Ten years at LeTerrain, seen with new eyes

I'm back from a three-week trip to Sicily, my first real vacation in the ten years that I've been here at LeTerrain.

I haven't posted for a couple of weeks because I wanted to truly settle back into LeTerrain. And I mean to say, I have settled in with new eyes and a whole new perspective on this miracle of custodianship that I have been granted.

It's been a long journey over these ten years, and I've tried many different ways to stay true to my original insight when I arrived: that I would like to protect this land by sharing this land.

I started with Airbnb, and although it was a very successful financial model, I didn't seem to be attracting the right people. Although I have books filled with guest testimonials detailing the magic they experienced during their stays, I knew I needed to find my tribe, people interested in developing a long-term relationship and a true feeling of custodianship with this very special wilderness.

So, in the spring of 2023, I launched the LeTerrain Wilderness Park membership model. The response was incredibly positive. I received messages and memberships from all over the world from people who connected with this idea of protecting through sharing and developing an ongoing relationship with biodiversity and this beautiful, healthy ecosystem.

After establishing Canada's newest Dark Sky Preserve, uncovering the astounding mysteries of the ancient ruins, and seeing the beginnings of an off-grid eco-village emerge around LeTerrain, I guess I kind of felt like I'd accomplished what I needed to accomplish.

I thought I could simply step back and live my quiet life in wilderness solitude.

My trip to Sicily was truly transformative.

I learned about the importance of community, culture, ritual, gathering around meals, sharing experiences, and reciprocating insights with like-minded people.

I realized that I had not been showing up for this.

I realize now that one's work is never done. This is life, and this can be a beautiful thing.

We must always show up, push harder, dive deeper into the great mysteries, into ourselves, face our fears, follow our intuition, and keep showing up for whatever it is that we are called to do.

And so, with these fresh eyes and these new insights, I pledge to myself, and to all of you who connect with me and LeTerrain, that I will try harder. That I will be there for you in community and in this great adventure of protecting the land by sharing.

One way I can create something real, scheduled, and ongoing in support of all of this will be monthly gatherings here at LeTerrain.

I invite all members to gather here for an activity followed by a potluck meal, an exchange of ideas, general discussion, and a healthy dose of levity in the beautiful Homestead barn.

If what I'm speaking about here connects with you, please consider becoming a member. If you do not live nearby but would still like to support these initiatives, a Sky Membership at $20 per month helps carry these ongoing adventures in wilderness conservation and community building.

I hope to see you here at LeTerrain very soon.