Occupy Keji: Those Crazy Canucks

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Does it get more Canadian than this?

Classic Gilles Vigneault Mon Pays quote? Check.

Rosy cheeks? Check.

Support for national parks? Check!

These hardy folks were having a grand old time during last month's Occupy Keji/Winter activities. They were nice enough to pose for me after I took a group shot for them.

This picture sums up the atmosphere of that day perfectly. A shared love of our 4th season and for our national parks.

If you haven't signed up already, please take a moment to sign this petition to restore winter services to all national parks. Thanks!

Occupy Keji: Skijor, For Sure.

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

While I was skiing my way back from Big Dam Lake I ran across this guy skijoring with his dog.  

Do you have a dog that likes to pull (i.e. Husky)?  Can you ski?  Find a dog harness and let your pooch help pull you up those hills!  Or heck, on the flats too.

I haven't tried it myself but it looks like a lot of fun, check out this guy skijoring with 12 dogs!

Occupy Keji!

Kejimkujik National Park

Jan. 19, 2013

Here's a shot of a band of skiers at Keji out for a tour during the Occupy Winter/Keji event on January 19th. I tagged along with them until we reached the turn off to Big Dam Lake. If you squint, you can see two additional skiers in the background.

The 'event' was part of a national campaign to have people participating in winter events at national parks across Canada. These parks are all affected by the Conservative cuts to the department, cuts which have closed all but 3 national parks for the winter season.

These park closures are extremely disappointing to those who enjoy using the parks throughout the year, including our 4th season.

Turnout was excellent, organizers tallied ~120 visitors on Saturday and ~100 on Sunday, despite the warm and rainy conditions.

Participants came from all over the Western end of the province, including Halifax, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and various communities through the Annapolis Valley and South Shore.

Ski conditions on Saturday were near perfect, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark and fresh snow falling for most of the morning and early afternoon.

The atmosphere in the Mill Falls picnic shelter was jovial as skiers and snowshoe'rs stomped inside to dry off and warm up. Rick Swain entertained with tall tales and a local painter read poetry to the attentive crowd.

It was heartening to see Eric LeBel, park superintendent, in attendance. He was chatting up the visitors and also helped supply the firewood for the wood stoves in the shelter. Park staff helped make the event possible by plowing the road to the shelter as well as unlocking it so the participants had a place to gather and stay warm.

More pics to follow from a great day of enjoying winter and showing support for our national parks system.

Snow Day! (Wish I were skiing)

Kejimkujik National Park

Maitland Bridge (?), NS

Jan. 19, 2013

This is what the park looked like on the weekend.  Deserted, snow covered roads and lots of cross country ski tracks!

More shots to follow from the weekend's Occupy Winter/Keji activities!  

In the meantime, please read and sign this petition, calling for winter services to be restored to all national parks!