Not to much going on today

Well not a heck of alot going on here. Can't believe it's the end of July and the rain just keeps on comeing. Doing some plumbing today glad to get that one done.
Hopefully will get some new pics this weekend.

Jeremy and boys on way home

Jeremy and the boys are home tonight after having a break in Gowganda. We kept busy all the time, eating, travelling around, fishing, swimming and eating. Did I mention eating.
Glad to see they had a good time. May even be back up in a couple of weeks too.
Stopped in to see the fish derby for awhile looked like they had a good turnout.

Another First

After several hours of fishing in the hot sun, the one that had the most to say and the least concerned about fishing hauls in a beauty walleye over 17 inches all by himself. His Dad had a little trouble netting but the fish finally fell to rest in the bottom of the boat. We had a hard time keeping him in the boat, that's Zach I'm talking about. After that he had no trouble concentrating on fishing.

Came off the lake and went swimming for a couple of hours. Yours truly had his annual, after this it is only in the lake by accident.

The Fishermen

Fishing today on Gowganda Lake. Lots of bass and a couple of small walleye, too small to keep. One of them Brenden's first.

Weekend Roundup

Saturday, we went to Cobalt's first Silverfest. It really seemed kind of disorganized and without much participation especially in the AM. We wandered around like lost souls even though we had a timetable of things to do from the paper. Most activities centered on the main street which didn't amount to much. The best part was that all the museums were open FREE. We went through two mining museums that I hadn't been in and the military bunker at the old train station. Both of the mining museums had some good video on old Cobalt and the methods of mining and extracting silver. A+ to the museums. When it started to rain in the late afternoon we took the road route visiting various mines and sites around the town. I have done this before and it is well worth the time to go around to the old minesites. If you ever go get the guide that goes with the trip, it's about $4.oo but gives alot more info than what is on the signs. We wandered back through Haileybury and New Liskeard along the shoreline. Jeremy had not seen any of this area before. Hopefully next years Silverfest will be a little more organized.

Today we ventured down around Sand Lake road checking out routes for Jeremy to travel with his motorcycle. We also checked out some good camping sites near Chrysler Lake on the Bay Lumber Road.

Tomorrow the boat is ready for fishing, weather permitting.

Company In

Jeremy and the boys arrived this afternoon, they will be staying until Wednesday. Zach was the only one interested in swimming, the water was cool and the lake was rough. He did get in and stay for a little while. While he was in Dad, Brenden (bundled in a big warm sweater) and Lauch and Ruth sat and watched him turn blue. It didn't take long before he was wrapped up in his towel.

Jeremy bought up 2 huge rigatonis (thanks Stacey) for us and Gert supplied us with chocolate cake, thanks Gert, I don't know how you got it away from Paul.

Had a nice visit with Emily this AM, she looks good but tired. I'm sure being home will make her feel much better.

In town

Did I ever tell you how much I hate town. Probably.

Got home early about 1:00PM. Spent some time on the canoe and got the new yoke installed and the bungees at each end to hold the linning rope. That's about it. I hate town.

Garden Flowers

Another nice day. This must be summer finally.

Out in the garden today checking out the flowers, had to go back and get the camera. Finally getting some nice blooms after the iris quit blooming.

Jeremy is coming up with the boys on Friday they will be staying until Wednesday. Get to do some fishing and the boys can get in lots of swimming.

Putting the yoke on the canoe, it should make it a lot easier to carry for the trip next month. Going to town tomorrow to get some grub and parts for various jobs. Hate town big time.

Back to Calcite Creek

Another great day, can't believe we have put so many together. Finally put the first of 6 new windows in the house. Went in like a charm. It's only been since May when I got them. Thanks for the help Paul.

As mentioned in yesterdays post here are the pictures of the falls at Calcite Creek.

Paddling on Calcite Creek

Perfect weather for a trip, low humidity, light breeze, some cloud just the right temperature for a canoe trip.

Paul Trudel and I started about 10:00 AM at Highway 560 at the mouth of Calcite Creek where it flows into Lost Lake. It didn't take long to get to the first little rapids which we paddled and pushed our way up and into Calcite Lake. This lake is surrounded with rock cliffs on both the east and west shore, some of the areas are vertical and rise about 40 feet or more above the water. Evidence of old mining is found along the way. After leaving the south end of the lake we started to run into small rapids which we lined the canoe up, altogether there were 4 sets. Finally we came to a set of rapids that were filled with blowdowns and logs that had floated in and blocked the passage, we made our way over this to find even more blockage in the way. This was the end of the trip for today, maybe another time we would get past this. It was all ready after 12:00PM so it was time to go back.

Of all the sets of rapids we run through 2 of them, these were the straight chutes with a clear and open center.

On the way back we stopped at a waterfall we could hear but not see from the lake, this turned into quite a find. The water came down the cliff from a couple of little lakes high on the top of the cliff and run down through cracks and crevasses toward the lake. In one spot the water went under a large shelf of rock which you could get right underneath. It appeared that the water and rock had scoured a large bowl shaped area below this. It will be good to go back and see it next spring when the flow is really heavy. Pictures tomorrow.

We finally got back about 2:00PM to the landing but not without seeing an osprey carrying a large fish flying around us, we suspect there was a nest nearby.

Back to Huntsville

Another great day, grass cutting, cleaning up the gardens. Lots of flowers coming on now. The iris have packed it in. Nice bunch of lilies on their way.

I think I mentioned the Tom Thomson bronze in Huntsville, it is right on the main street at the Municipal Building.

At Lesley Durling's Wedding

The weather couldn't have been better for the wedding. Everything was well done and seemed to go without a hitch. Great reception and food. Congratulations to Lesley and Bryan and to their parents Dana, Wayne, Ed and Judy. Thanks for the invite.

Wapus Creek

Finally this PM, I got out in the canoe. Looked like rain several times but not a drop. Usually when I drive to the Wapus even on a great blue sky day by the time I'm at the creek its cloudy, raining or drizzling.

Paddled for 2 hours up the river and turned around. Lots of pics today.

This is a great river for paddling on as you are out of the wind all the time, and on the way back there is a little current helping you home.

Pics of Blue Flag (iris), and a strange long bug, don't know who he is.

Huntsville

Talk about a busy town there are contractors going everywhere in the AM. Lots of work for the locals with all the big cottages around.

Had a great breakfast with Kate at the Westside Restaurant on Main Street. Great place and good food. After breakfast we took a hike on the Trans Canada Trail which runs right behind where she lives. Part of it is boardwalk and the rest runs along the edge of the lake, if you go east it runs right through town.

Berries are all ready on the serviceberry bushes.

Living in up in Huntsville

Good trip down today. Spent some time at the waterfront in North Bay. Over the past few years they have made it into a beautiful site. The walkway along the shore is full of people rollerblading, walking, jogging and pushing carriages. The flowers are a sight to be seen, I think that they are in the peak stage right now. There are just so many blooms.

The old Chief Commanda is now drydocked and used as a restaurant, the new one sits further out on the dock but doesn't look anything like the old steamers that plied the lake years ago.

Kate will be dropping in to the motel tonight after work and we will plan for breakfast together in the AM. Will be returning home tomorrow afternoon

Going to Huntsville

Going down to Huntsville to see Kate tomorrow, and then back up to North Bay for an appointment. Hope to get some pics along the way.

Today cleaning up the canoe, getting some maps ready and fixing an old lawnmower. Not much time for new pics

In Huntsville they have a great bronze of Tom Thompson hope to get a couple of him.

No pic tonight

Between weedwacking and changing oil and other odds and ends the day just disappeared. No new pics.

Late post

Late post tonight. Tomorrow will get out to take some new pics, I hope. Anyway here is a coneflower

Another busy day

Helping out the Whites, cutting grass at home. Not much new. A couple of pics from the archives.

Great Day today

Keeping busy helping at the Whites. Not a lot of time for new pics but I have lots of old stock.

Today a couple from the January I think. Horse logging is usually a thing of the past but at Long Point Lake in the dead of winter 4 men with horses worked all winter. They had 80 acres to log with their horses. I went out a couple of times to watch and take pics.

A Year has Past

Today, a year after Marg passed away we had a memorial picnic. We met at the Poplar Grove Cemetery in Elk Lake, the McPhees, Whites, Trudels, Barnstaples, Dana Durling and Kerri McKay. We remembered what a wonderful, kind and caring person that she was and we knew that God was looking after her. I miss her so, it's hard to believe that a year has gone by. I want to thank everyone for their support over the last year without it would have been very difficult.

Lots of flowers from gardens were showered on the marker, she loved to have flowers.

We left the cemetery and had lunch at the cenotaph in Elk Lake along the Montreal River.

Quiet AM busy painting PM

Working in garage again this AM. Afternoon over painting at the White's.


Bill and Jo Henry that left June 27th canoeing north to Matachewan from the Wapus and back to Gowganda by the east Montreal River returned today. They picked up their truck at 3:00pm and left a note that they had a great trip and will send details when they get back to Virginia. With all the rain, wind and lightning that we have had over the past 2 weeks I'd say they must be a pretty tough couple.


A couple of pics of the canola growing in our little clay belt near Englehart. Both these pics were taken from the exact same spot only with different lenses.

Catching up on some small engine work

Another wet AM with periods of sun. Very humid. Starting to think about winter again. Maybe time to get that other set of snowshoes finished.Here is a pic of my winter friend that I fed when out ice fishing. It's a gray jay but they call them meat birds up here.

Back to the flowers with a group of daisys, a rubekia with a friend.

Work day

Hot humid and going to be wet. Not much going on at all today.

Few old pictures of the Tyranite mine.

Another good day, I can't believe it.

Finally the guard swallows have disappeared. Walked out early this AM with the laundry and not one swallow brushed against the top of my head. No sign of any small ones so they must have taken off.

Mostly house work this AM while it was cool. Out in the garage the rest of the day catching up on small odds and ends that have been hanging around.

Over at Cathies for spagetti tonight really great, ate way too much.

A few odd pics today from last week, the minnow pond revisited, another part of the road to stumpy, and twinflower in bloom.

Grass cutting this AM

Cut the grass this AM quite early as it was all ready dry. Washed the ATV from the Sudbury trip.

Left about 2:00PM for a trip to Stumpy Lake south of town, haven't been there in about 3 years at least. Well the road sure is the same bog holes, rocks, rocks and more rocks. Just traveled slow because the weather was great and the bugs were holding back. Sure glad I just cleaned up the ATV.

On the way back I run into Dave Kronk, who was doing just the same as me, had his camera with him too.

Got some pics of some blueberries for Lauch, a pic of the lake, dam and a great falls about a kilometer north of the dam. Lots of water with all this rain. If you ever slipped on the rocks here you would be swept away pretty quick.

Town Day

As much as I dislike town it's the only place to stock up on supplies. The trip in and out takes about the same time as the shopping. When the weather is this nice it's a shame to have to go. Town rant over.

On the way to town the fields are all starting to turn yellow from the canola crops. When it is in full bloom the yellow is in striking contrast to everything else.

The swallows at the back of the house are still defending their territory with gusto. I think they hear the door open and come looking for me.

Returning to some pictures at Obushkong, the falls the trapper shack and some sheep laurel starting to bloom.

Beautiful weather

Well the gods are finally looking down at us, great weather, low humidity, not to hot, and no wind. Working for a couple of hours this AM, and then covered over the last of the firewood. Cleaned the sand out of the bottom of the wood stove so it doesn't absorb moisture over the summer. Will change the elbows and a couple of pipes before the cold weather comes and it will be good to go.

Got out to take a pics at the minnow pond. Didn't spend to long as the mosquitoes are a force to be reconded with. Going to town tomorrow for some supplies.

Fireman's Supper

Off to work this AM with Ron Durling. Putting in another window for Ruth. Looked like rain most of the day but didn't start to about 3:00PM. After this it just rained and rained harder.

Off to the Fireman's supper a fundraiser for the fire department, keeps the equipment up to date and for buying new equipment. Great supper put on by the Busy Bees, 136 people went away well satisfied, one of which over did again as usual. Needed wheelbarrow to get home.

Today some more pics from Obushkong.

Yesterday and Today

Teresa.Jake and Wayne were fishing on Obushkong on Sunday and found an eagle nest. I got the location and Carol and I decided to investigate yesterday. We borrowed Wayne's boat on Obushkong and after a trip down the lake we saw the white pine with the nest. No eagle, we went ashore to find out what was under the nest, a bird skull and the top plate of a small pike's head still very fresh. There was obviously not to much in the way of feeding litter or feathers below the nest. Back on the lake we entered a small bay which almost went behind the nest and sure enough Carol spots the eagle taking off, it flew around to the other side of the nest tree and landed again. We went back out on the lake again and it came over and landed on the tree near the nest and took off. I managed a couple of pics but it was rough out on the lake and we were bouncing all over the place. After that it soared in circles vertically almost out of sight. That was end of the eagle sighting for the rest of the day. Will try to get back at a later date to see if I can get some better pictures.

We travelled down the lake to the trapper's shack where we got out and streched and took some more pics. (The beer bottles on the sink are not ours). On the way back we stopped and talked to Wayne who was guiding some people they had a few fish and were bouncing around in the waves as we were.

This AM was spent making cookies for the Fireman's Supper on Wed. and cleaning up after the weekend. Generally not doing to much.