A Soul Filling Weekend
Posted By Randy on April 26, 2011
My birthday fell on this past Saturday and, as is traditional, Mrs. LFM and I went hiking. This year’s stomping grounds was Kejimkujik National Park, an incredible expanse of lakes, rivers, and forests that is of special significance to Mrs. LFM and me, and was the place in which the ceremonies spoken of in my 27 March 2011 article Blessed By Birch and Eagle unfolded.
In the company of Peter “Bear Bait” Thompson and Robbie, our Australian Cattle Dog, the Saturday route took us along the Snake Lake and Peter Point trails, through pristine mature forest and marsh land that showed clear evidence of an active beaver population. Intending to explore their habitat more closely, we returned Monday, just Mrs. LFM and me, and retraced the same route. What follows is a pictorial presentation of some high points. Click the pictures to expand them to full size.
Unlike most of our hikes this is not a hard core trek. Each trail we took (Snake Lake AND Peter point) is listed as a 3 kilometer return trip. To follow our route, keep taking the leftmost trail at every intersection.
Peter "Bear Bait" Thompson and I pause for Mrs. LFM's camera on a very windy and nippy 23 April afternoon. For details on the axe in my pack read my 5 April 2009 article, {link:http://randy.whynacht.ca/archives/66}"Variations on a Theme"{/link}.
Mrs. LFM with Robbie. A superb hiking companion, Robbie's been an official member of our pack since Christmas Eve 2009.
The beaver lodge marked on the map. No beaver were sighted but there was plenty of sign of recent activity.
Me inspecting some impressive apple coring of a doomed pine tree near the beaver lodge.
This was taken on Monday, 25 April 2011, on a much warmer and absolutely dead calm afternoon. Since the tripod was set up anyway, Mrs. LFM and I decided to pose for a glamour shot. Note the Cold Steel ODA on her hip. The Pattern 37 web gear I'm wearing will be the subject of a future article.
Another well tasted tree. Note that I'm standing on the side farthest from the point of deepest chew. The fact that there was absolutely no wind filled me with confidence.
The view looking southwest from the gravel beach at the end of Peter Point. This place is a biological, botanical, and geological wonderland. We intend to return by canoe, preferably before the blackfly season hits but, if not, what the hell. They bite us, we bite them back.
The inimitable Mrs. LFM with her firm and shapely butt resting on the gravel of that same gravel beach. With her as my Mate, my compass isn't the only thing that reliably points NORTH! There's her Cold Steel ODA again, hanging off her camo possibles bag. A girl's got to accessorize for the occasion.
One more coupling shot before heading back, but the adventure's far from over! The culinary part is about to begin! For the knife knuts out there, that's a {link:http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/20inchsirupati.html}Himalayan Imports 20" Sirupati{/link} peeking over my left shoulder.
Keji has a number of wood stove equipped "pcnic shelters" that are maintained all year round. When not camping in the Park, it's the go to place to cook your vittles. The menu this time was blue cheese stuffed filet mignon with baby potatoes (we can never wait for them to grow up), and an "Asian" salad, all Mrs. LFM style!
When you're FIH (field induced hungry) and marinating in the kind of smells I was, photographing your Wife stops you from biting things, especially her! That can wait - she's got cooking to do, and she cooks as good as she looks!
The plates await!
Mrs. LFM removes the kitchen twine that holds the bacon in place using her ever present Leatherman Micra.
The plated accomplishment, ready to be savaged!
Let the savaging begin. Mrs. LFM watches as I sit with Fisk Bowie knife poised to strike. The steak was beautifully tender and required no special cutlery, but I do so love dramatic effect.
For all of you curious types who either have asked, or will come to ask, this is what the silver cylinders on the table look like up close. Australian Shiraz in a can! Damn good too, and often along on our woods jaunts that involve food beyond trail mix.
LOVED every pic and commentary. Was particularly amused and had to remove green tea spray from the computer monitor when I scrolled pic #9, LOL . Thanks for sharing your 2011 B’day adventures!
between the ecological view (read Diana’s butt!) 🙂 , the knives, the steak and whine, I mean wine, kinda wish I was there!! 🙂 and of course, we need bear-bait!!! he’s sssllloooww!!! 🙂
You coulda been, you turd!
Diana and Randy
Everything looks good and all that,,but more importantly…
What in the hell are the two silver cylindrical objects on the table ??
WTH ??
Eric
Eric – Wine! Billyrock Station Shiraz, to be precise. More close-ups to follow 😀
very nice, you are just missing a Teagan, Cyberstud Jr., Cyberstud Sr. and a leg of deer crisping over some hot rocks. sniff now you have made me sad
yes, really what are those silver cylinders on the table?
As of this moment, the silver cylinder mystery has been pictorially solved!
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