I'm looking for a mature, independent woman or couple to stay in my century-plus house in a little mountain town in the Monashee Range of British Columbia. There's ready access to country walks, mountain trails and back lanes and roads from the kitchen door. It's a few minutes walk in the other direction to downtown.
Your main focus would be Gypsy, my eight-year-old blue heeler/ shepherd cross She's gentle, obedient, companionable, and with lots of energy. Previous housesitters have loved her, and she them.
She has a morning outing of about 15 minutes, and later in the day a longer off-leash walk on trails and back roads starting a block away from the house. Please only apply if you'd enjoy this - for me it's one of the pleasures of having a dog. She has a last cruise around the block late in the evening.
She'll adore you for any and all outdoor activities you'd like to share. And there are lots of them: check out Kootenay Columbia Trails Society on the web.
The rest of the day she mainly sleeps. At night there's a mat for her in my bedroom.
I'd like you to arrive on Octobber 28th or 29th for an introduction to the dog, the house, and the area. I'll be away until about December 10th.
A few houseplants will need weekly watering. And I'd like the house kept as clean as it will be when you arrive.
Rossland, British Columbia started life as a gold mining town 125 years ago, when my house was built by the owner of the first brewery. There are wonderful views - the first owner had his pick of locations. The mountain photo above was taken from the living room.
The house sits on a knoll that catches the sun; the yard is large and with big old pines, a walnut, and several maples. The house is bright, clean, and comfortable.
Rossland regularly makes the must-visit list of news travel sections and ski magazines, but it's a true small town. If you're seeking a mountain idyll with enough urban amenities to be comfortable, this is it.
The main street has cafes, art galleries, a bookstore, a fitness centre, a couple of day spas, a few specialty stores, and a large and well-stocked grocery store catering to urban tastes.
People are neighbourly and helpful. Limited daily public transportation is available to towns down through the valley and along the Columbia river.
The house has wifi and lots of books. Dishwasher, clothes washer and clothesline, shower but no bathtub, and no tv.
Rossland is built on the side of a mountain at altitude 3,000 feet / 1,000 meters. To enjoy this little mountain town, an energetic little dog, and the natural world all around us here, you should be reasonably fit.
Flying can take a bit of planning. Your choices are from Vancouver to Castlegar via Air Canada, or from Vancouver to Trail via Pacific Coastal Airlines. I usually fly out of Spokane via lots of airlines. I can help with travel planning and can pick you up at a local airport.
References please.