I’ve had a very busy and hectic year, but I finally feel on top of all the work needed to create my dream home. Still lots to do, but it is a great feeling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For full details, see today’s newsletter.
November was the sunniest November ever – usually December improves after November’s gloom, but this year it is reversed. It’s stayed cool (-20C at night and about -8C during the day) but ice fog has hung about and I’ve had to take great care with my power usage. There has, however, been just enough sun to keep the system going.
Often the mountains are invisible, but when gleams of light appear, they are always dramatic.
It has not often been clear enough to see the sunrise and sunset points so the next two photos were taken a few days ago. But they pretty much show how the sunrise and sunset relates to the house at this time of year.
The rising and setting points will move sluggishly for a couple of weeks, but the days are getting longer. I feel I’ve had a good and exciting year, and can look forward to an even better one that’s coming. I hope all of you can do the same.
Chris:
Hope that 2016 is finding you well and happy in the mountains. I recently read your book titled “Diary of a Wilderness Dweller” and really enjoyed it. Your story is similar to mine except I was not so remote and much closer to civilization in the Lanark Highlands in Eastern Ontario not far from Ottawa. Initially I had to walk to the site, cut, mill, and peel the pine logs myself from the crown property, designed it myself, used the piece au piece model, used a tin roof, and took about 3 years to complete the main cabin. I can relate to many of the challenges of using the raw materials, use of the chain saw, the bugs, and putting the logs in place mostly by myself. I get regular creature visits including bear and had a loyal dog when I first built it. These days I dog sit a lot for friends. I now live there most of the winter and cut firewood over the 50 acres, maintain trails, watch the many creatures, and improving the cabin and workshop. In the summer I travel by canoe and fish as much as possible; so far all in Ontario and Quebec. Thank you for reflecting and sharing the experience so well.
Cheers…. Gerard
Chris: I treasure the visit with you where I celebrated my 75th birthday and that was 7 years ago now. Cathy and I stayed for 11 days at Nuk Tessli and experienced the sweat lodge with Alec. Because I had injured my leg the week before I wasn’t able to do all the hikes and was left ‘all alone’ even the dog was gone and I truly had an experience of what it was to be completely isolated from the rest of the world – what a lovely experience of aloneness.
You are making such great progress in your new Shangri-la!
All the best to you, Chris JO
Best Wishes from Ireland. Love reading your updates. Take care. Carol
Solstice greeting to you too Chris! where words can’t describe,your photos definitely do! Thank you for sharing another year.
I have enjoyed your wilderness tales for many years and look forward to your posts in 2016.
Wishing you a good, cold winter and more fortune in the New Year!
Ina
Notice of your posts make my day.
The “ice fog” images are Monet mountains!
You’ve accomplished much in a year!
Enjoy the holiday season;
I look forward to reading the 2016 posts.
Barbara recently posted…Coming Soon
Yes, indeed, thanks for the great blog, I love hearing all about what you’re doing. I don’t always comment but I never miss a post. Hope you will continue to keep fit and doing all that you do, and here’s to a very happy new year. (love seeing your birds by the way).
Happy New Year to you Chris!
Thanks for the great blog this past year.
Gary