Friday August 31: Lakefield Lock

We get the internet up here only by using libraries or open wireless (this doesn't happen very often) or by finding places that let you use their wireless network. After leaving Lovesick, we stopped at Burleigh Falls for breakfast. There is a small restaurant/gift shop across the bridge which runs over the falls. Nice walk and view besides a good breakfast and complimentary internet!

Burleigh Falls itself hasn't changed all that much. Grass is still all burned out due to the lack of rain. The old 'diner' place is no longer there but then it's been gone for a long time. It was a great place for lunch and there was always homemade pie for desert :-) A general store replaced it.

It was windy on Thursday but a nice day for a ride around Stony Lake. Usually we end up just passing through the western end but decided to take a ride to the upper eastern end. Past Northeys Bay where there is some history with my parents either knowing someone that had a cottage here or something. I'm not sure. I'm sure my brother Pat will know. Eel's Creek is also up this direction but we didn't go back in. Lots of places to ding a prop in there – as we well know :-) This tiny cottage on the way used to be occupied by an artist – his (her?) work was scattered around the yard area. Nothing here now so apparently the resident has moved on.

We intended to stay at our little island on Stoney but just as we made the turn to go in, a family in a canoe landed in “our” spot. Waited for a few hours and finally decided we would just go into Juniper Island and spend the night. What we didn't realize was that overnight mooring is no longer permitted here as the dock is now owned by the cottagers association. Oh well – better to ask forgiveness than permission we decided.

Apparently this is the last remaining steam boat station. Quite a history. 

It still looks just like it did in this picture from the early 1900's. The structure in this picture was moved sideways so the foundation could be rebuilt – nice to see that someone cares enough to keep this historical building.

The sunset was excellent – again – even though much of the day was overcast and windy.

We were up early Thursday morning – actually saw the sunrise again. I must see it more because it is coming up later and later each morning!

After trying unsuccessfully for breakfast at Viamede (the resort across the lake from Juniper Island), it was breakfast on the boat. Guess oatmeal for breakfast every once in a while is good for us! We ended up at Young's Point for Thursday night. Met a couple who had just finished the loop and were headed back to their home port of Midland. Several other trawlers went by – which we haven't seen in a while. All of the big boats seems to be staying home in this area.

It was a rather uneventful 6 mile trip to Lakefield. We have a few projects to complete while we have access to hardware, auto part and building supply stores. But that's for tomorrow. For tonight, we'll watch the blue moon (technically the 'sturgeon' moon according to a gal in Buckhorn) rise and enjoy the cool weather (from a high of 87 degrees today).