'Eh' Canadian Farm Woodlot and 'Eh' Canadian Lodge

2011 Holiday Greetings from Loren and Denise

2011-12-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

Kwung Suk_WW#68_Last WW of 2011

2011-12-27T12:50:00.001-07:00

Kwung Suk a very interesting mature WW from South Korea contacted us early in mid June when he was woofing near Nanaimo at a lodge. He was traveling in Canada for 5 months. He had past experience in woofing in both Australia and NZ, and was working on his English skills.

However because his English skills still needed work, and I didn’t realize that, we had some difficulties from the start. We originally had made arrangements for Kwung Suk to arrive mid September, and I had asked him to confirm closer to the date, and he didn’t respond to my request to confirm his arrival, so when we had no contact from him we booked Nora and I made plans to be away. Then we received a phone call from Kwung Suk who was at the Golden bus depot. At this time we were guests at a dinner engagement. We made the best of it and Kwung Suk made his accommodations in the bus. We did take him and Nora fishing, and they attended my dance recital. However, the work we had for him was not what he expected and we do expect our ww to help out. Further, Nora had pretty much wrapped up the garden chores and all we had left was firewood, which is heavy work. In the end Kwung Suk headed for Calgary to rent a car and tour the Rockies. We hope he had a great trip in the Rockies. I did not receive any photos of Kwung Suk and since I was away when he left, I didn't have a chance ask for one, perhaps he will send us a photo.

Nora_WW#67

2011-12-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Nora from Germany arrived shortly after Jess had left, so we really had very little to do around the place. However we manage to find enough to keep her busy and Nora was able to find things to do in her spare time. We went fishing to Susan Lake with our other woofer Kwung Suk who arrived while she was here, we didn’t catch any fish, very unusual for Susan Lake, but the weather was warm and scenery beautiful. Unfortunately while Nora was here I had to take a trip to Chilliwack for a family visit, so it was a short woofing experience for us. Nora helped with firewood, tidying up at the lodge and putting vegetables from the garden into the freezer. After Nora left here she toured the Rocky Mountains tour with a friend. She said “it was amazing. We've been in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. In Jasper we had luck to meet a nice girl with a car (unfortunately we had none). So we were able to visit the icefields and some waterfalls.” Nora then went onto woof at a sheep farm in the foothills outside of Calgary, where she sorted wool and seeded pasture. We enjoyed Nora’s visit and hope she is having a ‘good life!’

Jess_ww#66

2011-12-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Jessica who is known as Jess, calls Britain home. Jess was no stranger to woofing, as she had spent time woofing in Europe. While woofing she had made friends with another woofer, and was visiting in Calgary.
They had planned a trip in September and Jess was anxious to get out of the city, so woofing was logical. Further Jess was a great woofer as she was very independent.
We had finished up logging at Donald so had some time to go fishing. First we went out for a day with friends from the lodge, then we spent a wkend fishing and camping at Kinbasket, other friends. Again we didn't catch any fish worth bragging about. But we did go for a hike, and Jess learnt to play crib.
Jess helped with some cleaning at the lodge, gardening and helped to finish perma chinking the outside of the cabin.
I am feeling bad that this is the only photo I have of Jess, not sure where the rest got to. In this photo we are fishing while Jess practices knitting, the knitting was a continuous source of jokes, as there were a few stitches missing and added.

Jess had offered to house sit in December, however it turned out that Loren was running the processor on another woodlot, so we didn't get away for a holiday, and since things were guiet at the lodge we din't need help. Too bad as Jess' is rialable and fun company.

Stepanie and Romy_Return WWs 64 & 65

2011-09-10T17:16:00.002-06:00

Sept 20 to 30th 2011Stephanie and Romy, were wws here Nov 2009. They then left us and went on to work in both Canmore and Banff, and woof at the middle of the West Coast Trail. They did a lot of hiking, x country skiing and travelling in the year they were in Bc. They left Canada in August 2010 and started school that Sept. They are both studying Tourism. This summer their holiday consisted of revisiting or you can say rewoofing with us, travelling to Prince Rupert to take the ferry to Alaska and then onto meet their parents at Skagway and onto hike the Chilcoot (Gold Rush) Trail.
While they were here, they weeded the entire garden. It really made a difference at it had been neneglected between woofer. They helped with the lodge and put a dent in the permachinking (filling the gaps between the logs) of the inside and some outside walls of the cabin.
Of course their accordion playing had really improved and they were playing very complicated pieces. It was fun to have them here again, even though we were quite busy with harvesting on the woodlot at Donald. We did take a day hike into Gorman with Doug, Darlene, Rick and Jana. Once there Doug and Stephanie and Romy hiked to the ridge of the slope to the west, and when the returned Stephanie and Romy swam in Gorman Lake. They were the fist wws we've hosted who have braved the ice cold water. There was still ice on one edge of the lake. They were also our first wws to hike to the summit (carin) of Willowbank. Needless to say they are both very fit.
We are looking forward to hearing their tails of Alaska and the Yukon. I know we will see Romy and Stephanie again as they love Canada and especially the wilderness.

David_WW_63_France_June 29th to July 10th_2011

2011-07-11T23:24:00.003-06:00

David, Anais and Daniel canoeing at Susan Lake

David left this morning, now we have a break in the stream of fine and fun willing workers since spring. David an independent ww, who was usually smiling has been travelling between school years. Before the Blaeberry he had been travelling and hiking in BC, with his next plans to woof near Pincher Creek Alberta, onto Yellowstone Park and then finish up in LA. David was here while Anais and Daniel were here. The first Monday after he arrived all three of them took the medi bus to Radium for some hiking and swimming at the hot springs. Then on Tues, the work started, with two guys it was a great opportunity to do some heaver work, firewood, dig up the pathway in the garden and. move soil. After Daniel and Anais left David painted the front of the barn whe he house sat whille we went to Kamloops. Another day he helped to put in fence posts for a new fence and gather rails for the fence around the lodge. On the last Saturday David was here, we were busy at the lodge, so David caught a ride to Gacier Park with a neighbour who works there, and went hiking for the day. Although the weather wasn't perfect, he hiked past the snowline and had a great day. We know David will have great adventures.

Anais_WW_61_France_June 19th to July 7th

2011-07-11T22:10:00.001-06:00

David, Daniel, Alicksa and Anais at top of Kicking Horse Mtn Resort on Canada Day

Anais and Daniel at Kicking Horse Mtn Resort Day Lodge

Fishing at Susan Lake. Anais was the real swimmer.

Anais was here almost 3 weeks. Anais just graduated from school as a hospitality manager and I can see her managing a lodge someday. Anais was a great help, she cleaned in the lodge, kept the barn clean, weeded in the garden and flower beds, helped with the heavy firewood, baked batches of yummy cookies, and helped with a lot of the housework. But it wasn’t all work, while Anais was here, Daniel arrived and then David. We visited Thompson Falls one evening, went fishing twice, and then Daniel, David and Anais volunteered at the Canada celebration with Alicksa from the Golden Chamber of Commerce, and then one day the wws and Alicksa and I went into Yoho Park to sight-seeing and hiked into Wapta Fall. After three weeks here, we found it quite different without Anais, she was immediately missed by all of us. Anais left for Lake Louis to hike and then she was headed to woof near Saskatoon. I had an email from Anais today, she met a lot of friends in Lake Louis and hiked many of the trails she had hope to hike.

Daniel_Number_62_Munich June 25th to July 6th_2011

2011-07-11T00:01:00.002-06:00

Can we really say that Daniel is WW Number 62 when Daniel first visited us in the fall of 2005 as WW # 13. Now finished his studies as an Engineer interested in alternative energy, Daniel returned to find the lodge open, a pond and a hub of activity. It was great to have Daniel around, he is always happy. Unfortunately while he was here Loren was recovering from a sore knee, so no hiking for us as a group. This wasn’t a problem for Daniel as he had been hiking in for a week before he arrived here. Anais was already here when Daniel arrived, and then four days later David arrived. As a group they kept themselves busy. They volunteered at the Canada celebration with our neighbour from the Golden Chamber of Commerce, road the gondola up Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, hiked into Wapta Falls, visited Takaka Falls and had tea at Emerald Lake. Daniel went to Susan Lake twice, the first time while just Anis was here and the fishing was great, the second time it was all of us and the canoe as well. The weather was much better than the fishing (we were skunked for the first time in ages). Daniel helped with clearing the ground for a walkway in the garden, heaving firewood, mowing lawns and much shavelling (there's a joke in this mis-spelling)…We look forward to Daniel’s return, and who knows perhaps we’ll see him in Munich, that is unless he takes work in another country.

Anis, Daniel and David

Woofer #60_Kai_Germany_June 7th_12th, 2011

2011-07-10T23:02:00.000-06:00

Kai watches us fishing.

Showing off the fish!

Wow, since August of 2003, we have had 60 willing workings. And overall, the experience has been postive and rewardng. Kai was another positive and willing to learn willing worker. Since he was only here for a week, we were just getting to know him when it was time for him to leave. Kai found the atmospehre here and the work during the day in the garden 'very peaceful and a contrast to the noisy cities' he'd visited before he came here. Although when leaving Kai expalined that he enjoyed the quite, but preferred something more like a villae where there are more people. Kai had a great work ehtic. He worked a lot in the garden, raked around the chicken coupe and chased down invasive weeds in the garden. We did mange a sucessful fishing trip to Susan lake, and as a result Kai learned how to fillet a trout.

Filleting the fish Loren and I caught

Susann, from Germany April 22 to May 14th 2011

2011-06-11T22:40:00.001-06:00

Susann arrived while Eve and Julian were still at the farm, so her introduction to our place was a group experience. As they say ‘many hands make light work!’ With all three willing workers we did a job we had been putting off for some time, falling and clearing two big trees, one by the wood shed and another by the parking lot at the lodge. Susann had flown into Calgary and was only there 2 days before she caught the bus to Golden. She was very happy to be in the country and fit right into our routine. Especially since was from a relatively small village near Berlin, where her Mother had a large garden.

Susann kept busy helping with both domestic chores and the garden. She did a lot of weeding and preparing the soil and then she planted peas, onions and potatoes. It is now June 6th and these plants are up and doing great. Susann helped Loren rebuild our outdoor chicken coup so it would be ready new chickens. Gregor had done a great job of this several years back, but we were having problems with ravens and hawks stealing chickens and eggs, so Susann helped Loren cover the outside coup with wire mesh. She did not see the new chickens arrive as it was supposed to be midweek after she left, however Susann when you read this you will laugh at what I’m to say next. I thought I had made arrangements to buy chickens that were ready to lay, so when it was time to pick up the layers, Loren and I loaded the large wire cage in the back of the truck and drove to the feed store to pick up the birds. On arrival the woman at the store told us it would be too cold to transport the chickens in the cage in the back of the truck. And proceeded to tell me she had a box we could use. I was suspicious when I saw the size of the box (too small for 8 full grown layers), but when she asked if I needed chick started I realized I had made a mistake, and asked her ‘are these full grown layers.’ ‘No, they are chicks’ she replied, and I knew I had made an assumption that we were getting ready to lay layers, and not laying chicks. To make a long story short, she agreed to keep the chicks for another buyer, and Loren and I picked up hens at the end of May from a chicken farmer Salmon Arm. Then hens are just starting to lay and seem to like the remodelled coup. Susann also helped Loren to build the bridge over the water feature (she really liked working with wood). Susann also did a great job of cleaning and treating the horse harnesses.

Susann did a couple of touristy activities while she was here. One evening she accompanied me to an all lades birthday party and bike ride. It was the day after the Royal Wedding, so all of us wore crowns on our helmets. She took the medi bus to Radium, accompanied me to Banff of an appointment, where she did the tourist stuff and ventured out on several walks and bike rides in the Blaeberry.

Like all woofers we’re sorry to see Susann leave, however because she was with us for almost three weeks and with us most days, all day, it was especially difficult to say ‘Good-bye!’

Eva and Julian, May 17 to 24th, 2011

2011-06-11T22:27:00.001-06:00

Eve and Julian, both from France had been in Quebec for the winter and had hitch-hiked across Canada to BC. They arrived on a Sunday and left a week later on a Sunday. A short stay because they were on route to the Yukon and maybe Alaska for an adventure. We still had a bit of snow when they arrived, so we had them do some spring cleaning in the lodge, brush clearing around the yard and raking of the lawns. Because there was still snow, we couldn’t do much for site seeing. However we did go down to the Columbia River one afternoon where we saw a herd of elk swim across the river. Then one afternoon Eve, Julian and Suzanne (a woofer who arrived the Friday before they left) all went for a bike ride around the Blaeberry.

The weekend that they left was the Easter long weekend. On the Friday evening we had a bonfire at a neighbour’s and then on the Saturday evening before they left, we had Easter Dinner at another neighbours.

On the Sunday morning Loren drove Eve and Julian to Golden where they hiked toward Kamloops to meet a fellow traveller and rent a car for their trip to Alaska. They were renting a compact economy car, not only because it was less expense to rent, but also cheaper on gas. Loren had fun teasing them about the car, because he envisioned the three of them and all of their gear packed into the car like sardines in a can.

I did hear from Eve that they were back and in Vancouver. Eve was headed home to France and Julian was headed to the Okanogan for summer work picking fruit.

Xmas Update 2010

2010-12-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas; it`s that time again. We had a rather lazy year. Mainly because we only logged for one week in the fall and with not much of a log market, my forestry work was very sporadic. The lodge was as busy at previous years, but we favoured self-catered groups, so the workload was less.

Once the winter lodge season was finished near the end of March, we headed south hoping to enjoy some hiking. But the weather didn’t cooperate and the snow chased us north of Tucson Arizona and after hiking in snow and mud we headed to Oregon Pipe National Monument. Overall we had a great break and found some areas that we hope to visit again this coming April. On the way home we visited with my parents in Chilliwack, where I met up with my best high school girl friends for a trip to Kingfisher Lodge on Vancouver Island for a spa retreat. It was very decadent with tonnes of laughter!

In May and June we focused on the garden, while Loren and willing workers, Anne and Shawn planed the wood for and finished the floors in the cabin. Later in July our willing worker Simon finished cleaning and treating the cabin interior logs.

Also in July Loren finally found the perfect boat for lake fishing. So right up until it was too cold in the fall, we spent many days camping and fishing.

Loren celebrated his 50th Birthday twice this summer. The first was a neighbourhood party with a good friend who turned 50 in July. Mom, Dad, my Uncle and Aunt were here that weekend to help celebrate, since they were headed to our family reunion in Alberta. We closed the lodge for the long weekend in August to attend the reunion. The days before and after the reunion we hosted family from Denmark and BC. It was great to see everyone again. Dad is the oldest Danish descendant here in Canada.

In early August I went sailing near Victoria with Dorothy and her friend Shirley. Dorothy had arranged the trip for Shirley`s birthday. We didn`t experience much wind, but we had a great time sailing from Sidney to Pender Island and then to Victoria Harbour.

Then we had a surprise party for Loren on his birthday in August. Our good friend Della managed to organize our Chilliwack friends (like herding cats) for a weekend here. Loren thought the lodge was booked by a group gathering for a get-together (and I quote him saying; `I think this group is going to be a problem`, after they sped up the driveway). A half hour later he walked into the lodge to fix a plugged drain (quote as he left the house to fix the drain; `I told you this group was going to be trouble`) only to be surprised almost to tears, by the group who had decorated the lodge with large posters of him sporting his white behind while body surfing in Maui.

This fall we logged at the woodlot and finished the pond. Then last week Loren, Linnaéa, Andrew, Mom, Dad and I, took a `family vacation` to Cuba. It was so nice to spend time together without daily responsibility and in such a relaxed atmosphere. It was Andrew and Linnaéa`s first time south of the US, so it was a real experience for them. Andrew especially enjoyed the Cuban people. My Auntie Lee and Uncle Gerry house sat while we were away. It was a good break for them as well, and we were glad not to worry about home.

Linnaéa is working full time here at the long term care centre and has started school for Registered Nursing at Douglas College in Vancouver. She is part-time for now and begins full time in the spring. Andrew is working here in Golden doing carpentry and sound gigs when they come up.

In a nutshell 2010 has been great, we hosted several great willing workers, climbed Redburn Mountain (something I`ve been wanted to do for a while), fished more than I thought possible, visited with family and celebrated Loren`s milestone. Now we move onto sleigh rides and the holiday season.

We hope this greeting finds you well and enjoying the holidays, and we wish you all the best in 2011.

Agathe, WW56. October 2010

2010-12-31T12:49:00.001-07:00

Agathe our 56th ww, was visiting from Montreal. But really Agathe is from Paris, France and was studying in Montreal. We were her fist woofing experience. Agathe said that she had a `very peaceful and healthy time`, exactly what she needed. Agathe was able to attend the local Kicking Horse Culture Anniversary Celebration a real hodge podge of local performers. She also travelled and had a quick visit of Banff,while I had an appointment there. Then one Friday Agathe took the medi bus to Radium for a visit of Radium Park. Agathe helped do fall cleaning at the lodge, moved soil around the pond, but best of all Agathe put the garden to bed for the winter. She did a great job of pruning out the old raspberry canes. Agathe left here for Vancouver for a short holiday. In December she sent me a note that she is back in France. Perhaps we will see Agathe in Rockies again. I know she enjoyed the scenery.

WW 55. Simon, Budenhein, Germany

2010-09-05T11:56:00.002-06:00

July 5th to July 26th
‘Eh’ Canadian Lodge was Simons 1st WWOOfing experience, and looking back I realize that he couldn’t have picked a better time to be here. In July the snow is off most of the mountains, the weather is generally sunny, the Kicking Horse Culture Outdoor Concert Series is in full swing and most of the back roads are open. Further, this is when we need the most help. The strawberries are just finishing and the raspberries are ready for picking. Simon helped a lot around here, which gave us time to do other things outside of work. Simon helped Loren with the cabin, applying the sealer to some walls and the floor, finished cleaning up around the woodshed, weeded in the garden, picked plenty of strawberries and raspberries and helped with the ditch for the pond infrastructure. He went fishing with us at Susan Lake (where he was fortunate enough to be able to photograph a cow and calf moose swimming across the lake- WOW!), and reeled in his first fish, scrambled to the ridge on Redburn Mountain (something I’ve always wanted to do), hiked into Thompson Falls with my parents and neighbours and attended the Kicking Horse Culture Outdoor concerts. In the quiet times around here which Simon called ‘countryside and peaceful life away from the cities,’ Simon practiced his guitar, and it really did show, as even in the 3 weeks he was here, his guitar playing improved. Simon left for a WWOOFing opportunity on Vancouver Island, and we were sad to see him leave. But glad we had the chance for him to experience his first WWOOFing home here in the Blaeberry.

Anne and Shaun, May 16 to 29th, 2010

2010-07-19T20:38:00.002-06:00

Anne Burger returned with Shaun from Australia. Anne and Shaun met while working at Castle Mountain Ski Hill over the winter. This spring they started woofing together and Anne thought it would be nice to meet Shaun and have Shaun experience Eh Canadian Farm Woodlot as well. They were both very helpful around here, but the big development was while they were here, we spread the liner for the pond. They helped with spring cleaning, planing wood for the cabin floors and ceilings and stacking firewood. It was a slow time around town, so not much for socializing, although we did go out to a fiddling event and dinner at a neighbours.

Anne has since wrote that she is back in Germany and “I'm gonna start my school in October and until then I'm gonna work in a company and make some money and maybe I come back to Canada in September for 3 weeks. I'd love to do that but first I need to earn a little bit.”

Shaun is still working at Castle Mountain and has a few more months in Canada.

Romy and Stephanie, Zittau, Germany--------------------------Nov 12-28, 2009

2010-01-18T21:44:00.009-07:00

Romy and Stephanie arrived mid November, at a time when we don't usually take willing workers. However, Loren and I had been busy working on the woodlot and chores were really falling behind at home. Romy and Stephanie finished up taking in the garden, and cleaned the lodge from top to bottom. With us being away most days, we were not great on giving a lot of direction. Despite this, they managed to keep busy. In the evenings both learned to play the accordion. They played the piano by reading music, so they were naturals on the accordion. While Romy and Stephanie were here, they accompanied me to a belly dance lesson, an evening concert, the Womens'Centre Soirée (where there was a belly dance performance and great snacks), the annual Christmas Craft Fair and out to the woodlot to see what Loren and I had been doing. They also took the Medi Bus to Radium for a day at the hot springs. At the end of November they left first for Banff, and then on to Canmore, where they are living and working. Romy and Stephanie were great help at a time when it was really needed.
Sephanie--------------------------------------------------Romy

WW50.Luke_Sidney Australia

2009-08-10T20:52:00.005-06:00

Luke from Sidney Australia arrived on July 29th and stayed to the following Friday August 7th. On Lukes first day he was initiated into the endless rock raking. Unfortunately, that evening he wasn't feeling well and spent the better part of that night at the hospital being rehydrated(we suspect that he had sunstroke which resulted in dehydration). It took him a couple of days to recover, and so he missed out on the huckleberry picking and Thompson Falls, I don't think he minded missing the berry picking. Luke also particpated in the annual burr round up (chopping down of the infamous bi-annual burr bush). He gave a go at raspberry picking but there were too many wasps buzzing him, so instead Loren and Luke picked and shucked peas .
Luke canoed at Susan Lake with Anne (WW 49), where they saw a moose calf. Luke left on route to Banff and then onto Toronto. He has a work visa and is hoping to work while he stays in Canada. Luke didn't sign the wwoofing book, nor did we get a picture of working, so I found this photo on his blog. You can check out Lukes travels at the link http://www.aussie-in-canada.com/.

WW49 Anne; Alfeld,Bavaria

2009-08-10T20:18:00.003-06:00

Anne arrived around July 15th, 2009. She had previous sent me an email that ‘I’m not afraid of work’ and of course this was true. But what is so nice about Anne,is that she never takes things too seriously. Anne was thrown right into work here, as the strawberries were in full production and winter syrup needed to be done. Anne helped with haying, the endless rock raking, turning over the lodge after a group left, sanding the cabin walls, weeding in the garden, grooming the horses, cleaning the barn and the annual burr round up.
Anne attended her first wedding shower here in Canada, picked a half-gallon of huckleberries in the Rocky Mtns, picked Saskatoons along our drive and canoed at Susan Lake where she saw a moose calf. But I am sure the best of all, was when our friend Paul took Anne for a helicopter ride to his lodge in the Purcell Mtns. Paul was doing a maintenance check and delivery to the lodge, and thought Anne might enjoy the trip. He picked here up right here in the horse pasture. It was quite the afternoon for her, and she even was treated to lunch at Purcell Lodge. August 4th, Anne packed to the brim, caught a ride to Edmonton with our neighbour, and now we have already received emails from her new wwoofing location. She will be a welcome spark to any farm where she Wwoofs. Anne plans to return here this fall.

Johnathon and Sonia from Halifax Wwoofers 47 & 48

2009-07-15T22:41:00.006-06:00

We were Johnathan and Sonia's first WWOOFER hosts. And although they were only here July 3rd to the 13, we hope their experiences with us encourages this positive couple to continue with the program. They had started their journey camping in Banff and then came here to Golden on route to visiting and Wwoofing their way to California for September, at which time they will return to Halfix in the fall, where Sonia for sure will continue with her studies. Sonia and Johnathan are very interested in organic gardening, sustainable lifestyles and influencing positive global changes. Sonia and Johnathan both played the guitar and sang, and Johnathan was very good at playing his ukulele. Around the campfire Loren even played some accordion while Johnathan played his ukelele. They were very helpful in the garden (weeding, feeding and thinning). Sonia had plenty of experience as a gardener, as she volunteered at the Dalhousie community garden and had a garden of her own in Halifax. Together they finished up the raking of the pond casting (a huge job), picked strawberries, helped build next years compost and cleaned the barn. Johnathan was a huge help at the sawmill, where he helped Loren with the milling of the cabin flooring and ceiling material. Johnathan and Sonia left on the medi bus for Cranbrook where they hitchhiked onto to Nelson. They phoned to say they had arrived in Nelson and that getting a ride was relatively easy.

This video was written, produced and performed by Sonia and Johnathon. They own the copyrights.

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Once they left here they headed first to Nelson, then to Penticton and their last email said they were on their way to Woof in the US on route to California.

Martin WWoofer 46

2009-07-15T22:00:00.003-06:00

Martin from Aalen,Duetchland was a 'super' woofer. Martin was here May 26th to June 7th. Martin was a lot of help with the heavy work of building the cabin. Martin helped Loren put the roof structure on the cabin. Together they finished up the pearlins, rafters, dormer and strapping. If the tin would have been here they would have done that as well. Besides helping with the cabin, Martin mowed the lawn, helped with a couple of loads of firewood and got a good start on raking the casting from the pond. Martin and Loren hiked the Mummery Trail to the ponds below the glacier, and even though they had to trudge through snow and bush wack Martin thought the hike was 'super'. Martin left too early for Loren's liking as Loren had hoped to finish the roof while Martin was here. Oh well. But Martin left saying 'I learned a lot of things from Loren. I'm almost able to build my own cabin.'

Sarah and Anna WW 44 & 45

2009-06-07T09:36:00.004-06:00

Sarah and Anna are from Germany (Sarah from Würzburg, and Anna from Stade). They had met at university and were travelling in BC to become proficient in English. They both had just finished their studies as teachers of English. It turned out that Loren was able to pick them up in Kelowna on his way back from Naramata. They had been staying at the Hostel there and Sarah had been working at Tim Hortons. It was fun to have two chatty women around, as their zest helped to keep up the tempo on the farm. They helped Loren and Julian work on the trails and put up firewood. They helped a bit with the lodge, weeded flowerbeds and weeded and mulched in the garden. But most appreciated, without prompting they helped with cleaning around the house and in the kitchen.
One evening they braved riding the horses. Duchess was her usual stubborn self, while Duke was distracted by the potential of a mouthful of grass. But this brief ride on our horses was to be just a teaser for their next Wwoofing experience.
We dropped Sarah and Anna at the bus depot where they would start their journey to Banff. There they would meet their new hosts, who would load their luggage onto a horse drawn wagon and ride their new mounts to the ranch. A few days after they left, their new hosts relayed a message to us, that all was well for Anna and Sarah. I hope this meant that they were both enjoying being cowgirls. “Yea Haw!

Julian. Willing Worker 43

2009-05-24T22:22:00.009-06:00

April 3 to 17 & April 24 to May 15, 2009

Julian, from Steinerweg, Germany, was taking time off before he started his studies at university. Julian first arrived April 3rd, after a ski holiday in Banff. He is a very experience skier and made it to Kicking Horse Mtn Resort to ski three times during his first two week stay. It was a bit cool for Julian to stay in the bus, so he stayed in the guestroom in the house. And then when he returned Anna and Sarah were in the bus, so again he stayed in our house. During Julian's first stay he helped Loren get a good start on the firewood, did spring clean up around the yard, pressure washed the inside of the cabin and house-sat while Loren and I were away. After two weeks Julian caught a ride back to Banff for some spring skiing there. He stayed almost a week and then came back. This time he stayed for 3 weeks. While here he helped Loren saw wood for the roof of the cabin, helped Loren move and assemble 3 round of logs on the cabin, cleared and raked trails, worked in the garden, put up a fence and drove the tractor and quad to fetch stuff for Loren. When Julian first arrived spring had just started so there wasn’t much for hiking, so we settled for a hike part way of Willowbank one Sunday afternoon. Julian did get out on the bike, and attended a campfire night with us, where Loren played his accordion. He also went to Radium with Anna and Sarah. And best of all he saw his first bear during the last week of his stay with us. The bear was spring grazing at the edge of a field not far from our farm. Julian left for a farm near Nelson. We heard that at first he was sleeping in the hay. It sounds wonderful for a young traveller.

Laura and Maja

2009-03-29T16:58:00.013-06:00

Woofers 41 and 42 March 10 to 29, 2009

Laura and Maja both from Hamburg, Germany were only planning on staying with us for a week. In the end they stayed for three weeks and were so helpful to us.
Although we don't usually have enough for willing workers in March, we did have many outstanding domestic chores that needing doing. So when Laura and Maja asked to woof here, I made it clear that many of the jobs were catching up on winter cleaning. They had no problem with this and were very willing helpers once they arrived.
They helped in the lodge, around the house and at the barn. They cleaned the tack room and team harnesses, peeled some logs for the new ski cabin, washed a lot of windows, beeswaxed counter tops, painted some new shelving and kept the kitchen spotless.
As you can see from their slide show, they had fun on top of helping us. They took the community bus to Radium and soaked in the hot springs for 3 hours, tried x country skiing and snowshoeing, helped with a sleigh ride, snowmachined to Susan Lake for ice fishing, where we caught and ate our limit, made the margaritas for our Fiesta and shared our company over meals, music and movies.
After 3 weeks I drove them to Banff, and on the way we visited Emerald Lake and Lake Louis.
I had to say a quick Good Bye to make saying so long, easy. After 3 weeks Loren and I we really miss having these to positive youth here. We know there paths will always be bright.

Holiday Greetings and Thank YOU

2008-12-12T21:00:00.008-07:00

As I settle in, to do Holiday Greetings, the snow is falling and we already have about 30 cm of snow on the ground. It is definitely feeling like it’s time to slow down, brush the snow off of the sleigh and harness the horses for sleigh rides. What’s new here is Golden? Last night I attended the first orchestra concert ever performed in Golden. Golden is growing up.
Linnaéa is nursing here in Golden and also taking some shifts in Invermere. This summer she worked in Kelowna while taking a course she needs to be a registered nurse. But she isn’t ready to go back to school full time yet. And we are enjoying having her close by.
Andrew is at the Vancouver Pacific Institute of Technology in the Audio Engineering Program. He’s in school full time evening and works a regular schedule as a carpenter. Dani has found a serving job, and they seem to have settled into a routine. We are looking forward to having them around for Christmas.
Last year both Linnaéa and Dani volunteered to teach youth hula and poi for the winter festival. They had so much fun that Linnaéa is continuing again this season.
I have managed to keep busy with forestry when we’re not busy with the lodge. The lodge was even busier this summer than 2007, but the fall and bookings for this winter reflect the economy. The newest thing for me this year is I that I’m learning to play bridge and as a result I have made some new friends.
Loren is learning to play the accordion. Last April, I bid on an older accordion at a silent action, and to my surprise I won the bid. Loren was so excited, he started lessons and joined an accordion group. He even played for WWOOFERS For never playing an instrument before, he is playing incredibly well. I am looking forward to him playing all the Christmas songs he knows.
This summer with the help of our willing workers, Loren started to build a two-story machine shed by the barn. The upper story will be a bunkhouse for our Woofers. Spring to fall this year we hosted 8 WWOOFERS from 4 different countries. It was great to have the help and learn about these travellers’ experiences. And it seemed that the help was all at the right time. Just when the garden needed planting and weeding, and when Loren needed help with haying and the machine shed.
We also had our friends daughter, Kim stay with us for over two weeks in the summer. And although she wasn’t a woofer, Kim was fun to have around and especially helpful with the horse.
In early October, my friend Dorothy and I travelled to Austria to visit our first WWOOFER Carla. It was a great holiday. We spent a couple of days in Vienna, then met Carla and her family in a tourist area in the Bavarian Mountains. Then we travelled to their home in St Martin’s near Klagenfurt am Wörthersee (South Austria in the mountains), where we stayed at the ‘Wankers’ Guest House not far from Carla’s place.
As I settle in, to do Christmas cards, the snow is falling and we already have about 30 cm of snow on the ground. It is definitely feeling like it’s time to slow down, brush the snow off of the sleigh and harness the horses for sleigh rides. What’s new here is Golden? Last night I attended the first orchestra concert ever performed in Golden. Golden is growing up.
Linnaéa is nursing here in Golden and also taking some shifts in Invermere. This summer she worked in Kelowna while taking a course she needs to be a registered nurse. But she isn’t ready to go back to school full time yet. And we are enjoying having her close by.
Andrew is at the Vancouver Pacific Institute of Technology in the Audio Engineering Program. He’s in school full time evening and works a regular schedule as a carpenter. Dani has found a serving job, and they seem to have settled into a routine. We are looking forward to having them around for Christmas.
Last year both Linnaéa and Dani volunteered to teach youth hula and poi for the winter festival. They had so much fun that Linnaéa is continuing again this season.
I have managed to keep busy with forestry when we’re not busy with the lodge. The lodge was even busier this summer than 2007, but the fall and bookings for this winter reflect the economy. The newest thing for me this year is I that I’m learning to play bridge and as a result I have made some new friends.
Loren is learning to play the accordion. Last April, I bid on an older accordion at a silent action, and to my surprise I won the bid. Loren was so excited, he started lessons and joined an accordion group. For never playing an instrument before, he is playing incredibly well. I am looking forward to him playing all the Christmas songs he knows.
This summer with the help of our willing workers, Loren started to build a two-story machine shed by the barn. The upper story will be a bunkhouse for our Woofers. Spring to fall this year we hosted 8 WWOOFERS from 4 different countries. It was great to have the help and learn about these travellers’ experiences. And it seemed that the help was all at the right time. Just when the garden needed planting and weeding, and when Loren needed help with haying and the machine shed.
We also had our friends daughter, Kim stay with us for over two weeks in the summer. And although she wasn’t a woofer, Kim was fun to have around and especially helpful with the horse.
In early October, my friend Dorothy and I travelled to Austria to visit our first WWOOFER Carla. It was a great holiday. We spent a couple of days in Vienna, then met Carla and her family in a tourist area in the Bavarian Mountains. Then we travelled to their home in St Martin’s near Klagenfurt am Wörthersee (South Austria in the mountains), where we stayed at the ‘Wankers’ Guest House not far from Carla’s place.

From Klagenfurt we were close enough to visit Italy one day and Slovinea another. We had such a great relaxing visit that it was hard for me to leave.
In late October Loren and I went to Las Vegas, with our group of friends from my highschool, to surprise the youngest friend on her 50th Birthday. Yes she was surprised to see us all there to help her celebrate. This time in Vegas we were a bit frivolous; doing all the things we hadn’t done when we had previously travelled south. We stayed at a fancy hotel, ate in restaurants, basked in the sun by the pool and Loren learnt how to lose money playing Black Jack. It was fun and a good transition into winter.
We look forward to hearing from everyone. We are only 2 km off the Trans-Canada Hwy. If you are ever passing this way, please stop in for a visit. We hope you all have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON & ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR
Thank you to all of our Willing Workers. You know you are always welcome here.

HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND THANKS

2008-12-12T21:00:00.006-07:00

From Klagenfurt we were close enough to visit Italy one day and Slovinea another. We had such a great relaxing visit that it was hard for me to leave.
In late October Loren and I went to Las Vegas, with our group of friends from my highschool, to surprise the youngest friend on her 50th Birthday. Yes she was surprised to see us all there to help her celebrate. This time in Vegas we were a bit frivolous; doing all the things we hadn’t done when we had previously travelled thru on route to the south. We stayed at a fancy hotel, ate in restaurants, basked in the sun by the pool and Loren learnt how to lose money playing Black Jack. It was fun and a good transition into winter.
We look forward to hearing from everyone. We are only 2 km off the Trans-Canada Hwy. If you are ever passing this way, please stop in for a visit. We hope you all have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON & ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR. Please stay in touch.

Congratulations to Emily and Petra who now have babies. And Daniel for work in South America.

From Klagenfurt we were close enough to visit Italy one day and Slovinea another. We had such a great relaxing visit that it was hard for me to leave.
In late October Loren and I went to Las Vegas, with our group of friends from my highschool, to surprise the youngest friend on her 50th Birthday. Yes she was surprised to see us all there to help her celebrate. This time in Vegas we were a bit frivolous; doing all the things we hadn’t done when we had previously travelled south. We stayed at a fancy hotel, ate in restaurants, basked in the sun by the pool and Loren learnt how to lose money playing Black Jack. It was fun and a good transition into winter.
We look forward to hearing from everyone. We are only 2 km off the Trans-Canada Hwy. If you are ever passing this way, please stop in for a visit. We hope you all have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON & ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR
Thank you to all of our Willing Workers. You know you are always welcome here.

Poco: September 11th to 19th, 2008, 40th Wwoofer

2008-09-23T00:17:00.003-06:00

Hyun’Gu or Poco as he preferred to be called was from Sol, Korea. Poco called first from Vancouver to say he would be arriving by bike in one week. The following Monday he phoned from Hope to say that he was on his way. Two days later he called from Golden. He had caught a bus from Hope. Poco who we continually called Paul (our first Korean Wwoofer) had been in Vancouver studying English. He had some time in between studies and decided to bike from Vancouver to here and then through the Okanogan to Osoyoos. Even though Poco was here for a short time while he was here he helped Loren put the metal siding on the Wwoofing bunkhouse, painted the inside of the new root cellar and put gravel on the floor in the root cellar. He even helped our neighbour clean her house one Sunday when both Loren and I were busy. Poco and Loren road the bikes back from Thompson Falls and while he was here he had his first Marshmellow. Poco left at 8 am Thursday morning, on Saturday my parents were headed home for the Coast and caught up with him on his second day just past Three Valley Gap. He said that he had made it to Revelstoke by 5:30 pm on the first day, now that is some bike riding. Poco had promised to come back when his English has improved. We look forward to this.

Rebecca-July 18th-25th, 2008 39th Wwoofer

2008-09-23T00:09:00.004-06:00

Rebecca an English speaking Quebecois arrived on a Friday and left a week later on a Friday, in the same Semi Truck she arrived in. Rebecca had met the truck driver on route here and had made arrangements to travel with him to Revelstoke a week later. Luckily for Stephanie that same ride was headed for the Okanogan, so she was also able to catch a ride to Vernon. While Rebecca was here, Kim (in photo with Stephanie and Loren) a friend from Manitoba was also here. Kim and Rebecca played a lot of cards. Also Rebecca went horseback riding with Kim and on the weekend we took Kim, Rebecca and Kim’s boyfriend to Susan Lake. Rebecca helped with stacking firewood, raking around the woodshed and Wwoofer bunkhouse and I am sure the highlight of the chores; haying. Rebecca had taken the summer away from her studies to travel across Canada by Wwoofing. Her next destination after here was Nelson, and ultimately Victoria to rendezvous with her Father.

Stephanie: July 5th-25th, 2008 37th WWoofer

2008-09-22T22:52:00.007-06:00

Stephanie from France arrived here after travelling from Quebec in a Tractor Truck (known also as a Semi Truck). Stephanie had met the driver of the truck while Wwoofing in Quebec. It wasn’t to long before Stephanie fit right into our routine. She was a lot of help at a time when the weeds were going crazy, and by the time she left her English was getting much better. Some of the chores she helped with included, firewood stacking, helping in lodge kitchen, weeding almost endlessly in the garden, driving the truck for haying and painting the trim on our new greenhouse. While Stephanie was here we hosted two other Wwoofers, Jana from Germany and Rebecca from Quebec. Stephanie was great at using the vegetables from the garden and there wasn’t a meal she participated in that didn’t have a fresh salad with her famous salad dressing (oil, bragg, maple syrup, garlic and any herbs). It was a nice surprise for Stephanie to meet a friend from France in our local grocery store, who invited her hiking on the Iceline Trail in Yoho Park.
Stephanie left with Rebecca, again in a Semi Truck, headed for Vernon, where she hoped to pick cherries. A week after Stephanie left we had a note from her saying that cherry picking wasn’t working out and that she was headed for Victoria.

ALF our 36th Willing Worker, June 7 -12th

2008-06-03T21:41:00.037-06:00

Anne-Laure or Alf as we came to know her was from France. Alf had been attending school in Quebec last winter and decided to spend some time in the Rockies wwoofing. We were Alf's 1st Wwoofing Hosts. Alf has travelled across Canada with some friends she met through a ride board. The shared ride sounded like an adventure in itself. Alf arrived on a Saturday evening and left for Vancouver on a Friday morning and arrived safe and sound. Even though Alf was here for a short time, we did manage to get out some. In this photo Alf is sitting on a bench that has grown in between two trees at the Bluewater Creek campsite. We also visited Thompson Falls, and the water was quite high.
Alf helped a lot in the garden, at a time when we were just starting to enjoy the salad plants. The last couple of days Alf helped Loren with the new Wwoofer House. Where she claimed the kitchen in her name. This was appropriate, as while Alf was here she did more than her fair share of cooking dinner, and they were great. Alf's Blogspot http://montrealtrippes.blogspot.com

Jana; July 7th to 12th. 38th Wwoofer

2008-06-03T21:41:00.035-06:00

Jana, from Germany, was our 38th Wwoofer. Our 37th willing worker Stephanie is still here at the time I update this. Jana is quite the world traveller, and the Rockies are only one stop on her many visits. Jana was only here four and half days. But her and Stephanie quickly became friends, especially since Jana's English language skills were so good, and she could help Stephanie build on here English skills. Jana had been travelling around BC for the last couple of months, and was on her way to travel with her brother who was arriving in Calgary. We were a short wwoofing stop on the way. While Jana was here we did a good chunk of weeding the jungle in the potato patch. It still isn't done! Jana also helped with breakfasts in the lodge, as we had clients most of the days she was here. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't that great while Jana was here, as a matter of fact we had a 'rain day', the day when we had hoped to go hiking. Instead of hiking there was cleaning, baking (banana bread and rhubarb cake)and lots of visiting. That evening we watched a movie with some friends from Edmonton, Rick and another Jana. Friday evening the same friends had us over for a barbacue. The following morning Jana caught a ride with Rick and Jana as far as Canmore, where she planned to catch the bus to Calgary to rent a car and pick up her brother.

Anthony and Karine 'Amazing Couple"

2008-06-03T21:41:00.029-06:00

Anthony and Karine, May 2nd to 23rd, 2008. Thirty fourth and fifth, Woofers
Anthony and Karine also from France arrived one day after Natasha. Originally, Loren and I had planned a holiday for the first three weeks of May, and had asked Anthony and Karine if they would house sit during this time. But since the spring was so late we cancelled and instead we kept three French travellers busy around the farm. Karine and Anthony were such a great team and Natacha fit right in. We felt so comfortable with them being here, that when they left we shed tears.
Anthony played the guitar, and was the first person Loren ever accompanied with his accordion. Karine spent her quiet times knitting fingerless gloves with recycled wool. She even knit Roxy a pair of ankle warmers. Anthony also liked to cook and we were never without cookies made by wwoofers.
Everyone helped with the weeding of the garden, but Karine and Natacha prepared the raised beds and planted much of the seeds. Karine also planted the potato patch. Both Karine and Natasha helped me plant trees on our woodlot, Natacha for one day, Karine for two. Karine said it wasn’t a job she would apply for.
The first big tasks Natacha, Karine and Anthony helped us with was landscaping in front of the lodge. The second task Tony started on with Loren and then Karine joined in. This was getting a good start on our new machine shed and bunk house near the barn. We put the footing posts in the ground the first part of May and by the 2nd week, Anthony had helped Loren at the sawmill, to mill all the 2 bys’ for floor joist, trusses, rafters and framing and 1 by for floor decking and roof strapping. Then they started building, framing the floor, blocking and decking the floor. Karine then joined the team and they framed the walls and put up roof rafters. If they would have stayed another week I am sure the metal would be on the roof. We have promised to name the South room after Karine and the North room after Tony (as known to Loren).
Karine and Tony liked to keep busy, and twice when they were not helping they hiked, first up Willowbank and the second time down to the Blaeberry River. Karine and Natacha even managed to get out on Duke and Duchess. Together we enjoyed evenings of music by the firepit, while Karine knit, icefishing at Susan Lake, Thompson Falls, a visit to a friends place on the Columbia River near Cedar Creek, walking along the Blaeberry River, hiking into Wapta Falls, watching crazy tv and bear watching drives in the neighbourhood.
As well, both of our neighbouring Wwoofer Hosts, had Woofers while Natacha, Anthony and Karine were here, so we arranged a Wwoofer gathering one evening, three from France, two from Germany and a lodge helper from Switzerland. They had such a good time, that a week later, they organized another gathering at Goldenwood where there was again three French Woofers, two German Woofers and two Swiss lodge helpers. All having a good time in the Rockies.
Loren drove Tony and Karine to the jct. of the Hwy. to Jasper at Lake Louis. There Karine and Anthony hitched a ride to Jasper and then they were headed to Valemont the next day to start their Wwoofing experience again. We hope we see these two again, before they head back to Quebec for the fall apple harvest.

Thirty-third Woofer: Natacha

2008-06-03T21:41:00.028-06:00

Natacha from France, May 1st to May 15th, 2008; Second Wwoofer of 2008. Thirty third Wwoofer at Eh Canadian Farm Woodlot.

Natasha arrived by bus after a long trip across Canada. Natasha had been studying Geomorphology in Quebec and wanted to travel to the mountains before she headed back to France in June.
From the time I picked Natacha up from the bus until we dropped her in Revelstoke two weeks later, she wore a smile. Natacha’s first English to me was “I will like it here, there is so much nature, it is beautiful” and she said it while she smiled and laughed.
Natacha stayed in the guest room at our house because we had a Wwoofing couple, Anthony and Karine also from France, arriving the next day, and they would stay in the bus.
All three Wwoofers, worked hard together and apart. As a team they weeded the garden and stacked firewood. Together Karine and Natacha painted the facia on the greenhouse, helped with the brick floor in the new greenhouse, cleaned the barn and planted the garden and exercised the horses.
For fun we snowmachined into Susan Lake and went Ice-Fishing. And on top of it being a magnificent day, Loren and I caught our limit. One Saturday Karine, Anthony and Natasha hiked part ways up Willowbank Mtn. Unfortunately, hiking isn’t the best in our area, until late June, early July, the snow is just too low until then. Loren also took the crew to Thompson Falls.
Natacha left to woof at Quantum Leaps Lodge, where she walked on fire. The following week she returned here on a Friday, to catch a ride to Revelstoke to woof, and then she will come back to Golden to catch a ride to be a ww at Icefall Lodge, where there will certainly be snow. We look forward to hearing about Natacha’s time at Icefall, as it is a place we would like to visit ourselves.

April 1 to 8th, 2008

2008-04-22T23:35:00.006-06:00

Melanie, a music teacher from Germany, arrived at a perfect time. We had a trip planned for the first part of April and again we're in need of a house sitter. Melanei called just in time. So much so that we had left before Melanie arrived, and our daughter picked Melanie up from the bus, and together they kept the animals fed and watered. We were only home for a day and then had to head back to Edmonton. Loren only stayed one night and headed back to Golden, but I stayed on in Edmonton, so I didn’t even get a chance to say good-bye to Melanie. Melanie left here to hook up with her sister in Banff, then they were off on a holiday together. I am sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with Melanie. She did a great job looking after the farm and especially looking after Roxy. I do know that she spent time with Rachelle at the Spotted Dog Rescue Retreat, helping with dog walks and going for a x-country skiing. I hope if Melanie travels in BC again that she contacts us.

November 3rd to 24th, 2007 Darren and Nathan

2008-04-22T22:58:00.005-06:00

Darren and Nathan from England were our 30th and 31st wwoofers. They responded to an advert we put onto the WWOOF Canada website. We were looking for reliable wwoofers for a couple of weeks while we took a fall holiday for my birthday. Between the time they responded and we confirmed the wwoofing arrangements a friend of ours died in an accident. So instead of picking Darren and Nathan up in Calgary on a return shopping trip for winter supplies, we picked them up on return from a sad memorial in Edmonton. It was good to have company on the return trip as it took our minds off of the events of the week before. It was great to have them here the week before we left for our holiday, it was both a distraction form the week before and allowed us to get comfortable about leaving our place in good hands. During that first week Loren gave them instructions on operating the farm and in between they cleared trails and kept the barn clean.
The two weeks while we were away they cleaned the shop, cleared trails, fixed fences and did a stellar job of keeping the place functioning. We arrived home to a happy doga, and two very comfortable wwoofers. While we were gone they helped our neighbours dig out footings for a foundation and pour cement. Then they helped other neighbours put up straw for a bale house. They left here for Banff for a holiday and then they were on route to Bonniville Albert to wwoof on a Buffalo Ranch. We did have a message from Darren and Nathan saying they were passing through early 2008. I didn’t hear back from them after this. We were hoping to see these guys again.

The photo on the left is taken near Castle Junction on the way home from
Calgary. The photo on the right is of the trail builders Darren and Nathan.

Matilda August 13th-25th/07

2007-09-10T10:47:00.000-06:00

Wow, reading what Mathilde wrote in our Wwoofer memory book reminds us of all the great and helpful wwoofers we have hosted here at Eh Canadian Farm Woodlot. Mathilde from France is a very charming and fun person. Mathilde will be a Doctor (GP), 6 months after she returns home. All those, Mathilde met here, were very sorry to see her head off on her journey. Mathilde brought the best out in those she met. Her infectious and positive attitude made her a joy to host. Matilda was very independent and self motivated.
Matilda who was happy to stay in the caravan, helped a lot in the lodge as well as in the garden and around the yard and barn. And without even turning up her nose took on the job of cleaning the chicken coupe. Mathilde did get out as well. We attened a Disco party at our neighbours, and Mathilde didn't hesitate to share in the fun. Had dinner at the Eagle's Eye thanks to new friends we met at the lodge. We hiked to Gorman lake with friends, Mathilde, Rachelle and I hiked to Hamilton Lake near Emerald Lake and Mathilde worked on overcoming her fear of dogs, by going on a dog walk with neighbours and at least 6 dogs. As a conclusion to her stay here, Mathilde hosted an appetizer party at our place to say so long to friends she had met here. Matilda however, will be remembered for two phrases. "Now the truck is more stuck." "I put 2 cups of cinnamon in the cake."

Seraina, July 24th to Aug 1, 2007

2007-08-15T21:30:00.000-06:00

June 24th to August 15, 2007

Seraina, from Switzerland was our youngest and first Wwoofer to get serious homesickness. Seraina, had already spent 2 wks wwoofing in Saskatchewan where she worked very long days with a lot of mosquitos. Our place wasn’t what she had expected and she soon became homesick. Seraina worked in the garden and like every wwoofer and ourselves had a chance to muck out the barn and clean up the shop. While Seraina was here we had some friends staying at the lodge. They had daughters close to Seraina’s age, so Seraina was able to take time with them. One day they visited Radium Hot Springs with them. Another day we took the Gondola up to Eagle’s Eye at Kicking Horse Mtn Resort for Sunday brunch. The photo of her is on the 2nd day she was here. We attempted to go hiking on Redburn, but because the road was washed out we took Seraina to Thompson Falls for a short hike. Seraina caught a ride with our friends to Calgary so she could catch an earlier flight, because she missed home. I was glad that she figured out why she wasn’t feeling well. When she wrote in the Wwoofer book she asked if there was a new Wwoofer rule, because I had told her that with each new wwoofer there seemed to be something new we needed to add to our list of information for wwoofers. The answer is yes. Here it is “Please do not apply mosquito repellent inside the house of shop. It is poisonous and should not be applied in confined areas.” We hope the next time Seraina visit Canada that she will have a better ending to her visit.

Stefan, June 2007

2007-08-15T21:01:00.000-06:00

June 3rd-11th, 2007
Stefan, from Germany arrived a day ahead of the rain, which was great because at least the lawn got mowed. Then the skies seemed to open up and it rained and rained and ….We did make it to Thompson falls as you can see by the photo. The falls were at a record high, which of course we could appreciate as we had been there two weeks earlier when the water was very low.
The Sunday Stefan arrived we road our bikes to the Rocking Horse Coffee Shop here in the Blaeberry. While Stefan was here he cleaned and treated the horse harnesses, weeded and mulched in the Garden. He was very good at weeding, even though it wasn’t his favourite job. Stefan also house sat while travelled to a family wedding on the coast.
Stefan is hoping to become an English teacher, so I arranged for him to attend English classes at the local high school. I know he appreciated this. Stefan was our first Wwoofer to find it too isolated at our farm. We are at least 15 minutes from Golden and without a car, he found it quiet and lonely with just Loren and I here.
After Stefan left here he went to Revelstoke where he Wwoofed at another BnB. Then he returned here and we had helped him to arrange a ride to Edmonton with our friends in their small airplane.

Helena for Ontario, July 10th-16, 2007

2007-08-15T20:25:00.000-06:00

Helena, is obviously a budding poet, from a smaller suburb outside of Toronto. Helena, house sat for us while we tended to some business in Naramata. She did a good job of looking after the horses and chickens. As you can see while she was here, she mowed the lawn and weeded the garden, despite the mosquito hatch that haunted here while she was here.
Her poem in our Wwoof books starts like this.
The night I arrived at the farm.
I didn’t set my :- alarm
So bright and early. I was woke
To serve fresh, coffee and eggs to groggy and hungry guests.
Who ate and then returned to rest…
Helena was returning to Calgary where she planned to visit with friends and then back to Ontario for a hiking trip with her father. This fall she hoped to continue studies.

Julia; Germany, April 30th-May 11th, 2007

2007-06-05T20:45:00.001-06:00

Julia also from Germany, was travelling, not only for the life experience, but to polish her English language skill. Which I must say were better than some Canadians’. Julia, and been in Canada for a couple of months already and was in Vancouver studying English. Julia was in between studies in Germany. Julia had started landscaping as a career, but found the work too physical and mainly in urban settings. So Julia once her travels were over, she will go back to Germany to study landscape ecology. Which Julia hopes will allow her to work more in nature.
Julia arrived at our farm-woodlot two weeks into Gregor’s stay. This was great as we had lots or work that needed to be done. As I had just started with the planting of the garden.
Julia had hoped to do more hiking while she was here, however because of the high winter snowpack and cool spring, most trails were open, but only the lower half, as we didn’t see much sense in hiking if we couldn’t get to our destination.
We did make it to Thompson Falls for a short hike. Then Gregor, Loren and Julia road the bikes the 16 km back home. Julia is very interested in horses, and while at her last Wwoofing hosts in Enderby, she had learnt some Perelli which she tried on Duke. She also road Duke in the round pen. But he hadn’t been ridden this year and was a bit rusty. Julia also went to Rachelle’s to practice Perelli on Rachelles horses.
Julia, amongst other chores, helped to wash all of the windows in the lodge. Prepared the garden for planting onion sets and carrots, mulched the raspberries, moved sand to the trench used to re-route the lodge electrical.
Julia will be missed. She is such a quiet and thoughtful soul. We hope she will stay in touch with us.

Gregor, April 23 to May 13, 2007

2007-06-05T00:32:00.000-06:00

Gregor; Gerolstein, Germany. We have had Wwoofers return to wwoof once again and Karla, our first Wwoofer (2003) has returned twice as our friend. But Gregor was our first Wwoofer who was coming to stay with us, because his sister Charlotte, who stayed with us in 2004, had recommended our farm-woodlot to her brother Gregor. Charlotte had called in Dec 2006, to see if Gregor could Wwoof with us. We were very excited to have Gregor come to our farm, because Charlotte had been such a pleasant and studious ww.
Gregor, had just finished high school and was taking a year off to travel. Gregor wants to study to be Forester, like his Father and Grandfather.
Gregor visited the woodlot where Loren logged this winter, and was preparing to harvest on in June. Unfortunately, Gregor left before Loren’s new processing/excavator arrived at the site, so Gregor wasn’t able to see the processor work. Gregor, went out into Louisiana Pacific’s (local forestry company) forests and plantations with employees of the company. It was very exciting for him, as these areas are in the mountains and over 90 kms from our farm.
Gregor was great help around our farm especially because he was both independent and could run a power saw. While he stayed with us, among smaller chores he helped Loren; fill the woodshed, repair fences and install new gates, dig a trench to re-route the lodge electricity underground, mowed the lawn and cut up a large aspen tree that Loren felled. Gregor and Julia installed fence posts to enlarge the chicken coupe, and then Gregor finished it by putting up wire and filling in the trench.
While returning from Calgary with us, Gregor was lucky enough to see and take photos of not only one, but two Grizzly bears inside Banff Park.
Gregor was only going to stay for two weeks, but he stayed an extra week. We were glad to have the extra help.
We know we will see Gregor again, and Charlotte too. One day we would like to visit Germany and have Gregor and his Father show us forestry practices there.

Theo; Holland, Dec 15-21, 2006

2007-06-05T00:13:00.000-06:00

Theo; Holland, Dec 15-21, 2006
Theo, from Holland, was our last Wwoofer of 2006. We usually don’t take Wwoofers at this time of year, because we don’t have much for chores. However, we sensed that Theo needed an experience in the winter Rockies, so we agreed to take him on.
We had already had a lot of snow by this time, so Theo did his share of snow shovelling and kept the barn clean. This is something a Wwoofer must be prepared to do during winter in the Rockies. Theo was very good at origami, he made us several small figures, including frogs and birds. We used some of these on our Christmas Tree.
Surprisingly for someone who was travelling in the Rockies during the winter, Theo was not interested in out of door recreation. We did get Theo out on the sleigh for our inaugural season ride. Theo headed off onto the Slocan Valley, however due to poor hitchhiking he ended up travelling back to Lytton to a host home, where he had purchased a vehicle for travelling in over the next few month. We did not here from Theo after he had reached Lytton. We do hope he has found his way ok.

Fred, November 2006

2007-02-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

Fred was our second last Woofer of 2006. Fred, from a small village in the French mtns, was such a wonderful person to have around. It was too cold for Fred to stay in the bus, so he stayed in the main house with us.
Fred didn't like to sit idle. Shortly before Fred arrived, Loren bought a small bulldozer. It was a 1974 model, so it has some rust on it. Loren moved it into the garage, and Fred kept busy scraping paint, sanding and then painting the machine 'old kat yellow.'
The photo is of Fred and Loren trying to remove a fan belt on the bulldozer.
Fred also spent many hours in the evening working on his Blog. Fred was the person who got me started on our blog. Fred's blog address is below.Yes, check out Fred's blog, it is amazing. Especially if you can read French, but the photo journey he takes you on at his photo site is also exciting.
We were sorry to put Fred on the bus, we enjoyed his company. But he had a work visa and was headed on to work at Fortress Ski area,as a lifty. Unfortunately that didn't work out as the ski area didn't open. So Fred moved to the Panorama ski hill to work. The last email we had from Fred said that he was having a lot of fun working there, and the skiing was great. We hope we see Fred before he leaves for France.
We are really enjoying his blog.
http://fred-canada.over-blog.com.
Fred's WWOOFING Photos http://fredphotoscanada.canalblog.com/albums/b_4__wwoofing_a_golden/index.html

Lukas August to September 2006

2007-01-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Lukas was our first Swiss WWoofer. Lukas arrived on the bus that Petra left on. Only he almost missed getting off of the bus because he didn't know he was at the right depot. I had to poke my head onto the bus and ask for Lukas. The reply was "this is me." Lukas who at first seemed a bit quiet, fit into our life style and helped Loren with many of the guy jobs around here. Including bringing in the winter supply of firewood for the wood heater.
Lukas became friends with the Swiss youth associated with Goldenwood Lodge. Stephan, Danniela and Bennie. On Lukas' third day here that group climbed to the top of Red Indian Mtn. This is where the group photo was taken. He also went with them to the Blackwater Lakes to fish, and next time to the Bluewater River for fishing. He also went hunting with Loren and Stephan.
We appreciated that Lukas was so independent. Riding the bike to get around the neighbourhood.
Lukas has promised to come back and help with the building of a WWoofer cabin. We sure hope he does!

2006-12-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

Again we are about to greet another year and look back on a busy year with many adventures and milestones. The big news for our family is that Linnaéa has completed schooling to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She will write her licensing exam in January. I know her dear Grandmother Margaret who passed away this fall, was so proud that Linnaéa found a career that suites her.
Andrew is helping his Father build a house. In his spare time he practices as a DJ and will be assisting at a New Years gig at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Loren and I have kept busy with logging at the woodlot, contract forestry work, some carpentry work and working around here. In the spring we took time out for a sailing trip out of Gibsons with Dorothy and Allen. It was Loren’s first ocean sail. He enjoyed it so much, that he had thoughts of selling the farm and buying a sailboat.
During the summer several of our friends and my family visited. First Mom and Dad with family friends Al and Lori from Seattle and Judy and Maurie from Australia. Next brother Greg and family and then sister Brenda and family visited. All the children enjoyed the farm adventure. Loren’s parents are travelling to Canal Flats for Christmas, so we hope to see them then.
A special treat this fall was that my girlfriends from highschool booked the lodge for a weekend. I can’t remember when I last laughed so hard.
A new addition to our family is our dog Roxy, who has replaced faithful Bella who at 15 years old, moved on. Roxy, an Australian cattle dog, is a bundle of energy. As Loren has suggested "she seems much too young for us." But she is good with people and has a winning personality.
We hosted 6 willing workers (http://www.wwoof.ca/ ) from 5 different countries. Paul from South Korea and Becky and Paul from Britain helped Loren with the siding on the shop. Petra, from Austria finished painting inside the shop, Lucas from Switzerland was on firewood duty and Fred from France painted Loren’s new 1974 bulldozer. With Fred’s help I started a blog (http://ehcanadianfarm.blogspot.com/) so we could post pictures and stories about the wwoofers.
We are so grateful for all the help from our wwoofers. Hosting wwoofers, although it isn’t travelling, brings us a variety or perspectives from a younger generation. Further, getting extra work done during the week, allowed us to share many outdoor activities with wwoofers and friends. Loren especially took advantage of this. Mountain biking, hiking, and scrambling up several mountains with wwoofers.
‘Eh’ Canadian Lodge has now been booking accommodations for over a year, but didn’t really take off until this May. We accommodated a lot of very interesting people from Canada and overseas. And similar to hosting wwoofers, we were fascinated by all the experiences and ideas people shared with us. The nice thing about people staying at the lodge, is that they never seem to be in a hurry, and are always looking for something to make them smile even more.
Well if I am to fit this on one page, this is it. As usual Duke and Duchess are scheduled to pull the sleigh during the holidays. We have already been sleighing a couple of times, and with all of the snow the conditions are great. If you are passing through we’re only a couple of minutes off the Trans Canada, just follow the signs to ‘Eh’ Canadian Lodge.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND THE BEST TO YOU IN 2007.

Becky and Paul from Britian

2006-11-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Becky and Paul were our second Wwoofers of 2006. We however were their first Wwoofer Hosts. I hope their expectations were met. They arrived when the garden was ready for a second major weeding, and when the siding on the shop needed painting.
They were an adventurous couple. Quitting their long time jobs in Britain and selling their flat in Britain to fulfill Becky’s dream of travelling the world and allow Paul to search for the ‘meaning’. They had first landed back east for the winter, then traveled to Jasper for a holiday and then to ‘eh’ Canadian Farm Woodlot as Wwoofers.
Real troopers too, Becky who had allergies braved sun, mosquitoes and dust to participate in all activities. Paul sent us the attached photo collage in an mail later in the summer. They were definitely on an adventure and at that time had been into the US for a holiday. We look forward to summary of their trip.

2006 First Woofer

2006-11-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Our very first WWoofer of 2006 was Paul from South Korea. Paul was our first WWoofer from South Korea, and as a result we learnt a lot about South Korean and Paul's customs. While Paul was here, Loren and Darren took Paul on the infamous Table Mountain grunt. They didn't summit. As you can see from the photo, they weren't prepared for the snow near the top. Paul was only wearing borrowed light hikers. Another time we all hiked to the base of the Mummery Glacier, partial headwaters of the Blaeberry River. Paul called us from the Vancouver airport, just before he was returning to Korea. I think he would have liked to stay in Canada, but at that point tradition was calling him.

Susan Lake Summer 2006

2006-11-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

Our 3rd WWoofer this summer was Petra from Austria. While Petra stayed with us we visited Susan Lake on Blackwater Ridge. It was a beautiful day and even though you should never have three in a canoe. Loren, Petra, Roxy (our dog) and I paddled the length of the lake.

This Summers WWoofers

2006-11-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

Paul from South Korea
Paul and Becky from Britian
Petra from Austria
Lukas from Switzerland