Awausee Lookout #1

After quite a bit of hiking uphill, I was suddenly rewarded with this view, which I photographed greedily. I was startled by another hiker, who offered to take my picture and then I ate my lunch before taking more pictures with the sun out and then heading off to the other lookouts... so thats it for now. I'm off to Sibley with Mhari for the night, but I'm sure that there will be more postings on Tuesday.

Cheers,

Jennith

Forest Pool

Here is one of the first stops I made as I hiked up Awausee Trail to a series of wonderful lookouts over Agawa Bay and Valley. It was part of a step-pool sequence in a pretty little stream hurtling down the side of a large, steep hill.

Skwhirl

I was having a tough time photographing the sqirrel with a mug in my hand, so I finished up my hot chocolate and put the mug down so I could have both hands free to track the brash, but speedy critter... Little did I know that he had a taste for chocolate and went straight for the mug as soon as I put it down... So I snapped my pictures quick and then took the mug away before he got to much of it. So, then he went up a tree and scolded me.

Same view as below, next morning

I was a bit disappointed to wake up to dark skies and fog. But by the time I cooked up hot chocolate and oatmeal, did the dishes and then headed over to the visitors centre to sort things out and buy a map - the sky had mostly cleared.

Camping at Agawa Bay

There was still a bit of light as I reached my campsite. However, the weather was overcast and threatening to rain (which it did about the time it got dark). I spent a bit of time wandering this beach and taking pictures, then hiked to the phone at the visitors centre to call home and M. and Gabe - of whom I was able to reach not one. Then I hiked back, stopping at the bathroom. At which point it had reached full dark and started to rain - so that by the time I got back to the car I was pretty wet. So.. I called it... and slept in my car - why put up a tent if it was going to get wet and then I'd have to pack it up wet.... and so forth... I can say it was the best sleep I ever had, but it was okay.

Thursday - on my way into Lake Superior Provincial Park

I love the colours in the hills. I was feeling a bit rushed about making my campsite before dark, so I wasn't able to take as many pictures as I'd like, but trust me, the experience was like driving through a Franklin Carmichael painting.

Return to the Land of the Sleeping Giant

Just outside of Thunder Bay is the Terry Fox monument from where you can see the sleeping Giant - resting in Thunder Bay Harbour.... but I'm tired... so you'll have to wait for more pictures... maybe in the morning.

JP

Weird Images

Here be a blurry rendition of the moon... one of all the other shots I took without a tripod... truth to tell I don't know which I like better.. but back to packing.

JP

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Not bad for no tripod and a relatively unfancy camera... Well, the full moon is here which made me feel nostalgic for Gabe's mom's full moon circles. An excuse for friends and neighbours to get together, share a bonfire, their thoughts and yummy treats. They are really neat - and good excercises in both communicating and listening. I'm finally at that point where I can stop and breathe for a second and relax a little. I'm thinking about my paints and taking some time to hike in the beautiful fall colours... and finally bake those pumpkin muffins and maybe read a book for fun.

Another one of those cute and crazy moments as I was walking into the Rec Centre - I saw a squirrel dive for an acorn, then do the spilts with its back legs and chow down... and I had to laugh...because obviously they are even teaching the local squirrels yoga. Who knew?

So... off I go... into the sunset and wild blue yonder... look forward to some good fall pictures and maybe some long overdue art work.

Cheers,

Jennith

One day as a field assistant

Spending the day in waders (an unleakly pair that nearly fit me too) - I couldn't help but reminise about the little main Restigouche River. Strangely, the Credit of my childhood, doesn't really compare to even the headwaters of the Restigouche. I don't think I even registered how large a river it was, still the headwaters of the credit still has some pools deeper than my waders (which I discovered via a near miss with becoming very wet and that was before I bumped my head on the sediment sampler).

The north is singing to me and there is frost on the wind
The gypsy in my soul begs to wander, but the farmer in me holds back until harvest season is past
The apples ripen on trees that I will never eat from
Enormous zuchini left ungrated, muffins not baked
But in a few more days freedom will find me and I will soar on the wind
And suck the sweet smell of autumn in the poplar woods deep into my lungs
But first the harvest and then the cherishing of autumn.

And I'm rambling... I've been in the field 10/14 of the last days, in fact it could be 11/14. But soon, I'll be done and done and glad to have that stress and worry past, if I'm not jinxing it by speaking too soon. I have 3 more days in the field this week and probably 2 more after that minimum, possibly 3.

I'll try and keep a somewhat steady stream of photos flowing, but no promises.

Jenn

Chilly Days in the Woods

Gabe (Is he like having a philosophical conversation with his ice-tea or what?) dressed up against the less than 10 C weather helping me survey a surface water profile.

So, I'm working towards the end of my field season at which point - I might actually get to start writing and modelling - at least be in some kind of home stretch

Swim little salmon, swim

Actually, it might be (embarassingly for my attempt at identifying fish) a trout - but they were trying to hop up over a mess of coarse woody debris the other day - but then gave up and went downstream.

So much for longitudinal conectivity...

For those of you who are wondering where I've been on the internet (or why I haven't been here) I've become busier than I was when I thought things were insane.. butbI should be mostly done one site by the end of the week and getting close on the other...

Proof that God is a Water Colour Painter and Possibly a Gardener

Is there any more striking a combination of flowers than purple asters set against a background of goldenroad and the browns and bronze-red of fading Spotted-Joe-Pye Weed? Perhaps the m ix of steel blue Chicory, Queen Ann's Lace and bright gold-yellow birds-foot-trefoil? Tonight I was wishing I had my camera sharply. As I headed home from my 6th Aerobics class in 7 days, the sky was amazing... I just wanted to paint it... I'm not sure I can describe it to give it justice - imagine creamy clouds a colour between pale gold and peach ranging to brighter salmon's, cranberries and purples and then superimpose a rainbow on it and then you have my sky if you have enough imagination to picture its beauty.. but alas I was was 10 min from home and stuck in traffic besides... so it'll have to be one of those skies that you remember in you mind.

I'm off to the Wilmot tomorrow - just Gabe, Me and Woody Debris (or Coarse Woody Material as Stan would have me say - but the older term has a homey forestry ring to it for me - so forgive my nostalgia... anywho... much to do and pack up.. :D

Jennith

Forgotten Photos

I was asked for some pictures for a pamplet for school and while purusing my photos I discovered this one, which I'm sure I didn't post and so I decided to remedy that with this short post (taken at the Eramosa River at Stone Road this June - and I actually don't know what the flower is)

In other news I've killed no less than 3 pairs of sandels including both my water and abuse resistant ones. Fortunately I did in the right of one pair and the left of the other.. so if you see me in the garden with mismatched sandels, it is because I don't see the point of buying a new pair with it nearly being winter. The weather is beautiful today, even though it wasn't supposed to be.

Ah well,

Jennith

A Pale Cord of Alis

So, Its been an interesting week. We are readjusting to new schedules and my field stuff has been put on hold somewhat. The exciting news for me is that I finally bought a gym pass and I've gone to Aerobics every day since Saturday. I'm hoping that I'll get back in shape and stick with it.

Otherwise, I'm battling the software demons and trying to come up with a brilliant and simple solution to my field challanges and eat healthier food. Still, I see fall coming and my soul is longing for campfires and hiking and snuggling up in my big green sleeping bag. But no camping for me... or hiking... well, I might squeeze some hiking in... Anywho, back to work.

Jennith

Government Report on Kashechewan

Above, Gabe smiles after a hard day working in the field.

After seeing the picture of St. Andrew's burnt to the ground I googled the event to see if I could find more specific information. Instead I found this intense government report outlining the deficincies in the living conditions on the reserve and recomended remedial activities. While I was somewhat aware of many of the problems that plauged the community in 2000-2001, when I worked there, I certainly did not have the full cross section, nor details. Here is a link to the report.

None of what I've read has surprised me, Kashechewan's problems are exacerbated by some special issues (largely damage done by flooding and lack of road access). However, I was shocked to find out that funding for Kashechewan is based on a population of 1100 people. Even in 2000, there was most certainly 1500 people and since that time the population has incresed, especially after a bill was enacted extending status to many people who had lost it because their father's were not native. I has also failed to make the leap of thought to realize that the changed post-secondary hours would result in poorer attendance. Sigh. I wish that things could turn around a bit for them. They sound like they could use a good engineer/urban planner and a manager. I foudn Mr. Alan Pope's comments on the process and outcome of the community canvas interesting and in light of the decision to rehabilitate the community at its existing location - a bit surprising. The largest challange of a remote community with limited employment and revenue sources is to take the first steps (especially in terms of securing both start up funding and the building a skilled labour pool able to compete in a market that is remote from outside markets). I wish them sucess and hope that the education and health situations are promptly improved. Its strange how little has happened since the initial evacuation.

Jennith

Solidago: Sunshine on a Stem

Here be the beautiful weather we experienced on the Credit at Cataract this morning.... Its amazing how much the plant life chances between July and Septemeber. The Asters were awesome. Did you know that bees match the yellow in the golden rod, its acutally quite cool.

My other shock today was to discover that St. Andrew's School in Kashechewan had burned down. Its weird... Its like an old friend died. It was the first school where I taught and I can still close my eyes and remember my classroom... I wonder what things of mine went up with the blaze... a stray artwork sample a book I left behind... certainly, I'm sad to hear its good. I knew that they weren't using it because of mould - but I guess it would be the same if any place I'd had a strong connection to burned down. Here is a link to the story: Kashechewan

Where branches jab and headwaters run

Here are 2 of the most important things in my life at this point - Gabe (who is now close enough to be photographed) and one of my field study sites to which I've memorized most of the en route landmarks in the last few weeks. The next few weeks continue to appear insanely busy as I scramble to finish up my fieldwork before it gets too cold and wet. I guess the last few days have been full of the winds of change as Alex headed off to school leaving fightening tidyness in his wake and Gabe returned from out east. Yet, my own schedule hasn't changed much. I had a good week in the field last week, but the weather for this one is worrying me. I was introduced to a new game (Arkham Horror) by S. and R. and even saw not one but 3 movies in the theatre (No Reservations, I now pronouce you Chuck and Larry and The Bourne Ultimatum.) and I caved into the evil that are iPod's (in a bargain second hang way). I've been holding out against buying one for years because I'm probably the only anti-apple person that I know. I not exactly anti-Apple in an active way. You want to spend the premium for a computer that crashes when you try and use ArcView - go right ahead. Likewise, there is no way I would shell out $500 for an iPod when a much cheaper MP3 player would do. But the deal came around and I've been buying most of my music on iTunes for 3 years now, so it sort of made sense in the end.... sigh... but I feel like a conformer and a sell out. So, enjoy my last bit of laughing at myself...

You know you are a Water Resource Engineering Student if....

1. You keep 1 pair of chest waders and 3 pairs of rubber boots in your trunk just in case....
2. You discover 3 cups of sand and gravel under the floor mat of your car and wonder if you should classify it as sandy gravel or gravelly sand.
3. You try to estimate where a rainstorm would fit in on an IDF (intensity, duration, frequency) curve.
4. You think hydraulic jumps are cool.
5. You have a collection of photographs of sewer grates, storm water management ponds and culverts.
6. You point out the weaknesses and finer points inherant in a particular storm water pond design to random passers-by while taking the avobe photographs.
7. You check the real-time hydrograph after a long, intense rainstorm to see if it peaked.
8. You want to run out and take pictures of flooded streams after it rains.
9. You think a dry-hand-wading rod is a brilliant invention and have a favourite pygmy meter
10. You are surprised to discover that most people don't think its normal to have to pick twigs and pine needles out of your hair after a hard days work and that it most people don't have bruises and scrapes from encounters with conifers (I still have scars on the back of my hands from measuring the DBH on over 10000 white spruce trees in 2003).

And back to reading manuals for ArcView for the rest of the afternoon....

Jennith

So a few more thoughts