Queen of Das Beeches, yaw!

So I've been holding out on you guys a bit.  My reasons for coming here are not entirely pure.  In fact, the primary impetus that caused me to enter that Moose Factory lottery so many months ago was to have the opportunity to trap, kill, skin, cook, and eat a wild animal, cure the hide, and then sew it into a completely unique wearable garment.  As a meat eater, I think it's only fair to know that I can look my dinner in the eyes and not only still feel comfortable eating it, but also feel comfortable wearing it!  As such, finding a trapper to take me with him on the trail was item number one on my MF to-do list, and I am cautiously optimistic that I have succeeded.  

Through word of mouth, I was told about a super nice man on the reserve who is willing to suffer trapping newbs.  Within hours, I found out where he worked, called him, and now it's on like Donkey Kong.  He has invited me on a wknd trip, not only to trap, but TO REBUILD A HUNTING CAMP RAVAGED BY BEARS.  Did I mention that there is a town bear that I'm neighbours with?  It's sleeping now mostly. Except when it's ravaging hunting camps.

I agreed to meet with him today to go over the details, but there was the tiny issue of getting to the other side of the reserve.  What's a city girl to do?  Spend $8 on a cab, succumb to fear of the dogs I may or may not see en route, and generally fail at being a citizen of the north AND a grown-ass woman?  Or instead take advantage of the radiant sunshine and warm temp, bust out my map, retain my self-respect/womanhood, and walk the like 3 clicks.  Hell ya I walked.

But first, I needed to prepare.  I watched this video, and then spent a good 5 minutes power posturing.  After that I did some push ups while listening to this track.....annnnnd just to be safe I packed a baggie of doggie treats I picked from the general store earlier this week.  Cuz your girl knows what these bitches really want (is hoping, praying--please God--they want these treats more than my gastrocs).

Finally, I was ready!  With my most threatening pheromones rolling off me like a London fog, I stomped down the lane, fixing each canine I saw with a menacing smize.  One mega-bitch threw back some attitude, but I wasn't fazed, keeping in mind how fearsome my smizing was making me look.  She couldn't take the heat and gotta outta my way, but quick.  I made it to my meeting and back without a problem, taking the time to stop, chat with the locals, and take my fill of pics.  What a triumph over adversary (potentially imagined but whatevs)!  I feel like a toddler who has taken her first unassisted steps...

Dear friends, today I walked through the fire but I was not burned, enabling me to bring you these photos of this fair reserve...  You better look at them!

Reserve high school....
note the buried hydrant, typical in winter

The fat crows at the dump go round and round.....

Round and round, round and round....

GGs general store

The door

Inside GGs, wonders untold!

Weeneebayko Hospital,
where I work 12 hour emerg shifts very frequently

Astonishingly, I could still find my eco cleansers!

The roof of the EcoLodge, a hotel and restaurant that is
entirely sustainably constructed.  Tres cool.

So many restos are out of little huts like this

This is 100% primo, authentic Filipino food that
came from a food hut.  The emerg attending treated us
to a meal after ++ hours at work.

Snowmobiling is the premiere mode 
of transportation

Folks love Christmas here,
many houses are still decked

Two beasts who live across the street, and
raise hell on the regular

Got her when she wasn't looking

The "mall," boasting a Northern,
a post office, and....?

Leafs fans are EVERYWHERE

Say that with your mouth full.

Hundo and eighty five bones for these handmade beauts.

The cultural centre

Check me out kicking it with some elders!

Whipping up some aboriginal style beaded mittens to go with all
the fur imma trap.  The northern life rules!