Rural Rootz Nature Reserve

10/11/2026

Thanksgiving Monday, October 12th, marks our closing day for this wonderful season of 2026! Because of young people in our lives who turned up to lend a hand, we were still able to welcome the world to our magical forest for yet another season.

At this beautiful time of year it is a reminder to go out in a blaze of glory just like our beloved trees. They teach us that letting go does not need to be feared. Leaves drop when their time is up. We close down with grateful hearts knowing there will be a precious few souls who will continue to visit throughout the rest of the year.

Like the trees, we will rest, reflect and dream a new season into being.

Healing Oasis at Rural Rootz # Msdee Cherrie

09/08/2026

Thank you for another wonderful high season. With Labour Day come and gone, Tom and I are most grateful for another incredible summer here at Rural Rootz. We have met the most amazing people from all over the world and been blessed with many helping hands throughout the season.

It is an honour to think the garden sanctuary we created in the middle of a magical forest is still providing us, and the many guests who find their way here, with such joy. It is fun to watch people who expect to find "just another garden," engage with the dragons, ring the train bell and puzzle out the Rune Rock Riddle!

We don't advertise for a reason. We want our hundred acres to be a secret garden to be discovered by like minded people. That is why our sign at the road says, "Happily Ever After Begins Here."

Braiding sweetgrass with love ... dee and tom

Send a message to learn more

08/08/2026

We have truly become an international destination as we have travellers from as far away as New Zealand, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland and many more countries. Some rented RVs in North America, some had theirs shipped from overseas.

Unlimited overnight stays with no camping fees at 9,700+ unique RV sites are available through Harvest Hosts. Terego is based out of Quebec has 1600 places to stay. We ourselves have ended up at wineries, fruit orchards and even a war museum. In exchange for staying, guests either make a donation, make a purchase or give us help.

Our favourite story is about “The Chainsaw Gang.” They are two couples who arrive at the start and the end of our season. The women go out on the trails first thing to find any places on our trails that need fine tuning. The men get breakfast ready and after everyone is finished their meal, the guys go out and clear the trails while the women clean up.

This is just one of many stories of people we have come to adopt into our tribe of like minded folks who understand why we have protected this land and want to make sure it remains open to the public for ever!! Best of all, we have made life long friends with some who have come to stay with us.

https://www.harvesthosts.com/
https://www.terego.ca/en

07/25/2026

To begin the process you write down a dozen or so words relating to your issue. Once you have the emotional feeling of these words you direct their energy into your dominant hand and release them onto the page. This is called the “Catharsis” or purging of emotions or tensions.

By allowing the body to release those emotions onto the page and then creating a neuron like depiction from them, you are calming the mind. This allows you to let go of conscious thoughts and be totally present in the moment.

Now you have a place to begin. From here I will guide you into softening those emotions which results in creating a black and white drawing resembling neurons. Then colour is added and a chaotic emotion filled drawing is transformed into a creative art piece.

If this is sounding interesting, I offer sessions in the Tea Nook! The cost is $35-/person and a max of 4 people. Braiding sweetgrass with love ... dee

Please contact me:

519-534-2522 or PM me through this page OR

[email protected]

07/18/2026

Tom has renovated our Tea Nook which is a bug free environment for me to do my tea Leaf Reading and Neurographic Art Therapy. When I am not using it, we are making it available for you!

After touring the gardens or walking our nature trails, relax in this lovely space. We have snacks and drinks on hand for you to "purchase by donation." We run Rural Rootz on trust!

Make a reservation or take a chance and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy bird watching from the comfort of the Tea Nook.

07/12/2026

We're back! Our unforeseen issues are back under control! Please come and visit and enjoy our natural air conditioning provided by our magical hundred acre forest.

07/11/2026

06/24/2026

We are not afraid to try new things. Tom was raised by a very forward thinking mother who insisted he and his sister learn to cook as teenagers. He doesn't limit himself to so called manly pursuits. Through 53 years of being together he has cut my hair and has even coloured and permed it. He is no stranger to a sewing machine. When we first met he made a camel haired cape to wear to his cousin’s wedding. He is truly an imagineer!

Years ago we took a young man under our wing and when it was time for him to go to university he chose to become a carpenter like Tom and I. Four years later his friends graduated carrying a huge debt load. Our young man had a trade and had no debts.

Another man returned here 18 years after his first visit to tell us we had changed his life. He went home and created a garden centre where the employees owned shares in the company.

By following our hearts we have created a life that allows us to become more like ourselves every day. We teach by example and being true to our own innate principals which we have accrued over years of being our authentic selves. The most negative comment we have received was from a woman who posted. “What’s the big deal? It’s only a couple!”

06/13/2026

Adapting to a new way of being takes courage. For me it is asking for help with projects around here that Tom and I are no longer able to complete by ourselves. Over the last several summers we have been blessed with young people who “get” this place and want us to keep doing what we are doing for as long as possible.

Our volunteers all began as strangers and over the years they have become life long friends. Margaret is our hiker who loves to work on the finer details of the garden. Frank is the photographer who makes us look good. Lynn and Scott are willing to lend a hand in any project we may have on the go. Chris brings his whole family including his two teenagers.

And then there are two retired couples whom we lovingly call “The Chainsaw Gang.” They come prepared to spend a couple of days here in their motor homes. The women walk the trails and find safety issues along the way and direct the men to clean up the problem.

But our most regular volunteer is Andy. He and his partner arrived here about this time last year and every Wednesday when he has spare time he has come to help even through the winter. It is because of him that my Tea Nook is ready for me to use!