I would set you all free.

The Ranch is rich with heritage, but like everything in life it fades in time, and eventually disappears all together. People become attached to items that hold the weight of the memory of a heritage, or tradition. The Ranch's farming heritage is that of an orchard.  When the Fleur de Lys first moved here the landscape was covered in a variety of trees, but primarily apple.  As the farm moved from fruit to cattle the trees gave away to pasture.  However some of these trees, or the children of these trees, still exist on the property and are well visited by bears.

Charles Fleur de Lys overlooking his property with the orchard.

Heritage is also symbolized in material items. Eddy brought with him from Switzerland cow bells and a horse harness. As part of the farming tradition in Switzerland many of the tools used on the animals are richly embellished.  The bells that made their way here were quite plain in comparison to some of the bells worn in Switzerland.  The farmers on the Ranch quickly discovered the bells could not be worn as they would get pulled off in the bush.  The cows in Switzerland did not have to contend with such rough country.

One of the cow bells brought from Switzerland to the Ferme Fleur de Lys.

The Swiss alps

Eddy had told us that the harness set was inlaid with silver which was richly decorated.  When the day came that the tractors replaced the horses Eddy sold the harnesses to people that were logging with horses in Seymour Arm.  Eddy was happy that the days of working with horses were over and he much preferred the machines to the animals. At the time he was content to have the money that was exchanged but many years later he regretted selling the harnesses.  Articles of the past had started to hold more significance for him however the harnesses could never be retrieved.  The horses had been working throughout the winter in Seymour Arm and on one of the crossings over the lake the ice gave away and they all plunged to their deaths, the weight of the logs giving them no choice.

The horses on Ferme Fleur de Lys with the harness set from Switzerland.

One of the most beautiful symbols of the past are the dairy barns that the Wood's family built and owned and then sold to Charles Fleur de Lys.  These barns are a masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetics. Unfortunately they are slowly making their way back to the earth as the cost of maintaining them is prohibitive.  Such as the case with many of our historical landmarks.

The Wood's barns.

The Wood's Barn with the aging roof.

I would like to visit one day,
at your lake bed.
Where you rest in the softness of the silt.
Finally, after all your days of hard work,
your bones lay quiet.
Still enclosed in the heavy harnesses, silver inlaid,
with Edelweiss, chalets and the alps.
The weight of tradition holding you down in those watery depths.
I would set you all free.
Retired at last, able to float where you will.
No past, no future.
The days of heritage, custom over.
The joy of inheriting nothing but yourself.