Well, That Was A BUST!!

Posted on July 8, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

For the last couple of weeks, I’d been prepping the trailer—installing a new battery and inverter, getting everything dialed in for a birthday week camping trip with Snacks. After Joanne left on her trip to France, I hung around the acreage for a few days, but it wasn’t long before I realized I needed a proper break. I finished up the trailer prep and hit the road west on Sunday, July 5th.

The weather was ideal. I found a perfect, secluded spot, set up camp, and put Snacks in the trailer so I could go search for firewood. I didn’t have to go far to find good deadwood, brought it back, and got to work—cutting, splitting, and stacking a solid pile. Since it was getting late, dinner was simple: Smokies over the open fire. Exhaustion from days of non-stop work and prepping caught up with me pretty fast, so I turned in early.

Bright and early the next morning, I let the dog out to do his business. The grass was heavy with morning dew. It was too beautiful out not to start a fire, so I got one crackling. Looking over at Snacks, I could see his paws were wet and he was freezing. I grabbed him, tucked him into the chair next to me, and wrapped him up in a blanket like a newborn. I sat back with my morning coffee, enjoying the total peace of a private campsite—just Snacks and me.♥️

Then came lunchtime. I reached into the cabinet for a plate, planning to make a good meal, and spotted movement. Maggots. I dug through the cupboard and found some old pistachios that had turned into a full-blown infestation spreading toward the dishware.

Luckily, I had plenty of disinfectant on hand, so I spent the next several hours scrubbing down the cupboard—exactly how everyone dreams of spending their vacation. Between the pests, the mosquitoes, and keeping Snacks from freezing in the damp grass, my enthusiasm was running on empty.

I gathered firewood for one last night and made a great supper, but made up my mind to head home Tuesday. That evening, I sat out by the fire longer than usual, holding Snacks close in his blanket with music drifting through the camp. It was a peaceful night, enjoying the smoke and tunes, even if the trip was cut short.

Tuesday morning was pure business: early wake-up, quick breakfast, packed it all down. I had high hopes for a five-day getaway, but sometimes things just don’t go your way. By mid-afternoon, I was back home in the driveway, starting the deep clean on the trailer. What a disaster…🤬

Now that’s a Puppy Cup!

Posted on June 10, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

The lady at the Wendy’s drive-thru loved Swiffer. She wanted to give him a “little puppy cup”. I wouldn’t exactly call this a “little” puppy cup, but it was funny watching him get brain freeze!! 😂

Finally Some Rain 🌧️

Posted on June 5, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

Wow, it sure was nice to get about 2 1/2” of rain over the past week!! It was sure needed!! Now a little heat and things will grow!! Finally!!

Wow!! This is Crazy!!

Posted on April 27, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

Here we are the end of April and winter is still hanging around!!

I really hope my roses can survive this!!

Wow! Winter is back 🥶

Posted on February 17, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

Mid February

Posted on February 14, 2026August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

This winter has been absolutely unbelievable! January held many days above zero and a couple that were actually sweater weather. Today is February 14 and even today it’s supposed to be +2 this upcoming week looks a little chilly back into the -25 overnight.

Just a bit chilly!

Posted on November 30, 2025August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

-23c over night lows!! 🥶 This is the first week of real winter

Day 5 – More Moose 🫎

Posted on November 5, 2025August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

A Brisk Morning in the Number 2 Swamp

We were up before sunrise, coffee in hand and frost on the Jeep, ready for another day in the bush. Our plan was simple — drive to the end of the number 2 swamp, then walk in from the south end to see what the morning would bring. The air was crisp, our breath was slow and best of all, the wind was in our favor.

As we eased around the edge of the muskeg, the forest floor crackled beneath our boots. We tried to keep silent, but the thick trees had other plans. After a few too many snapped twigs, I decided to step out onto the open muskeg and follow the trail while Matthew crept along right behind me. We moved slowly toward the south island — every step deliberate, every sound measured.

The conditions couldn’t have been better. The cool air, steady north wind, and low light made for the kind of morning hunters dream about. Then it happened — I caught a glimpse of a moose through the trees. I raised my binoculars slowly… crap, a young bull moose. My pulse quickened. I motioned for Matthew to step forward to take a look, his eyes wide with focus.

After confirming it was a bull, I fumbled for my phone to snap a photo, but the camera focus refused to cooperate. Matthew tried his luck taking a picture through his binoculars — no dice. And just as he was doing that, movement flickered on the trail ahead.

A cow moose stepped out, somewhat alert of our presence, just 120 yards north of us. I tried to wave at Matthew without spooking her, but he was still glued to his binoculars. Finally, he looked up, saw me signaling, and followed my gaze. There she stood — ass towards us, sniffing the air, so majestic in the soft morning light.

Matthew never even raised his rifle. We both watched closely, trying to see if a calf was nearby. Before we could tell, she trotted off the trail and vanished into the muskeg. We tried to get another look at her through the trees, but she slipped away as quietly as she appeared.

Even without a shot, it was a perfect hunt — two moose up close, the wind in our favor, and a memory we won’t forget. On the walk back, we stopped where I’d first spotted the bull. Matthew ranged it at 150 yards — that’s pretty good, sneaking up on a bull moose in the open swamp.

Looking back, maybe we could’ve played it differently, but that’s hunting. Sometimes it’s not about the harvest; it’s about the chase, the stillness, and the moments you share in the wild.

We packed up camp later that morning and headed home. My trailer was frozen solid when I got back, but after thawing things out, no harm was done. Now we wait — a week or two — until the next trip west. The bush always calls you back.

Day 4 – Finally… we are seeing Moose

Posted on November 4, 2025August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

Interesting morning today, we managed to sneak up on a cow moose in the number one muskeg. Matthew was trying to use his rangefinder binoculars to get a distance while I quietly coached him to take the shot. He was determined to get a reading first, and just as he was struggling to get the distance —out of nowhere—a young calf stepped into view, completely changing the moment.

A few days earlier, we had talked about this exact situation. I told Matthew that I didn’t want him shooting a cow that had a calf. I said if he did, I wouldn’t be around to help gut the moose while that little one cried for its mom. I guess the message stuck, because the second he saw that calf, the hunt was over.

Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it. He made the right call. Letting that cow and calf walk means one more step toward keeping the moose population strong and healthy for years to come.

Day Two – Fresh Snow

Posted on November 2, 2025August 3, 2026 by crazy2b

Oh boy — 5:45 a.m. came early! My batteries weren’t holding a charge for some reason, so I had to run the generator all night just to keep the heat going. Thankfully, Matthew volunteered to handle the refueling through the night, which let me try to stay warm and catch a bit of rest.

When the alarm sounded, it was time to get day two rolling. We’d decided the night before to repeat the same ride as yesterday. After a couple of strong cups of coffee, we packed up the quads and hit the trail.

The route started out the same, except Matthew planned to ride his quad a little farther down the trail to make the hike back easier. The biggest change today was the weather — a fresh blanket of snow had fallen overnight, perfect for spotting moose tracks.

We made a quick stop at the viewing hill before Matthew set off on his morning hike. It was colder than the day before, so I dug out my battery-operated gloves to keep my hands warm while glassing the swamp below. Hours passed as I scanned the frosty landscape until I finally caught sight of movement — a small whitetail buck bedded down right in the middle of the swamp. He was alert, keeping a close eye on where Matthew was moving.

Several hours later, Matthew returned, a bit discouraged. No moose sign anywhere in the valley. After a quick chat, we decided to ride farther east to scout for fresh tracks in the new snow. Miles and miles of riding later, we still hadn’t seen a single set of tracks — so back to camp we went.

Lunch was simple — just snacks and a few drinks since we rolled in later than usual. Supper, though, was another masterpiece: chicken thighs cooked in peanut oil over the glowing coals of the afternoon fire. Absolutely fantastic. A few drinks around camp, some good conversation, and we called it another early night. This time, it was my turn to keep the generator running.