The Land.

Turns out Bryce's family has been in Alberta for several generations and his grandfather is still living on over 300 acres of Kulak land. We decided to take a break from the city and headed to said land for a day of simplicity out in the woods.

It was beautiful. Particularly because lots of the middle-of-nowhere infrastructure was already in place. An outhouse. A wonderful cabin complete with sleeping loft.

A vast porch that ran around the entire structure.




A wood burning stove with these cool fans on top of it that help radiate the heat.






The most impressive HUGE viking-style table where 20 some people could easily sit down to a meal.




No electricity.




It's a cabin right out of a story book. I told Don I wanted a cabin like that, and he joked that if he started this weekend then maybe it would be done by Christmas. Very funny...




I think Dexter would love a little getaway place like this cabin. He was so at home!




Bryce was proud to start a roaring fire with just one match. We huddled around the stove until the place warmed up, and we barbequed hot dogs and ate lots of potato chips.

You could play horseshoes.




Dougal was totally in his element. He's a really great off-leash dog (with the exception of wanting to bolt out the front door whenever it's left open). Being outdoors makes sense because his breed is a working dog. He's happiest when he can run around and smell things.




The trees were so pretty, and almost haunting. It could also be that the forest is so dense it's hard not to imagine the shadows of shuffling undead appearing between the many trees. Zombies, no!




We went for a walk and Bryce smoked his great great grandfather's pipe.




We found an old tree house.




And a ramshackle shack.




Being out in nature really reinforces to me how important it is to take care of our natural resources. We had an early frost this year but then it warmed up quickly afterward. I know we all like the "good" weather, but the sad fact is that climate change is messing up the natural order. The leaves fell off the trees but haven't gotten the chance to decompose properly. That means the nutrients won't go back to the soil and trees. And the bird population is dwindling out there too. I know change is inevitable in the grand scheme, but it would be wise to have more respect for the things we take for granted.