www.zazzle.ca/saraheya*

My dad and I at Indian Point, Canada Day 2010

Many years ago, when I was in junior high probably (I don't quite remember), I was "commissioned" by my dad to do a bit of design work. We have a cabin at Indian Point on Turtle Lake, and have a really fun tradition of making sweat lodges on the beach. Our neighbours on both sides of us do it too, and it has become quite the thing to get "Steamed at Indian Point".

The whole process takes quite a few hours. First of all, the person who has decided to host the "cook" is deemed the "steam master" (nerdy, I know. But those of you who know me know that I embrace the nerdy!). The steam master is tasked with gathering up large rocks from the shore and starting the fire. At least 4-6 hours before the steam is to take place, the rocks are loaded into the fire to get them nice and hot. In the meantime, the frame of willows is brought out, or a new one is constructed. We cover it in tarps and secure the edges with more rocks.

Once the rocks are nice and hot, everyone gets on their bathing suits and makes sure they have a cold beer. It is usually dark by now. The steam master gets out a shovel and loads the rocks into an old hibachi and carefully places it in the middle of the sweat lodge. Everyone gathers inside, perched on logs, and the lodge is sealed up. The steam master ladles lake water onto the rocks and BAM! Let the steam begin!

We rub our skin with sand to exfoliate, drink our soon-to-be warm beers and talk about how hot we are! When we just can't take it anymore, we burst out of the lodge and right into the lake. There we enjoy a midnight swim and watch the Northern Lights before heading back in for round two. Sounds pretty spectacular, doesn't it? I'm disappointed I don't have any photos of it to show you! I promise I will take some the next chance I get!

So back to the design work! My dad wanted me to make up a t-shirt design for those of us that have had the fun of this unique experience. I drew up a concept right then and there. And then it sat, for over a decade. Until now! With my best friend Adobe Illustrator I've been able to recreate my teenage drawing as a digital file. Here it is!

So then I was tasked with turning it into a moderately priced t-shirt. Have any of you ever heard of zazzle.com? I had heard of it before but hadn't ever tried it out. I did a bit of research and it seems pretty cool! So I made my own zazzle store! Check it out at www.zazzle.ca/saraheya*! Right now it only has one item, but I will be adding to it soon!

And if you come visit us at Indian Point, you just might see the entire Leslie clan in matching t-shirts. :)