Mountain time! But first, the Christmas Arts and Crafts show that I was told about. I left the shack at 10, just before dawn, and made my way down into town. I started to feel like a mountain man, coming down to town for special events. Getting to the community centre, I see all sorts of people going in. From youngsters to seniors with canes. Going in myself, I’m assaulted with amazing smells. Spiced meats, freshly baked goods, pretty candles, it’s just like Christmas! Making my way further in, I see all sorts of handmade things. Picture frames, jewelry, even furniture! I buy some jerked meat and a new pen, I make my way back to the shack.
Unloading my goods, I pack my first-aid kit, water, and trail mix, I head back out. I get to the stream and the ice hasn’t gotten any thicker. If anything, it’s thinner. Great. You win this time mountain. Off in the distance I spot a mini-mountain/jagged hill that I want to climb. Turning around, I take the road further up to a church and the beginning of some trails. I take a picture of the trail map so I will know where I am and continue forward. About half-hour in, the trail map is useless during the winter because the trails aren’t marked, or just buried in the snow. Taking random lefts and rights, I come atop of a tall hill, looking down into a valley, and on the other side is the hill that I want. Following the crown of the hill, I find a spot where I can slide down the hill into the valley, in hopes of crossing the stream that I spotted down there.
Pants now covered with snow, and having a fun time sliding down, I start walking along this stream I spotted. It wasn’t as small as I was hoping, a good foot and a half drop to icy cold water and sharp looking rocks, and a four foot jump to the other side where I didn’t know if it was grass or ice under the snow. Along the way I spotted a tree that was just as fuzzy and soft as a pussy-willow.
I go as far away from town as I could go, I turn around and go the other way. As I near the point where I first started, I was about to claim defeat until I found a perfect spot to cross. Well, as perfect as I could find. It was still a far jump in between the two shores, but the ice looked thick and there was also a mini-island that I could jump onto and over. Testing the ice, it wasn’t as thick as I would have liked it to, I jump over and across. Cutting through some trees, I find a big dirt mound, bigger than I, with a big red door fastened to one side. I would have opened it if someone didn’t go to the trouble and lock it, but it was ajar just enough for me to get my camera in there. No clue what it’s for though.
Continuing on my quest, I eventually come up to the base of this 60-degree incline hill with my target resting at the top, a good 100-plus feet above. ‘Let’s do this’ I say and begin my ascent. A few slips here and there, no serious damage done, I eventually get to the top and bellow a victory yodel. I felt great! I look to my right and shake my fist at the mountain. Next time.
Spending some time up there, taking in the view, I start my trek down, knocking on the red door, jumping across the stream, I get back to my shack by 3. I was told that there was going to be a Christmas tree lighting at 4:30, and I wanted to go to that because I missed the one in Barrie. Sitting down and playing Myst until 4:10, I start making my way down.
Arriving there, a big crowd was already forming. At 4:30, some kids started singing over a PA system, and a firetruck pulls up with two Santa Clauses riding on top. They jump off with bags full of toys. Joining in the crowd, they sing and dance with everyone. Everyone started counting down to the lighting of the tree. I would have joined but I didn’t know what number they were on until I recognized fjórir (four), then I joined in. Once lit, they went back to singing and dancing, eventually the Santa Clauses started handing out toys to the kids. At this point my feet were wet and cold, and my right hip was hurting, so I took my leave. My trip uphill took twice as long but I made it.
At 6, my hostess knocked on my door. We chatted for a bit and then she asked me how I was leaving tomorrow. I told her the bus, then she told me to hold on. Pulling out her phone, making a quick call, and arranged a ride for me out to the highway so that I could grab the bus. She then offered me a ride to the grocery store so that I could buy some tickets. I accepted and off we went.
Coming back, there were three people standing in front of one of the other shacks. Pulling up and getting out, I start making my way back to my place but I overhear that they’re from Germany and that they have never seen the Northern Lights. I looked up into the cloudy sky, I wasn’t too sure if anyone would tonight.
Going inside, making some dinner, then going back out at 10, I am greeted with full-blown Northern Lights! I hightailed it over to the Germans, knocking on their door, I tell them that the lights are out. They scramble and come outside, and all of us just stand there, enjoying this.
We say our goodnights afterwards, I back inside and went to bed.
New town tomorrow!