Throughout the arduous two years of living in Whitehorse, Aspen has been a source of reprieve. Our daily walks force me outside into the forest to bathe in the stillness of rooted organisms. There are days where she listens astutely and others where the calling of the squirrel folk is too strong for her to resist. It would be a lot more peaceful if she didn't just trample the flower or mushroom I was photographing, or she wasn't obnoxiously barking at the other critters. The reality is I wouldn't take the indulgent time in the forest if it weren't for her.

The forest is what hosts our daily escapades away from suburban hell. There are trails and sections of those trails that I have identified as favourites. There are memories, photographs, and stories that I have formed in my brief time amongst this minuscule portion of the boreal forest. The places we frequent indicate the extent we should care for those locations. Too often, we extort the wilderness for recreation without legitimately knowing it. I'm not sure one can call themselves outdoorsy or an advocate for nature if their experience with it does not extend past the tips of their skis, snowboard, or motor vehicles. There is nothing inherently wrong with these avenues of leisure. However, I am uncomfortable with the excessive resources spent and used to conquer the wilderness irreverently.

Undoubtedly, there is a place and time for intrusive forest leisure; I'm not sure if we properly account for the toll we take on ecosystems. This past winter, I managed to go x-country skiing nearly every weekend. Did I consider the groomed trail's damage to the local wildlife or plants? Did I concern myself with the technological reliance and impact such trail management requires? Not nearly as much as I could have or should.

The moments I am most intentional in accounting for my role in engaging forest ecosystems are when Aspen forces me to slow down. I hope to continue this practice of being in the forest even while I continue to figure out solutions for how to transition out of the Yukon and not lose all our savings due to exorbitant living expenses.