There are a few things we have been asked a lot lately, the first being "Have we seen the caribou yet?". The answer is no, not yet. Apparently they actually don't come around here until later on, more like the end of February or beginning of March. Not December as the parks guy told us last fall. Yeah, I know, we thought he would have been a reliable source too. We have been waiting patiently and I know many of you have too, waiting for pictures but there was just nothing. Not even tracks anywhere. We have learned in the past week that we still have more waiting to do, so again I'll let you know.
The other question is "How did it feel to go out?" Yes, it had been three months since we were anywhere but in this area, and probably close to 2 months since we had been in a vehicle and had to deal with traffic. I'll admit to you, Paul did not do well, he wanted to be back here by the 2nd day, he didn't enjoy the shopping and running around that we had to do in various towns or cities along the way and on our way back home again. It felt very strange to be in a vehicle, can you picture not being in one for that kind of time period? We did though very much enjoy seeing our family and friends, even though we did miss seeing some.
We simply can't believe our time here is pretty much half over now, it is flying by. I know our time will be up before we know it, then what? you ask. Paul and I have to learn how to deal with the outside world again. I've been told that the transition back will not be so fun or easy to slide into. But we'll think about that later, until then we keep on doing what we are now, and lovin it.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Rain in January
After a successful trip out on Boxing Day and returning the first week of January, we are getting settled again and unpacking all the goods. We also all came back with a cold which was to be expected, though I must say it was nice that none of us has had a single sniffle up until now.
We also came back to a huge turn in the weather. Tim and Martina mentioned that it did not warm up past -16, and that was for only one day. The whole time we were out they dealt with mostly -20 temperatures during the day and -30 at night. We also keep the heat going in each others cabins while they are out. The water comes from our cabin to theirs, so keeping the fire going in those tempuratures is important. Our stove can last 6-8 hours before it needs more wood.
But now we have been having +5 daytime tempuratures and -1 at night. The last 2 nights it has actually poured and the days are bringing drizzle once in a while. Our snowmen lasted one day. The lake looks like it would in May when the ice is rotten and ready to go out. There is so much water under the snow that you actually push this huge spray of water in front of the sleds, so lake travel is out for now. Our rink has been self flooded, it actually more resembles a wading pool. This type of weather actually makes it hard to decide what to do in a day without getting soaked. The kids go through lots of mitts and get quite wet, the snow is so saturated with water. After lunch we noticed the clouds breaking so we headed out to our sawmill that we have set up at the gold claim. After snowshoing around and packing down a spot, we dug out the mill and moved it to a more workable area. The claim is at a higher elevation than the lake, by close to 1500 ft. So the snowfall there is a lot more, but overall this year we are still under the normal snowfall levels. We had not gotten much snow that amounted to anything since November, otherwise it has been a few inches here and there. And this last change in the weather is making what we have drop.
So we sawed up a few boards, just enough to build a drag for our trail to smooth out the humps and bumps that it is getting from all the use. We eventually hope to saw more lumber for next summer and some projects we have in mind. The first being a tent frame or two for our wall tents, some bunks for inside and then if time and lumber permits, a storage shed.
Tim and Martina are on a trip out right now and they have taken out the dried fur for the first sale of this year. We won't know for almost a month what the results are. When the fur is taken in, the fur depot staples everything we bring with a bar code and those codes are registered under our trapping license and trapline numbers. Then all the fur from potentially all around Canada (if the other trappers choose to send to the same Auction House) gets sent to Winnipeg. The furs are put into lots, which means they are split up according to type, size and grade of the fur. Then the fur lots are auctioned off to fur buyers, who are domestic and mostly international buyers. Each lot price is entered at the sold value and if you have barcoded fur in that lot, then that's the price you get, and so on. The prices are not what they used to be, and every year there are fluctuations. Sometimes we even have fur left unsold and it will be kept until another sale date, there are usually 3-4 a year. We are still trapping as the season is still open for most animals. Currently we are at 94 marten, 14 beaver, and the same for the lynx and wolverine, 1 each. We have actually decided to hang on to the wolverine in case we want to get him taxidermied. I think the squirrel numbers are around 65. All in all, they are pretty good numbers.
We also came back to a huge turn in the weather. Tim and Martina mentioned that it did not warm up past -16, and that was for only one day. The whole time we were out they dealt with mostly -20 temperatures during the day and -30 at night. We also keep the heat going in each others cabins while they are out. The water comes from our cabin to theirs, so keeping the fire going in those tempuratures is important. Our stove can last 6-8 hours before it needs more wood.
But now we have been having +5 daytime tempuratures and -1 at night. The last 2 nights it has actually poured and the days are bringing drizzle once in a while. Our snowmen lasted one day. The lake looks like it would in May when the ice is rotten and ready to go out. There is so much water under the snow that you actually push this huge spray of water in front of the sleds, so lake travel is out for now. Our rink has been self flooded, it actually more resembles a wading pool. This type of weather actually makes it hard to decide what to do in a day without getting soaked. The kids go through lots of mitts and get quite wet, the snow is so saturated with water. After lunch we noticed the clouds breaking so we headed out to our sawmill that we have set up at the gold claim. After snowshoing around and packing down a spot, we dug out the mill and moved it to a more workable area. The claim is at a higher elevation than the lake, by close to 1500 ft. So the snowfall there is a lot more, but overall this year we are still under the normal snowfall levels. We had not gotten much snow that amounted to anything since November, otherwise it has been a few inches here and there. And this last change in the weather is making what we have drop.
So we sawed up a few boards, just enough to build a drag for our trail to smooth out the humps and bumps that it is getting from all the use. We eventually hope to saw more lumber for next summer and some projects we have in mind. The first being a tent frame or two for our wall tents, some bunks for inside and then if time and lumber permits, a storage shed.
Tim and Martina are on a trip out right now and they have taken out the dried fur for the first sale of this year. We won't know for almost a month what the results are. When the fur is taken in, the fur depot staples everything we bring with a bar code and those codes are registered under our trapping license and trapline numbers. Then all the fur from potentially all around Canada (if the other trappers choose to send to the same Auction House) gets sent to Winnipeg. The furs are put into lots, which means they are split up according to type, size and grade of the fur. Then the fur lots are auctioned off to fur buyers, who are domestic and mostly international buyers. Each lot price is entered at the sold value and if you have barcoded fur in that lot, then that's the price you get, and so on. The prices are not what they used to be, and every year there are fluctuations. Sometimes we even have fur left unsold and it will be kept until another sale date, there are usually 3-4 a year. We are still trapping as the season is still open for most animals. Currently we are at 94 marten, 14 beaver, and the same for the lynx and wolverine, 1 each. We have actually decided to hang on to the wolverine in case we want to get him taxidermied. I think the squirrel numbers are around 65. All in all, they are pretty good numbers.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Countdown to Christmas
Well the tree is up and is it ever big! Probably 8.5 feet tall, way taller than our tree at home would ever be. You know how it goes though, what looks small in the bush is huge in the house, luckily we have a loft only over the back half of the cabin and there is plenty on room for the tree. The kids and I have been making decorations and will start to decorate as soon as the tree stops dripping, I'm thinking nap time for Laney will be about perfect.
We also have most of our gifts taken care of, thanks to internet shopping. All I had ordered online came in the last time we went for mail, that was a huge relief. You never know how busy Canada Post is this time of year and if our parcels will reach the post office they are picked up from by the mail truck that heads out our way once a week.
As I mentioned though, not all the gifts are taken care of yet, we also have to get to work making a few. We had decided with Tim and Martina that we would make gifts for each other. So Paul and I have our plans, it's just putting them into action now that is left to do. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as the plan looks in our head.
The guys are at 61 Marten, 1 wolverine, and 1 lynx now.
We also have most of our gifts taken care of, thanks to internet shopping. All I had ordered online came in the last time we went for mail, that was a huge relief. You never know how busy Canada Post is this time of year and if our parcels will reach the post office they are picked up from by the mail truck that heads out our way once a week.
As I mentioned though, not all the gifts are taken care of yet, we also have to get to work making a few. We had decided with Tim and Martina that we would make gifts for each other. So Paul and I have our plans, it's just putting them into action now that is left to do. Hopefully it goes as smoothly as the plan looks in our head.
The guys are at 61 Marten, 1 wolverine, and 1 lynx now.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Perfect Day
Today was just awesome. After a good morning doing school work with Sasha and not arguing with her during the process, Martina and I completed the last steps of our wine, (12 more days and we can bottle it, Yahoo!) Then we had our lunch and went out to skate on our newly formed rink. The lake ice is thickening up fast now that our weather has taken a bit of a colder turn. Our coldest we have seen here is still only -19 and today we warmed up to -10.
And as for the lake ice, we could not ask for a better Mother Nature made rink. It was able to freeze without snow and it is like glass. There are a few rough spots here and there but overall definitely a thumbs up. The kids have been on it 2 days now and have improved already. They went from needing a hand or a hockey stick for support, to doing it all on their own. It's sure great to have the rink just a short walk from your doorstep. To be able to glide along the shore and go and go and go, if you so desire is not something I have ever experienced, and I love it. Because the lake froze without any snow and only a little frost on it, and because it was so clean and clear to begin with, you can see exactly what you are skating over, or coming up to. The kids like to lay on the ice and look at the lake bottom, wishing and waiting to see a fish swim by.
So after an afternoon on the rink, we added on a layer where needed and headed off on the snowmobiles and located our Christmas tree. Paul and I had spotted it earlier on one of our firewood runs. Today was just a matter of getting the okay from kids, Sasha said "Yeah, it's good.....enough". We took that answer as good enough too and down it came. Laney had her first tongue frozen on metal experience as she just couldn't resist licking an ice chunk on the skimmer. After that ordeal, which I think was more upsetting for Sasha to see, than for Laney to experience, we cut another skimmer load of wood for the other sled and returned home. Aron and I unloaded wood, while Sasha and Paul went and checked their marten boxes and squirrel snares that are close to home, but no luck on those this time. After Paul got his sled and skimmer ready for tomorrow's day out on the line, we all came in to supper which I had started before going outside and had filled the cabin with a smell that said "Time to eat". The kids seem to have pretty good appetites out here and no problem sleeping either. After supper we sat down to play a game together and Aron didn't make it to the end. He was asleep on the couch in to time.
Tomorrow, as I mentioned earlier, is a day checking traps for the guys, they are at 56 marten and 1 wolverine. The kids and I will start making our tree decorations and most likely have a day off school. I've quickly learned that myself and 3 kids in the cabin does not tend to be a productive day in school, so these days are better spent baking and doing fun things with them. And I'll admit that usually trapine day is also usually a movie day for the kids. Mommy puts on a movie for the kids and picks up a book for herself, and we all get to do exactly what we want for an hour or so.
And as for the lake ice, we could not ask for a better Mother Nature made rink. It was able to freeze without snow and it is like glass. There are a few rough spots here and there but overall definitely a thumbs up. The kids have been on it 2 days now and have improved already. They went from needing a hand or a hockey stick for support, to doing it all on their own. It's sure great to have the rink just a short walk from your doorstep. To be able to glide along the shore and go and go and go, if you so desire is not something I have ever experienced, and I love it. Because the lake froze without any snow and only a little frost on it, and because it was so clean and clear to begin with, you can see exactly what you are skating over, or coming up to. The kids like to lay on the ice and look at the lake bottom, wishing and waiting to see a fish swim by.
So after an afternoon on the rink, we added on a layer where needed and headed off on the snowmobiles and located our Christmas tree. Paul and I had spotted it earlier on one of our firewood runs. Today was just a matter of getting the okay from kids, Sasha said "Yeah, it's good.....enough". We took that answer as good enough too and down it came. Laney had her first tongue frozen on metal experience as she just couldn't resist licking an ice chunk on the skimmer. After that ordeal, which I think was more upsetting for Sasha to see, than for Laney to experience, we cut another skimmer load of wood for the other sled and returned home. Aron and I unloaded wood, while Sasha and Paul went and checked their marten boxes and squirrel snares that are close to home, but no luck on those this time. After Paul got his sled and skimmer ready for tomorrow's day out on the line, we all came in to supper which I had started before going outside and had filled the cabin with a smell that said "Time to eat". The kids seem to have pretty good appetites out here and no problem sleeping either. After supper we sat down to play a game together and Aron didn't make it to the end. He was asleep on the couch in to time.
Tomorrow, as I mentioned earlier, is a day checking traps for the guys, they are at 56 marten and 1 wolverine. The kids and I will start making our tree decorations and most likely have a day off school. I've quickly learned that myself and 3 kids in the cabin does not tend to be a productive day in school, so these days are better spent baking and doing fun things with them. And I'll admit that usually trapine day is also usually a movie day for the kids. Mommy puts on a movie for the kids and picks up a book for herself, and we all get to do exactly what we want for an hour or so.
Monday, December 7, 2009
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