More Fun in the Snow!

More Fun in the Snow!

Today, our second day in Algonquin, we took advantage of the continuing sunshine and clear blue skies, which graced us with their presence for two days in a row. (Sunny days have been rare over the last month - which is quite uncommon for winters in Ontario). 

Courtesy of https://www.traversing.ca/blog/2012/1/11/arrowhead-provincial-park-ice-skating-trail

We were excited to go to Arrowhead Provincial Park, and looking forward to enjoy an hour or so of tubing. Unfortunately, the tubing hill was closed - and has been for most of the winter! So, we decided to forge ahead with our second choice - snowshoeing along the groomed trails. 

Thank goodness there were no other people on the trail at the same time, which was convenient when needing to answer the call of nature! (Don't worry - this video clip passes the test for common decency!!! lol)

Of all the snowshoe trails available, we chose the easier 2 km Stubb's Falls Trail, which runs alongside the river, crosses over via a bridge, and then returns along the other side of the river. It also follows the skating trail along some of its course. We paused our trek to watch some of the skaters on the trail. 

Not being a skater, myself, I am always in awe of the skating skills of Canadians - especially those of younger age. Their confidence seems to abound! 

At the end of the Stubb's Falls Trail are the Falls, themselves. While not as spectacular as some of the falls we have visited, it was captivating to watch the water flow under the snow and ice and continue on its journey to the next lake.

We spent quite a while taking in the beauty of the wintery surroundings and, at one point, we actually felt the warmth of the sun on our faces. 

There were several snow-covered rocks that afforded great viewing platforms... 

... and a deep crevice dividing one section of an erratic. For this pic of Mark, I was actually standing above, looking down at him through the crack. 

The trail ended back on the road, just a couple of minutes from where we had parked. Adjacent to the road bridge, a footbridge crossed the meeting of the river with the lake. It was covered with snow, and had been groomed as part of the cross-country ski trail. We waited for one such skier to cross the bridge and our patience was finally rewarded!

After lunch, in Whitney (at the east end of the park), we hiked one more trail - The Two Rivers Trail. We couldn't remember if we had ever done this trail but, if we had, it would have looked very different in the summer or fall. Once again, we were filled with wonder by the sheer beauty of the Canadian winter scenery. When we stopped to listen, we could feel such an abundance of peace and quiet that took our breath away. The trail took us along a cliff top so we were able to appreciate vistas that stretched out before us. 

We were also fascinated by the fungi on the side of this tree, each one lightly painted white by nature's gentle snowfall. 

This natural arch just begged us for a photo op!

After being out in the fresh air for most of the day, we were quite tired when we reached our hotel, and were glad to partake of a nice mug of warm coffee!

The weather forecast is calling for a couple of overcast days, with some possible snowfall, so we're glad we took advantage of the sunshine while it lasted! 

Algonquin's Winter Wonderland

Algonquin's Winter Wonderland

Over the last few weeks, Ontario (both Northern and Southern) has experienced several squalls of snowfall, resulting in 3-4 feet of the white stuff that has blanketed the whole province. When faced with shoveling sidewalks, or snow-blowing driveways, or driving through a blizzard when caught unawares, it can be a little daunting - especially when the snow keeps coming!

Alan, clearing the driveway for the 8th time in just under two weeks!

However, when stepping outside the cities, towns, and subdivisions, we can find ourselves in awe of the vistas that reveal themselves in the wilderness that makes up vast areas of our country.

We are currently in the Muskoka Region of the Canadian Shield and enjoying one of our favourite spots - Algonquin Provincial Park. It's here where we found the Winter Wonderland that adorns the forests, lakes, and rocks of the area.

The West Gate entrance to Algonquin Park (The flag poles are actually perpendicular to the ground - it's just the angle of the camera which gives the appearance of leaning poles).

It was around -19 degrees Celsius, with the windchill factor taken into account, but the clear blue skies and glorious sunshine beckoned us outside to brave the elements and enjoy the landscapes.

There are still spots where there is open water!

Sammy Squirrel came to see what we were about

Hoping the snow obeys the STOP road sign!

After hiking the Spruce Bog Trail, we returned to one of our favourite spots - the Algonquin Logging Museum. The trail is just over 1 km long, and traces the development of the logging industry in Algonquin from the time of the earliest European Settlers, to the more recent times. Along the hike, there are various buildings and historical exhibits that represent this historical journey, including a recreated camboose camp, as well as an Alligator - a steam-powered tug that was used to help haul the logs.

The snow on the rooftops was about 4' deep

The 'Alligator' - a steam-powered tug that helped to move the logs

Once again, you can see the depth of the snow on this engine

Mark attempted to call the lumberjacks for their meal, but no-one came! I guess they weren't that hungry, after all! 

We were fascinated by the sheer number of wild birds that landed on us whenever we stood still - even though we didn't have any food for them! We did pick up some seeds from the floor and they seemed happy to take them from our hands. We had chickadees and nuthatches coming to us.

One chickadee even alighted upon the windshield of the car while we were eating our picnic lunch inside! He seemed very interested in what we were enjoying!

We also thought we heard a pileated woodpecker because the rat-a-tat sound that echoed through the forest was very deep in pitch. It turned out to be a  Downy, who settled on a tree right next to us and almost posed for a photo-op! 

Downy Woodpecker

A brief stop into the Visitor's Centre allowed us to take a short detour leading to a little gazebo.

You can see the depth of the snow by the way this bench has been almost submerged!

So glad we have the freedom to visit places like this, and appreciate the real beauty of winter in Ontario.

Other People's Opinions of Us are None of Our Business!

Other People's Opinions of Us are None of Our Business!

Most of us are trained, from a very early age, to please other people. Our parents and teachers - probably with the best intentions - praised us when we behaved in ways that were pleasing to them, and withheld praise when we did things of which they disapproved. (In some cases, the disapproval included some sort of punishment).

It's only natural that we bask in the approval of others, and shrink from experiencing the opposite; but when we continue to care about the opinions of others, we find ourselves being tossed to and fro because each person with whom we interact wants and expects different things from us... and we just hope that they never turn up in the same room at the same time!!

Several of us have experienced that a person can keep 'changing the rules' so that we feel obliged to change our behaviour to meet their new expectations.

Before we know it, we have lost ourselves - our sense of who we are - and we find ourselves being ruled by continually seeking the approval of those we love or admire. Whether this is obvious to us, or very subtle in its manifestation, the effects are the same.

When we can control our need to please others, and focus upon living our life the way WE want to live it, then we find true freedom and true independence and are able to live authentically.

To Everything, there is a Season...

To Everything, there is a Season...

This morning, we left our latest house/pet sit, in Nova Scotia and enjoyed the ferry crossing to Saint John, New Brunswick. 

The Ferry from Digby, N.S. to Saint John, N.B. 

Us on the deck with snowstorm in the background

After an overnight stop in Edmundston, we'll be heading for Quebec City tomorrow for two nights, spending some time with our treasured friends from Vermont, Eileen and Dick. 

Dick and Eileen - our Vermontian 'family'!

The following day, we’ll be setting out for Ottawa, to reconnect with John and Dianne, our friends from Elliot Lake – who put us on to this house/pet sitting adventure in the first place.

Dianne and John - dear friends from Elliot Lake

Our final sit of the year will be in Huntsville, Northern Ontario, over the Christmas period, before we return home just before New Years. We’re looking forward to meeting Phil and Heather, and their two dogs, Holly and Maya, and spending the Holidays in their new home.

This afternoon, while on the ferry, I was overwhelmed with a strong feeling of joy, and a sense of gratitude for the life we live. It really seems, at times, that we are on a continuous holiday, going from sit to sit, getting our animal fix, reuniting with friends, and meeting new ones. We both feel such appreciation for the amazing people who have come into our lives – new acquaintances that seem to become new friends so quickly, and those folks of longer standing, who have been supportive of us from the early years, including members of our own families.

The ‘crème de la crème’ for me is that I get to share this with the love and light of my life. Mark and I share so many ideals and dreams, and love traveling together. 

Mark is the love and light of my life!

We especially treasure the times when we are driving on a long journey, reminiscing about previous experiences, appreciating what we are seeing, hearing, and doing at the present time, and discussing possible plans for our future  – and our new car makes the experience even more enjoyable!

Our dream car - Toyota Rav 4! (We've had our eye on one of these for many years).

This feeling of extreme happiness was tinged with a little sadness as I realized that there are so many people out there who are not able to experience this joy for one reason or another. Momentarily, I felt a little guilty for being so happy, and I wish there was something I could do to help others experience the same exhilaration for life. 

Then I remembered the undying the words of the song, ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’…

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…

…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

I remembered that, this time last year, things weren’t so rosy, as I faced some serious health issues; also, there have been times in my earlier life when it was difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We all have our challenges – some obvious, some hidden. Things happen which we didn’t bargain for, and these offer us an opportunity to appreciate the better times.

The philosophy that we have embraced teaches us to move, little by little, step by step, towards seeing the goodness in life and in the people around us. Spending time in nature, and drinking in its beauty, helps us to focus upon the positive, and to bring those negative moments into perspective. 

Our last view of the lighthouse at Point Prim, Digby, N.S.
(The light shining in the fog is symbolic for this article)

We drove until we found a pleasing view by which we could eat our lunch

Appreciating the clouds in the sky, and the surrounding rocks and trees on our journey

We don’t always succeed in doing this, but we never give up taking those little steps, encouraging one another when setbacks occur. It is not always easy, but we feel that, if we look for it, we will find a way to choose to focus on something that makes us feel a little better, and then a little better, until we have switched our attention to appreciation of what we have.  

Not always easy, but well worth making the effort

Life is not perfect, and will always offer contrast into our experience; but with practice, we can lift our spirits, negotiate the troughs, and ride the waves, once again.

I would like to share a very personal story.

When my dear beloved brother, Derek, became seriously ill, four years ago, I remember sitting alone with him at the kitchen table in his home. He was reading the newspaper and I reached over to him, touched his arm, and told him that, although we try to focus on the positive, I wanted him to know that I was heartbroken over what he was going through, and the inevitable outcome. His response to me was one that I will never forget. 

He told me that he understood how I felt, but that Mark and I should not put our lives on hold for him. He reminded me that he had lived his life, and he wanted us to do the same. I promised him that we would do just that – live life to the fullest – but that we would make adjustments, out of love, so that we could spend more time with him. 

I will always treasure that special moment in our relationship, when our hearts met and our watering eyes held each other in a gaze of mutual respect and admiration.

Me and my brother, Derek, when he visited us in Elliot Lake (May, 2014)

My beautiful brother, Derek. (R.I.P. March 19th, 2015)

Our philosophy teaches us that the best thing we can do for others is to give them the example of our own alignment so that, in witnessing our joy, they can be uplifted towards their own. 

We are constantly being reminded by our friends that they live vicariously through our adventures and that the pictures and comments we post on social media give them a feeling of well-being… and that makes us feel very humble and grateful for their kindness in sharing that with us.

We’d like to thank our family members, and all of our friends, both new and longer-standing, for continually supporting us and helping to make our lives even richer.