Back on the Big Lake

We are back up in Northern Ontario once again.  This pilgrimage started many years ago when our daughter Margot came up here to work one summer at Camp Wabun a wilderness tripping camp.  We came at the end of camp to see the paddle in, we came at the beginning of camp to help get things started and we came up when our nephew came to camp and our good friends son came then after 10 or so years we didn’t come because she wasn’t here anymore.  Five years ago our grandson decided to attend Wabun and once again we packed our bags and rented a truck to tow our boat and away we went.  Two years ago our grand daughter joined the Wabun family and is hooked.  She said she would never be a camper stern and yet this morning, by sheer happenstance, her mother and I crossed paths with her section and there she was, a camper stern looking as strong and confident as her aunt did twenty years ago.

Walking the Trails

Last year we discovered a wonderful set of trails on Temagami Island.  I could hardly wait to get out there with the dogs and John or Katie.  We brought the sport collars so we could let the dogs run free and run they did.  The first day we worked hard on the training and now we can walk beautifully together.  They stop and wait for us if they get too far ahead, they come immediately to the whistle and are genuinely happy to be out there exploring and I don’t have to yell or call them.  It’s great.   The trail is almost 5K but it is tough going.  Very rocky and hilly and quite narrow in places.  Sometimes you get smacked in the face by the branches and very often you have to climb over a fallen tree.  We are hot and sweaty at the end and very ready for a swim.  It makes a 10 mile walk on flat ground seem easy.  So happy to have found these trails here.

Happy dogs happy place.

R & R

We pack all of our food to bring with us as there are no stores nearby.  We plan out meals, always planning for extras as you never know who might show up and need to be fed.  One year a family arrived not knowing they needed food and we had lots to share.  So we plan accordingly.  That family is bringing us supper to repay the debt.  They have since become good friends.  I loaded up on vegetables this year making the supreme sacrifice of going to Costco to get large quantities.  Nothing better than a lovely steak on the grill and a plate full of lovely roasted vegetables.  We work hard on breakfast ideas as we have time to cook and to really enjoy the food.  Normally I drink herbal tea in the morning but here I thoroughly enjoy a decaf coffee sitting on the dock watching the sun come up.  It tastes better here.  My daughter and sister invented a baked French toast for a crowd so I took that idea and gave it a cinnamon twist with croissants.  Soaked them overnight in the egg and cinnamon mixture and then baked for 25 minutes at 325.  Easy and delicious as a special treat.

We read lots of books, lie in the sun and listen to the loons and the boat traffic.  In the evenings we have wine and watch the sunset.  The world slows down for a week and despite having WiFi available it’s only over by the ice cream shed so you have to make an effort to go there so we don’t.

We cant wait to hear the stories from the grands various trips.  They avoided the fires and took long trips to new places.  Jack was on a 42 day trip from Thunder Bay to James Bay.  We haven’t heard a word from him.  Libby had 3 longish trips which are more demanding the longer they get.  By the way, we can smell the smoke from the fires if the wind blows from one direction.  We are safe as the nearest one is 60K away.

Bean says Have a Great Week