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2 Apr 2026
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Details
Description
We live in a straw-bale construction house, and our business occupies a smaller, matching building. Chris is one of Canada's most respected photographers of the wilderness and natural world, being a proponent and supporter of the region through his photographic work for more than 40 years. More about our work can be found on our website.
Our home is in the Cariboo region of BC; sometimes known as the Cariboo Chilcotin. The Chilcotin is a region of vast wilderness in BC, the western part of the plateau that also holds the Cariboo.
The Cariboo is known for our ranches, lakes, crystal skies, and friendly people. We are a rural and agricultural region, in addition to being a visitor destination for those wishing to experience the beautiful natural world that defines BC. Our home is situated just 1&1/2 km from the main highway that runs north through the centre of the province; just 5 minutes from the small town of 100 Mile House.
To compliment our straw-bale constructed buildings, our landscape is a natural one, with large food gardens and many trees. We live adjacent to a wetlands filled with birds and wildlife visits are a regular occurrence.
We are an LGBTQ+ household, with our daughter and her partner sometimes living on the property on their own tiny home. As settlement Canadians, we make our home in the traditional territory of Secwepemc Nation and respect its traditions.
We invite visitors from all over the world to see our gallery; to take photography workshops, and to understand the land we live on. Visitors who come to participate in working on our property can take advantage of adventure travel opportunities and meeting interesting people doing interesting things.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Gardening
Photography
Writing
Art & design
Books
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Events & social
Culture
Fashion or beauty
Pets
Sustainability
Charity work
Camping
Nature
Dancing
Mountain
Winter sports
Hiking
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Cariboo Chilcotin is the central section of British Columbia. The region is vast wilderness, with very little population, and a strong historical presence of First Nations, European contact and Gold Rush history. There are few places in the world where visitors can experience remote wild areas, clean water and air, dark skies, and a chance to travel independently into the wilderness areas alone or with a professional operator. We are also the authentic home of grassland ranching, with cowboys working the range as they have done for generations. This is the Canada about which stories are told, in real life. Living in our home will give visitors a chance to experience first-hand what it means to know this land and meet the people who truly live on the land; respecting and protecting it as their life's work.
Help
We welcome work-away visitors who love gardening, some heavier work such aslandscaping. The work is varied and usual project-driven depending on available help. We are open to discussing in detail what would fit with prospective workers.
We have a naturalized landscape which is always in need of invasive removal (weeding) and developing such as planting and pruning; and improving paths and beds.
Our food gardens can be quite big; we grow a variety of vegetables each year; and our perennial food garden is being developed, such as asparagus beds, strawberry patch, sun chokes, berry bushes.
Storing firewood must happen each year in preparation for winter as it is our primary heat sources. This includes stacking away under shelter.
For winter visitors there is snow removal; and managing our fire to keep the house warm and the oven heated for cooking.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have two buildings, both of which can be used by visitors, which are our house and our gallery and office building. The ideal visitor is comfortable living as part of the family, staying in guest rooms; participating in meals, and daily chores as needed. Our home is situated among surrounding ranch lands, and with a wetlands across the road that is a bird sanctuary. With house, gallery/office building, and outdoor spaces, our home is cozy and welcoming. We have 2 guest rooms for one or two people, with a shared bath. We welcome children, and well-mannered dogs are also welcome.
What else ...
Visitors will have much more scope to explore if they have their own vehicle and can travel independently; but can still enjoy the region if that is not the case. There are lakes and places to camp and explore both within easy distance, and further away. The region contains, for example, the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit; longer mountain trips by flight or horse-pack can be experienced in the Chilcotin; hikes in the grasslands and nearby parks; there are canoe trips and camping trips with this region as the jumping-off point. The local community is friendly and welcoming; local activities are usually small, circles of friends and families taking part.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We can provide a dedicated space for privacy and convenience as needed. Our internet is currently in upgrade to fibre optics so will be high-speed.
Space for parking camper vans
Large trailers or 5th-wheel may have trouble navigating our pull in/out. Other than that size is not an object. We have no hook-up capacity but there is a sani-station nearby in !00 Mile House and the amenities of the house are available to travellers in their own vehicle.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets must be well behaved and not aggressive towards our dog(s) or wildlife.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Casie
Casie is a rescue from an abusive situation and has of this date ( March 2026) been with us for 5 months and is making good progress with her trauma response. She is still shy and reactive but also loving and wonderfully responsive to people--once she gets used to them and isn't a stranger. She is a Border Collie approx 3 years old and very, very, smart.
