Temagami sketchbook, 2004.

Thought I'd share this sketchbook. I took the Northland Ontario train on New year's eve, to spend New years of 2004 at the old growth forests of Temagami. It was here that activists protested to save these old growth forests from logging and development in the 80's. I went up alone and had a magical time. Here are some excerpts from my sketchbook:

January 1st 2004. A walk in the woods

There was a light snowfall when I ventured out this morning. I had breakfast in town- Temagami has about a thousand inhabitants and then started my climb up Caribou mountain. I met an ancient pine tree at the base of the mountain, which seemed to be a good start. Well I got to the top of Caribou mountain and climbed up the 140 stairs of the Temagami fire tower, the view there was spectacular, snow covered forests and frozen lakes. I then decided to take the white bear forest trail. I didn't think I'd say this but winter in Canada is beautiful. My walk through this old growth pine forest was magical. I trudged through freshly fallen snow at an even pace and all I could here was the crunching of snow as I walked on it.
I didn't know what terrain I was stepping on, as the ground was covered with a blanket of snow. It was amazing to find no spot of earth uncovered with snow in such a dense canopy of pine trees. Some hoof and paw prints showed me the way apart from the familiar arrows that appeared sporadically on trees. Ah! my ancient friends, beautiful old trees with magnificent bodies and my arms could get around only half the circumference of their trunks.
I sometimes just sat in the stillness of this afternoon and pondered exquisite snowflakes that fell on my gloves, and scrutinized their intricacy. I'm truly blessed to be here, spending the first day of this year in a pristine forest with my ancient friends.