I woke up to a sunshine-filled, blue sky, very chilly kind of morning. Immediately it took me back to memories of being in the north, in the bush, in camp. I ran downstairs and threw the ingredients into the bread maker to make bread dough.  

I’ve spent a lot of time in the north living and working in exploration camps. I’ve worked as a cook, OHS Officer, Logistics Coordinator and Medic. 

These camps are set up in the middle of the bush as places to house those working in the exploration industry. Location is specific to findings for whatever mineral the company is searching and/or drilling for. Camps are made up of Geologists, Administration Staff, Camp workers, a Medic, and Drillers. It’s a collection of local and far-flung people dropped off by helicopter to work in an isolated area for extended periods of time. 

It is challenging and exciting and definitely not for everyone! I’ve had the pleasure of working in Northern Labrador, Northern Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Baffin Island. 

My favorite camps are constructed with Quonset Huts, military style buildings, which are insolated tents set up on a wooden platform. Inside the tent there is a small diesel stove and usually 2 – 4 cots. Close quarters indeed.  

Camp in the winter is awesome! The bush in the winter turns into one glorious snow-covered expanse. Areas that could not be travelled in the other seasons freeze and everywhere is open to explore. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling are my favorite ways to explore.

 This morning I was immediately taken back to the feeling of waking up to see your breath inside the tent. It was necessary to place the next day’s clothes in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night so you could get them on in the morning. Wriggling around, getting dressed and then stepping out to find your boots frozen to the floor was common. 

Another really good thing about camp is the kitchen tent. On a cold morning like this, heading to the kitchen tent was the BEST. Inside there would be a stove just a pumping heat and a huge breakfast to share with everyone in camp. 

Being in camp was some of the best times I’ve ever experienced. Also some of the toughest. I learned about myself and the challenges I could face. I learned a lot about living and working with others. I learned to be patient. I learned how to think and I learned the things we think we can control are often not in our hands.

Friends will say I look the happiest they have ever seen me in my pictures from there.

 
I also learned about the power of food. Not just for sustenance, but the power it has to bring people together to learn and share and build a community from a group of strangers. Eating all your meals with 30 others from varying walks of life forces you to be mindful and engage with people you may never have had the chance to meet in any other circumstance. Food provides the conduit that can increase your knowledge of others. The simple act of sharing a meal can provide an opportunity to learn so much about others.  

It was in one of these camps in Northern Labrador that I first discovered Toutons.  Toutons are raw bread dough that has risen once and is then fried in oil to golden perfection. Covered in butter, molasses or maple syrup they are one of the best simple treats I’ve ever tasted.

 I’m nowhere near the north right now but I am missing it quite completely. As I sit now I can hear the bread maker whirring. Toutons will be ready to cook in 2 hours. I can’t be there physically right now, but I can experience a little something about it right here. 

Food and memories go hand-in-hand. 

What food takes you back to a place you haven’t been in a long time? 
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