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RickandRandy
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2010 13:05
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Hi everyone,
Just sharing some thoughts in case anyone finds this entertaining or thought-provoking.
One thing that I really love about this site and forum is the appreciation for nature, and how everyone seems to appreciate different kinds of landscapes and climates, whether it's the desert, a pond, plains, valleys, steep hills, mountains, forests or fields, in the north or south, they are all deemed equally beautiful. To me this is one of the great qualities of the people on this forum and I think it's very unique.
Rick
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2010 23:19
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Thanks, Rick.
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islandguy
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2010 21:55
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Thanks Rick. I admire the same qualities regarding the many sizes and shapes of the cabins on this site. some are as small as 100 square feet, yet the obvious enjoyment of having that small space and simple nature of the dwelling seems just as high as any larger cabin or lodge ever built. cabins are more personal, and allow more freedom of expression than most houses, and I sometimes cringe when I read about the ever present myriad of codes and regulations that stifle that freedom. My wife and I now live on the 25th floor of a condo in the heart of one of the largest cities in Canada, so our cabin is, more than ever, our quiet place of reflection, solatude, and watching black bears at dawn when the sun rises over the North Thompson River. An ice cold beer on a sweltering hot day at the cabin is just this side of heaven, and I wish the same for anyone contemplating having such a place.
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larry
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2010 22:26
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well stated Rick!
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 25 Oct 2010 15:02
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Rick, my tastes is timberland, mountains, streams, evergreen trees, big game, not just for hunting, but viewing too.
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MikeOnBike
Member
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# Posted: 25 Oct 2010 15:15 - Edited by: MikeOnBike
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I am really disappointed in the lack of love for the land as displayed by the recent influx of hunters this last month. We hauled out a lot of beer cans from alongside the road this weekend. None on our property but plenty of cans from road hunters. Keystone Light seems to be the most popular refreshment.
Yes, well put Rick, this is a great forum. It's a very comfortable place to visit. Kinda reminds me of the old country store with all of the locals sitting around the wood stove drinking a cup of coffee and catching up on the news.
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RnR
Member
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2010 14:18
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That sux Mike. Ya, it reminds me of piking up cigarette butts off my front lawn after some family members visit, you know, you're just mowing the lawn as usual and they just jump right out at you. I'm still finding bottle caps and cigarette butts at the cabin every now and then.
Also, after clearing out all the junk and cleaning up at the cabin (as I think you read on our thread), to the point of feeling like we were in a real-life episode of Hoarders, it makes you profoundly aware that everything has to go somewhere, you know? It doesn't just go away. The wind won't disperse it into oblivion. Good thing there are people like you around.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Nov 2010 14:14
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Quoting: MikeOnBike I am really disappointed in the lack of love for the land as displayed by the recent influx of hunters
The wife and I found a cig butt on our property last visit.
With all the signs, warnings, threat of fines, and the extreme tinder dryness of the forest floor, it all seems to escape the attention of the slack jawed, mouth breathing troglodites.....
That said, it really is a great site. A mental refuge, filling the void when not at the cabin.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 7 Nov 2010 15:11
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When we go exploring in our Rhino we make a point of stopping and picking up trash as we see it. We just toss it into the back of the Rhino and then get rid of it when we get back home (beer and pop cans get donated to the local hockey team to raise money). It doesn't take long to do and I think it makes a difference. You will never be able to stop people from littering, but if the rest of us pick up after them, the planet will be much better for it. *S*
At a geocaching event held nearby last summer, the event organizers had a contest where cachers were to collect garbage on their trips and the team with the most garbage won a prize. They ended up with a few truckloads of garbage by the time the weekend event was over. What a GREAT idea it was! Locals are hoping they hold another event next year, if for no other reason than to clean up the forest! *S*
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RnR
Member
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2010 16:18
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You're so right Hattie, our efforts are not futile, it does make a difference. Who knows how many other people are picking up litter in our areas as well but no one really notices because just like housework, you only notice it when its not done.
I was just reading the news as I do every day just to keep up on events, and something I read today reminded me of how fortunate I think R and I are to have found the town we bought our cabin in, and I thought I'd write a little bit about it because I think it's of interest and may be similar to your towns in some respects.
The town is in a little English enclave inside Quebec. It is, I think, 55% English speaking, 45% French, and 75% bilingual from my rough estimates. I think it's as close to Trudeau's dream of a bilingual nation as any place in Canada will ever be. It was settled by the usual mix of French and English, but lots of Poles and Ukranians also came in, which is quite reflected in the road names. Logging was the big industry for a long time but it has since faded. The town is relying on cottage rentals, campers and hunting and fishing mostly for its economy. Being 1.5 to 2 hours from a large city, some people actually commute to work in the city. The Region in general has agriculture and livestock, but not all lands are suitable for commercial agriculture.
"They were Russian but they were nice people"
That's what the guy we bought firewood from said about people he sold a large piece of property to recently. He was very definately of Polish heritage, maybe in his late 50's but bursting with health so it's hard to tell, he even still had a hint of a Polish accent even if his family likely settled there generations ago. But I think that phrase exemplifies how for generations now everyone in that region has just learned to get along with everyone else and be good neighbors. I bet that this is as close to prejudice as you get over there: "They are (enter name of group of people you have a negative impression of) but they are very nice people".
The is no grocery store, but there are two convenience stores that sell all kinds of neat things, one is also a gas station, and being in Quebec they both sell wine and beer til 11 pm. I joke that this is an important essential service. There is however a very large hardware store that just expanded to a new larger location which I think serves many neighboring municipalities. The resident population is only 800 people.
There are two very cute french fry stands, and one real restaurant where we go frequently for breakfast on Sundays, where the Owner is now a friend who hugs us on our way out and keeps divulging details of her love life to us, and who has a wonderful teenage son who sometimes works there. We are hoping that R's youngest daughter will date and marry him one day.
People say hi to you, they hold the door open for you, our neighbor is great, he patrols our land and promised to shoot any intruders, being on high alert after some robberies in the area.
I volunteered my time to help the municipality put up its first web site. I was a web site coordinator many years ago for a large government department so I can help with review and content organization, and I'm also fluent in French and English, where French is my first language, so I can help with translations as well. It wasn't too much work, I did a lot of proofreading and some translating, but they really appreciated it and it was very rewarding, and I got to know a town counsellor really well by phone and email and was up on the new proceedures at the dump before the rest of the town. They even put a big thank you to me on the front-page of the web site for a while, and I was phone-interviewed by the local newspaper!
I just love this small town. Somehow, I feel like I matter more over there. Am I over-embellishing it? I don't think so... I find if you put out a friendly and open disposition, contribute a little something, and have a live and let live attitude you help bring out the best in other people and basically rob anyone else from having a legitimate reason to dislike you. It's also a much more pleasant way to go through life if you ask me.
Thoughts? comments? moral disagreements?
RnR
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2010 21:56
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Quoting: RnR It's also a much more pleasant way to go through life if you ask me.
Right on
A piece of an old farmer's advice, I'd posted earlier:
"Live simply, love generously, care deeply,
speak kindly, and leave the rest to God."
"Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads."
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 8 Nov 2010 23:00
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Wow, RnR, that sounds like a beautiful location you have. *S* With all the "bad blood" we hear about French vs. English Canadians, it is heartwarming to hear about communities where they all live together in harmony!
It always makes you feel a "part" of a town when you can give back. It isn't just a place to live, it actually becomes a part of who you are. Nothing makes you feel more wonderful than a hug and a smile. Years ago, when we were just using our place as a cottage, we pulled up one day I will always remember - a neighbour hollered out to us as we got out of our car, "Welcome home. We missed you" While I did recognize them, I didn't actually know their names. *S* Yup....that was it for me....This was, and is, home....It just feels right. There is something to be said for small, mom and pop places to shop. It feels wonderful to know that a neighbour is always there to lend a hand or two when you really need it - and you can do the same for them.
Our town of about 100 people, has no stores. Our small motel is the only business (the pub next door, in operation since 1912, has recently closed - but hopefully will reopen one day). People here don't worry about fancy cars, modern clothes (one guy walks around with mismatching boots - but, hey, they keep his feet dry so who cares!?), or cellphones (they don't work here *S*)....When you get rid of all that "fluff" and unimportant stuff, it lets you really enjoy people for who they are rather than what they have. People can be really amazing creatures when they aren't trying to impress or show off. *S* When you stop judging others and start listening to them, a whole new world opens up for you :-)
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RnR
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 10:14
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Thanks Gary O! true words of wisdom.
Hattie, that's a lovely story, thanks for sharing it.
People dress in a very practical manner as well in our town, however parents regularly shuttle their teens to town to get them the fashionable clothes they demand.
Have you ever thought of re-opening the pub yourself? or turning into a coffee shop or something?
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 10:38
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech the old country store with all of the locals sitting around the wood stove drinking a cup of coffee and catching up on the news.
Hattie's Haunt
Where the coffee is good and the gossip is better.......
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MikeOnBike
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 12:17
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Quoting: MikeOnBike the old country store with all of the locals sitting around the wood stove drinking a cup of coffee and catching up on the news.
But it is probably something toyota_mdt_tech would have said. ;-)
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 12:24
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how'd that happen??!!
One of my ten thumbs must have diverted to t-ech after highlite.
Where's my Royal pounder when I need it?
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 12:24
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Quoting: RnR Have you ever thought of re-opening the pub yourself? or turning into a coffee shop or something?
It would be nice to do RnR, but unfortunately it is way out of our budget. The "pub" used to be a big hotel in our town's heyday a hundred years ago. It is for sale for $675,000 but one could easily sink $1,000,000 (yup those zeros are correct) to fix it up properly. We have been through it from top to basement and it is a great place that is purported to be haunted. *S*
I know the son of one of the owners (the son is in his 80's now) who owned the place in 1930 and he won't even visit it because he is so distraught over its present condition. When his parents operated it, it was pristine and people lined up down the street to get in. It is very sad and we don't know what the fate of the old building will be.
A woman looked at it a few years ago. She purchases old hotels to fix up and operate, but she said it was just too far gone. It is the oldest hotel in this entire area that hasn't burned down. My guess is that it will eventually burn down or be knocked down to put in something new.
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MikeOnBike
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 12:33
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Quoting: Gary O how'd that happen??!!
Well I thought it was pretty funny. To leverage one of your posts in another thread, I'm ROTSA!
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RnR
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 16:11
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That's really too bad, Hattie... in our small-cabin-town, there used to be two magnificient old hotels as well but they of course burned down years ago. the large one also had a post office and general store. of course I know this because I translated the web site :-) There is a photo of it on the web site with the caption "lost heritage". I'm reattaching these photos, as I bet that they exemplify lost and irriplaceable small town architecture. I bet that people will lament the fact that its gone once it is totally unsalvageable. And Hattie's Haunt would have been such a perfect name!
hotel, general store, post office. Gone.
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another hotel, also gone.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 20:14
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Yeah, old structures can really never be replaced. We refurbed a 100 yr old house. Saved as much of the siding as I could, because it was local red fir, and extremely clear, nary a knot. Lots of elbow grease, and four years of toil perked the ol' gal up quite a bit.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 20:16
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after
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fore and aft
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side, after
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red fir siding
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 20:33
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This Just In!
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 20:35
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It's Hattie, not Hatty...I know I know
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 21:41
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Quoting: hattie unfortunately it is way out of our budget
OPM
Other people's money
It can be done
My old boss taught me about leverage (with other people's money)
That was his wrinkle of success. If the venture turned out, he ran away with the money. If it didn't, he just ran away......
Seriously, investors are out there, and the wife and I have considered from time to time...maybe Chemult could use a real general store.....and further up north....Hattie and Hubbie would be sure to entertain.......
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 21:42
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bear with me, on a creative jag...last one....
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MikeOnBike
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 21:54
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Quoting: Gary O ...maybe Chemult could use a real general store.....
If you could make your money during mushroom season you might be able to survive.
I have a country store for sale in SW Idaho. It has been in the family for 40+ years. It's time for mom to retire.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 9 Nov 2010 22:57
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hehehehe...GaryO: Hubby got a good chuckle over the newspapers. *S*
RnR: Those are beautiful hotels...It is too bad they are no longer still standing.
Well, if hubby and I ever win a BIG lottery, we'll buy the old hotel and fix her up - just because. *S*
Our little motel keeps us busy enough right now though. *S* Heck, we're supposed to be retired! *grin*
Here's FRED with the Hotel in background (before we did our renos)
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Hotel, Bank and Drugstore in the 1920's
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This is our little 3 unit motel-the Bank, Saloon and Barbershop are the rooms
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Xplorer
Member
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# Posted: 10 Nov 2010 09:45
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Nice work there Gary O. The area we chose to buy our land at has a town simular to that. Must be a problem with old hotels spontaneously combusting. It happened in the local town also.
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RnR
Member
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# Posted: 10 Nov 2010 10:28
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Ya, good point Xplorer, are they burning down just because they are 100% wood and prone to fire, or is lightning highly selective? I've got nothing against new construction but it rarely seems as nice.
Awesome job there Gary O with your house. Hattie, love your little hotel!
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