Welcome to Echo Bay – Pop. 12 – The Chronicles of Daisy Crocket

I first rowed into this community 10 years ago while surviving off the land for 18 months. I never thought I would live here then, but coming to Echo Bay once a month to mail a letter home and tell my mother I was alive, was like having a birthday party and opening Christmas presents all in one day. My friend Micah, my feral cat Scout and I were welcomed into this community with open arms and hearts. They called us “The Kids” and it was a big news event when we were spotted rowing in from our 8-15 hour trip. We always had exciting new stories to share. Echo Bay is like a microcosm of humanity and a beautiful teacher, who never stops entertaining in the most wacky and wonderful ways.

When I left home for my survival trek I never dreamed I would want to stay in the wilderness when the trek was over, but I found myself crying under my favorite tree when I was saying good-bye. The wilderness and my wild ways transformed me. After two weeks living in my mother’s downtown apartment I was ready to return to the home I had intimately come to know and love. For two years, I became a caretaker for a friend’s lodge, trying to reintegrate into modern life. My longing and need for true freedom set me on my way to live my next big dream of building a log cabin. I visited Billy Proctor, the local legend of Echo Bay and grandfather I always dreamed of having. If anyone could give me advice on buying my first chain saw, cutting down a tree and dragging it out of the forest, Billy was the man. After sharing my dream with him, he said, “Come on, I want to show you a place.” When we came to best view on his property, we just stood there side-by-side taking in the beautiful view. He turned to me and said, “If I was going to build a little log cabin, it would be right here. If you want, you’re more than welcome to build your cabin here.” That’s the kind of best friend I am blessed to have now in Echo Bay. Tears of thankfulness always fill my eyes when I think of that day.

So please, meet my community and the land I call home…