It's been a sad decision

 I have come to the decision to give my canoe away to the neighbours who let me berth it in their bay for a number of years.  I'm at the point where I have to work up to canoe rides. A half hour is the max for the first time, then I should increase my time in it.  

This was my most amazing canoe ride on Otty Lake. A canoe ride marathon: 9 km! <= THAT was a trip. I'd worked up to that distance, but no more. It's not worth back pain for days.

There are so many happy memories canoodling. I was a bit verklempt as I thought about it. Beginning with my first canoe, bought second hand from a kiddie camp when I was 15. I taught my kids to canoe in it! Here they are, back in Bala. 

The grandies haven't wanted to canoe in a couple of years. Now, they have gone canoe camping all over southern Ontario and in Algonquin Park. My canoe is too tippy for me with the girls, anyway. I bought it from the previous house owners. My old one, in Bala, was just about tip-proof! 

I used to wheel it back and forth to its berth, spring and fall.

 These days, I cannot sit for long, my back hurts too much. I love the wildlife, turtles, frogs and water snakes.

You can hear the birds on the creek that leads into the lake.

Canoeing on Jebbs Creek from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

July, 2012 

 

Loon on Otty Lake, Lanark County from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Long Lake

I remember gunnel bobbing, and twice in one day fell and hit my nose. Aye, youth! Long Lake is 2 km long, and I would do the full circle by August.

   

My most epic canoe ride was on a Monday morning, on a rock, sunning itself... It was happy the tourists had gone home.

 

2008

   

This bay was my favourite part of Long Lake. We could see the rocks from the cottage, and the meltwater shone in the sun in spring.

 

Jesse on his way for a canoodle.

Josee waiting for her ride!

A fall trip on the lake.

Life on the lake has changed. The motor boats and jetskis have changed the lake. People chasing loons, and each other. The power and the speed of boats, especially on these small lakes, has changed lake culture. 

We're doing pretty well today. I'm feeling human. I had three meals yesterday. A miracle. We may do Gramma Camp next week. JB isn't too bad. Still cannot use his one arm, has a few hot flashes from his Lupron, and his sore neck, but we're managing! Thank you for hanging in there with me. 

We are Windsor fine, upright and breathing! (A story for another day!)