Car-less in West Ferris isn't so bad...

Diana and I live in West Ferris, which is about a 40min bike ride to school, (winter permitting). I absolutely love our house and location, we are minutes from Lake Nipissing, the movie theatre, 2 grocery stores, shoppers etc. The bus ins't too long (30 min return from school), and many of our teachers college friends carpool. If i were given the option to move closer, i probably wouldn't, although up near Trout lake is beautiful!

Yesterday i brought my mountain bike out of our shed for the first time this year to ride to the store. As i was riding on Lakeshore Dr i had this overwhelming urge to check out the lake.

While starring out into the cloudless sky, i saw an xc skier about a km out on the ice!

Immediately i began cycling onto the lake, however the top few inches of ice were slushy ice pellets, (exactly like a snow cone) so i ditched my bike, and continued walking. I got out about 300m and just stood for about 20 minutes, it was an intoxicating feeling. The ice crystals were sparkling in the sun, and sounded like faint wind chimes. I could hear the streams of water trickling below. It was one of the most energizing and calming sounds. Kinda like smelling soil for the first time in spring. Just knowing that very soon the thawing ground will become fecund and bursting.

I don't want to think about this, but my time to explore North Bay is coming to an end. I'm really going to try to get active outside in the remaining 3 weeks...

P.S I really love these snowshoe hare stamps... it's funny how something as small as a stamp can bring me joy...