Travelling Lumsdens

The utter collapse of the school year norms (classes online) and the closure of any regular social interaction had things “gloomy” in May, to say the least. I was ripe for a project to make better use of my time. For several years I’d been considering an addition to the camp, so onward to find a recipe for making lemonade with the recent lemons all Nova Scotians had been dealt.

We broke ground at the side of the cottage facing the path and excavated an 9’X16’ area to expand the camp and build an enclosed screen porch. The benefits of early spring work were cool temperatures and bug free conditions. Janie, Peter and I did great, both in emptying the area and utilizing the sod, soil and rocks to construct a handsome stone wall in the yard’s perimeter. It was several weekends and lots of toughing it out with hand tools, but well worth the effort!

In addition to the excavation, several complementary projects designed to improve the property settled alongside the work. In particular, we set up a drainage system for water (More noticeable in early spring) that gathers along that side of the camp. The pit, and area adjacent underneath the building has been dry since installation. Great install!

Other projects included some TLC with cleaning brush and scrubbing the well crocks, new “sleepers” for the wood bin and much needed leveling / sill work under the camp. These tasks were accompanied by forays in cooking, including my first “brisket” cook on the smoker and experimenting in cast iron pan pizza (Yum)! Best May since University days for spring camp improvements.

So… this is how life under the shadow of Covid 19 has shaken out! In mid-March things began to close down, as daily announcements clenched their teeth around life in Nova Scotia. Restrictions in access, visits, travel, and life in general happened by the hour on some days. With the closing of schools, both public and university, we also saw Janie and I transition to teaching online and the simultaneous tumbling back of our kids from StFX to their own stark reality… distance learning classes, unknowns with summer employment and life with Mom and Dad. All kinds of chicks back to feed in the nest. Needless to say, social change was afoot!

Suddenly, we had a lot of time on our hands. With the temptation of goodies on the internet, and the expanded opportunity to hone my “Online Shopping” skills, I found some “Unauthorized” purchases in several “Shopping Carts”. I thought I might share some of the more interesting items I’ve had in my sights for a bit! Firstly, I’ve been looking for a safer way to attack kindling cutting for the new wood stove. I so remember Elias Nicholas behind the camp (I was not very old), sitting in the middle of the woodpile with his hatchet. He has long since passed, but I did find a solution that is safer for everyone… follow this link (Kindling Cracker). Another search I’ve begun is for a “Scotch Auger”. I’d like to try a few bush craft projects at the camp and it looks like a fun tool to try! I ordered a beauty 2″ diameter bit from Black Raven and have some benches in mind. Maybe I’m just dreaming, but I’m in a head space (like a lot of the country) that has me wanting to be as independent as possible… and the off grid cabin has all the features for that!

Ah… and this happened. I host my web photo galleries (found with most travel pages on this instance of WordPress) with a company called jAlbum. In the shuffle of revised work e-mails I did not get a notice for renewal of service and, of course, the links to over a decade worth of pics were abandoned. Even some that I’ve forgotten about! However, after several quick e-mails, and an online renewal, all was replaced and what would have been days of online work was fixed in a snap! As I scrolled back into some of the work I’d done, I thought it might be nice to drop a few links here just for fun. We did an online Christmas card for a period from 2010-2013… fun to look at!

• Christmas 2010 , Christmas 2011 , Christmas 2012 , Christmas 2013

To add further carving to the ol’ bank account, a regular check-up in regards to oil/tires for the Rav4 revealed (in cousin Mike’s words) “It’s time“. We got on that pretty quick and took the advice to heart. Resultant, we picked up a “new to us” Rav4 and hope to get lots of parts free & reliable years / kms with the purchase. All in, March / April became several expensive months at home!

Unfortunately… camp seems a “no go” with this “self-isolation” on. I get that… I think! More people out and about, more chance for transmission… especially in the case of an accident and the involvement of emergency folks. However, it also kind of seems to me that some camp time, away from everyone else and totally off grid, is exactly what’s required as transmission is quite improbable. I will need to access at some point this month to check on property/battery system. Regardless, I will do my best to follow the rules! 😩

Some things happen for a reason! No plane tickets purchased, no accommodations reserved, no attractions planned… we were head-over-heals into March as though slipping on ice with really nothing organized over the vacation, the first time in a dozen years! I was a little frustrated that I hadn’t taken the necessary time and energy to create a “worthy” getaway for our prized 9 days away from school. Hmph!

I guess no one in my circle of friends would / could have predicted how quickly the global health landscape was to change. The Covid19 Pandemic invasion slammed into the right flank of this year’s peak travel weekend in NS. Indeed, if we had planned I think we still could have departed, but at real risk to ourselves and others. This was to be a time at home, isolated from others, and terms like “social distancing”, “self-isolation” and “quarantine” emerged in the common vernacular!

So what to do when “social distancing” is the remedy… prescribe some time at Smelt Lake! Janie and I spent the bulk of the break, from Monday through Sunday, at the camp with just one trek out for provisions. Made for an interesting experiment. Thoughts of what it might be like living “off-grid”, what could be done to be more self-reliant in regards to necessities, and how working from the camp “might” be possible! At no time, over the seven days there, did we see another person.

Using the tools we have and supplies we lugged through the woods we tackled some jobs, including a solar fix for the propane fridge, cleaning up several nearby windfalls, and tackling a drainage issue (for this year’s proposed extension project). It’s an earlier start at the camp than I ever could have anticipated. In fact, I’ve accumulated a weeks worth of nights where I would have had none in any year prior. Thankful for the new wood stove which has made all this possible.

So, we watched the nature that surrounded us, prepared for weather conditions, planned & cooked some excellent meals on the wood stove, pondered snow & hiking concerns, theorized about the process of melting & lake ice and invited the return of bird life. As the week went on, the senses got keener, overhead planes seemed loud, and the songbirds and Grey Jays became accustomed to our presence. We anxiously await the breaking of ice and the easy access of spring.

It was a wonderful week of learning and, in the end, we were reminded that a “big” vacation doesn’t have to be via a plane, train or automobile, but can be in one’s backyard. I’m not sure we’d trade this one (that cost us $20.00 in fuel) for some of the others! Stay safe all… we’ll see you on the other side of this!

Settling into the heart of winter, we spent January shovelling our way out of the driveway, enjoying the odd “Snow Day”, and getting in several excursions on the snowshoes. In particular, we had a perfect snowshoe into the camp that proved excellent exercise. It turned into a month filled with teaching as well, as Janie prepped for exams/first semester marks and I picked up an extra gig doing BEd work with StFX. All in a busy month, with lots of assessment, planning and getting up to speed.

This winter we’ve begun a different hobby, that of taking a keen interest in StFX sports. We collected a pair of X-Men Hockey passes and spent a lot of time following that season. Further, university basketball tix have also led us into Coach K Court this year to follow both the Men’s & Women’s Teams. For the cost and entertainment value… It’s a pretty darn good ticket. Even more fun is the fact that we know some of the young people involved in these sports. Great to show support!

Unfortunately, January is usually planning time for March Break and we did absolutely nothing on that front. We had designs on another European adventure, with the U.K. (and most likely Ireland) on our wish list. However, with very little planning in and too many distractions it just never materialized. I’ve thrown the idea on a back burner to simmer for another time… Not sure if this will mean a staycation or maybe rallying a new plan that’s less intensive (i.e. an all inclusive or similar type of vacation package).

As the school work ground into the Christmas holiday, we found ourselves having two full weeks to dream up a short road trip. With no real plans, we prepped for Christmas and slapped finishing touches on some upstairs cleaning and a bedroom makeover. We culled closets, retired some furniture that we’d gathered as “students”, and refurbished lighting, art and paint. Lots of work during early December but we think it turned out great!

By Boxing Day, however, itchy feet took over so we gathered a few days worth of clothes, passports, and snowshoes, filling the Rav… Destination unknown! With Peter tied to school and work commitments, Janie, Monica and I were the road crew! We ended up completing a week of fun and games. It culminated in a travel loop that took us on some almost forgotten travel routes mixed with “new to us” roads in New Brunswick, Maine and Quebec. We united with friends, explored new territory and shared in the holiday season as we drove! If you’re in the mood to follow I’ve done my best to sketch out the where, when and why at Maine/Quebec ’19. Cheers…

I miss you sometimes. I can’t really remember the date when you passed away, but I’m not sure that matters as I don’t think you were big on dates anyway! I’m not even sure that I can recall your face. It’s been at least 25 years. We spent a lot of time together… some fishing, weekends at the camp or time on the oil truck. Memories like watching Tommy Hunter before the hockey game, or just working on a project like an outboard, making flies, or tackling your lawn were some of my favourite.

I’m hoping that you’d be glad to know that I’ve ended up owning your camp. Nanny deeded it to me before she got sick. There were some down years after you died that I didn’t have the bucks to throw money at camp upkeep… but things are in good shape now. I think you’d be happy with it today. I’m using it lots. We generate our own power now with solar panels. And the outboard and pump for water are working perfectly. I try to look after the place as I think you would have… it is very special to myself, your family, and my family that you’ve never met. They look for pieces of you here and I think most that visit feel your “breath” in this tiny corner of the lake.

Speaking of lake, this year I went fishing again, the first time in many, many years. I thought about you almost the whole time on the water… who you were and why I was the one alongside. Our boat chatter on where fish are and what patterns they follow was spaced with big spans of silence… no words necessary. Very formative years for me. I’ve never feared the quiet… and now more than ever think it’s important.

There are times when I wish you could visit… maybe you do! I know the camp meant a lot to you. Chatted with Win the other day… he thought you’d be proud of the space. It was important for me to hear that. I’m not sure if any of my kids, or even maybe grand children, will have the same commitment to this space. I guess, that’s not my concern, as it wasn’t yours. But please know that your efforts and dedication to this tiny slice of space in the midst of Guysborough County NS landscape live on… it lives in me, my children, and the many who have come to escape or reconnect. The space gives life back to those fortunate enough to understand.

So here’s me raising a glass! I’m thinking you’d appreciate that. Please know that you are here, that you were right in your devotion to “the camp”…. and that I’m forever indebted!

I have great friends! They put up with all my “quirks”, are always willing to lend a hand, and have the knack of dropping that perfect “note” when I need it the most! In October I got the chance to be on both the giving and receiving end with friends. I love this… It’s how life happened where I grew up.

Early in the month Scott and Ross arrived to enjoy a couple of evenings at Smelt Lake… Armed with a great menu, refreshments, and chain saw! The wood reserves were getting thin, and it’s a job that’s really not safe to tackle alone. Many thanks to these lads for an awesome visit and putting the woodbin back in order! We left with a solid pile of softwood / hardwood windfalls (casualties of Dorian) blocked and ready for the splitting axe! The “lift” got me moving and was greatly appreciated.

Subsequent to this weekend I drove to Guysborough for a long overdue work trip, with Dad, to Little Horseshoe Lake. Steve was gathering arms and legs for some windows and shingling. Now, I’m no carpenter, and not the bravest when it comes to starting a construction job, but… “I got a strong back”! We had two Saturdays this fall that felt like the old Canso days… Where we’d get up, head for a buddies place, and tackle a project going home after dark. Glad we could help out a fellow “Camp Enthusiast” with some winter prep renovations!

In ways, September was a month that kept us on our toes! For starters, the maritimes was slapped with a full on Hurricane Dorian that tested the moxy of NS Power, coastal infrastructure and provincial flora and fauna! I was worried about Smelt Lake, and the extreme exposures there. We’d done our prep and battened down, but were nervous that the high winds and rain would take its toll. Fortunately, we found the property unscathed. Further, we came to see the camp as better equipped than home, with off-grid power the norm for heat, cooking, shower and everyday usage! Chalk one up for the “Tiny House”.

Of course, this month is “Go Time” for Janie and I, with thoughts of travel only a dream experienced vicariously through following friends that have made it to freedom from the ties of work or those not connected to making their living in schools. For example, we watched enviously as Andrew & Lori made their way through Paris and the Alsace Region this September, sending along super photos and notes from their travel. Definitely presented as a road well worth the visiting. Other items of note included a perfect canoeing weekend with Troy in a circumnavigate of Cooeycoff Lake and a one of a kind “jam” with John Allan and friends at his camp and a perfect couple of days of music. All in, not a bad September!

We spent the bulk of August at Smelt Lake! Some days were shared entertaining friends and family, while others with sleeves rolled up tackling improvements. Of note, we had a second “Lumsden Boys” gathering skillfully orchestrated by cousin Brian which proved an awesome visit. Good food, washers, drink and cards were all on the menu. Further, camp DIY’s involved new stone stairs up from the beach (the sand was expansive this summer due to plunging water levels) and a new trail to the outdoor shower.

Late August saw us venture to Montreal with our awesome travel friends, Andrew and Lori! We had a blast, exploring the city’s wealth of culture in entertainment, food & drink. Awesome front row tix to see Mark Knopfler at Place des Arts topped off a high paced weekend that ranged from crashing a Greek Wedding at Mythos Restaurant, to elusive “protests” in the downtown, indulgences in Montreal smoked meat and artistic prowess in “green velvet” finger nail sketching! Gonna try and write this one up in the Trips Section (Montreal ’19). Many thanks to the Grahams for making this happen.