Through the Forest Window

Welcome to “Through the Forest Window,” a podcast about a place, a legacy, and the lessons learned deep in the woods of Ontario, Canada. In 1975, my dad and his brothers built a hunting camp on a property south of Bancroft, Ontario, that became a sanctuary—a place where stories, family gatherings, hunting seasons and quiet reflection flourished. Decades later, during the final year of my dad’s life, we built a cabin on the same property with my dad, just behind the original camp. The cabin became more than just a retreat; it became a way to honor our bond and navigate the grief of his passing. Since then, the cabin has become a retreat for friends, family, and countless adventures. It’s where I’ve learned the rhythms of trees and wildlife, encountered moose, deer, black bears, and coyotes, and discovered the profound wisdom of nature. It’s also been a space for creativity—writing and recording music, and finding inspiration in the quiet. Each episode weaves together personal stories and reflections, anchored by entries from a logbook I’ve kept for more than a decade. Episodes unfold season by season, exploring the rhythms of life at the cabin—from lighthearted adventures to profound moments of connection and resilience. From early days reflecting on my relationship with my dad, to how the cabin helped me through grief after losing my parents, to learning outdoor skills, creating memorable meals, and observing the community’s successful opposition to a nearby mining proposal—every story is a thread in the larger fabric of life at the cabin. The series builds to the unforgettable May 2022 derecho, a violent storm we survived while at the cabin. Hundreds of trees came down that day, and it tested both the cabin’s resilience and our own. The journey begins with an introduction to the cabin and its history, combined with the entries from Spring 2010—a season of joy and loss that shaped the foundation of life at the cabin. Join me as I share a decade of stories, less