My first adventure was travelling to PEI with my family back in the 70's, a long drive in a Station Wagon, but held such vivid memories that I have travelled back multiple times since and hold PEI dear to my heart.
I worked as a teenager in Banff at the Banff Springs Hotel, an adventure I'll never forget. I had an opportunity to downhill ski at Sunshine and Lake Lousie in Banff, Night skiing at Mount Norquay. A most memorable evening was switch backing up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle to see the stars. What was so amazing was that they were within my grasp. I have never seen a starlit night as bright and almost tangible as that night. I made wonderful friends that allowed me an opportunity to visit their homes in Vancouver and Vancouver island. I also worked in Edmonton as a student in Physiotherapy,so I had an opportunity to visit Klondike days, the Calgary Stampede and make my way to Jasper with friends and enjoy the hot springs and the Icefield Parkway.
I lived in Ottawa as a young Physio but after a year and a half moved to Terrace |Bay Ontario . This was a fabulous experience of small town life and all the adventures that it entailed. Camping at all the provincial parks in the area , learning to cross country ski, taking up running, all of which allowed me an opportunity to explore Northern Ontario and I did. This is where I developed a love of nature and wildlife and outdoor adventure. The wildlife is my favorite, always looking and hoping to capture a glimpse of a moose , deer, lynx , bear, wolf and of course birds, being my favorite.
My husband and I bought a handmade canoe from a craftsman in Blind River almost 30 years ago , which we still own and we have enjoyed many paddles through the different lakes and creeks. We are always in search of a gem, a glimpse of a Blue heron, a kingfisher, or a Loon in the mist. Hiking and biking afforded many opportunities for nature and wildlife viewing. There is nothing sweeter than seeing a moose and her calf in the woods and just watching, or stumbling on an owl, as i did while skiing one day: I will never forget that....my head was turning to stare at the Grey Owl and so was his to watch me. It was magical.
I moved out west to Whitecourt , Alberta and in doing so drove from Terrace bay through the Bruce Peninsula on Georgian Bay to Montreal to visit family than off to Nova Scotia. On our return trip we drove straight through to Whitecourt, Alberta. We camped along the way and therefore spent a little time in each province camping, hiking, canoeing and biking: a superb way to explore.
I was in Alberta for 10 years. Summers were spent exploring BC, the Okanogan Valley, Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island and of course much of Alberta. During one of our early Jasper hikes we will never forget seeing a Grizzly across a small lake. In our naivety we continued our hike which was glorious and uneventful regarding the grizzly near miss.
I moved back to Quebec after 10 years out west: the heart is where family is so it was a call to go back east. This was an opportunity to explore the east coast again and we definitely have: summers spent travelling back to PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. One of my favorite places is Algonquin Park and our annual camp outs at Kearney Lake. Algonquin Park has afforded us many opportunities for wildlife viewing and many adventures.
Last year, we finally went up to Gaspe and saw Perce Rock, a dream of mine, and this past summer Gros Morne national Park in Newfoundland. Each place I have visited has never disappointed. I am constantly overwhelmed by its beauty and feel such a sense of pride in living in this great country.
All of these adventures have offered me an opportunity to reflect on this beautiful country of ours and put these reflections to canvas. I hope I can tell a story with each painting I complete. I have started this project with some wildlife images and I will continue with images that reflect my personal connection with a place , a person or wildlife I have seen.
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