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Host rating
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Last replied
28 Mar 2026
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Description
Hello fellow dreamers!
We are Caitlin and Rodrigo, living in a beautiful stone house built in 1847 in the small town of Portage-du-Fort, Quebec. Nestled on the river an hour north of Ottawa, our home is a place of thick walls, willow trees, and a rich, storied history. We share this space with Fee-U, our gentle rescued dog from Mexico, and our 3-month-old son, Mayu.
Mayu is the radiant heart of our home. After a brave stint in the NICU following his birth, he has emerged as a remarkably resilient soul—beautiful, expressive, and deeply joyful. His presence is a constant, steady reminder of what truly matters: the depth of our connections and the grace found in slowness. We’ve found that these values flourish best when shared; we believe in the power of a "village" to protect what is precious and to keep a home humming with energy. We are looking for community-minded travelers to step into our world and add their own spark to this shared rhythm.
We are currently in a season of transition, reorganizing our historic space to separate our personal living quarters from our creative workspaces, eventually opening a dedicated gathering space for future community programming. We invite you to share vegan meals, live in community, and help us tend to the life of this home and land. Your support will be focused on domestic tasks, providing us the extra hands that allow our family and our broader, heart-centered goals to thrive.
Whether it is engaging with our expressive little guy, tending to the garden, preparing shared vegan meals, or helping with the care of this old stone house, your presence helps sustain the space we need to grow together. Our vision is to cultivate an interdisciplinary environment for those interested in collective healing and cultural innovation. If you are drawn to nature immersion, art, and the simple joy of an incredible baby in a historic setting, we would love to welcome you into our home.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our space is a sanctuary for those seeking a quiet getaway from city living. Here, you will be surrounded by the raw beauty of the Canadian Shield while finding inspiration in a home defined by shared knowledge and creative spark. We offer a community-centered way of life where we strive to embody values of collaboration, interdependence, and conscious communication.
For international travelers, this is a unique immersion. While we are in Quebec, we are located in a predominantly English-speaking area, making it an ideal place to practice the language. Rodrigo is a fluent Spanish speaker, and Caitlin is an enthusiastic learner; if you are a Spanish speaker looking to bridge into English, you will find a very supportive and welcoming environment here.
This is an ideal opportunity for writers, artists, makers, and thinkers. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to focus on your own craft or a kitchen table where ideas are shared over vegan meals, we invite you to collaborate with us in this special season of our lives.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
No two days are quite the same in this old stone house. One day might find us painting an antique dresser a vibrant blue, while the next is spent with hands in the earth tending to the garden or clearing the lawn. Other days are simply about the grounding rhythm of maintaining a home: preparing nourishing vegan meals for the week or keeping our shared spaces tidy and bright.
Because we have a beautiful, expressive 3-month-old, being truly comfortable with and delighted by the presence of children—in all their complexity—is essential. As we navigate this new chapter of parenthood, we are looking for someone who sees childcare as a natural part of the "village" spirit.
At the heart of this experience, we are looking for adaptable, grounded individuals who are open and clear communicators. Since we are living in community and navigating the early months of life with a newborn, we value those who can move through a changing day with ease and share their thoughts or needs with kindness. Being able to communicate openly is vital to keeping our home a peaceful and supportive space for everyone.
We also value a spirit of collaboration; we love having someone who can brainstorm with us and get excited about the possibilities of this historic space as we problem-solve the unique challenges of a house this size. Every task you help with is strictly a domestic home project, directly supporting our family's well-being and allowing us the space to dream of what’s next.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
A Historic Stone Sanctuary: You will stay in our beautiful 1847 heritage home, nestled right on the banks of the Ottawa River in the scenic town of Portage-du-Fort.
The Third-Floor Retreat: Your stay is centered on the third floor of the house, which serves as a private, soulful haven. Your bedroom is very well-decorated and thoughtfully furnished with beautiful art and a dresser. From here, you can hear the river water flowing over the rocks in the distance.
A Space for Reflection: We are currently transforming the third-floor lounge into a dedicated area for quietude and creativity. It is becoming a meditative nook fitted with cushions and an array of instruments for you to enjoy. It is an ideal space for yoga, reading, or simply finding a moment of stillness. For your downtime, there is a TV for laptop casting, along with a large, eclectic collection of VHS tapes and DVDs to enjoy. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout.
Facilities: There is a bathroom with a full bath on each floor. While technically shared, since the third floor is primarily your home base, it will most likely be totally private.
Community & Nourishment: Beyond your private floor, there are plenty of common areas to enjoy. We believe in the ritual of shared vegan meals; we’ll cook and eat together as a community, sharing the bounty of our kitchen and the stories of our day.
What else ...
Our home is a gateway to the raw beauty of the Canadian Shield. On your days off, the rhythm of the river is yours to enjoy; the current near our house is gentle, making it perfect for a slow paddle or a refreshing dip on a summer afternoon. There are also several stunning waterfalls and hikes in the surrounding area that are well worth a visit.
We have plenty of quiet nooks on the property—under the willow trees or on our "swimming rock"—where you can lose yourself in a book or a sketchbook. While our evenings are often quiet right now as we settle into life with Mayu, we love the idea of gathering for board games, sharing new vegan recipes, or—as the seasons allow—reviving the tradition of music and conversation around a backyard bonfire.
Local Sights & Transport
Nature & Adventure: Beyond the river, there are local trails for hiking and forest bathing. The landscape here is rugged and inspiring, offering a true escape from city life.
Exploring Nearby: We are just an hour north of Ottawa, Canada’s capital, which is perfect for a day trip to explore national museums, galleries, and historic sites. The local Pontiac region is also a haven for those who love thrifting and antiquing.
Getting Around: Because we are in a rural area, having a driver’s license is highly recommended. While we are happy to coordinate pickups from Ottawa, we are also open to sharing our vehicle with you so you can explore the waterfalls and nearby towns independently during your time off. We also head into town for supplies regularly and are happy to have you join us for those outings.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who values the stillness of the countryside but enjoys the spark of a creative, heart-centered home. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to focus on your own craft or a kitchen table where ideas are shared over a fun game, we invite you to join us in this special season of our lives.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fiber optic internet, so our speeds are just as fast as you would find in a big city. Recently the area got access to more cell service as well.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
We are allergic to cats, and can accept some dogs, when the fit is right!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Fee-U
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Their house is absolutely beautiful - big, cozy, and right by a river. Honestly, it felt like a dream. There's lots of different… read more
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Their house is absolutely beautiful - big, cozy, and right by a river. Honestly, it felt like a dream. There's lots of different… read more
