A Country Block & The Squirrel House
Posted on 27. Nov, 2008 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in House
A few weeks ago, during the last vestiges of autumn, I went for a walk by myself around our neighbourhood.
Somehow, I got it into my head that I should walk around our block–a trip I’d never taken before by foot.
I grew up in the city. Where I came from, blocks are….blocks. Walking around a city block is a short event. You might walk around the block arm-in-arm with your sweetheart after dinner. You might jog around the block for a little cardiovascular exercise.
But now that we live in the country, I figured I should walk around our block. After all, we live in a beautiful area, and I was quite disappointed in myself for not having experienced my own neighbourhood by foot.
So, I grabbed my camera and yelled to Cameron, “I’m going for a walk. I’ll see you in a bit!” And I banged out the screen door, down the steps, and walked down the driveway.
I’d driven around our country block numerous times; it didn’t seem very far. At any rate, it’s beautiful countryside with plenty of eye-pleasing sights. And I really wanted to walk to the end of my road, over to the next block, and all the way around and back to my house. You know, a block!
I was full of verve and enthusiasm. I stopped all over the place, taking pictures and exploring whatever drew my interest. I saw many beautiful homes and farms. I saw apple trees and fields of soybeans. I watched horses.
And like any good neighbourhood, our country block has a few abandoned homes along the way. Some were newer homes, like an abandoned mobile home, which held my interest for a good, long while. I always wonder what happened to the people who used to live in these homes. Often, you’ll find clothes still hanging in the closet and sheets still on the beds. 
A couple of hours later, I realized that I was exhausted and hadn’t really gotten very far yet. I wasn’t wearing a watch, but I deduced that I had to have been walking and exploring for a number of hours. I was hungry and ill prepared for such a long jaunt around our surprisingly vast neighbourhood.
Typical me, I decided that it probably wasn’t too much further until the half-way point, so I might as well just press on–so that I could experience walking my own block. How far could it really be?
An hour later, I was just past the mid-point and feeling beat. Catching a glimpse of an abandoned home behind the trees, I decided that I needed a break. I bush-whacked through the over-grown driveway and leaned against a tree.
Resting quietly against the tree, I watched the abandoned house.
Soon enough, I noticed movement, and squirrels seemed to come out of the woodwork of the old house.
Scampering in and out of the house, I felt as though I was watching the new owners of this abandoned house get ready for winter, just like we all do.
Enjoying watching the squirrels running in and out of this abandoned house, I squatted down near the ground, leaning on the tree for support. Looking down at the ground, I realized that I was under a nut tree, as there were partially chewed nuts all around my feet.
Set back from the road, this house was absolute squirrel domain. I felt like an intruder and I didn’t want to disturb them!
The squirrels reminded me of the squirrels living in our shed. Now that I know what squirrel-haven is like, we should probably get the squirrels out of the shed before they have their way with our own shed.
The squirrels rejuvenated my energy, and I pressed on around the country block.
By the time I got home, my legs were jelly. I’d been walking on an empty stomach for over five hours around our country block. (Yes, five hours! I kid you not.) After I got home, I looked at a map, and realized that our country block was 16 kilometres.
It was a beautiful walk, but I don’t think I’ll be doing it very often. Scenic country drives might be more appropriate. But at least I can say that I’ve walked my block!
Marjorie
Nov 28th, 2008
This is a good story! It’s like a children’s story. Reminds me of a combination of: Toby, the Little Boy Who Ran Away, from my childhood, and: Applemouse, from my children’s childhood. By the way, those ‘nuts’ remind me of chestnuts as found on chestnut trees here in BC. Again, this is a beautiful vignette in its pure, slightly didactic simplicity.
Kim
Nov 28th, 2008
Excellent shots – love the chestnut photo.
I’ve never explored any of the abandoned houses here in PEI – would love to, though! I can’t imagine what sort of history that each one possesses.
Our block is pretty big, too, but not quite 16 km!
Andrea >> Become a consultant
Nov 28th, 2008
Such a big change from my block. When I walk around my block, I go past nine apartment buildings, three office buildings, a Shoppers Drug Mart, a bank, two coffee shops, a sushi place, a sandwich shop, a car rental place, two old houses with multiple apartments in them and several townhomes….all in a matter of minutes. And it’s probably only 400 m roundtrip.
Toni
Nov 28th, 2008
Haha… When we were younger it would only take us less than an hour to walk from your house down to the video store and back up (with a quick stop at McD’s to split a 2 cheeseburger meal) which by the way has been completly revamped, it could almost be confused with a nice restaurant, if it didn’t say McD’s on the side :-)
Aunt Krissy
Nov 28th, 2008
Where I live we don’t have blocks. County roads that I know are miles and miles long! I plan on doing some bike riding next summer.
tipper
Nov 29th, 2008
An amazing trip you took! Your pictures are outstanding. The little squirrel looks quite different than the ones here-smaller somehow and a different head shape. The abandoned house is fascinating-wonder who lived there, why they left, why their relatives never came and sold it? I could dream about it all day. Loved this post.
Fay
Nov 29th, 2008
How scenic and peaceful,as I read it my heart was racing,wondering why would this young woman walk alone so far.I am sure a friend the next time will join you in the majestic view your country side brings,SAFTY is the key word in this little note.You take great pics!!!.
LJ
Nov 29th, 2008
Great entry. I love old abandon buildings too, especially old houses. They always have stories to tell of their own.
Gary Gray
Nov 29th, 2008
Hi Laura-Jane, Great post! Walks are so much fun on Prince Edward Island. I walked everywhere when I was a teenager. I even remember walking home after skating at our local arena on crisp winter nights. About 9K and -10F (whatever that converts to in C) There used to be a program on PEI (in the 80’s) that allowed the local volunteer fire departments to burn houses that had been left to decay and fall down. (as training exercises) I don’t know if that program is still in effect or not. (not quite the romance of an old house with a mysterious past life locked inside it’s decaying shell)
Phil
Nov 29th, 2008
Very cool. We lose something when we abandon the sheer pleasure of exploring our world on foot. I’m sure you’ve whizzed by that abandoned house hundreds of times on four wheels, and just now got to actually look at it. Makes me wonder about the area I grew up in (pretty similar landscape), which I don’t think I ever explored on foot. Perhaps that’s on the list for ‘09, now…
Swapna
Nov 30th, 2008
What a wonderful country walk. I love doing that. You get to experience so much detail – textures on leaves and small scents and of course all those amazing discoveries in your photos. I often do long looong walks, but the key is to take some snacks and water with you, otherwise you do get jelly legs.
Mary
Jun 5th, 2009
Hi Laura Jane:
What I am wondering is how much did you pay for your house, was it sight unseen and did you research what it was like to live in rural PEI in a house with a long lane off the road? Old houses lack a lot of insulation, the windows are usually very drafty and the roof needs fixing. It would take a carpenter/plumber and jack of all trades to get it fixed up and livable. An old saying “you get what you pay for” comes to mind. Sometimes what seems like a bargain can turn out to be an endless hole of repairs one after the other. I don’t mean to harp on your situation and I am sincerely glad you both are adapting, but just a reminder to other people looking to relocate, do your research and make sure the property isn’t a cash cow.
Living in remote rural communities would be very taxing for people not used to that sort of lifestyle. There are many small towns and villages in PEI that have lovely homes, are well maintained and the prices are reasonable. You are both to be admired if you have come this far. I hope the tractor meets your needs next winter, but a skidoo may be an alternative if it doesn’t and park your vehicle at the end of the lane. Good luck and keep up the good work, your blogs are interesting and great pics………………….
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Jun 5th, 2009
Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep!
Totally agree with you, Mary.
We didn’t buy it sight-unseen (I do not recommend doing that) and I certainly wouldn’t recommend buying an old house such as this if you didn’t have a handyman genius such as Cam who could tackle projects on your own. Financially, it’s one thing to renovate a house on your own in your spare time. It’s another thing completely to *hire* other people to do it..
It isn’t all roses, that’s for darn sure. Adapting is key. And you have to have savings that you can draw upon when you need to fix things, buy tractors, etc..
Thanks for your voice of reason, Mary.
will
Nov 8th, 2011
I loved your story! I just published one that I recently wrote about “Peck”, our resident squirrel, and the war we had with him. I hope you’ll take a few moments to read and look through it (there are pics of the custom seven room condominium that I built him). It’s now available to read on our blog (http://northernstar-online.com/blog/2011/11/wills-thoughts-edition-90/)
Please keep up your fantastic writing, it is very enjoyable!
Will