Jeff put in a rain barrel to catch the rain as an additional source of water.

The snow is softening up too quickly. I really need to get a path shoveled fast so we can get to the outhouse. Decided to try a different approach and start shoveling all the way to the ground. Started at the outhouse and headed towards the cabin. Big job ahead!

Started shoveling a path to the outhouse today. The snow will soften soon and if we don’t dig a path to the ground we’ll be falling 3 feet down in the snow every step of the way. I only got about 6 inches down today and it was a lot of work!

Easter Day Sunset. Beautiful!

Jeff filled up a couple barrels of water from the Spring to help get us through break-up. The river will be too soft to travel soon.

Jeff and I took a drive out on the trails before everything softens up Weather is supposed to get warm and rain this coming week.

We collect chaga off birch trees. It’s very hard. Just chop if off with an axe but don’t dig down further than the bark or it could kill the tree. Leave it to regrow. We dry it out for a week to keep it from molding and then start using it. I like to use big pieces. Some people grind it but if you just put a chunk in water it works the same and you don’t have to filter out the grinds. I put a chunk in a pot of water and simmer until it’s a nice brown color. You don’t want to get it too strong. It has a nice mellow flavor. I drink it plain like coffee. It’s said to have lots of health benefits. If you keep adding water you can use the same chunk for a week continuing to get more tea. Then I just throw the chunk away and start a new batch.

Dug 6 holes trying for burbot this year. The last hole looked perfect. Nice clear water. Could use it for drinking. Jeff was demonstrating but not really drinking it. It would need to be boiled first. Anyway no burbot in 6 tries so gave up for the year. Too bad. Would have been nice to have some burbot. Pulled the line for the year.

Collected some chaga for tea.

Beautiful full moon.