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23 Jul 2024
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Description
Hello my name is Brody, I'm 27. I grew up and live in the Creston Valley a beautiful mountain valley in the heart of the Kootenay region. This valley is known for its agriculture, art, nature and recreation. I live only 5 minutes drive, or 30 minute walk from town. My home is out on the flats (a large river floodplain that is now used for farming various crops), so it's very peaceful and quiet. I have a small house and a large workshop, lots of gardening space and some fun toys including fishing and hunting gear, a motor boat, a canoe, and a camper trailer.
I am currently living with my partner and a roommate. We all work in the profession of fish and wildlife management and conservation. I travel a lot for my work all around the Kootenays, especially during the late summer and fall. I am also a stone carver in my spare time, and work on large sculptures throughout the summer months in my studio yard. My studio is fully equipped with the machines and tools I need to work on big stone carving projects, including grinders, compressors, air tools and a forklift. We have a sawmill for cutting boards and timber out of logs. My family lives in the valley as well and they own and operate an art gallery that often gets quite busy during the summer months.
I have done some traveling myself, and done Workaways in southern Chile and Patagonia for many months. I recently traveled around Columbia for several weeks. I have started to pick up a bit of Spanish, but it's not very good. I am eager to learn more Spanish, but don't have the time or people to practice with. I am very open to learning language or teaching english the best I can.
Me, my friends and my family enjoy all types of recreation, especially during the summer. If you stay here you can expect to spend your spare time and days off out on our boat, either on the river or the lake, finding hidden beaches and fishing for trout, or just relaxing and going for a swim. You can also join us on our camping and hiking trips in the backcountry, fly fishing on the creeks, and hunting for big game and birds in the fall months. Living off the land is an important value in our life here in the Kootenays and it is a very humbling experience to be a part of. There are so many outdoor activities to do here in our valley and the surrounding areas, I can't even list them all. We make the most of the good weather, and also the snowy winter months when we ski, snowboard, X-country ski, snowmobile ice fish and skate on the frozen lakes. Sauna and cold plunges in the icy cold lake is a must do experience!
There is an indigenous community in this valley that have been here for thousands of years and they host several events that can be attended by the public. They're culture is rich and open to being shared. Other nearby cultural events and activities I enjoy are going to hot springs, day trips to nearby small towns like Nelson or Kaslo for music, food and festivals and hosting fires and BBQs here or with family and friends.
Our motto here in the Kootenays is "work hard, play harder!", and we truly live that lifestyle.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live the typical Canadian lifestyle here in the Kootenays and travellers will get to experience that first hand. We embrace people with open arms and love sharing what makes us happy and teaching others about our way of life. This includes our connection with the natural world, our love of art and recreation, working hard and living off the land. We fish and hunt for food and grow our vegetables as much as we can. We harvest trees and mill our own wood and boards for building and heating. We have fun with family and friends playing in the mountains and lakes and enjoying nature. These are all experiences you will get to take part in.
Most of all, we work hard and we play hard. The Kootenays are full of outdoor recreation and we truly value these activities. Travellers will get to learn new skills and come along on adventures and enjoy what we and the land has to offer here in the Creston Valley. From boating, fishing, backpacking and camping to music festivals, and art, you can expect to be busy having fun, or relaxing on a beach by a fire at sunset with a cold beverage after a hard days work.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I would love to have somebody help me maintain my gardens, planting in the spring, weeding and watering throughout the summer and harvesting and processing in the late summer and fall. I only maintain a couple small gardens, and practice ecological and permaculture based farming techniques. I am mostly off grid too, so hauling water to my home is a regular task and running a pump from water runoff channels. We will make compost, amend garden beds and maintain the property. You may help mowing lawns, chopping fire wood, and cleaning up the yard.
I have a pile of logs and a sawmill I need someone to help me operate to cut timbers and boards for building structures on my property. I will also need help building these structures, so carpentry skills are an asset. Some things I am looking to build include a covered shelter for cars, an outdoor kitchen, saunas and various wildlife habitat structures (bat boxes, insect/bee houses, bird houses).
Also included as work hours, in the summer months, we will go wildcrafting to collect and harvest plants and mushrooms from the mountains. This includes picking berries including huckleberries and elderberries, harvesting pine pollen and mushrooms, and finding medicinal plants to make tinctures, teas and other herbal medicines. You might help with harvesting cuttings and seeds from wild plants to grow back at home for the pollinators.
Additionally, guests would also have the opportunity to learn how to carve stone, and help me with my large sculpture projects. This includes running grinders, polishers and chisels (see the picture of a sculpture recently completed of a fish - The White Sturgeon). My family may also need some extra help at their art gallery in town (5 minutes away).
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Travellers will get to stay in a newly renovated 16' travel trailer. This accommodation will be private for 1 traveller or a couple at any one time. It includes all the comforts of home. It has a twin sized bed a sink, a heater, a fridge, an oven and cooktops. It also has a small built in bathroom, and outdoor shower (for the summer months). The main house is always open to travellers and will be the hub for meals and social gatherings. You can use ingredients to make meals for yourself, and keep food in your trailer or in the kitchen of the house. There is also a spare room for overlapping stays and the kitchen and bathroom are communal spaces when necessary.
What else ...
Travellers with a valid drivers license will have access to a car (Manual shift) for making runs to town and seeing local sights. Most weekends travellers can join me, friends and family on all our adventures and activities and it is encouraged to come along! It's a small town, and there's not to much nightlife, but there are several good places to eat, listen to live music and socialize. Nearby towns of Nelson, Kaslo and Kimberley also have plenty of culture and experiences to go see on weekend road trips.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
