in need of dental work. I even added ears and some snow hair. Best of all, it was fun! And Jet of course barked at it, but now won't even glance at it, so it's probably good training for him too.
As always, every day we walk the land, through the forests, and along the roads. After all the changes in the past year, we really feel like we are finally settling in to our new life here. There have been a few challenges, (did I mention Rob getting his tractor good and stuck - twice ?) but it's all a learning curve. At the end of the day, as we come down our road, we always feel like we are in a good place, and fortunate to be here.
