In a matter of days, ‘we’ (spouse and me and our younger dog Obi, a male Corgi-Pug mix) will set out on a 700-mile journey to Maple Lake, Ontario, Canada.
As I’ve recounted before, I’ve been going to ‘the lake’ since I was about 7 months old. That is over a half-century. Much has changed. Though not crowded, there are many more cottages and homes on the lake. The road ‘in’ is no longer gravel, but asphalt. Most noticeable though is the loss of beloved friends and family members who were once fixtures, part of the the landscape of Maple Lake.
Back in the old days, when we’d needed to make a phone call (as in REALLY needed) we’d hike up the gravel road which then bore no name, to the home of Ted and Gerri Carr, wonderful neighbours, who lived at Maple Lake year-round. I remember Gerri offering us kids cookies when we visited and Ted showing off his small collection of farm animals. They are all gone now, though there is a surplus of telephones.
There is missing of course, my grandmother Alice, who I’ve mentioned many times and later, at age 101, the architect of our cottage compound, my grandfather, Frank. My dad’s best friend, who was my uncle as well, passed on far too early as did our long-time neighbour.
It’s true that there has been a great deal of loss, the most recent, the death of my mother who loved the lake as much as anyone could.
Still, there is a serenity, a peacefulness that you can only truly appreciate after your arrival. Generally, because I’m a night worker when not on vacation, we leave ‘late’ and arrive early. Dawn is usually just breaking by the time we get to Maple Lake and oh! what a beautiful sight it is! My tradition upon arrival is to first make a quick trip down the dozen or so rock steps that my grandfather put in with his own hands, to the lake to ‘say hello.’
The break of day is among the most satisfying times to experience Maple Lake. Usually, the water is a still as glass with everything above and around it reflected, amplifying their beauty as well as the beauty of the lake itself. It’s also very quiet, a perfect time to sit down for a few minutes and unwind from the trip. Each time I do this, I feel my heart expand with joy and I feel the contentment of being one with my surroundings.
You may recall seeing a shot of one of my sons, tubing on Maple Lake. It was the only summer that the motorboat that was purchased quite used by my parents functioned while we ere visiting. In the photo set I have today, the boat is dead/ dying. It’s almost sunset and we are waiting to see if we can go for a spin but a boat ride is not looking hopeful. Even so, the Maple Lake-with-family 1990′s-era photos are pretty.
Maple Lake – Jim & Chris (1995?) (Click on the thumbnail below for full size)
Maple Lake – Jim & Chris (1995?) (Click on the thumbnail below for full size)
14- day Extended Weather Outlook (West Guilford) Haliburton Highlands (Credit: Weather Network)
In re: the 14- day Extended Weather Outlook (West Guilford) Haliburton Highlands (above). The low temperatures remain above normal and the highs are about average. Such an interesting weather pattern for the Highands. At least there’s some precipitation!
Posted by: Isabelle Marozzo // October 16, 2012
Minden, Ontario // Shot: October 11, 2012
Maple Lake – Jim & Chris
Maple Lake – Jim & Chris (1995?) (Click on the thumbnail below for full size)
14- day Extended Weather Outlook (West Guilford) Haliburton Highlands (Credit: Weather Network)
Maple Lake Ontario, early 1970′s McCrackan family photo (My brother and me and some first cousins). I am petting our dog, Teddy.
On Maple Lake, Ontario, an oft-pictured angle. I came late to realizing our land is on the lip of a small cove. Now (that I see it) it is totally obvious, how the waves are fairly gentle and why we have a naturally sandy beach when most of the lake front does not. Supereasy to see, right? I blame being legally blind (and not having a motorboat) for my lack of awareness because clearly, as far back as this photo which is either 1972 or 73, and indeed since their inception in the early-mid 1940′s our cottages always resided near a cove on the North side of Maple Lake.
Location, location is right.
Same pic with bayview
Maple Lake Ontario, early 1970′s McCrackan family photo (My brother and me and some first cousins).
Same pic with bayview
I’m been going through family photos since April of last year and thought I was done but have come across another box that was only semi-sorted.
Arrived on Maple Lake the night of the full blue moon. Beautiful.
It was a long 675-mile drive and the Labour Day wait at the border was a bit long, too. Plus we ‘lose’ an hour going from Central to Eastern time so arrived at 4:30 a.m. Today was lovely but we got a late start so by the time dinner time was approaching we thought simpler would be better. It just so happened that some of the nicest weather of the day came near day’s end so we whipped up a fresh green salad with some chicken breast strips and sat ourselves right down at water’s edge to enjoy. It was really lovely–so peaceful.
just before sunset. I love this place. It is such a privilege to enjoy it whenever we can.
