Come join us to keep the mountain man's legacy alive in Osoyoos, BC, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Greetings from Canada, BC, in the beautiful Okanagan Valley! From the lake town of Osoyoos, our mountain estate is located 28 km up, at the summit, spanning 500 acres with an unobstructed, breathtaking valley view that lasts forever. It’s truly a paradise, combining luxury and simplicity in all of our unique buildings, including a cozy volunteer house. It’s a sanctuary of freedom, with hot days, cool nights, and a clear star-filled sky above.
  
  For the past 12 years, we’ve hosted volunteers from all over the world, creating wonderful experiences together. Even though I now live on the mountain without my beloved husband, Ulric—the “Mountain Man”—I want to continue hosting. I’d like to say hello and welcome everyone. Whether you’re old or young, happy or an out-of-the-box thinker like me, I’d love to meet you.
  
  I’m a 79-year-old widow, but I’m still vibrant and young at heart, enjoying my golden years. I love fashion, nature, writing, and cooking, and I’d love to spoil my guests with meals and kindness. My late husband and I were entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry and foster parents to high-risk teens for over 38 years. We loved traveling the world, something I still do every winter. When we retired 20 years ago, we started this greenhorn pioneer project, building a beautiful mountain estate from scratch, entirely off-grid.
  
  For us, hosting has always been about sharing, caring, and exploring together. It’s about pushing boundaries, gaining new skills, and stepping out of comfort zones to build confidence and strength. Ulric firmly believed in these values, and they remain at the heart of what we do here.
  
  Canada is a dream destination for many, offering untouched wilderness and splendid nature. Up here, this dream is real. But without purpose or commitment, opportunities can be missed.
  
  My manager, Russel, is a wonderful person and willing to teach new skills if needed. He needs help with a variety of tasks, including fixing, renovating, and light construction work. This year, we’re especially looking for someone with experience in stucco work, which could be a paid opportunity if you have a working holiday visa. Other tasks include weeding, cleaning up around the buildings, and general maintenance inside and out.
  
  Personally, I’d love to have someone patient help me become more confident with my laptop. I’d like assistance organizing photos of the property or typing my poetry. I’ve published 11 books on Amazon, and I love creating.
  
  We want everyone to enjoy their stay and create lasting memories. There are a few rules: no fights, no swearing, no drunkenness, no stealing, and no drugs—not even legalized marijuana. This is a peaceful place surrounded by the magic of nature, with trails for hiking, spots for relaxing, and opportunities to reflect on life and the future.
  
  I can pick you up from the bus station in Osoyoos or Rock Creek. Volunteers are welcome for short or long stays, but we ask for a minimum of two weeks. I provide all lunches and dinners from Monday to Friday, and we eat together as a family. On weekends and for breakfast, you’ll need to bring your own groceries and cook for yourself. Each person will have a private guest room. We usually work about five hours in the morning or afternoon.
  
  The mountain is open every year from May 15 to September 15. Please be reliable with your arrival times and dates, as we keep space reserved for you or others. My daughter will handle messages since she’s much better with computers, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly via WhatsApp at +1 250-088-233.
  
  With your help and love for the mountain, we’ll all continue to be part of the legacy my husband Ulric—the Mountain Man—created and dreamed of.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Over the years, I have traveled extensively, visiting much of Central and South America, Asia, and, of course, Europe before immigrating to Canada in 1979. Being self-employed, I’ve gained a wealth of personal life experiences—both successes and mistakes—which I enjoy sharing to inspire and benefit others.
  
  During our retirement, my late husband and I created something truly unique, which you’ll see here firsthand. It’s an “outside-the-box” concept and vision—a project that continues to evolve through never-ending work and an exciting learning curve for everyone involved. It stands as a testament to determination and creativity, a true beauty of effort and reality.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  This summer, 2025, we are looking for skilled individuals interested in a regular Workaway exchange who are also willing to do additional paid work. We are offering $200 per week, plus room and board, for an extra 4 hours of work per day.
  
  We need a few strong and capable hands to help wrap one of our buildings with stucco, as well as assist with carpentry. Our contractor has more work than he can handle on his own. Please note that this paid opportunity is only available to those with a valid work permit.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We have a large, fully equipped volunteer house that can accommodate multiple people, or private rooms in the main house with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountain Range and the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see.
  
  On weekends, you are free to explore the Okanagan Valley. We’re happy to offer volunteers a ride into town whenever we go.

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  What else ...

  "Felicitations and compliments for you, to finding our most unique mountaintop private lifestyle.
  The journey of life is a daily challenge, one day at the time we 100 % dream the dream, dare the dare and do the do". In memory of Ulric, The Mountain Man
  
  You are invited to live your dreams, ambitions and exploring new ideas, here in BC Canada with us, you will find answers.
  You can hike through quaint alpine meadows with forever mountain and valley views, away from it all, you have arrived
  You will be very surprised by the eclectic flair, cozy ambiance and decor of all we have created here, you will become part
  
  We are halfway between Osoyoos and Rock Creek, at an elevation of 1365 meters our 480 acre mountaintop nature reserve and beautiful family paradise
  
  Our alternate ECO straw bale design and construction concept and methods is a creative work in progress. To date many international working travelers, became part of our great vision. Off grid, with solar power only, recycled building components, every guest was fascinated about the cozy feel in our different buildings. The shared meals have allowed great conversations and friendships to develop. Do come and stay with us, as long you'd like, as well bring your friends.
  We will need many creative and willing hands to become part of our unusual project. As it stands, every day we all have learned something new, a never ending "Learning Curve" and have fun with "Murphy's Law" daily rules, challenges..
  
  
  Stunning photo documentations and memories are shared, you will love and appreciate the international flair and mix
  of our globe trotting traveling "addicts". 1 cute cat, 2 dogs will greet you.
  
  
  We love to hear and welcome you,
  Tessina (Ulric's Daughter) Ghitta (my mom and Ulric's beautiful wife) and In memory of Ulric, our Maintain Man

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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