A Ride on the River

Whenever we have first time guests, one of the things we love to do is take them for a ride around the whole lake, often starting with a trip up the Madawaska. Here the weather co-operated as we took our friends Eric and Pascale for a late afternoon cruise up the river and into White's Lake.

Jack Pine

This Jack Pine towers above the other trees right across the channel from our cottage. It's a beautiful tree that creates a very distinctive skyline. You can see lots of good size trees to the right of it, but when I was little that whole area was a meadow and my sister and I used to go down to the dock after dinner to watch the deer feed there. It is amazing how little time it actually takes for a landscape to change.

On the Way to the Trestle

These are some of the rocks on the way to the first trestle. Carolyn liked the light and the compostion of the standing and fallen logs. The Park is in deep summer now, with lots of dark green in all the trees everywhere - but in a short time we should start to see color appearing as the nights are certainly starting to feel cooler. Carolyn and I start vacation this Friday and so my next posting won't be until after Labor Day. Look for lots of new pictures then!

Barron Canyon Canoe Trip - First Night

On Thursday afternoon, Carolyn and I left on the first leg of the Rigby, Kingsley et al Barron River Canoe Trip. We left Montreal and met up with Barb and Rick in Pembroke, Ontario where we set up our “campsite” at the Best Western Hotel. After a little trail mix in Barb and Rick's room, we set out to catch some fish for our dinner. We hauled in a very good catch at the Saffron Bistro.

The Trippers

Friday morning we met up with Heather and friends Erin and Melissa, who had canoe tripped for real (and over 27km of storm damaged portages) from Opeongo Lake in order to meet us at the top of the Barron River. After leaving a car at the bottom of the river and unloading our lunchbags, we 7 intrepid paddlers set off on our journey.

On Water

We set off in two canoes, Heather and friends in one; Barb, Rick, Carolyn and I in the other. We dined on lobster sandwiches floating through the canyon while a dragonfly hitched a free ride on Barb’s hat.

And on Land

There were a few portages along the way – here I carry the first portage, Heather and Rick set off on the second – and Carolyn carries the paddles and the grub in between taking many of the photos of this trip.

The Canyon

Sheer cliffs towered on either side as we paddled through the highest part of the canyon. Both lichen and tiny little fish that date from prehistoric times have survived here and the trees have found ways to cling precariously to bare rock faces.

The Journey Continues

After completing the river part of our trip, Rick and Heather loaded up the canoes and we all drove off to see the river from a new angle. We walked the Barron Canyon trail that took us up to the highest point and allowed us to view the river from a different perspective. After everyone had signed the visitor’s book at the end of the trail, Barb,Rick and Carolyn and I continued on to Grand Lake where we gazed at the exact same landscape that Tom Thompson painted in “The Jack Pine”. Finally we headed for home, stopping for an authentic Polish dinner of cabbage rolls, perogi and sausages at the Wilno Tavern outside of Barry’s Bay. If you want to see a slideshow of all the pictures from our trip, click here.

Cache Lake Leaseholders

The leaseholders association met in front of what’s left of the Rec Hall to discuss the many things that concern us as a group. There was a good turnout of members, several with good suggestions for the future of this Rec Hall site.

Family and Friends

More than anything, the cottage is a wonderful place to spend quality time with family and friends. We shared this weekend with my parents and their Austrian friends Heiner and Lisa.

Cache Lake Regatta

And of course Civic Holiday weekend means it’s time for the the annual Cache Lake Regatta. There is swimming in the morning and canoeing in the afternoon and the Guide’s Race during lunch. It was a warm and sunny day with just enough breeze to make managing the start lines for the canoeing interesting! Lots of leaseholders turned up to race, judge and/or cheer their family and friends across the finish line.

A Fun Filled Weekend...

Some heavy rainfall on Saturday afternoon didn't prevent our guests from swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking or slime collecting (you had to be there!) Heavy rain during the week brought the lake up at least six inches, but the water is still plenty warm.

Fish Galore!

The fish were really biting on this short fishing trip to White’s Rock in Tanamakoon Lake. A total of 7 bass were landed in addition to the several others who bit but got away. Here Mathew, Molly and Derek pose with some of their catch. All the fish were safely returned to the water after a brief Kodak moment since this family practices catch and release.

Lake Monster

This giant snapping turtle floated up from beneath a rock ledge while we were fishing at White’s Rock and spent the next 10 minutes floating back and forth in front of us while he checked us out. His shell measured at least 18 inches end to end and if you click to enlarge, you can see green moss all over his head and shell.

Including the Kitchen Sink

The Rigby’s spent their annual weekend at Silly Island which required four or five tents, a screened in dining room and even a kitchen sink (see upper right hand corner) for the approximately 10 kids and 5 adults who camped out this year. Despite a heavy rainfall, everyone appeared to be dry and having fun when we stopped in for a visit.

A Weekend With Jamie

This weekend Carolyn was in Texas to visit her mother and so I spent the weekend at the cottage with my best friend of over 30 years Jamie Armstrong. It has been a long time since we spent a weekend together, and we had a great time doing all the things we love to do together – clockwise from top left – boating, eating, observing nature, and sharing meals (and a few drinks) with friends.

After the Storm

Two weekends ago Carolyn and I drove home just ahead of the major storm system that knocked out power in large parts of Ontario and Quebec. The storm roared through the Park, causing lots of damage as it went. We were relatively lucky on the island. The Rigby’s lost this tree on their point and branches were down all over the island.

APRA Annual General Meeting

It was a full house at the Two Rivers East Beach Pavillion – the new location for meetings and events following the demise of the Rec Hall. John Winters, Park Superintendant, updated leaseholders on fees, motor restrictions etc. and thanked leaseholders who jumped in to help during and after last week’s storm. Following was a very comprehensive report from the APRA chairman. Cache Lake leaseholders should remember to attend their own annual meeting Saturday, Aug. 5 at 10:00 to hear important information.

Our 1st Anniversary

It’s been a full year since our wedding (and since this blog was started) and we celebrated at the cottage, taking an extra day off so we could fully enjoy our anniversary day. Here we are on the point where we were married, having an intimate dinner for two the night before our anniversary.

Whiskey Rapids Trail

We started our anniversary day with breakfast in bed and opening cards from thoughtful friends, relatives and of course from each other. Then we got up and went for a walk at Whisky Rapids next to the Oxtongue River, followed by a trip to the old museum for their annual art show where we ran into cousins Barb and Rick and their guests.

A Lazy Afternoon

We went home, had lunch and then a lazy afternoon soaking up some sun on the dock, reading our books and magazines and then finished up with a swim and pre-dinner cocktails.

A Night Out

We changed our clothes and boated over to Bartlett Lodge for a romantic 4 star dinner in a lovely setting. Our hostess Marilyn Smith sent out dessert with a sparkler and some complementary truffles to help us celebrate.

A Final Surprise

We arrived home a little after around 10 to find the door of our sleeping cabin had been boarded up by cousin Rick. We had a great laugh and then went up the hill to congratulate Rick on his anniversary prank.

Nighty Night

A few glasses of wine and lots of laughs later Rick accompanied us down the hill and let us into our cabin.

A Walk Through the Forest - Head Lake

Sunday was a dry and breezy day at the Lake, and that meant ideal conditions for a walk through the mile-long Head Lake Portage. The light breeze ensured a virtually bug free stroll.

Shallow Roots

Two trees toppled at the side of the trail and ripped up a sizeable chunk of earth in the process. My wife took this picture and she pointed out how truly incredible it is that trees can grow at all with such a shallow root system.

Wild Rose of Algonquin?

It’s not the “Wild Rose of Texas” but my wife and our friend Daphne both think it’s in the wild rose family. Whatever they are, there were masses of them along the Portage. I guess I’ve never walked the trail at this time of year because I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before. If you know what they are, drop me a line and I’ll post it here.

Received by email from Libby Otto: From the look of the leaves and the flower (was the plant very prickly?), I'd say it might be a blackberry - a member of the Rosacea (rose) family.

It was definitely prickly. Thanks Libby - if you're right then I'll be going for another walk in a few weeks and collecting some yummy berries!

Woody Woodpecker

You’ll have to click to enlarge this picture and then look carefully in the centre to see it – but we did come across this downy woodpecker at the side of the trail. Other “wildlife spottings” included some wolf scat and some moose tracks.

Head Lake

And here is the view at the end of the trail. Head Lake was quiet – we only saw one couple the whole time we were on the trail. It was a lovely quiet spot where three of us rested in the shade while our friend Daphne swam all the way to the point you see in the right hand side of the picture.

Canada Day Weekend

We loved all the activities on the island as our friends joined us for a three day weekend jam packed with activities. There was fishing, swimming, moose hunting, dancing, painting, boating, singing, exploring and falling in the lake just to name a few. We enjoyed every one of them!

Hitchin' a ride

Mom and Dad got the biggest workout of anyone on a visit to the Pionner Logging Exhibit.

I'm kicking, I'm kicking

Amy's first swim in the lake went without a hitch as she kicked her way out into the channel and back to the dock with Mommy providing a reassuring hand and lots of encouragement.

Cruisin'

A boat ride around the lake wraps up a full day of outdoor activities.

A makeover

And when you've run out of things to do outside - there are always lots of activities to do in the cottage. For instance you can give your auntie a whole new look!

First steps

Or you can impress everyone by practicing your first steps just before bedtime!

Loon Nest

We found it! (see loon picture below). This nest is about 6 feet from where I shot the loon pictures several weeks ago. We're not sure if we can see eggs, but Mama loon is definitely sitting on the nest. We surprised her early Sunday morning when we came down the hill, and later when we showed it to our cousins, Mama floated by and tried to lead us away. There are no baby loons, so maybe the eggs are still to be laid. In the meantime - if you're a Cache Lake person reading this - please slow down in our channel in case we're having babies!

Fish nest

This is the second year we've had a bass nest next to the dock. If you look in the lower left hand corner of this picture you'll see a circular area that looks sandy and lighter than the rest of the picture. I am told that the fish sweep the area clean with their tail fins, lay their eggs and then guard the area until the babies are born. If you click on this image to enlarge it you can actually see Mom and Dad in the centre of the nest.

Spider Nest

This spider's nest was alongside the Cansibay Lake Road. If you look carefully, you can see that it actually forms a ball shape. We'd never seen one quite like this before and so here it is.

Dock nest

While I'm on the subject of "nests" I couldn't resist this one. Our cousins Rick and Barb under their beautiful new pergola - built single-handedly by Richard in two days!

Cottage nest

And finally a cottage nest - one of our guest bedrooms at the cottage. You can't tell from this picture but it has a lovely view of the lake when you are lying in bed.

Home for the weekend

Although we RARELY miss an opportunity to be at the cottage, every so often there's an occasion worth staying in the city for. This weekend, it was our turn to invite our former neighbors, current neighbors and forever friends to dinner in our backyard. Mother Nature was very co-operative and a we partied on until the wee hours of the morning.
More from the Park next weekend.

You can still make "smores" in the city

We may be in the heart of Montreal, but with a clay chiminea you can have a campfire in your very own backyard - and so smores can be made. These two kids were good enough to make smores for the whole gang!

What to do on a cold and gloomy weekend?

It was not the finest of weekends in the Park – the thermometer never rose above 45F and we never saw the sun. Bad weather doesn’t have to be a total bust though and below are my two favorite options for a “poor weather weekend”.

There are always chores!

And keeping moving and doing things keeps you warm. Plus there’s always that “glow” that comes with a sense of accomplishment. This weekend I got the bath house pump running, sanded and painted the refrigerator shelves and installed (not entirely successfully) the new automatic bilge pump for our boat. It turns out the pump is defective. Thank you Canadian Tire!

Or better yet…

You can always build a warm fire, put your feet up, turn on some music and read a good book!

Grandmother's Log

I went for a little ride through the Madawaska River to see if the lilies had started to show their pads. Not yet, but I couldn’t resist taking a quick snap of this log. My grandmother used to attach her minnow trap to this log, and on many evenings it was my job to paddle up the river and collect her fresh bait supply for the next day’s fishing. For a couple of years there were iris growing among the grasses on this log, but then my grandmother filched them and for years they bloomed in front of our cottage

In the River

Soon the lilies will fill in the sides of the river, but for now there is only the marsh and the trees. A wonderful juxtapositon with the very old dead tree trunks and the fresh green of the new grasses and leaves.

Sunset in the Back Bay

This gorgeous sunset is the view we often see through our kitchen windows in the evening. After a dull and rainy day, the skies cleared and graced us goodnight with this rosy display.

A sure sign of spring....

Is blackflies - and this year is the WORST year I remember EVER! There are masses of them and they're big and they're biting. Let the hot weather come and finish them all off!