We packed our bags, then packed the truck recently and drove to Portland, Ontario Canada. We spent a week on the lake. Our rental cottage was tucked back in a quiet cove and it was quiet. We had it all to ourselves, unless you count the raccoon, squirrels, chipmunk and mink that were too friendly and ran around the lot. And the turtles in the water. I was happy to see and hear the loons. All week the lake was quiet and we enjoyed swimming, boating and fishing. We slept in almost every morning. Even John, who in the past has always gotten up early to go fishing. He still fished in the morning but not as early. We stayed up later than normal every night chatting and it was those late nights that led to lazy mornings. That’s what vacation time is about. Doing what you want and when you want to. No schedule.
We swam near the dock and the kids spent hours in the water swimming with their mask and snorkels on. The water in the Big Rideau is very clean thus clear. When wearing a mask, you could see the little schools of sunfish and some perch swimming near your feet. Sometimes we’d rub our feet on the sandy bottom and that would bring debris up from the bottom and the fish would come swimming looking for food. Everything in the water was viewed clearer with a mask on. The kids saw a box turtle and on our last day, a huge snapping turtle came out to swim. Elliott saw the snapper first and got right out and yelled to Olivia to exit. It was huge and they were glad it appeared on the last day as it drove them out of the water and they decided not to swim again.
Quite a snapper, don’t you think?
A little water excitement for sure!
Along with the cottage rental, we rented a pontoon boat. A pontoon is roomy and ensures that those who are fishing have room (although at times, it did get crowded). I don’t fish. I like to fish but the competition on the boat was tough. So I decided to take photos and when needed, I would take over the captains’ chair when John was called to assist with a catch (netting, unhooking, or holding a fish for a picture). The fishing is great! Northern Pike. Perch. Sunfish and Crappies. Bass – small and large-mouth (kids now call large-mouth bass, bucket bass. I think they picked that up from the guy at the bait shop we visited numerous times, eh?) In preparation for vacation, Olivia wrote a contract months ago, each of us signed it and a jar was placed in the kitchen to collect change. All change collected became the reward for the largest fish caught and recorded. Olivia was the recorder and she rushed to measure each catch. Each fish had to be recorded which lead to her scrambling to find the tape measure and get to the fish. Often times, she obstructed my view and picture taking. All in all, each fishing excursion was wonderful and rewarding. Sometimes the water and wind made it challenging to keep the boat near shore but we persevered. After all, they were on a mission to catch the largest fish! Olivia caught a huge bucket bass (17.5”) and Elliott caught a nice northern pike (21”).
One night while out fishing, we watched an osprey fly down and snatch up a large fish and fly over our boat. If I had been quicker, I could have video-taped it but I did not want to take my eyes off her. She almost lost the fish too but she managed to catch the flapping fish in her talons. Amazing nature and beautiful wildlife.
Since this was our fourth trip to Portland and the lake, we felt comfortable in the area but this years’ cottage was in the opposite direction we have stayed in the past. We also wanted to find Lost Lake and Colonel By Island. Lost Lake is a wildlife preserve located between two islands. We found Colonel By Island one afternoon and walked around. The house has been boarded up for a long time and the tennis courts, although still usable, needs repair. It is a shame, as I’m sure the house in its day was a grand home, after all, various stars visited the home.
We walked to a small, empty beach and swam for a while.
Still wanting to cruise through the preserve, we went back the next day. We located one entrance but determined it too small for the pontoon. John did not want to locate the other entrance so we thought we would hike the 2-mile trail on the island. Our goal was to make it to the look-out tower. It was a hot day and the horse flies were swarming around all of our heads. The kids and I ended up hiking with our beach towels wrapped around our heads. What a miserable way to hike. We did not make it to the tower. The trail was very twisted (what happened to a straight hike from point A to point B?) and overgrown; however, we did spook up a turkey hen and her brood. We ended up turning around and went back to the beach to swim and cool off.
Other than sleeping in, boating, fishing, swimming and enjoying family time, we went to Westport. We spent time walking around, browsing shops we had not gone into in the past and eating. Here the kids tried out an Adirondack chair. What do you think?
Big Blue Adirondack Chair
We stopped for some ice cream and ate that while walking along the lake. On our way to the fudge shop, the real reason the trip was made, we stopped in a bakery and bought some pretzel rolls, a slice of walnut tart, and water. John also went into a fish store and came out munching on smoked fish and both kids sampled this. Next stop, the fudge shop. Olivia and Elliott bought 1.5 pounds of fudge (it was a deal, buy 1 pound, get ½ pound free). Happy that they bought their fudge, we headed back to camp. A quick stop at another bait shop, some tackle and bait purchases made, we arrived and swam the afternoon away.
We kenneled Ruddie while we vacationed and had to take him the day before we left for Canada. We all realized how special Ruddie is to us as we were lost without him at home. His buddy, Elliott had a rough night without him. Returning home was difficult as well. We arrived Saturday evening and had to wait until 5:00 p.m. Sunday before we could pick him up. The kennel experience was good for Ruddie although he was out of sorts when we picked him up. We don’t think he enjoyed his “vacation” as much as we did. Once home, he settled right back into life at home and boy did he get spoiled. When we were outside with him after arriving home, Elliott summed up our thoughts when he said, “Now we are complete.” I couldn't have said it better.
Another great family vacation behind us. We made some wonderful memories! Olivia and I will be scrapbooking soon so we can sit, view and reminisce about the wonderful, hot vacation in 2012.
Here is just a sampling of what we have to scrapbook with. Oh, and we all came back home with a healthy glow!
Yes, I did enjoy vacation!
A morning fishing trip.
We really are on the water - crystal clear water.
One of my favorite shots.
My man in his Jimmy Buffet shirt.
Our beauty!
Oh, yeah the prize money. John told them to split it because a Northern Pike will be longer and a bass will weigh more. You have to compare apples to apples, after all to be fair!
No comments:
Post a Comment