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first trip of the season. a bitter wind blows but brave-hearted souls find warmth in the woods. in the Haliburton Highlands we head off, leaving big footed tracks in the fresh blanket of snow. trudging to far end of lake with sleds in tow to make camp and take in the wondrous winter world. icy trees bend and creek and heavy laden branches bow down to us as we look up to them. between them a rope is run and our canvas tent is raised, wood stove assembled, and fire lit to warm our hands while hot soup is poured into cups. our new friends, Stephanie and Mike take rest too from their fervent, fanatical digging and scooping and piling and patting of their snowy mound into their glacial abode. in the background, Marley the wonder-dog barks and from from the forest and across the lake, her echo barks back, exciting the playful pooch whose tail wags as she runs circles in the snow before sneaking sticks from the wood pile. in the evening, when work is done, the quinzee hollowed out, and bellies filled with big bowls of delicious hot chili, good-nights are wished and we all settle in for a tired winter's sleep. sweet dreams.
from a warm restful sleep we awake to a fresh day, fresh air and fresh snow fallen through the night. hot cafe mocha and sweet cinnamon oatmeal with fresh apples for breakfast, we await the arrival of more intrepid explorers to join us for a snowshoeing trek through the woods that surround with no sounds but ours. covered trails then off-trail, up hills, across lakes and break for lunch under the hemlocks. a view across Ooze with summer sausage and cheese before our return under snowflake filled skies. time to contemplate ahead of final lake crossing to camp but really a way to prolong our brief stay in the land, the forest that welcomed us, that sheltered us, that always looks over us whenever we escape back to it. all packed and sleds loaded we follow along our drifted trail to our waiting cars for the drive home to warm beds, to work, to whatever awaits, bringing with us our new experiences and memories to revisit...
... next time.
Written by Pete Shuttleworth
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- 1 ½cups quick cooking oats
- ½cup all-purpose flour
- ½cup packed brown sugar
- ½cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
- ½cup sultana raisins
- ¼cup sliced almonds
- 3tbsp unsweetened medium coconut
- 1tbsp sunflower seeds (unsalted)
- ½ to 1 tsp cinnamon, to taste
- Pinch of salt
- 1large egg
- 2tsp fresh lemon juice + 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1tsp vanilla
- ¼cup vegetable oil
- ¼cup corn syrup
- Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients from oats to salt and mix. Set aside.
- Whisk egg, lemon juice and zest, vanilla, oil and corn syrup together in a small bowl. Pour over dry mixture and stir until well combined.
- Press mixture into a lightly greased 9-inch square baking pan and bake on middle rack of oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool on a rack. Cut into bars and serve. Makes 16 bars.
Tip: Remove from pan and transfer to cutting board to make cutting easier
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'Turtle' by Michele Sardy |
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He was once a turtle,
an ancient guide of men,
and now he is of human form,
no longer one of them.
His turtle shell was once his home,
content to stay within,
but now he has a different one,
that destiny chose for him.
He travels along, steady and sure,
his paddle caressing the lake,
his shell has transformed into a canoe,
his turtle conscience awakes.
And as he wends upon a trail,
a portage meditation,
it's here he turns into a turtle,
a spiritual transformation.
He knows the lakes,
his turtle head,
remembering days gone by,
exploring creeks and floating still,
while loons practiced their cry.
He's one with nature,
a silent partner,
a friend of frog and toad,
and Mother Nature whispers to him,
"Turtle, time to come home".
But he doesn't swim,
afraid of changing,
from body into shell,
he's been this way for far too long,
his turtle past is quelled.
- Michele Sardy
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