Learning To Slow Down - Living Life Moment by Moment

 This photo was taken in early March of 2025. Notice the ring encircling the sun. This is an indication of wet weather which is yet to come. 

Sure enough, the following day, the forest was covered in a thick layer of new snow. 

There are signs everywhere in the forest which foretell of future and past events. One thing is for certain, time moves forward at a pace which is both steady and concerning to all living creatures. 

The reason I state this is quite simple; our lives are temporary and there is nothing anyone can do to alter the final outcome.  

Mammals and Birds do not count the passage of time as humans do. They carry on with their lives, living each moment as fully as possible. Nature is always on the lookout for more humus, in other words, nature is always trying to convert living matter to soil. The wild ones are fully aware of their vulnerabilities and therefore are living in the present paying full attention to the world around them. 

Our species has removed itself from this natural order and have created a world which corrupts the very fabric of the web which was woven long before humans placed a footprint in the mud of an ancient riverbank.  This attitude precludes us from living life in the moment. 

I have seen people on Portage trails in Algonquin Park attempting to find cell service so that they can check their social media sites. They are so focused on the disconnection from society that they miss the very reason they came to the park to begin with. 

As the shadow of age gets closer, the reality of my mortality is coming into focus. I am not consumed by this reality; however, it does motivate me to invest my remaining time in living life moment by moment. 

When you are out on the trail, or wandering in a park or on a city sidewalk; take the time to take your time. It is in these quiet moments where life truly exists.  

Notes From The Forest

 

Wandering Without Expectations

 Wandering through the woods can be an incredibly relaxing experience if you are in the right mindset.  

Most people seem to be in a rush to get to the next perfect spot to take a selfie; yet, in their wake they leave many wonderous sights behind.  

I have tested this idea many times while out on trails which are frequented by the public. I will silently sit in the woods, just off the path, and watch as people walk by. None of them are aware of my presence; unless they are accompanied by a dog. Dogs are keenly aware of the world through which they walk and will always spot me as I sit amongst the trees. 

The reason most people hike in the woods is to loose the tensions of everyday life, this is not possible if one decides to carry those tensions with them as they embark on their wander.  

I hope this short video will give you some ideas on how to loose yourself so that you can simply wander and wonder. 

Hawks. 

Reflections On Life

As time goes by, I am becoming more aware that life is a finite affair. 

I am approaching the ripe old age of 65 and am very conscious of the fact that there is more time behind me that what is in front of me. 

I know this sounds somewhat depressing, it truly is not; it is simply a  fact of existence and once a person comes to embrace it, the more they will spend time wisely. 

Cutting firewood has been something I have done for over thirty years and I have learned much about the nuances of the work. How much longer I can continue to tackle this demanding work is a mystery but I intend to continue to do so as long as my body permits. So far, I have not heard any complaints from my anatomy. 

I produced this video as a way to show the amount of work that goes into gathering firewood; and the necessary safety protocols a person must use in order to preclude a hospital visit. 

I hope you enjoy this video. 

R.G.W.  

The First Snow Of The Season

 The date was December 1st 2024, I was watching the two beavers in front of my home preparing for the winter. They seemed to be in a heightened state of activity which made me wonder if they knew something the weather channel did not. 

Sure enough, slow steady snowflakes started to descend from a featureless grey sky. I sat on the bank of the pond and watched as the flakes landed on my pants, showing their unique patterns before succumbing to the heat of my legs. 

The Beavers did not look up from their work, choosing instead to continue the mudding of their lodge roof and stockpiling of tender saplings; upon which they would feast during their time locked beneath the ice of the pond. 

The snow started to fall in earnest and before the hour hand on a clock could make it to the next marker, we were engulfed in a snow globe. 

The following morning, I found myself outside, staring at the depth of the snow surrounding me. "This is mid-January snow!" I muttered as I trudged to the barn to extract my snowshoes and head off into the forest to read the tracks of those wild ones with whom I share the forest with.

Donning the shoes, I began to create the very first snowshoe tracks of the season. Snowshoe Hare tracks were abundant along side that of Red Squirrel and mouse.  I came across a few deer tracks but they had not yet created their usual trails. 

This video simply highlights portions of the trek which happened on the first day of significant snowfall of the season. 

I am happy that winter has shown up early and hope that the snow will stay to blanket the forest and protect it from the deep cold which will inevitably come when January comes calling. 

R.G.W. 

A Great Place For Family Camping - Algonquins Highlands - Big East Lake

After a long illness which precluded me from paddling, I was finally able to launch my little kayak onto a lake which is close to my home.

Big East Lake located in the Algonquin Highlands. It is a very busy place in the summer due to it's ease of access and it's great campsites. The lake is a great place to initiate your children to the wonderful world of camping. 

It is early October and the crowds have slipped away, so I have the lake pretty much to myself as I explore its length and breadth. 

I filmed this paddle with my Gopro Hero 9. I used four batteries in less than three hours. There was a lot to capture and the lighting conditions were perfect for this little action camera. 

Grab your paddle and come along for a quiet journey upon a lake which is perfect for day trips or a week long camping outing. 

Algonquin Fall Colors - Captured On A DJI Action 5 Pro Camera - Kayak Trip

 I spend much of my time wandering the woods and paddling the lakes and rivers near my home. 

I keep a record of these adventures by "filming" the highlights on a digital camera. I have found that the best camera to carry is of the action variety. This is due to their robustness and ability to capture steady footage when the user is engaged in walking through a forest or any other manner activity.  

I have used the Gopro Hero 9 for several years and it has served me well in capturing most of what I wish to preserve for my kids; however, the Hero 9 suffers from several issues. To name a few; It overheats and shuts down. Low light capture is not possible. The battery consumption is high - I am lucky to capture 20 minutes of footage before the battery is drained, this is a major issue when I am engaged in a multi day trip as recharging the batteries takes hours. 

Recently, after much research and soul searching, I purchased the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro action camera.  It is purported to have good low light capabilities along with none of the issues listed above with the Hero 9. 

The video highlighted above was captured entirely on the Action 5. The trip was six hours long and the camera was powered on for at least 5 hours. I only used one battery the entire time - That was awesome!

I am not an expert by any definition, on the use of cameras and their settings, I rely on the people who claim to be experts on YouTube and test their "best settings" until I am satisfied with the results. 

Grab a life jacket and paddle with me to see the awesome colors of the Algonquin Highlands as captured on this little camera.