#3002 "Trail into a Red Horse Sunset"

#3002 "Trail into a Red Horse Sunset"
36 X 12 inches, oils on canvas

Ten minutes after observing the inspiration for #3001 "Red Horse Snowy Trails", I encountered another series of tracks leading westward and up toward the edge of a high cliff. These tracks were also very old. Tracks lose their shape and actually spread outward with age. I suspect these were deer and turkey tracks as well. 

The afternoon sun was attempting to shine through the layer of altostratus cloud. Another winter weather system was on the way. That meant more snow and more tracks to observe. 

The cliff was actually where residents used to throw their garbage away - an "Out of Sight and Out of Mind Garbage Dump Site". 

Apparently, the Red Horse Lake Road Site is a historical landfill located in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands that was closed in 2023 following an inspection by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP). I do not ever recall it being open, but I had heard tales of people launching appliances and trash from the top of the cliff. 

In 2024–2025, the Township, with funding support, undertook studies regarding the potential reclamation or further capping/maintenance of the Red Horse Lake Road Waste Disposal Site (WDS). The cost to reclaim and cap the dump was $135K. MECP has placed orders on the Municipality to comply with the Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA). As a result, staff intend to include the required funds in the proposed 2026 Capital Budget to proceed with the required reclamation. See "Feasibility Study For Landfill Reclamation at the Historical Big Hill Road and Red Horse Lake Road Waste Disposal Sites.pdf" on the Web.

Even more important, I attempt to fix everything which is way better than recycling. As well, may I suggest a 2024 book, "Power Metal" by Canadian Vince Beiser. 

It describes the "race for resources" that will shape the future. It is an important read in the current consumerist, throw-away society, which is the polar opposite of a sustainable future. I quite enjoyed this eye-opening book that describes the challenges facing life on earth and how it relates to the climate crisis.

The above Google Earth image reveals my location on Red Horse Lake Road as well as the deep valley just west of the cliff. 

#3002 "Trail into a Red Horse Sunset" nearing completion on a cold winter day.

For this and much more art, click on Pixels or go straight to the Collections. Here is the new Wet Paint Collection. Thank you for reading, and stay well!

Warmest regards, and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick