Hello to all. Looks like every body has been keeping busy over the last week or so. Can’t say the same for me I guess.
It was time for a much needed break from un-reality. A retreat from work, news, blogs, city noise, practicing, reed making, teaching and whatever else there is to ail us. Mimi and I had the week off and decided to get lost for a bit. Much to our great advantage the island of Cape Breton is only a couple hour drive away from Halifax. This northern part of Nova Scotia is the soothing balm for the mind, body and soul of any weary urban dweller.
Below is a photo journal of the last several days.
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Leave the car and your troubles on the road at the bottom of the mountain and cross-country ski forty five minutes straight up in to the wooded village of Ski Tuonela. No running water, no power grid hook-up, no telephones, no distractions…. just the paradise of wood stoves, oil lamps, Swedish saunas, bountiful snow, deep woods and good friends.
Arriving at the lodge.
Mimi enjoying the sunshine and the afternoon’s first ski.
Tree moss flourishing in the sunshine.
Mimi and Chris Law on the trail. In addition to being a dentist, Chris is also the owner, operator, and developer of Ski Tuonela. In the summer Chris and his partner Annie cruise the globe in their hand crafted sail boat, develop amateur nature films, and develop a myriad of inventions including a unique kelp chopping boat anchor. Chris also finds the time to build and perform on his own harpsichords. He began his education at the Royal College of Music in London as a keyboard major before immigrating to Newfoundland in the sixties to practice dentistry. Most importantly though, Chris is a hell of a nice guy who knows how to show his guests a fantastic time. Who knows what else Chris has got up his sleeve. I look forward to finding out on our next visit. Thanks Chris and Annie!
Afternoon lunch break at the look out. 960 feet above sea level. Yes, we skied all the way up!
Deep snow!
Enjoying ourselves.
The snow machine and sleigh are loaded up with all of our gear - ready to take it back down the mountain for us. Tim, Mimi and new friend Glen bid the camera a found adieu and wish us luck back in reality.
Before we got back to the humming and drumming of Halifax Mimi and I had one more stop. The Crown Jewel Eco Resort Ranch, near Baddeck Cape Breton, offers off-grid luxury accommodation, organic everything - made and prepared on site using ingredients grown and harvested on the farm without the use of fossil fuel driven machinery -animal power only. Not only was I treated to maple syrup glazed cow tongue baked at 144 degrees Fahrenheit for 44 hours at the Ranch but Mimi and I also fulfilled the life long dream of dog sleighing.
Here are some photos of the beautiful Canadian Eskimo Dogs at the ranch used for pulling. There are fewer than 300 pure C.E.D.s left in Canada. These are some of these amazing pooches. President of the Ranch – Nahman Korem - has developed a beautiful and unique wilderness escape in the heart of Cape Breton. Thanks for a great time Nahman!
13 responses so far ↓
anticant // March 17, 2007 at 10:34 am |
What a wonderful trip! Wonderful pictures. Lovely people.
Teresa // March 17, 2007 at 11:42 am |
It looks like an amazing fun time!
Boldscot // March 17, 2007 at 1:52 pm |
Looked at the pictures and read the story.
‘No running water, no power grid hook-up, no telephones, no distractions…. ‘
First thought. Can you play ‘duelling banjos’ on the oboe.
Second thought (after seeing Chris). Can you play ‘gimme all yer loving’ on the banjo.
Third thought. I wish I was there with yez all trying to find out. And drinking a beer, of course.
Cheers
1loneranger // March 17, 2007 at 4:02 pm |
Hello All-
It was an amazing fun time. Took so many pictures that I’d love to put up here but the amount that I’ve already put on is jamming up my feeble computer as it is.
And no doubt, plenty of beer was hauled up the mountain on the snow mobile and quickly consumed.
Boldscot- It does have a bit of that ‘Deliverance’ color to it doesn’t it?
Actually, the village was anything but modest. From the outside perspective, the cabins do have a quaint rustic vibe. But the insides were a completely different story. The place was all rigged up with alternative energy sources. A mountain-stream hydro-electric generator, solar and wind turbine generators too. At night we watched Chris’ movies on a DVD projector in a oil lite cabin. On other nights, traditional Ceilidhs (traditional Celtic music parties) are held in the lodge. Next time we go up I’m taking my oboe of course, and maybe the banjo and definitely more beer.
Next time you’re in the Maritimes give us a ring and we’ll “take you up the mountain”. I’m sure Chris would love to serenade you to sleep!
Cheers
Boldscot // March 17, 2007 at 4:50 pm |
Lovely stuff.
Has not answer’d the question, though.
Can we do ‘Duelling all ya lovin’ on the net?.
Just downloaded ‘Cubase Light’ and am fit for a go.
Gime all yer files i can send you something too.
Before these bastards ‘lift’ us let’s do some music.
Boldscot // March 17, 2007 at 4:56 pm |
Apologies in advance.
Was sitting with my muse.
We talked about the small communities we meet.
i said about credit Controller and Jose and Ducky and Pikey and GrumpyAunt et al.
Fine.
Then I made the comment ‘ we know these good people yet still we are ruled by those CUNTS’
Sorry.
(Sorry, not sorry)
earthpal // March 17, 2007 at 5:12 pm |
Great pictures Loneranger. The place looks fabulous.
And my daughter is jumping up and down behind me at the sight of those sled dogs. She wants to know (pretty please) if she can save them to use as pc background wallpaper?
Welcome back LR. Glad you had a great time.
Jose // March 17, 2007 at 9:24 pm |
It’s really comforting to see you have had a deserved rest in paradise, 1loneranger. The photos and the people are wonderful. You are a lucky man, something you must be thankful for.
Welcome back to “reality” as you say.
anticant // March 17, 2007 at 9:36 pm |
Boldscot – We are always ruled by bastards. It’s in the nature of government. Remember Acton’s “All power corrupts”.
That’s why we must do everything we can to ensure that power is limited, delegated and distributed – not centralised.
Unfortunately, far too many people prefer a strong ruler. They are comforted by the likes of Adolf, Uncle Joe – and Allah. Look what’s happening in Russia now, where most people are cosying up to Uncle Vlad.
The preservation of liberty requires eternal vigilance. There are some excellent anti-strong government quotes and articles in the daily Information Clearing House newsletter, which you can download.
1loneranger // March 17, 2007 at 11:40 pm |
Hi again All-
Thanks for all the nice wishes. It is good to see you all again.
Boldscot- You’re insane. I would love to do some dueling banjos with you sometime. I’d be more fit on the oboe or English horn though, but I do play the mouth harp and I’m getting ready to put some money into banjo lessons actually!
Boldscot and Anticant- Stay tuned for my next vid/post. It is inspired by the sentiments in your recent comments. Apologies to all those that find it offensive. It’s all Boldscot’s fault.
On the strong ruler front…. Does anyone else find disturbing similarities between BushCo’s tactics and reasoning behind exposing this female CIA agent’s identity and PutinCo’s “exposure” or rather- elimination of those agitating against his regime?
Earthpal- Please feel more than free to have your little earthpal-let use those pics for wallpaper. We’ve already done the same here on our ‘put. But please cover her ears when the above mentioned vid/post is played.
Cheers
BushCo's Mercenary Army: Blackwater « 1LONERANGER // March 20, 2007 at 4:32 pm |
[...] It was actually the first thing I heard from a news source on my way home from three days of peaceful isolation in the woods of Cape Breton. I’d reed the book, but I think you can get the gist from this [...]
Chris Law // April 4, 2007 at 7:59 pm |
Hey guys just readin ya blog and the send up! Thanx! You’ll never know what else is up my sleeve until ya gets ya butts back here!!
Just attended an e-mail marketing seminar and they were looking for blog examples on Cape Breton & up came ya blog on ya visit to Ski Tuonela. The presenters were suitably impressed!!
Still skiing into Easter this year……..finished the new movies and now back to Harpsichord buildin’.
Stay in tune…………….
Chris.
1loneranger // April 5, 2007 at 3:45 pm |
Hey Chris,
Great to hear Tuonela news is spinning around in the right cyber circles. Neat!
Sounds like you’re having a great Spring regarding conditions up there. I would love to get back up before the thaw if time permits.
Again, we had just a fantastic time with you guys and your Mountain Paradise.
Looking forward to making some music on our next visit as well as more great skiing….. I’m chomping at the bit to try Teleeeeee!
Cheers,
Brian