“Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together”
The above wording could not be more on point. Last year was a year of transition, changes, & a whirlwind of unknowns. Last year I wrote "in these past few months, and upcoming months, I have been, and will be, under going big changes in my life". But I had no idea what those changes would be, & what they would mean. I underwent one major change before Earth Day last year, which included a sudden career path readjustment, & I knew that shortly after Earth Day I would be leaving behind a community I loved growing to be a part of during that year. I had no idea what I was moving to, and what was going to happen. I had no current work lined up that I was moving for, & was still on the job search trail with many applications floating around in the job search world. I had no idea which one would turn from application to work, & if amoungst those applications was a career path I would enjoy & follow.
To my pleasant surprise, & very good fortune, I ended up landing two amazing job opportunities last year. Both, to my enjoyment, were surrounded by agriculture. Though neither what a person would consider a "direct" agriculture job, but both being a perfect fit. I first got to work for a dream organization of Parks Canada, & enjoyed a job in "agriculture/history tourism". With one call on a sunny Friday afternoon while I unpacked my things in my new place I got word about the job. I was very excited,& thankful, lady. It was certainly a summer to remember, & working for Parks Canada will always be to me a "Job of a Lifetime". I would write more on it, but instead I encourage you to check out myprevious post on the amazing experience.
It would also be the summer that Fish Girl Photography grew from a solo operation, to a partnered one. My Shadow came into my life at the end of June, & has been at my side ever since. It has been amazing to have a hiking partner, & with my luck I even have a partner who loves plants as much as I do! We have many grand adventures together, & he has become the focus of many of my photographs. You can check out some of my favorite ones here. I am really excited for the upcoming year & all the adventures we are going to have together.
It would be during the summer, & during my job of a lifetime, I would get word about another big change in my life. I got word about another job application I sent out in the job seeking universe. I had been the successful applicant for a Range Agroloist job, & I would be moving to Dawson Creek come fall. The ultimate career path job was now mine, & I was excited to begin the job. Though, I was also sad because I knew I would miss my beloved home province of Saskatchewan. The knowledge of the move ahead had me dropping many things in favor of experiencing my favorite things in Saskatchewan. So began the experience of my "Last Saskatchewan Summer". Though I know it was not, & is currently not planned to be, my last Saskatchewan summer experience I knew I needed to make the most of the last time I would be a "Saskatchewan resident" for an indefinite amount of time. It lead to many great experiences this past summer, & will not be a summer I easily forget.
I was lucky to see so much of Saskatchewan's amazing beauty this past year. Right from the start of the year with my Walk for Wildlife, right through to the end of the year. The trips back home this year delivered beauty I was very lucky to experience in the trips that were, & will always, too short. In my Walk for Wildlife last year I was even lucky enough to spot a Wood Duck in Saskatchewan! They are an amazing bird, & I am glad I got the experience. Of course though, I can't forget to talk about the amazing landscape that I had moved into in Northeastern British Columbia. Dawson Creek, with it's strong agricultural ties, reminds me so much of my favorite places in Saskatchewan. Though, it has the extra ultra cool factor that when I travel an hour out of town I can see the Rocky Mountains & waterfalls! I know that I will have many amazing experiences in the upcoming year as I explore more of this beautiful, under appreciated, part of British Columbia.
Things have certainly changed in my life, & I do not yet know what all those changes will mean. I know I am excited to explore my options for starting my much talked, & dreamt, about farm here in Northeastern British Columbia in my coming future. I am extremely appreciative to everyone that has been in my life this past year that have filled me with knowledge. I am grateful to have a job that challenges me, along with letting me indulge in both my passions of conservation & agriculture at the same time. The opportunities that are ahead of me are great & I have the many people in my life to thank for that. My mind is excited, grateful, & ready. I am truly grateful for those that have been with me in the past & continue to teach me as I step into the future, even if some of that will occur at distance. The distance does have me scared, but I know I will be able to bridge the gap. I know I will miss Saskatchewan dearly this summer, but I am optimistic that Northeastern British Columbia, & the Peace District, will win over more pieces of my heart as I get to experience my first summer here.
As I close this blog, & review of my past year, I want to express a thank you to all the people that have been a part of my past, & to all those that will join in my journey forward.
Cheers to another year! Thank you for all your support in this past year, & upcoming support. Every like, comment, & follow, means the world.
Happy earth day! Happy #farmvoices, & best of luck in the upcoming year!
0 Comments
So it is a Monday night & as my New Years pulls closer I find myself going over memories from the summer. There is one specific one that sticks out in my head tonight, on this Memories Monday. It was when my family & I decided to go back to Riding Mountain National Park this past summer. On a whim, & a quick change in our family vacation plans we found ourselves in a new direction & packed up to enjoy an oTentik. *Side Note: if you ever have the chance to camp in one of them, please do it. You will not be sorry!* This spur of the moment trip that got planned, when we realized our original family vacation for the summer wouldn't work out, was a lesson in taking a moment to remember. That is because while planning the trip we realize that it was 18 years since we had last visited the park. My mother & I pulled out the old photo album & began to share memories of that amazing first "big & full" family vacation. As we went through the old photographs we thought back to the old memories & noted which spots we would have to stop again in. Upon entering the park from the original direction we first visited it in it was like a case of extreme deja vu. However, for me, that would be replaced with a sense of accomplishment & pleasant realizations on how far I had I come in those past 18 years. As we toured through the park I tried to bring up all the old memories I could of who I was, what I felt back then while being in the park, & what all that meant to me now. It was a very pleasant, & accomplished, feeling to realize that I was now visiting this park while also being a Parks Canada employee. As I explored all the different parts of the park I began to think more, & it was one of the most eye opening trips of a lifetime. Sometimes the best thing a person can do is take a break & find somewhere they can walk in the shoes of their own at a different time in life. You stop to take notice of things you didn't the time before. Admittedly I was too young to appreciate what an amazing & unique place the park was. I didn't understand the importance of the geology or history it now held (being the last national park to be decorated by the gate displayed in the first photo). As we toured around the east part of the park exploring the history, & taking in a road side view from the escarpment, I took in the views in a way I never would have understood in my young age. I am glad I got the chance to re-experience this spot & take notice of something I missed the time before. That moment of awe was repeated later as we toured around the park with the help of our great guide during one of the driving/walking tours of the park. The little spots we were taken to in the park & the details about the ecosystem & history of park development were appreciated in a whole new way. The hike, & drive, with guide was excellent in itself. However now being a graduate of a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program, along with the beginning of a working career in grassland (along with watershed) conservation, it gave me a whole new set of eyes. Now I understood the importance of the history found in the fun bison song that explained the expansion of the native wild bison herd in the park. Along with understanding the incredible uniqueness & importance of protecting the ecologically diverse spot that the park is founded on. I was able to pick out the amazing native wildlife flowers that were growing in every spot we visited, & I was often left behind the group as I tried to grab photos of these treasures. Riding Mountain National Park is an excellent spot to go capture photographs of some of the unique & beautiful wildflowers that grow within Canada. The park is full to the brim with moments that you can get the chance to see the many amazing parts of nature that make Canada unique. Some of these have to do with the things on the smaller size, but it also includes the large ones as well. Keep your eyes out while camping you might just notice a Black Bear, or while driving/walking through the park you may notice Moose, or Deer. The park is home to hundreds, & even thousands, of the amazing animals that make Canada their home. Of those animals, that also includes the amazing Bison. These amazing animals are healthy & strong at Riding Mountain National Park, & other Parks Canada sites in Canada. They have to be one of my favorite wild animals, & the reason for that is simple. Every ecosystem needs that one "superstar" animal to help promote awareness for it. The prairies, & more importantly the grasses, have the bison to speak for them. Though there is two types of bison out there, the wood & plains, & I have a passion for both species. Each one speaks specially to the ecosystems they are attached to, & speak for conservation of the grasslands they feed on. Every chance I get to be able to spot true, wild descendants, of our native bison populations I jump at immediately. Though I have nothing against our domesticated stock (I actually am quite in love with them), it is amazing to see where they started from. Including getting the chance to be able to watch & analyze how much has, & has not, changed. I will admit I owe my family a lot on this trip & that they allowed me the chance I got to see the beautiful creatures. I forced my family up early in the morning so we could get out there to see them before the descended into the trees to take cover from the heat of the day. As we made our way into the viewing platform of course I made notice of the sign that discussed bison conservation. Though it is something of a good conservation tale that we have been able to bring bison numbers back from the brink. That good tale is only half of the real story. You see, their habitat is not as lucky. The habitat that supported many of these great creatures over vast miles is very small in amounts in our current world. Looking at grassland ecosystems as a whole only 25% of them remain. If one actually looked at every grassland eco-type as they looked at specific tree habitats in the forest, then there are ecosystems that have 5% or less left. It is a great to know that Parks Canada is taking a step foreword in the protection of these unique habitats & the animals that exist within them. I am truly thankful for all those that put the effort in to study, & assess these cultural gems (furred & otherwise). This trip truly reminded me why I have taken the path in life I have chosen. How I ended up in university in a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program rather than an agriculture centered related field of study. I can only hope that if I had the chance to run into the young girl I was the first time I visited that park that she would look back at me proud of where this life path has taken me. I can say I can't wait until the next time I get to explore this amazing park, & that I look forward to accomplishing my "bucket list" goal of visiting every National Park in Canada. I am excited to see what other wonders await me at the other Parks within Canada, & what inspiration will hit me there.
As I close this blog I must strongly urge you if you haven't visited a Parks Canada National Park or Historic Site that you add it to a "must do" to your summer adventure list. I am thankful everyday for the forethought of the people who conserve these spaces & tend to them for future generations to enjoy. Each one protects at least one unique Canadian gem, & each gem deserves to be seen. Also, if you enjoyed the wildlife photos seen in this blog, & would like to try your hand at some, please first do some reading to ensure the safety of yourself & the animals your photographing. A great place to start would be here (Parks Canada specific rules), here (National Geographic), here & here. Each year the Moosomin & District Regional Park celebrates it's fireworks contest, Living Skies Come Alive. It brings the best out in fireworks from Manitoba & Saskatchewan to face off. The regional park in itself is an amazing place to visit, with a beautiful lake & beach to spend your time. Along with excellent campsites, & shore fishing spots. Arriving early for the festival I took in the sites of park, & enjoyed putting my toes in the sand. It is definitely a place I can't wait to visit again next summer, & take in for a few days. Some of the old arcade games in the beach front store, & cafe, are just calling my name. Along with that, some time on the beach under the beach shelters. If your a person that enjoys time in a quite off the track park that still has all could need, then the Moosomin & District Regional park is the perfect place for you. As the night came in my family, & I, settled down with our ice cream into our firework viewing spot early. It was a good thing, as the time for fireworks drew near the area filled up fast with people wanting to take in the show. The stage to the south of the beach provided excellent background music as we enjoyed our ice cream on the beach during our wait time.
Then when it got dark enough the sky opened up with a fantastic display of fireworks. The colors, & coordination, showed that much thought was put into the event. If you're going to take in one fireworks display within the year this competition should be at the top of your list. It does not disappoint, & it is excellently executed by all those involved. Right down to the parking! I can't wait to go again next year. The next couple days of holiday were spent taking in Gimli, and the Icelandic Festival. It was an interesting, and informative time to say the least! Lake Winnipeg never disappointed us with a view, and life in the Yurt was pretty sweet. It is something I could see myself spending a lot of time in future for sure. They are a really neat, and very comfortable to stay in! It was so nice to be so close to the water and nature in general. We were delighted to be visited by many neat and cute visitors during our stay in the Yurt. The town Gimli itself is an amazing little beach town, and has more the feel of a maritime or west coast feel than the middle of Manitoba. The buildings, and streets, show the strong Icelandic influence from the flags on the streets to the Viking Statue at the Harbour. You can definitely get a full dose of Gimli's fishing heritage at the tourism centre. We took in all the festivities that the Icelandic festival had to offer. We went through the vendors, seen the beach & harbour activities, and of course had to take in the Viking village. It was the amazing village of people who as a hobby re-create what it was like to live like a Viking. It is some rustic camping at its finest! The village was amazing, and had tons to teach people that went through. At night the festival delighted us with the most amazing fireworks show! It was a great time to take in the show on the beach. The festival also had a parade that one just has to see in person (which is why I put not pictures because it is just so amazing no picture could do it justice). All in all the festival was for sure worth the drive, and I look foreword to going back. I am planning on next year since it will be the festivals 125th anniversary and I am sure the show will be just as great as it was this year! So for the August long weekend my mother planned an epic family trip. We were heading to Gimli & Winnipeg, Manitoba. We were to spend the weekend exploring a few places, and seeing the sights around Gimli. The trip started out after my night at the Yorkton Rough Stock Rodeo. Then it was up bright and early and on the road to Gimli, Manitoba. On the way we seen a few interesting sights, including Riding Mountain Park [which was more a mountain than I remembered], and Lake Manitboa. Exploring the Parks Route, and the Northern Woods & Lakes route was amazing. Coming into the Interlake Lake, Inland Oceans was amazing, and a complete hidden gem. I enjoyed every minute driving through. Our first stop in Winnipeg was at the Aviation museum. It is definitely a stop that one should make while visiting the great city. It is in a quiet little place off in its own corner of the Winnipeg airport. Definitely worth the stop because there is so much Canadian Aviation history that is not known about. It is absolutely amazing what can be found in the Aviation Museum. Everything from different planes, how they work, to a very special collection of postal envelopes that include on signed by Orville Wright. Canada also has in its interesting aviation history a flying canoe! Then it was back to Gimli to explore the harbour after our time in Winnipeg. The harbour looked amazing, especially since there was a magical rainbow to greet us. The boats were all amazing, and there was even a coast guard there! Apparently, Lake Winnipeg is big enough to warrant the use of one. It was crazy to see the harbour, and all it had to offer. Not something you really expect to see in the middle of the prairies. But definitely worth the stop! The next day it was off to the Royal Canadian Mint & Winnipeg Art Gallery. Both were amazing time, and definitely worth the stop. The mint was a lot cheaper than what I thought it would be, and the tour guides were amazing. It was so cool to learn all the finer points about how our money is made. The Winnipeg Art Gallery was also amazing with its exhibition of 100 Masters in Canada Only. It was amazing to see these pieces, and truly inspiring. I loved the gallery. Then our last stop was a stop on the windiest corner in Canada. All in all, another great day in Winnipeg. Then after getting back to the campsite it was off to exploring around the Yurt. We were at Camp Morton, and it was an amazing old bible camp. So rich in history, and the lakeside views were also gorgeous. I enjoyed every moment I spent exploring that evening. |
Categories
All
|