Rhain and Wade out Chicken Hunting

It's fall and time for partridge hunting. Rhian was happy to bring home chicken for supper.

Harriet is headed to Sudbury

My daughter, Harriet, home for the summer, packs in a big pile of adventures. She works on set design for French TV shows during the winter and then returns to the north for the summer. She works as a freelance photographer while here. She has designed a career that fits her life style.

Time to put the bike away and head off to Sudbury

I'll miss you, girl

Sasquatch sighting at Telescope-Embryo portage

That’s right. If you reference the photo of Telescope cabin’s chalkboard, you’ll see the group noting a sasquatch sighting. Upon further investigation, we heard this story: “We were on the portage from Telescope Lake to Embryo. I was up on a hill, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the other guys to get back, and there I saw it…in the distance, some creature was walking upright, on its back legs. I am prrretty sure it was a sasquatch, but it may also have been a partridge. I am not totally sure because it was a bit far away. However, by the time we get back to Illinois, it will be ten feet tall.” Here are some links for anyone curious about sasquatch sightings in Ontario:
Ontario Sightings Map
Ontario Sasquatch Research

Northern Affairs

Here is a cartoon from Patrick McWade's book titled "Northern Affairs" that he published in the late 80s or early 90s. He was our neighbour in Red Lake!

End of Season for Viking Island

Dear Friends,
I am at camp alone; tidying up, hanging out laundry, going through cook books and gathering some fire wood to keep warm. The wind won't let up and there is a definite chill in the air. The end of this season is here. Time to reflect.

During the summer, it is go go go. Now is the time, I remember why I am here and how lucky I am. Florence and Arthur built this place with care and a passion for Douglas Lake and the wilderness surrounding us. I just like it here. I like the people who come here, I like the cooking and chores, I like the quiet.

I'm happy with this year's projects. Our beautiful log cabins have been redone and are ready for guests next spring. I cleaned away junk, junk, junk, all stuff I had saved for some reason.... Hugh rebuilt one dock and replaced the other. I already have plans for 2011.

A cheer for 2010

Oh, YES, I had a great summer.

thanks to everyone who fished, helped out, and visited me here

Three Room Cabin: Back By Popular Demand

Well, it too has gotten a facelift. Some levelling, new windows, and a new outside stain. New curtains and blankets are planned for the spring. The place is looking great! Thanks to Mike and Ed Martin and Tom Robertson for putting in long hours sprucing the place up! We are taking bookings for groups of 2-4 for next summer! Get the experience of a real log cabin! You are four feet from the water, the place is cozy, and the cabin heats up nicely with almost no wood!

Back in the days my friends, we thought they'd never end

a cosy log cabin

with a boat parked out front

was all a man could ask for

Patrick is headed back to school!

Many of you probably met Patrick Beatty this summer at Viking Island. He was our righthand man on the dock, maintaining the boats and motors and portages, mowing the lawns, painting cabins, chopping firewood, and every other task of a VI maintenance man. He was an absolute necessity around the island, as well as great fun to be around.

He is now back in Lindsay, Ontario, doing his second year of college, studying Fish & Wildlife. His flight home was the first ride of a two way ticket - his return flight is to get back to Red Lake next Spring.

We'll see you then, Patrick!

Good luck at school!

Moose seen relaxing on a Douglas Lake beach!

Yes, that’s correct. We thought beach season was over, but apparently it isn't for moose. Hugh, Harriet, and Mike Marten were flying over Douglas Lake, and Hugh spotted a moose sitting on a sandbeach. The moose didn’t seem at all bothered by the Cessna 185, but once we zipped over there in the boat, he wanted nothing to do with us. For a larger version of the picture, click on the picture.

Rhian comes to Camp

Life is good when your 2 year old granddaughter loves to come to camp!

She told us, "I just loves airplanes!"

Red Lake Fall Classic

Roseanne took this picture from her deck this morning as the boats headed out in the fog for the annual Red Lake Fall Classic Catch and Ralease Walleye Tournament. They had to wait for the fog to lift before they could creep out – 140 boats.