Closer Than Ever to Our Property

For the first time since purchasing the land, we came closer to our property than ever before — not by vehicle, but on foot.

With temperatures climbing to around 8°C and snow beginning to melt, we decided to see how far we could get down the access road. Unfortunately, the road itself hasn’t seen any traffic recently, which meant deep, unstable snow in many sections. Still, hope has a way of pushing you forward.

After parking the truck and setting out on foot, what followed was a long, demanding walk.

A Long Walk, A Short Distance (Relatively Speaking)

It took roughly two and a half hours and just under 6 km of walking to reach the entrance to our property. The road is far from flat — constant uphill and downhill stretches made the trek more physically demanding than the distance alone suggests.

By the time we reached the north edge of the land, we were exhausted.

The snow off the road was knee-deep in places, and the light was fading. With rain expected and energy running low, we made the difficult call not to push any further onto the property itself. As frustrating as it was, safety had to come first.

We turned back.

Wildlife, Land, and Silence

Along the way, the land gave us small but powerful reminders of where we are.

We came across what appeared to be beaver remains, and earlier had spotted an animal darting off the road — possibly a beaver, mink, otter, or even a weasel. There were also signs of predators in the area, including tracks and feather remains, likely from a lynx.

Yet despite those signs of life, what stood out most was the silence.

No traffic. No people. Just wind, rivers, creeks, and the occasional sound of aircraft far overhead. It was peaceful in a way that’s hard to put into words — the kind of quiet that settles into your bones.

We also crossed a small waterway that may be connected to our property, hinting at how the land ties together beyond what you see on a map.

Coming Back Was the Hardest Part

The return walk was tougher than the hike in.

On the way there, excitement carried us forward. On the way back, fatigue set in — along with a sense of disappointment at being so close, yet still unable to truly arrive.

But with reflection came clarity.

Driving in would have been risky. Ice, soft snow, and steep sections of road could easily have ended with us stuck or worse, alone and unreachable. Walking may not have gotten us all the way in, but it kept us safe.

Sometimes progress isn’t crossing a finish line — it’s knowing when to stop.

Still, This Matters

Even without setting foot fully on the property, this trip mattered.

We now understand the terrain better.
The road.
The hills.
The access challenges.

Once the snow fully melts, reaching the land will be far more straightforward. For now, winter still has its grip.

As we write this, the weather has already turned again — snow and strong wind rocking the camper. So this is a recovery day. No travel. No pushing. Just rest.

The land isn’t going anywhere.

We’re closer than ever — not just geographically, but mentally and emotionally too.
And soon enough, we’ll cross that last stretch and properly arrive.

The journey continues.

This blog post is related to the following YouTube video: