New Year...New Day...Old Acquaintances

January 1^st 2014 blew into our bay under a blustery grey sky kicking up small waves which we could hear rushing up the beach before actually seeing them from the warm coziness of our bed.

Unexpected company is always welcome here at the Outpost, although not everyone gets invited in for coffee and cake.

It's been several years now since Slick came wondering through and we made his acquaintance. I think he's put on a little beef.

We eyed each other for a few minutes through the patio doors. I must not have been too interesting though for he slowly turned around, padded across the deck, slipped under the rail and sauntered into the woods without a backward glance.

Another holiday season has come and gone. Tomorrow the tree comes down which I hope is easier than it was putting up, the decorations get packed into their boxes and stored away up in the attic. Some of the edibles will make it into the freezer while some may just become a treat for Al and Two Off (formerly known as the deer One Off) but I'm afraid the pickings will be scarce, for Mike and I wholeheartedly embraced the holiday traditions of Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Christmas morning breakfast...mimosas and ginger scones with homemade apple jelly.

Hot out of the oven Orange and Rum Cake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Salty Chocolate and Maple Walnut (OMG good!)

and if there was any left to show you, Spicy Maple Fudge.

Happy New Year!
Heather & Mike

Winter is Here

I'm going to have to backtrack a bit here since I haven’t been the most consistence with my blogs this season. I don't want to say “same old same old” but quite honestly the scenery has been seen before and the deer are now old friends. Luckily they still can amuse me and make me reach for the camera to snap an angle that perhaps I haven't captured before.

The last week of November delivered our first real storm of any substance. We measure the ferocity of what's taking place beyond our line of sight by the height of the waves crashing onto Ogilvie Island.

This would rate as a 7 out of 10 on our scale.

Throughout the day and into the night the force of the wind rattled windows and caused the lodge to emit loud sharp cracks, like that of a rifle being fired. The building does have a tendency to do this, yet we are startled by the suddenness of it each and every time.

It was only after the genny had been shut down, when all the world goes quiet, that we heard the thundering roar of nature. Standing in a darkness so impenetrable that you don't trust taking a step forward without aid of a flashlight, we listen.

Close to shore we filter out the sound of the small pebbles clicking against each other as they are pushed and pulled by each advancing wave. Further out beyond where we ever venture a deep rumble permeates the black starless night. We can only imagine the forces at work as tons of water race up shorelines or explode onto craggy outcrops reshaping the coastline wave by wave.

“Things that go bump in the night” was a fitting phase as we lay in bed trying to sleep but continually asking each other “ Did you hear that?” as the winds buffeted the lodge from all sides. Deciding to call it a day since sleep was obviously not going to overtake us, Mike gets up first to start the generator. Getting dressed I take note of the time for the first time – 4:30 am.

Dawn (8:45 am) arrived without incident as we surveyed our surroundings. No trees down, which is a major concern and from our vantage point of looking out the dining room windows the docks seem in good shape but wait something doesn't look right.

Don't ask....we have no idea how this could have happened. We have several theories but seeing that the work-boat is still actually tied bow and stern we are stumped.

Along with the arrival of winter storms we also had our first cold spell.

The new addition to the Outpost.

Till next time,
Heather & Mike

The Bear Facts

The fact of the matter is when we know there is a bear roaming about in close proximity we are a bit more cautious. Walking about throughout the day I'll stamp my feet or sing a song, the latter is sure to send anyone or anything within hearing distance running. The fact that Mike goes out to the genny shed late every night is more worrisome and times like these I'll lend an extra voice to distill the quiet and make our presence known.

I look out the windows a hundred times a day and imagine my surprise when instead of seeing Al, Sam or One Horn, I saw a bear sleeping by the lone flower bed.

Just one  more......

We always enjoy seeing the wildlife up close and sometimes encourage their boldness but not with the bears. Earlier that day I had tossed out some rotten apples and carrots for the deer but before they came around this beast wandered by and gobbled everything up.

Till next time,
Heather & Mike