Halifax Retro

We move out of our apartment today, and although we will still have a few days of cleaning, this is basically the beginning of our 3 and a half month journey toward learning how to live more sustainably. While our plane to Ireland may not leave until June 11^th, from here on out we will no longer have any furniture – no bed, no couch, no television; and in a few days, won’t even have a floor or toilet.

While there will always be family and friends around for the next 14 days willing to share their couches, for me, preparation begins now.  Jackie has arranged to stay with friends and family, however, I intend to use this opportunity to practice something I’ve always wanted to try – living in the woods.

I don’t watch a lot of television but I recently came across a show called survivorman and must say, I have a new idol. Living life completely naturally, without the need for store bought contrivances is a surreal form of existence I wish to emulate. Not that the materials I’d be sustaining myself with aren’t store bought, however, not relying so much on the daily things we all take for granted is something I wish to experience, as a good book and morning sunrise are just as good as the morning loop of Sportcentre and a good shower.

Not that I’d want to do this forever, as I enjoy certain luxuries as much as the next person, however, just knowing you could survive in a more simple form of existence is a unique characteristic I deem as intrinsic toward a sustainable development of the psyche.

The material items I will be relying on include a simple one burner stove for cooking and tea, several layers of clothing to keep warm, a very tiny inflatable mattress, a tiny lightweight two person tent, a flashlight, shoelaces, a compass, Swiss Army knife and light sleeping bag.

Obviously due to current temperatures and the need to spend valuable time with those we’ll be leaving soon will inhibit me from doing this throughout the entirety of these final weeks, however, testing this way of existence before we go to a different continent and live this way for several months is a requirment.

While Point Pleasant Park would be an ideal place distance wise, something tells me it doesn’t really qualify as “living in the woods” when dogs are chasing squirrels past my tent with their owners yelling for them to come back. Park Patrol, in their ongoing mission to protect the desolate woodland from the many threats such as joggers and teenage kids (sarcasm), may have something to say about this plan, as well.

Williams Lake off Purcells Cove road and the many bordering lakes in its area would provide a much better environment, and will more than likely provide a perfect boundary of seclusion for my excursion. Macnab’s Island, while harder to get to, would also provide adequate adventure with a fairly constant level of seclusion if the right spot is utilized.

On the other hand, our heated storage unit sure does look tempting.

Tags: Camping, Europe Preparation, Halifax, living in the woods