Ashleigh
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ashleigh is someone who leads with her heart. Her chosen last name, Meraki, means "to do something with soul, creativity or love; to put something of yourself into your work," and she strives to do that in all aspects of her life. An avid hiker, Ashleigh has completed most of the 300+ miles of the Superior Hiking Trail that stretches from the Canada/US border all the way to Duluth. Once able, she is looking forward to heading back to complete the last few miles. A second dream is to follow in the footsteps of a group of local writers, The Laughing Foxes, and pen her first book.
If you couldn’t tell, Ashleigh’s favourite part of life in the north is how many outdoor activities are available so close to home. “One of my favourite things to do is bring friends along with me on outdoor adventures. Showing people new hiking trails (the James Duncan and the Casque Isles trails are my most recent favourites), enjoying the silence on a moonlit snowshoe trek, or leading a group up to the top of the Giant at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park makes me feel like a kid again.” She also loves that there are so many local groups to join which bring together people who like to partake in similar activities, such as Upriver Running.
Her favourite place to be in Thunder Bay is Centennial Park. Visiting numerous times a week, regardless of the season, she loves taking friends, her kids, or Henry (her basset hound) for long walks. Another favourite not far from home is Neys Provincial Park where she has spent a lot of wonderful summers, making memories.
Ashleigh loves getting to know members of the community and hearing their stories, to much the frustration of her daughter (these conversations can last awhile). “Sometimes the simple act of listening can be a powerful way to change someone's day for the better.” She also volunteers with the Precious Bundles organization that collects and delivers clothing to families with young children in our community, providing any support she can.
While Ashleigh misses being close and hugging her friends, or spending a relaxing day in a coffeeshop, she has come to appreciate the time at home with her kids over the last year. “One of my goals going forward is to hold onto a part of this quiet in the future even when the world around me gets busy again.”
Two items that Ashleigh would never want to live without - coffee and a notebook. Along with the ritual of making the first cup of the day, she always finds herself writing down her thoughts and ideas so much so she feels like she is missing something if she leaves a notebook at home. Even when packing for a trip and her bag is full to the rim, she needs to make sure she finds a spot for her pen - “That's the true test of necessity for me.”