Thursday, July 2, 2009

Our anticipation grew as we left the hustle and bustle of the city on our way to Forest House. It had been a long, cold, bitter winter, and our plan to visit Forest House was the little ray of sunshine keeping us going through it all. My wife, Velda, and I were slated to fly out of Missinipe, Saskatchewan later that afternoon, and the closer we drew to our destination, the more excited we became.

We arrived at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in Missinipe after a pleasant four hour drive, to be greeted by Ric Driediger's bright smile and warm handshake. Ric has become a fixture at Missinipe, having spent decades as an outfitter in the north. His little office is is a beehive of activity, with canoeists from around the world congregating there on any given day.

Ric escorted us to Osprey Air, where we met our pilot, Les Wilson, and we loaded our 185 Cessna. Black clouds were quickly building in the east, so Les hurried us into our seats in an effort to beat the impending thunderheads. As luck would have it, the afternoon storm let loose just as we completed our taxi run. Les turned the little plane around and invited us to wait out the storm in the Osprey Air offices over a warm cup of coffee. There is nothing like northern hospitality! We spent the next two hours chatting with the friendly Osprey staff, as the skies rumbled around us.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Les Wilson and Velda chat on the dock on Versailles Lake, as we wait out the storm to the north of us.

At about 5:00 pm, the storm had worked its way to the north. It was time to begin the fifty mile flight to Forest House. Northern Saskatchewan is simply breathtaking from the air! There is water everywhere, ranging from large lakes, to smaller bodies of water, to meandering rivers, raging rapids, and majestic waterfalls. Velda and I were thoroughly enjoying the view, when Les advised us that we were very close to Forest House, but the storm was raging just ahead of us. Safety is Osprey Air's highest priority, so we landed on Versailles Lake, to once again let Mother Nature take her course. We stood on a dock in a quiet bay and chatted while loons called in the distance. Half an hour later, we were once again on our way. What normally would have been a half hour flight had taken us a good four hours, but that was fine with us. Better late than never when it comes to visiting Forest House!

photo by Zane Hrynewich Forest House lies atop a precambrian outcropping, overlooking a small, pristine unnamed lake, the perfect setting for the Jewel of the Forest.

Forest House sits on a small, picturesque unnamed lake, much too small for any plane to safely land and take off on. Therefore, it is necessary to put down on a much larger body of water, just a short portage away. As we circled over Forest House on our landing approach, it was plain to see why the original builders, Deb Peters and Rick Kolstad chose this as its location. The small, pristine lake, dotted with tiny islands is protected by rolling precambrian shield, blanketed by rich, lush Boreal Forest. The main lodge and pair of cabins are perched on a slope overlooking the clear waters below. The perfect place to lovingly build a Jewel in the Forest.

We were met at the portage by Crystal and Dave Fast, who were spending a few days at the lodge working on the hiking trails. The four of us had our gear over the portage in no time at all, where we loaded it into canoes for a short paddle to our destination.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Walking up the hill from the lake, the main lodge at Forest House appears perched on a rocky outcropping.

Velda and I had seen pictures of Forest House, but as we saw the lodge appear out of the forest before us, it was plain it was much more magnificent than what the photos portrayed. We were excited. We knew we were going to have a great time!

We were greated at the main lodge by the familiar smile of Evalisa McIllfaterick, who would be acting as our host/chef/guide/resident banjo player/old friend. Ev is an amazing lady, who has accomplished many things in her less than three decades on this planet, including canoeing from Canada's west coast to the east coast over the course of two summers. Velda and I had spent some time with her the previous summer at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. We were very impressed with her then, but little did we know how much more she would impress us by the end of our stay at Forest House.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Dave Fast takes an evening paddle into the mist.

Velda and I settled into our cabin, appropriately named "Willow", and went back to the lodge for a fantastic northern supper. Lemon pepper steak, with roast potatoes and celantro sauce; roasted red pepper, zuchinni and eggplant with balsamic vinegar and goat feta; rhubarb soup and ginger cookies. Our first meal at Forest House was simple, elegant, and extremely tasty. It was only the beginning!

It had been a long day and we were tired, but there was a gentle mist on the glassy lake, so the four of us made our way down to the shoreline. Crystal decided to have a sauna and a quick shower in the sauna house by the lake. Velda and I sat together, as we watched Dave and Ev venture into the mist for an evening paddle. The lake took on a surreal kind of ambiance holding us spellbound. We sat and marvelled at the sheer beauty of the scene before us for a good hour before reluctantly deciding to turn in. It had been a good day!

Friday, July 3, 2009

photo by Zane Hrynewich Breakfast at Forest House. Dave Fast, Ev (foreground) and Velda (center) enjoy a fantastic northern breakfast. Note the view through the west-facing windows of the dining room.

Our cabin was warm, cozy, and comfortable and Velda and I slept like logs. We awoke early, to a bright, calm summer's morning and walked out on the deck to find good old Ev smiling that warm smile, approaching with a tray of fresh coffee. We joined Ev, Crystal, and Dave in the lodge for a breakfast fit for royalty. Sourdough pancakes with rhubarb and current sauce, homemade rosehip syrup, fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon water were a perfect beginning to a new day. After breakfast, we hit the deck for a leisurely sit-down and a coffee. Ev, an aspiring banjoist got out her "axe" and plucked away while the four of us chatted.

It was such a peaceful, serene, calming setting, we could have just sat there all day. After about an hour, we decided it was time to venture out. Dave and Crystal were going to continue clearing one of the many hiking trails in the vicinity of the lodge. Velda was going to head down to the deck of the sauna house to do a little reading and quiet contemplating. Ev and I chose to go out for a paddle and explore the lake.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Coffee on the deck. (left to right) Crystal Fast, Velda, and Dave Fast enjoy the morning view. Ev plucks away! Note the magnificent log framing. The amount of work, care, and attention to detail it required. Amazing!

The previous evening, Ev had located a solitary Lady's Slipper in full bloom on a point on one of the islands on the lake. It had been a very long, cold winter, followed by a very slow spring. Normally, Lady's Slippers would have bloomed much earlier. I definitely wanted to locate and photograph this botanical marvel.

We began our relaxing paddle, catching up on what each of us had been doing over the winter. Ev is an accomplished canoe trekker, an experienced wilderness guide, holds a degree in Outdoor Recreation Parks and Tourism obtained at Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and has spent past winters doing geological surveys on snowshoes in Manitoba. I therefore assumed she had done the same last winter. Not true. Ev informed me she had gone home to Thunderbay, to become a baker's apprentice. Not your regular automated "mass production" bakery. Ev would never do that! She was working in an "everything-made-from-scratch", wood-fired brick oven-powered gourmet bakery. My taste buds would later become very thankful for this.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Ev harvests cattails for cattail soup, our lunch on day two. As I take this picture, I am inwardly wondering whether I can "stomach" cattails, while convincing Ev I like it.

As we continued to search for the Lady's Slippers, and chat, Ev suddenly made a beeline for a small patch of cattails she spotted on the shore. She reached into the water and plucked one out.

"Oh my God! The chutes are really tender!" she exclaimed. "We're going to have cattail soup for lunch!"

Outwardly, I smiled and uttered "Cool!".

Inwardly, I was just a little bit apprehensive. I pictured myself doing my best to hide a gagging sensation, while at the same time grinning as I complemented the chef. Ev is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt her feelings.

We paddled that little lake for a long time, trying to locate the Lady'e Slippers. Ev kept circling around one of the tiny islands where she was certain she had originally spotted them. They just weren't there. On our quest, we saw beaver dams, lush, lichen and moss covered rock faces, Velda sitting on the sauna house dock

photo by Zane Hrynewich Ev and I finally found the elusive Lady's Slipper plant on the little point of the tiny island. I wondered to myslef, "How did this delicate little flower get here?".

reading, and the same little island over and over again. Then, suddenly, on a little point on another island, Ev's sharp eyes spotted them! This tiny eco-system jutting out of the water was very steep and rocky. Negotiating my way out of the canoe, onto the rocks, with my cameras swinging from my neck would require a level of agility I lost years ago. I "zoomed" in while safely sitting in the canoe. (I tried to stand up once, but gave up the cause very quickly - Ev was a trooper during the process, but I swear I heard a tiny sigh of relief from the back of the canoe when I sat back down again).

It had been a great morning for a paddle. I didn't want it to end, but just before noon, we pulled into shore in front of Forest House. Ev went off to prepare lunch. I joined Velda at our cabin, only to find myself babbling about just how gorgeous the lake was, and my continuing apprehension about eating cattails for lunch. I was pleased when my mate for the past forty one years shared the same concern with me.

It was lunch time. Ev had worked very hard to prepare the fare.. On the menu...... Beef and cattail soup, grilled feta and roasted red pepper on freshly baked sourdough bread. All it took was one "cautious" mouthfull of that soup, and we were hooked. I had seconds. This soup was SO GOOD! Velda and I may not be bonified restaurant critics, but we do dine out allot, and have aquired somewhat of a collective discerning pallette. This lunch was simply "the BEST" fare we had experienced in a long time. Neither of us could think of a better meal we had tatsted anywhere. It was fantastic!

photo by Zane Hrynewich Crystal (foreground) and Ev harvest Labrador Tea.

Dave and Crystal had joined us for lunch. The day was still young. We decided that the five of us would explore a hiking trail running to the north of the lodge. Shortly after we began our walk one thing was evident to me. The Boreal Forest in this area is rich, lush, and vibrant. I had spent close to two decades guiding in the La Ronge area, about one hundred miles south of Forest House. The Boreal I was familiar with was different, consisting of birch, poplar, and white spruce, the forest floor being shallow and sparse, with little undergrowth. Here, black spruce was dominant, with the ground thickly carpeted with lichens and moss. Every square inch had something growing on it. We didn't have to walk very far to find interesting things to view and photograph.

Just five minutes away from Forest House, we paused, as Crystal and Ev harvested a basket full of Labrador Tea. Ev would brew it up for us later, intoroducing Velda and I to another new flavour from the forest. It was delicious.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Dave leads the way on the trail, as Crystal, Ev, and Velda follow behind. The entire forest floor was deeply carpeted in rich lichens and mosses.

We took our time as we walked this trail. Signs of a cow moose and her calf were everywhere. I would have loved to have the opportunity to photograph them, but they eluded us. I contemplated camping out with my camera in a low, marshy area where we found the most prolific signs, but I was sidetracked by the multitude of other things to see and photograph in this magnificent forest.

As we walked, Crystal, Dave, and Ev, all very familiar with the flora of the Boreal Forest, would take the time to provide Velda and I with interesting details. The diversity of the forest continued to amaze us. My photographer's "ego" was already over-inflated, as I basked in the glory of capturing the lone Lady's Slipper earlier with Ev. It was quickly tamed when we reached the highest point of our hike, to find a field of Lady's Slippers. I may be mistaken, but previous experience had taught me that Lady's Slippers were solitary flowers, hiding in obscure locations in the forest. This was not the case in this little meadow. Dave and I got busy with our cameras, capitalizing on the opportunity to capture a literal city of Lady's Slippers in full bloom.

photo by Zane Hrynewich My "sit and stalk" technique allowed me to capture the beauty of this gorgeous dragonfly.

We enjoyed the rest of the hike, returning to Forest House relaxed and inspired. Ev, Dave, and Crystal disappeared into the main lodge to begin supper preparations. Velda and I relaxed in the afternoon sun, listening to music on our deck. This is when I discovered a new photographic strategy. I call it "sit and stalk". Our cabin was located above the tiered Forest House vegetable gardens, looking down on the main lodge. It was a magnet for insects and butterflies. I would casually sit in my chair, listening to the strains of jazz echoing through the forest, until an unsuspecting subject would light on a nearby plant. Then, the "stalking" began. I'm not as spry as I used to be, so this was the challenging part for me. I was successful at sneaking into close up range on my quarry about ten percent of the time, but when I did, I was very pleased with the results.

Supper that evening was once again a culinary masterpiece. Pork tenderloin stuffed with prunes, rhubarb and mint chutney, baked sweet potatoes and apples, goat cheese and dandelion salad, with grapes, ginger cookies, and muffins for desert. Velda and I were getting used to eating plant life from the forest and loving it! An evening thunderstorm echoed through the forest around us, as we dined in the warm comfort of the lodge.

All of us were tired from the afternoon hike, so bedtime came early on this, our second perfect day at Forest House.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

We awoke, well-rested, to an overcast, cloudy day. The previous evening's fanatastic dinner had barely digested when Ev presented Dave, Crystal, Velda, and I with a breakfast of oranges and grapes, with a chive flower, red pepper, and cattail shoot omelette accompanied by sourdough toast and dendelion honey. Another feast, and the ideal way to start another Forest House day.

Dave and Crystal headed off to do more work on the trails, leaving Ev, Velda and myself to ponder what were going to do. Mother Nature helped us along with our decision, as it began to pour outside. Ev began doing some baking in the kitchen, Velda settled down with a book, and I pulled out the camera to take some shots of the lodge and cabins.

photo by Zane Hrynewich The lodge at Forest House. Handcrafted with love, and designed to have a minimal impact on the delicate Boreal Forest that surrounds it.

The more pictures I took of the buildings, the more I realized just how much effort, care, and attention to detail had gone into the construction. To build a two-story structure the size of the main lodge is a feat within itself, but to handcraft an architectural masterpiece, paying such close attention to detail, in the middle of the Boreal Forest, while being so kind and caring for the forest is simply amazing. Literally everything, from the doors, to the furniture, to the kitchen cabinets had been built from scratch. You have to admire the loving dedication it took to create something so elegant, functional, and ecologically-friendly miles from anywhere. Ric Driediger of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters talks of the original builders, Deb Peters and Rick Kolstad with a deep respect. Ric loves the Boreal Forest and knows the importance of protecting it while making it accessible to the general public. I know in his hands, Forest House will continue to be home to many guests for years to come, while maintaining its low impact on the woods surrounding it. Ric's staff also displayed a profound understanding for the value and beauty of the forest. This impressed me greatly.

After a morning of leisurely snapping photos, Ev summoned Velda and I to the dining room for another exquisite lunch. Unfortunately, Dave and Crystal would not be joining us, as this was their last day with us, and they were eager to complete as much trail clean up as possible before leaving. Lunch today - Greek lentil soup with goat feta, a summer vegetable salad, pita triangles with tomato and cheese, and gingerbread muffins for desert. Simply delicious!

Ev and I decided to portage to an adjoining lake to do a little exploring. Canoes are conveniently parked near most of the bodies of water that are portagable from Forest House, allowing guests to take day, or even overnight trips. We attempted to solve the world's problems while paddling the rocky shoreline for a few hours. The sun was out, the water calm, and the company fantastic. It was a great way to spend the afternoon!

photo by Zane Hrynewich Velda's neck, burning in pain from bug bites, before Ev applied a soothing paste made from wild Plantain.

We returned to the lodge, to find Velda in a little bit of agony. Velda doesn't like bugs, but bugs really like Velda. Something had liberally feasted on the back of her neck, leaving huge, swollen, and very sore bites. Velda had been applying After Bite to the wounds, but was not feeling much relief. The back of her neck was throbbing with pain. As Velda was telling us about her predicament, Ev's eyes brightened. She had a suggestion. She knew of a patch of Plantain growing just a few steps away from the lodge. She had read about its healing and soothing properties and asked Velda if she was willing to give it a try. Velda, eager for any kind of relief, quickly agreed. Ev picked a few plants and ground them up into a thick paste. As soon as it was applied to the bites, Velda experienced immediate relief. It didn't heal the sores, but provided a soothing coolness. The effects lasted for about thirty minutes, after which Velda would re-apply the homemade salve. Mother Nature's drug store, and Ev's vast knowledge had come to the rescue!

Dave and Crystal came back to the lodge after a long day. They were soaked from the morning's rain showers, but they were happy. They had accomplished much. Our last supper as a foursome featured fettuccine a la creme, caesar salad, fresh whole wheat bread, and sourdough chocolate cake drizzled with rosehip syrup. Appropriate fare to enjoy while chatting about the day's events.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Ev, (left) pics the banjo, while Velda, (center) and Crystal, (right) enjoy the view of the lake and the moon peaking above the horizon.

Since Dave and Crystal were leaving, we decided an evening fire was an excellent idea. The night was clear and calm and a near full moon appeared just above the horizon. Ev got out the banjo, and we sat, listening to funny banjo songs, laughing, chatting, and enjoying the storybook view before us. Loons called in the distance.

At this time of year, dark doesn't arrive until around midnight - even at that, it's a dusky kind of dark. In a few short weeks, night arrives much sooner, bringing with a brilliant tapestry of stars, so close you can almost reach up and touch them. I would love to spend a week or two at Forest House in late August, photographing the night sky, and the breathtaking Northern Lights that regularly dance their dance across the horizon.

The fire was fun, and very soothing, but we were tired. We all hit the sack before midnight.

 

Sunday, July 5, 2009

photo by Zane Hrynewich Banjo, the Merganser Duck enjoys the morning sun atop the roof of the lodge.

Velda and I awoke very early, to a bright, sunny morning. We grabbed a coffee, and headed over to our little deck to sit and enjoy everything around us. We had been so busy hiking, taking pictures, and eating since we arrived, we realized we had not had the opportunity to sit a talk as a couple. We chatted about our trip so far. Velda, like me was in awe of the lodge, the cabins, the gardens, and everything else Forest House had to offer. She marvelled about Ev's menu, and her skills in the forest. She commented about just how welcome Ev, Crystal, and Dave had made us, and about how warm, genuine, and caring the trio were. I was pleased Velda was enjoying herself so much. I was having a blast. In my mind, we were having the perfect northern holiday.

As we sat, Velda pointed to the roof of the lodge. Sitting perched on the peak was a Merganser Duck. Ev had told us about him/her. It seems that it quite enjoyed taking in the morning sun atop the lodge roof. I quietly snuck into the cabin to grab my camera and it struck up a majestic pose as I snapped a shot. We later named him/her Banjo, in Ev's honour.

Velda and I joined Ev, Crystal and Dave for a breakfast of Belgian sourdough waffles with yogurt and apricot compote, rosehip syrup, and bacon. Simply delightful!

photo by Zane Hrynewich Crystal and Dave start off on their paddle back to the highway to take them home to La Ronge.

Since Dave and Crystal would be soon leaving to go back to La Ronge, we stayed close to the lodge while they packed. I siezed the opportunity to take more photos of the lodge, the buildings, the gardens, and the view. Unfortunately, the time soon arrived to see them off on their paddle back to civilization. They are a very friendly, warm couple, extremely knowledgeable and skilled in the ways of the forest. It had been a pleasure for both Velda and I to meet and spend time with them. We were sad to see them go, and hoped we could spend more time with them at some point in the future.

Ev, Velda, and I then sat down to formulate a plan for the rest of the morning. We were well rested, well fed, and our minds were clear and sharp. We had seen a book in the lodge about the plant life of the Boreal Forest. Velda knew a little about these plants, I knew nothing, and Ev knew allot. We decided to travel a trail we hadn't explored yet, leading around the lake to the site of Rick and Deb's original cabin, equipped with the book and my cameras. Our goal was to see just how many wildflowers, fungi, lichen, and mosses we could identify and photograph on our journey. We set off. I don't know about Velda and Ev, but I was pessimistic. In my mind, this was going to be a tough job. I envisioned hours of trudging through the forest, valliantly scanning the forest floor for anything to identify and shoot. As usual, II was mistaken.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Velda, (top) looks on while Ev, (bottom) identifies plant life on the lush, almost tropical Boreal Forest floor.

We had only just taken a few steps on the trail, when Ev began pointing out plant life to photograph. The Forest House buildings were still in view. We wandered the trail, often stopping to take pictures, talk, and "drink in" the sites. It led us almost halfway around the lake, through lush, lichen and mosses, over rocky outcroppings, into a little valley, crossing a gurggling creek, blanketed with rich, tropical-like growths of ferns, to the south side of the lake, presenting us with a completely different forest than we had experienced on the northern side. It was evident our friend, the moose and her little baby liked this trail also, as there were deposits generously placed along the way. There was another guest in the area, probably because the moose were living there. It was a wolf, and judging from the size of the scat, a fairly large one.

We spent a little time sitting and contemplating on a rock face almost immediately opposite Forest House, then deciding to head back to the lodge, to explore the trail going up and around Forest House which we had visited with Crystal and Dave, to take more pictures.

We returned to Forest House about an hour and a half later, and took a break to "fuel up" with fresh-squeezed juices. As we did so, the skies quickly clouded over, and Mother Nature began to water her lush Boreal garden as if it hadn't been watered in weeks.

It continued to rain, so we decided to eat. Ev quickly whipped up a scrumptious wild rice and cattail salad with red peppers, fresh-picked chives and honey, accompanied by hummus, homemade bread and vegetables.

photo by Zane Hrynewich This insect allowed me to take several pictures of it. In fact, it sat there for nearly six hours, almost as if it wanted to pose for more.

We spent the afternoon hanging out in the lodge, listening to music, sharing stories, and reading. Every once in a while, there would be a lull in the showers, allowing me to run outside and snap a few more shots. By late afternoon, the sun was out and the air crisp and fresh. I went back to the little deck in front of our cabin to "sit and stalk" more photographic subjects, while, of course, listening to my Bose Sound Dock. The afternoon light filtered softly through the trees - butterflies, insects and small birds zipped around with a seemingly new energy. Sitting was working out for me, but stalking was rather frustrating, as anything I attempted to sneak up on would quickly escape the second I moved towards it. This was our last day at Forest House, and I desperately wanted to capture images of the living things that were visiting the gardens. I sort of got a shot of a butterfly and another dragonfly, but they were not very spectacular. I went back to sitting, feeling slightly discouraged.

Suddenly, a very strange bug, with the body of a wasp, the wings of a horse fly, and bright orange legs landed on a funky, Y-shaped post supporting our cabin. I sprung into action, snapping several photos before eagerly running to tell Ev and Velda about how I managed to get so many good images of this extremely wary quarry. I would later discover this mystery bug sat on that post for at least six hours before disappearing into the night.

Velda was having a nap, and I was still perched on the deck, when Ev came out of the lodge to do a little weeding in the garden, around a thick growth of chives. I joined her, pulling out handfuls of chickweed. When I asked Ev where I should throw away this mass of weeds, she smiled and said, "Don't throw them away! We're eating them for supper!".

A couple of days ago, I would have been a little taken aback at the thought of eating weeds. I had nothing but trust for Ev now. She had proven her prowess in the kitchen, providing us with divine cuisine. I knew I would enjoy the chickweed salad.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Ev, (left) and Velda, (right) get busy making our pizzas, while my freshly-grated cheese looks on.

We had eaten a late lunch, so neither Velda and I were worried about supper. In the early evening, we popped over to the lodge to see what Ev was doing. We found her kneading dough for what was going to be wholewheat sourdough pizza, with grilled zuchinni, bacon, mushroom and dandelion. Velda loves to cook, so she joined right in. My culinary skills are at the level of being able to comfortably make yummy popcorn in the microwave, but I caught the spirit and grated mounds of cheese.

When the pizzas were ready, we enjoyed them, along with Ev's chickweed salad, followed by apricot upside down cake for desert. It had been a bittersweet day for Velda and I. We had done and seen allot, but in the back of our minds one nagging little thought continued to surface. We were going home tommorrow!

 

Monday, July 6, 2009

We awoke early, packed up all our gear, and hauled it down to the main lodge. Our plane was scheduled to pick us up on the little dock on the adjoining lake at 10:00 am, so we had a couple of hours to relax over hot, fresh coffee and to bask in the ambiance of Forest House just a little longer. Unfortunately, time flew, and we were soon carrying our baggage down the hill to the lake.

photo by Zane Hrynewich Our last hike at Forest House. Velda walks the hiking trail leading to the portage to the next lake, to meet the plane.

The plan was for Ev to take our gear over to the portage via canoe. Velda and I grabbed the opportunity to take one last walk in the forest by following a hiking trail around the lake to meet her. We took our time, in an effort to hold on to every minute we possibly could in this spectacular setting. It was difficult not to feel a little twinge of saddness, but it was impossible not to feel a deep sense of relaxation, calm, and re-connection with the forest around us.

Meeting Ev at the beginning of the portage, we carried our baggage through the bush to the next lake. We were a little early, so Ev fished off the dock, Velda sat watching her, and I received a little gift from Mommy Nature. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get a nice shot of a butterfly. I was close, but no cigar. As I stood there with the girls, a Yellow Monarch butterfly wafted down the portage from Forest House and landed in some shrubs right in front of me. It allowed me to shoot it for a couple of minutes, before winking at me, waving goodbye, and flying off. I wasn't able to capture a shot of it sitting upright, but I did get some open-winged silhouettes. What a great present in the last, fleeting moments of our stay!

photo by Zane Hrynewich Velda and Ev wait on the dock, as the plane arrives.

Soon, we heard the drone of an airplane in the distance. A few moments later, a 185 Cessna circled, landed, and taxied up to the dock. The door opened, and a grinning Les Wilson hopped out. The plane was quickly loaded, Velda and I said our goodbye's to Ev, and it was time to head off.

After taking off, Les took us on one last circle over what had been our little slice of northern heaven for the past four days. Our flight back to Missinipe.was short and pleasant. We were greeted at the Osprey Air dock by Ric's wife, Theresa with a warm, northern smile. Our trip to Forest House had officially come to an end.

Did Velda and I enjoy our trip to Forest House? Without a doubt. We were treated like family by the staff, the food was fantastic, and the accommodations absolutely wonderful.

Would we ever consider visiting Forest House again? In a heartbeat! In our four day stay, we only touched the possibilities available to guests at the lodge. I would have loved to be able to spend much more time on the hiking trails, to possibly have taken a day or overnight trip to other lakes in the area, to experience the serene sense of relaxation for many more days.

Velda and I will always have fond memories of our time at this unique northern destination. Our thanks to Ric and Theresa Diriediger, the C.R.C.O. staff, Ev, Crystal, Dave, the Osprey Air staff, and Mother Nature for an experience we will treasure forever.

A Menu to Die For

The Forest House cuisine surprised and delighted both my wife, Velda and myself. It had been a very slow, cold, late spring and we knew the Forest House staff prided itself on creating unique northern dishes using produce from the bountiful on site gardens. As it turned out, the gardens contained some plants ready for harvest, but most growth was well behind schedule. The late spring did provide some advantages, however, as wild edibles such as cattails, dandelions, and chickweed were young, tender, and succulent. Neither of us had tasted these wild plants before, and there was a little apprehension on our part, but it was soon evident that Ev knows her way around the kitchen. She put together a tasty, diverse, elegant menu that was flavourful, nutritious, and always well-presented. The odor of fresh-baked breads and baking filled the air each day. Pitchers of iced lemon water, wild rose-hip water, and fresh-squeezed juices were always left out for us. Our taste buds were truly pampered.

Day One Dinner: Lemon pepper steak Roast potatoes with celantro sauce Roasted red peppers, zuchinni, and eggplant with balsamic vinegar and goat feta cheese Rhubarb soup and fresh ginger cookies Day Two Breakfast: Sourdough pancakes with rhubarb and current sauce, and rosehip syrup Lunch: Beef and cattail soup Grilled feta and red pepper sandwich on fresh sourdough bread Dinner: Pork tenderloin and prunes Rhubarb and mint chutney Baked sweet potatoes and apples Goat cheese and dandelion salad Grapes, freshly baked muffins and ginger cookies Day Three Breakfast: Oranges and grapes Chive-flower, red pepper and cattail shoot omelettes Sourdough toast with dandelion honey Lunch: Greek lentil soup with goat feta cheese Summer vegetable salad Pita triangles with tomato and cheese Gingerbread muffins Dinner: Fetuccine ala creme Caesar salad Fresh whole wheat bread Sourdough chocolate cake drizzled with rosehip syrup Day Four Breakfast: Belgian sourdough waffles, with yogurt and apricot compote Rosehip syrup Bacon Lunch: Wild rice and cattail salad, with red peppers, sesame oil, fresh chives, and honey Hummus Fresh homemade bread Vegetables Dinner: Wholewheat sourdough pizza with grilled zuchinni, bacon, mushroom, and dandelion Chickweed salad Apricot upside down cake