Phase 1: Early years, during the time the kids were babies and toddlers
Originally, accessing our remote cabin in the wilderness of northwestern Ontario was a challenging adventure. It was challenging even before we had children. Once the children came along it became even more difficult especially during their baby and toddler years. Oh the stories I could tell.
The route from our home started out on pavement, turned to gravel and once you traversed 3 different sets of railway crossing it turn into a sandy road. A few kilometers down the sandy road you turned into a trail requiring a 4×4 vehicle and some skillful driving.
The trail was narrow from the trees and brush constantly trying to grow into the open area. It was hilly, and sandy in some areas, rocky in some areas, and muddy in other areas. There was a water crossing with a makeshift bridge I was always worried we would just slip off of and be stuck with water and mud up to the truck doors. Not a pleasant feeling when you have two little ones with you. Once you made it past all these obstacles you arrived at the first lake.
Now it was time to transfer all the supplies (and the babies/toddlers) to the boat. Oh yah, and the dog. We always seemed to have a dog that loved to tag along with us on these adventures out to the cabin.
Once everything and everyone was in the boat we traveled across the lake. Once on the other side we removed all the supplies from the boat and carried them over to “our” lake. However removing all the supplies and babies/toddlers from the boat was not an easy task as the landing area had a large, sloping and slippery rock to maneuver up. More than once someone or something would end up in the water. Ask Dan’s Uncle Norm, he remembers this rock fondly.
We then had to carry everything across the portage. The portage had sections of mud, slippery rocks, trees, tall grass and cat tails, and even some wild life to look out for. You can imagine how difficult this was when the children were babies and toddlers. Many stories and memories made over the years of falling in the mud, sliding off the rocks into the water, getting to the other side and a group of 4 people had borrowed our boat and motor and was out in the lake fishing and drinking.
Transfer all the supplies to another boat (if it is there and no one has stolen (the thief’s word “borrowed”) it). Cross “our” lake arriving at the dock. Unload the boat and move everything up the hill to the cabin. Finally arriving at our little piece of paradise.
For numerous years this was the only way into the cabin.