October / November 2024

The distraction……

I present this blog post as, like I’ve already pointed out, as a “distraction”…. Perhaps a few minutes to take one’s mind off upcoming events and to have some focus on more enjoyable past-times…..like fishing!

I first have to confess that I have no direct involvement with the fish being showcased on this particular blog. My boats (other than one) have been put to bed, and cabins closed down for the season. Joe P. on the other hand is enjoying some time on his island (Boathouse) with friends chasing down late season muskies…

Thanks to Joe for providing the photos….looks like a good time was had by all!

So what about events at the lodge?

Besides the usual closing up fandango, it seemed like a good time to remove a few of the older, somewhat leaning in the wrong direction, trees. This jack-pine turned out to be over a 120 years old, meaning it was a mere teenager when the Halifax explosion occurred. (stick with me, this is called the VBL “weave”)….

That’s right. Back in 1917 a munitions ship blew up in the Halifax harbor, with the resulting blast and subsequent tsunami leaving 2,000 people dead and another 9,000 injured. Of those injured over 1000 were blinded. One of the many sad results that occurred during WW1.

In Canada, November 11 is Remembrance Day ….a day to remember those who have served.

Now seems to be the perfect time to weave into WW2 and the cruise that Susanne and I just did after closing up the camp.

Like the old song which mentions “Cruising down the lazy river”, which in this case is the St. Lawrence. A one week trip from Quebec City along the east coast of Canada and ending up in Boston… Gord checking out where serious beverages are served.

Dining onboard was an event. Susanne seen here partaking in some fun times with the friendly crew members.

Meals were lavish and the kitchen state of the art. No expense was spared. Seen here, the chef preparing tasty cans of Campbells soup.

Well, actually it was the HMCS Sackville, the last remaining WW2 corvette which we toured in Halifax harbor. Remember the explosion? The weave continues…….

Not only did the graveyard we visited (doesn’t everyone do that on a cruise?) have the Halifax explosion victims but over 120 victims of the Titanic disaster are buried there.

When you’re on a cruise the phrase “going down with the ship” holds more meaning…

The unknown child was finally identified 95 years later by DNA testing.

More photo highlights of the trip….

When your trip is delayed because the flight from Thunder Bay to Quebec City is cancelled you do your best to fill in time. Here, some scenery from Sleeping Giant Provincial park on Lake Superior.

Balanced on a piece of steel over a hundred foot drop isn’t really my thing, but didn’t bother S.

Quebec City with Susanne and some cannons defending the town from the bloody English. In the end, it didn’t work……or did it?

Montmorency Falls by Quebec City is over twice the height of Niagara….or at least that’s what the guide told us.

It’s definitely aways up there…

….pro tip: take the cable car up and not the stairs.

So, back at the lodge…

….because educational slide shows of another persons trip only go so far…

Fall has fallen. All the leaves are gone now…..

…and so is the wood from the jack pine. Split, stacked and covered for a future winter.

So, now that you’ve been thoroughly distracted from life’s travails….contemplating being blinded by the Halifax explosion, or drowning in the icy waters of the North Atlantic……or perhaps sucking back a cocktail of a fancy cruise ship. Things could be worse! See you in 2025.

Just an afterthought…

I was so distracted after reading my post that I forgot to tie it all together with this reference. After the Halifax explosion help poured in from many neighboring towns and cities. The city of Boston was one of these, and just so happened to be the final stop on our cruise. Every year since then the city of Halifax sends a giant Christmas tree to the city of Boston, which graces the city center and is an expression of gratitude for their help. Seems like civility and cooperation isn’t dead…..perhaps something to think back on as we move forward. The weave, she is done!