Lysanne told me about a hike that she volunteered for. It was for people in wheelchairs and there were 2 to 4 volunteers per wheelchair. They had a special kind of a cart probably similar to a mountain biking stroller. I can’t remember what those are called. And they took them on regular trails up to the top of a little mountain. She said it wasn’t a really steep climb. It was obviously very challenging, but everyone was just so happy and in all when they got to the top, they all shed tears of joy. I thought this was such a wonderful way for someone who enjoys hiking to be able to help others who can’t get out in nature so easily. She is going to a festival this weekend what she will learn back to the earth skills such as fire making, iron forging, edible plants etc. It’s with an intentional community of people living in yurts and wigwams (her term) who wanted to live closer to nature. This morning she made ginger beer and a ginger hot drink that was very spicy and delicious with some maple syrup in it!
As I was coming back from my morning walk down to the river, where I sat and meditated for a while, I heard a huge flock of geese flying overhead and honking. I couldn’t see them, but I’m assuming they were Canadian geese, 😝.
What a treat to have a lazy morning, taking things slow as I got ready for the day, walking down to the river and meditating, lingering over breakfast to chat with folks, then eventually heading out for a walk at 10:30. After nine days of early morning chores and travel, it feels very decadent.
After breakfast I went for a walk in the forest, down the road from the farm. The road goes past a few different homes that I assume are summer/weekend homes for people, because I haven’t seen many cars going down the road. I took an ATV track that looped up and around and back to the road. There was a little building on stilts that you reached via a staircase. They were windows on three sides with fake plastic greenery around them and an office chair inside. I don’t know if it’s used for hunting or just as a hangout spot. One of the barns I went past had a bunch of old metal signs on the side and another had wonderful stone artwork in the shape of a man and a woman, it was very whimsical. I also followed the road out to the river and found a good spot that I may go back to tomorrow with my journal and book and hang out for a while.
When I got back, Lysanne and I drove to the local Eco-forestière, which side was only 10 minutes away. A lovely spot with a series of walking trails that led to a couple of different lakes, as well as several boardwalks going through bogs. It was very lush and beautiful, we saw caterpillars and so many different kinds of mushrooms. Lysanne and I had another wonderful discussion about all different sorts of things, building community, improving communication, learning to become true to yourself and live a life that was in agreement with your ethics, not just what other people expected of you. It was a wonderful afternoon.
