Summer Highlights 2016

 Ever dream of running away from it all...and escaping to your own Private Wilderness? It IS possible, here are some Summer photos of Taiga. 

You could be sitting here, enjoying these incredible panoramic views. 

If you love wooden beams and timber, this is your Home. 

You can just imagine curling up here with a book, enjoying the views and the peace and quiet. 

We managed to get most of the stain on the outside of the house so it is quite attractive. This comes at a small cost to our health. We are here because we needed to remove ourselves from environmental toxins. No toxic finishes were used inside the house. The outside finish was completed as each board was being installed, months before we moved in. In our haste to get the job done, we had forgotten about the possible reaction  to the toxins in the stain. Fortunately, we are familiar with and regularly practise detoxing with green smoothies and lemon water.

On August 11th we hosted our friend Jane Sibbery, a Canadian icon, in concert in our home. She was scheduled to share a house concert on the 10th in Thunder Bay and we were too late in responding to the advertisement. So at midnight on Tuesday the 9th, I emailed her and asked if she'd agree to a second concert in our home for all of the disappointed folks who were too late. She immediately responded and the concert was set for Thursday evening. In less than 48 hours, we had an enthusiastic audience, a sound system and an opening entertainer, Les Henderson. It was indeed a blessing to have Jane share our home and her extraordinary gift and she in turn remarked that she was "thrilled" to be here in our home.  I picture Jane as an exotic butterfly who bestows love, light and joy in her wake. We have my son , Rob, to thank for bringing us together a few years ago. We are blessed to have a home that lends itself to these house concerts and to sharing it with beautiful people.

We are hosting OPEN HOUSE events every weekend. We enjoy meeting those who come solely to check out an off-grid home. Ron, the consummate teacher, is delighted to answer questions about the system and how it works for us. We may all be faced with off-grid living in the near future in order to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.  In the spring Premier Wynne made a premature announcement regarding this very real possibility. Because of the backlash, she had to rescind the statement but it certainly was a heads up for future directions. It's all here, ready to go, folks, and at a greatly reduced price.

Check with Kjiji for OPEN HOUSE dates and times. Call to arrange a Private showing at (807)474-3244

Summer Highlights 2016

What a summer it has been! The temperatures were consistently high and so was the humidity. Our flower and vegetable gardens flourished and are still producing.  Fortunately, the groundhogs will be hibernating soon so there's still a chance for our cabbage and broccoli to produce something. I planted everything from seed (organic) in mid May and have harvested all our peas and beans, lettuce, spinach and radishes from that planting. The cucumbers are forcing me to do some pickling, which I was hoping not to do. The tomatoes are growing and ripening beautifully as are the onions. The squash and zucchini are full of blossoms but I haven't detected any produce other than two zucchinis so far. I must admit that I've truly enjoyed the whole process of planting. tending and harvesting my garden. There is something very soul satisfying about the whole thing. The photos above are of the summer Gardens at Taiga. 

The flower gardens seem to have exploded this year. They are full and lush as they have never been. Each flower in it's season seemed to fill an enormous space. We have purple irises, bright and light pink roses, bright pink, white and red peonies, golden tiger lilies, white and purple alyssum, pansies, petunias, geraniums, begonias, hostas and some flowers that I cannot name nor can anyone else who harbours them. They add so much to the absolute joy produced by the whole assemblage.

The chokecherries were also prolific, black and juicy. We picked approximately 14 quarts that are now fermenting for a late fall wine harvest. Six years ago we went through the bucket to car boy process and never seemed to have time to bottle it. Thinking it might, at the very best. be vinegar and at the very worst be pure poison, I finally went at it in May. I was delightfully shocked as I began suctioning the goop out of the carboy. We have, or rather had, 28 bottles of something more akin to sherry than wine. It is absolutely delicious. It has inspired us to repeat the process but we won't be waiting six years for this wine.

Yesterday we picked about 10 quarts of our wild plums. these were more exposed that most others and so were quite ripe. The bulk of the fruit should be ready in a week. These, too, will fill our wine cellar. Every year I've made cases of jams and jellies and given them to friends and family since we try to limit our sugar intake. However, we do enjoy the occasional glass of wine. Being conscious of the ingredients of anything we ingest is mandatory, and we know exactly what's in our wine. Too bad about the sugar!  The above photo is in the Main Kitchen of Taiga. This property is perfect for those who love entertaining, there is another Kitchen as well, situated on a lower level! 

Call today to view this Rare and unique Home - p (807) 474-3244. 

Spring on Taiga Ventures

Our beautiful property is almost clear of snow, the robins, purple finches, juncos and red winged blackbirds have all returned for another season. Flocks of geese are flying by to their northern summer homes. It's almost time to plant the garden. 

I was reflecting on our property which  we know to have a high positive spiritual vibration. According to my Google research, Northern Ontario is noted for this. The highest vibrations are the famous places like Machu Picchu, which no one can own. Of course, no one 'owns' anything but their own spiritual vibration. However, one can own a property that exudes positive energy and live surrounded and nourished by it. We have been very blessed.

WE know in our hearts that it is time for us to move on so that some other folks can benefit from this energy. Our price is listed but we are open to offers. There are people who are definitely interested and we want to encourage those of you who have been hesitant to make an appointment to come and have a look for yourself.. The trails will be wet for a while yet but they are visible on Google maps while the snow is still on them.

  For more information on this property, visit  http://propertyguys.com/property/index/id/90375. You can also call (p) 807-474-3244

Winter 2016

This has to be the most beautiful winter of our 16 years at Taiga. The trees were covered with snow from mid December 2015 to the last week of February 2016. The city of Thunder Bay and even the small town of Kakabeka Falls had little snow this winter. Driving up to Taiga has been a journey to another time and place.

We had huge gatherings of family and friends for Christmas and New Year's Eve, as has been our tradition for 16 years. It truly felt like this would be our last such celebrations here. It is time to begin a new chapter in our lives, a new location, new pursuits, perhaps new friends. We are open to and excited about a change as we embrace  new experiences.

We purchased 2 new banks of batteries for our solar system in December and they have made a significant difference.  The outdoor furnace is performing perfectly.

In November we investigated the possibility of bringing hydro  to the house. We will not go that route ourselves but the lines have been marked out on the grass for the next tenants to ponder. There is always the opportunity to sell back to the grid and this year would certainly produce significant savings. Because the house is heated with hot water radiators around the perimeter , it would be very easy to connect a propane boiler to the existing pipes in the sub-basement. This would eliminate the need to cut and split wood for heating purposes. Mind you, it's great exercise and the fresh air is exhilarating.

Below the basement floor we have a 12' x 22' x 6' deep pool that serves as a heat sink and for our first winter was the chief source of heat along with our large radiant fireplace. This winter we directed the hot water into the radiators only, and not into the pool's heat exchangers. We were quite comfortable. The first couple of years, the pool was open and we would swim in it until it became too hot. We encased it in polyethylene, leaving vents, and covered it with a pine plank floor. It is a beautiful space for entertaining or even for a small business.

The other feature of the property which we have neglected to mention previously is the helipad to the northeast of the house. We envisioned brides having the option of arriving for their weddings in a helicopter. It never happened, unfortunately. Our nephew, a helicopter pilot, advised us on size and layout. The deer have enjoyed the clover on and around it. It is a feature that might be important to a buyer.   

Property listing in Thunder Bay, ON, June 2017

This property is for sale. 

It is located off of Highway 590, #1150. Close to Kakabeka Falls and about 30 mins. from Thunder Bay. 

For more information, phone Ron or Evelyne at 474-3244

Winter comes to Taiga, buy private Wilderness Thunder Bay

Hello there! Because Taiga's elevation is high, snow occurs while in the City of Thunder Bay, it is rain. Here are some of the photos from the recent snowfalls. 

A magical Wonderland.

To view this house, Call Ron & Evelyne Reid. p. 807-474-3244.

Call to arrange for a private viewing. This is an exciting opportunity to own your own private wilderness, away from the hustle and bustle,  away from the prying eyes of paparazzi.