October on the Mountain
Peaks and Valleys
Winters are always hard, but fall is the real test of my mental fortitude. Late fall on the mountain always brings the strangest curveballs. I try not to dwell in the negative, seeing it as a personal test and something to overcome. This is the time of soaring heights and deep lows.
Technicolour World
The fall colours make my world downright breathtaking. Tamarack trees turn a stunning bright yellow before shedding their needles, and the cottonwoods make the air smell sweet. The birds, squirrels and wild hares are busy eating as much as they can, rustling in the leaves and chirping excitedly. I find myself stopping what I’m doing just to take in the colours, smells and sounds.
Vandalism and Pollution at the No. 7
There are endless interesting old places to explore in Boundary Country. Before WWI, the hills were full of people looking for gold. Lots of B.C. has gold mining history. I love finding old sites and wondering who might’ve lived there. I imagine the people who packed their lives up onto horses and spent their days at the creek panning for gold. They seem so far in the past and yet so close at the same time.
At the end of September, Curt and I discovered that the No.7 had been vandalized, and spray-painted with garbage strewn about. The artful beauty of the natural world was obviously missed by the person responsible. As soon as we could, we removed the trash - filling the back of Curt’s truck. When we told the dump attendant what it was, they didn’t charge us. In my misanthropic moment, this was a very swift reminder that people are good.
Exploring
I’m so grateful for the friends that I’ve made in the past few years. On this incredible day, we packed up into the Toyotas and headed up a long, bumpy forest service road. Using 4X4 was compulsory as we crawled up the twisty road. At the end of the road we parked, had a snack, and Rachel said excitedly
‘let’s hike up to the tower!’
I had not prepared for a hike but was down for the adventure. It wasn’t a long trek but it was very steep and rocky. We often used our hands as we scrambled up, and were rewarded with an incredible view.
Bunnies, Bunnies!
I let one of the original 4 bunnies roam the yard. She’s black with very long fur, so I call her my little black sheep, though her name is actually ‘Stoic’. Domestic rabbits can’t breed with wild rabbits so, I thought it was safe to let her roam. Silly me! A couple of months ago a male escaped his pen for 5 minutes - and now little bunnies have emerged from a burrow she dug in the shed. The cats don’t know that the little bunnies aren’t mice - so I caught them all and put them safely into a cage.
The Only Predator Death
I’ve expected it from the first day. When I let the chickens out, I assumed that they would be swiftly snatched up by something. I’m in the middle of the forest after all. As it turns out that hasn’t been the case. It seems as though, different from living on a farm near other people - the precedent hasn’t been set. Predators would rather avoid my place altogether.
People often say that I need a dog, for various reasons. Now I know that I will never need one. Stoic had lived in my yard for over a year safely. No coyote, wolf, raven or eagle had gotten her.
A few days after catching the little bunnies we woke up to a figure curled up under Curt’s truck. A sleeping stray dog. I let it hang around for the day, taking pity on it. The goats, chickens and rabbits all acted very tense as it wandered my yard. The following morning I discovered it with my little black sheep in its mouth. It was to be expected since she was a wild roaming rabbit. But still a blow, especially by ‘man’s best friend’.
Getting Firewood and Water
This October I was spoiled with beautiful warm weather. Not so warm as to break a sweat when sawing trees, but just right. First on the agenda, we felled some old standing dead at the spring and yarded them home. These trees were BIG. The plan is to mill the straight trunks into beams and use the knotted tops for firewood. Though the tops are hard to split, they burn amazingly.
As the month came to a close, the temperatures dropped below -10 very suddenly. Curt and I clambered to put away some water before the world freezes. Our goal was to have 4,000L in the front room but we only got 3,000L. Hopefully, the world will warm up and we can collect more from the spring. If that doesn’t work, it’ll be back to melting snow.
Going into November
Freezing rain has me stuck happily inside with a warm cup of coffee. We have an order of roofing materials to pick up in town, but today is not the day. Fingers crossed for tomorrow! There are a lot of things on the ‘to do’ list before the road is snowed over.
Also in October, I tried out Starlink - and returned it! If you haven’t read my experience using the popular internet provider, you can find it here;
Good to read your update about your wonderful life stop the mountain. Never a dull moment fir you and Curtis but sad about Stoic. Wishing you a safe and happy November. Hugs to you all.
A super great read Amy. I so enjoyed your October story. So sad about Stoic. I hope you took that dog back, like to the SPCA !