Canada Part V: Well oiled Canucks, eh?

Well, this trip to Fiart Island ended up being a work study program of sorts for this group.  We studied the walleye pretty hard each day, but it was the work and effort put in by this rag-tag team of honorary Canucks that was so impressive to me.  I mean really...look at us... it's not like the median age of this clan is 27, yet we worked like it. (we napped like seasoned wood).

From left to right...Carol and Bruce, Carole and Rodney,
Greg and Chuck (not a couple...as far as we know),
and Miki and Wallie

Twice before, I have had the privilege of joining Greg and his normal "work" crew in June (of which Chuck, Bruce, and Rodney have been a part) as we put our efforts into other maintenance projects, such as the metal roof installation and cleaning up the landscaping around the cabin.   But to me, neither were as comprehensive and time consuming as this trip.  Greg asked, "We're going up to close the cabin down, wanna go?"  He didn't mention we'd be appearing on a cross between HGTV's Renovation Nation and American's Funniest Home Videos.  I knew there were a few cabinets in the back of Bruce's truck to install, but you should have been there...one thing lead to another, like one domino falling and striking another and then another.  During or at the end of one project, someone would say..."I have an idea."  It was like throwing gasoline on a candle.  When it was all said and done, Greg's list of things to do had grown to two pages and the satisfaction of crossing them off was almost orga... (sorry this is G-rated) such a sense of accomplishment for being on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere.  As impressive as the original tasks of the cabinets and flooring were, what amazed me were the little things that spun off as people saw things that could be improved, changed, or adapted, like lights, switches, and hooks in new places.  Rod holders, shelves, and a hiding place for the Hooters cards.  Moving lights, adding hinges for ease of use, and adding color where there was once rust.  It almost got out of control, so we had to fish.


Here is a photo-highlight reel of a few items checked off Greg's List.  

Before:  You were lucky to get 6 around
the table.  The overflow table is the round one.

After:  Look ma, no hands...8 people around one table.

The new recycled game hutch behind Chuck and Greg.

Before:  You'd have to be there to appreciate the small
space for chefs and counter top work area...
accidents were not usually fatal.

After:  Both fridges facing same direction, new home for
the booze, easy cleanup metal backing (looks similar to
metal roofing material doesn't it?), metal cabinet doors
painted, and everything cleaner than new...
thanks to Carol and Carole.

Repurposed cabinet added needed square footage of
work space and storage.  The bar area was a spinoff that
brought a touch of class to a bunch of boozers.  A wine rack,
in this locale... a stroke of genius or W.T.H.?  I vote genius.

The cosmetic changes in the kitchen sink cabinet are
truly a work of art.  Unless you've been there, words
cannot describe...plus a new coat of paint.  I was there,
and I am still in awe as I look at this picture.

I challenge you to find another cabin on Donald Lake
that has a pot holder like this one!  Rustic, yet sophisticated.
Another piece of finely crafted metalwork.  Looks like it
could be repurposed to be a cute round table if it ever out
lives its purpose as a pot holder (that is what it once was).

To make room for some new flooring, some of the old
had to go.  Greg demonstrates the proper use of knee
pads and chiseling something other than his physique.

"Now where did I put that chisel?  It was
here a minute ago."  So not professional.

After gluing the new flooring down, it was to be rolled
every two hours.  This is our roller we got at The Fiart
Rental Store.  Yes, that is Greg.  Yes, he has a rolling pin
between his hands.  Yes, he is on his toes, rolling the rolling
pin over the floor.  And yes, there is space between the
floor and his body.  He was voted most likely to be able to
do this task as seen here and still fish the next day!

Each day there was a Board Meeting for careful
consideration given to the tasks to be accomplished
that day (usually after lunch).  Goals were set and
acceptable standards were discussed.  Here, at the height
of some discussion, I believe one of the board members
wet themselves after passing gas...take your pick.

Rodney and Bruce ponder taking advantage of a rare
window of opportunity...arr arr!
(the kitchen window looking onto the screened in porch)

Miki actually enjoyed organizing the "tool shed."
The amazing thing to me, was that she didn't know
what half the stuff was she was organizing.

She pulled every little organizer drawer and
sorted what was there.  Nuts, bolts, screws,
mouse feces, you name it...it is in it's place now!

I thought I heard Chuck ask Greg where he
dropped his keys, but they were actually working
on lowering one of the old "cribs" while the
water was low.

I hope this helps in understanding that this trip, like so many, was not just about the fish.  I mean come on, the fishing is great at it's worst up here, eh?  (Can I get an eh men?)  More importantly, I saw people who enjoyed what they were doing whether work or play.  I mean to tell you (I am sorry I did not get photos of Carol and Carole cleaning) when "C" squared got to cleaning, it didn't matter if it was the side of the stove, metal roofing, or a wall of logs... they were crazy on a mission.  They inspired me to watch them even harder.  

My Zen from the work:  We played hard, worked hard, and slept hard every night.  The working together towards a common goal was inspiring everyday.  When working with others, if you do what your skill set allows, there should be no worry that your task is not accomplished .  When talents are all served at the same table, a feast is about to be had.

(What did he say?  I may need to blog about this, just to explain W.T.H. I am talking about!)

Canada Part IV: Now What?

So you spend 18 hours of drive time, not counting eating, gassing up, changing drivers, practicing your Canadian accent, and admiring the distance between towns in Canada...fly a little and get settled (in heaven), now what?  


We ate, fished, ate, napped, worked, fished, ate, (sometimes fished again) and slept.  I'll cover fished and worked, even my genius bloggerheads can figure out the ate, napped, and slept part...two of them are the same and one is just a long nap! (okay, I'm an idiot).


Being providers for our clan, we all headed out to fish shortly after setting foot on terra firma.  Priorities you know, gotta eat!  The fish of choice here is walleye.  There are lake trout (way down deep), northern pike, and a few elusive other kinds of fish .  The northerns are very boney (lots of small bones that are hard to get when filleting them) and it is to much work to go deep... besides, this group is a quick reward stimulus kind of group.  Each outing starts with some prep work, especially the first one because you have to rig your pole and decide on your bait du jour.  Will it be an artificial lure? I think not.  I am going to give them something to sink their little teeth into (they really do have sharp little teeth, some not so little!).  Worms it is (or should that be worms it are?)!

Here Greg begins stringing up his weapon
of choice.

Once all preparation is complete and you have all necessary gear (pole, tackle box, worm box, sunscreen, rain jacket and pants, life preserver, snacks/drink, hat sunglasses, stringer, gasoline, fishing license, and in some cases your spouse, etc...) we divide up into our boats (with a 15 hp limit) and head to the spots that have been good to us in the past.  With any luck (for me skill has nothing to do with it) you get a strike and that same luck will bring you a walleye as seen below.  Once you catch a fish, sometimes you feel like striking a pose for your friends and family, also demonstrated below.

The red and white tape measure looking sticker on the
left side of the boat reminds you of the sizes of fish that
can be kept or thrown back.  Most of the fish I caught were
smaller than this.  Carol and Carole both caught ones 4-5
inches longer than this one...Go Girl Power!

Here, Rodney demonstrates the appropriate - check this out -
pose, to the boys back home.

Rodney has also mastered the humbling - size doesn't matter -
pose, which subtly states...I'm an equal opportunity angler.

Chuck show us the - fish witness protection program -
pose.

And inevitably some anglers get emotionally attached,
as Greg shows here with the - I'll show you my lips,
if you show me yours - pose. (this fish fell for it, some don't)

Here, I demonstrate the - okay I was after a walleye,
but got a northern, so I might as well get a picture of it,
even if it s a small one - pose.

And finally, the - I'm a stud, fishing alone in
a kayak, and accidently caught this bad boy and
I don't have anyone here to help me get a photo
of us together - pose... shows off your multitasking
adaptability skills as an angler!

Some fish while sitting, as demonstrated
by Bruce and Carol.

Some fish standing, a rather intimidating posture towards
the fish to show dominance.

Some choose a terrestrial approach, standing on rocks.

Some people (Carole) need protection while fishing,
from themselves.  This angler (Carole) sports a fishing
helmet that looks strangely like an engine cover, so as to
not scare the fish, yet other anglers in the area reported
aliens had landed and were quite taken by this whole
fishing thing.

Some anglers were all about the pose and didn't notice
a wall of water soon to ruin their day.

And some fish for meaning from the written word...
not sure why anyone would do that as opposed to
trying to get a sharp, curved piece of metal to pierce
the flesh of another living being's mouth, followed by
pulling them against their will to a place they cannot
breathe, only to let them go and do it again and again.

Like they say, "A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work."  I really don't consider myself much of a fisherman, but I haven't had a bad day of fishing yet, here in heaven.  All play and no work can make Jack a dull boy...no, maybe that's backwards, anyway, it is more than just throwing a hook in the water, it's fishing.

To be continued...

My Zen from the boat:  What you don't get from the pictures of fishing are the stories being told, the laughter so hard that tears roll down your cheeks, the quiet solitude, and the focus on that thin line that disappears into the water and what may happen at any given moment at the end of it.  It's not just about the catching, it's about the fishing.

Canada Part III: By land, by air... now by water

No angels or trumpets sounded from on high to welcome us, just a light breeze, water lapping at the rocks, and lots and lots of silence...that is until an unsuspecting soul let one go (the word "one" here refers to a smallish fart that I am sure surprised it's owner, not that I would know about that) as they grunted to pick up a load to be carried from the dock to the cabin.  Welcome to heaven.


For the next 12 days, our home would be a rustic cabin on Fiart Island, approximately 3 acres in size (the island, not the cabin).

Fiart Island.  It takes up the width of this photo, but the
trees in the background make it difficult to discern between
the mainland and the island...but you get the picture
(pun intended).

A closer look.  This photo was from last summer.  The
water level was about 3 feet lower on this trip we just
returned from.  We were "climbing" in and out of the boats

The island consists of a cabin (made from real, locally harvested trees) with a screened in front porch, open living room/dining room/card room kitchen area, 4 walled off bedrooms big enough to have a bunk bed and turn around in, and a bathroom with running water (toilet, sink, and shower) that was added after the cabin was built.  A number of what you might call out buildings...a solar shed (recently converted from a gasoline shed), generator shed, motor/gas shed, and a tool shed.  The last and one of my favorite places to collect my thoughts is the North Star.

The North Star.  Before indoor plumbing,
this was your place of business and still
is for the purist.

The view from the North Star.  I'd like to
think of this spot as the origin of my many
epiphany (or would that be epiphanies, or
epiphani?).

Mik did her part to help conserve on the
septic system too.
I've never been more proud!

Adorning one of the walls of the North Star
is this piece of mid 20th century artwork
which no self-respecting outhouse would
be without.

Here are a couple of photos showing the dining area and kitchen.  I dug into the archives for these pictures, I have some others showing the upgrades you'll see in future entries.

Between the electric lights over the table are two gas
lights.  They are still used on occasion. 

Cooking time brings crowded conditions, at least
until this last trip (more on that to come).

The bedrooms all have second generation wooden bunk beds that replaced the original squeaky metal ones.  A small dresser houses your clean clothes and your over worn, fish smelling pants and rain gear (among other things) hang from the many hooks lining the wall.

I was on top of Miki...oh come on!
Keep it out of the gutter.

You can see Miki left me a couple of hooks.
It is hard on a relationship to always be the
one giving and giving and giving.
I didn't mean to air our laundry, my bloggist apologies.

There is a burn barrel for paper products, a filleting table, and an outdoor cooking pit on the point in front of the cabin.

Here, Carol admires her husband's handy work with his
filet knife.  Bruce did much of the filleting of the Walleye
that were caught for our lunches.

Rodney and Greg were the open flame fry cooks.
Don't be fooled, their skills out weigh their appearance.

From the filet table, to the kitchen, to the
frying pan.  The results were nuggets of fresh
Walleye that were dipped in batter and fried
to a golden brown...quite tasty!

Our schedule, like our digs, was simple.  Get up, have a hearty breakfast, discuss the days events, go fishing til around 2, prepare and have fish for lunch, quiet time (ZZzzz...), fish a little more, dinner on your own, maybe fish a little more or recreation time (cribbage or a game of some sort), bedtime (dream of fishing).  With some variations, this is how heaven works.

To be continued...

My Zen from heaven:  You don't have to have a lot of things to be in heaven.  If your basic needs are met (fed, clothed, sheltered from the elements, feel loved and appreciated) then you are there.  I experience these during my short visits to Fiart.  You don't have to die to experience heaven.

I can't believe I just spewed all that... I am sooo close to having the MOST TOYS!

Canada Part II: By Land, now By Air

Our destination, Donald Lake, is not accessible by road.  When you reach the end of the road at Red Lake, you board a bush plane for a 25 minute ride due west (and I do mean ride in the horse sense, part of the price of admission).  At the end you are deposited in the middle of nowhere (my definition - when there are no roads), but it's a good thing.  Anything and everything that goes into the "bush" must be loaded in or strapped to the outside where the pontoons are attached to the plane.

A photo from last summer when they flew in the metal roof we were installing.  I'm telling you, if they can tie it on, they can fly it in.

This is an Otter, the plane we took, loaded with lots of stuff.

This is some of that stuff I mentioned, some cabinets for the kitchen
and a hutch for storing games and books.

More stuff...food, drinks, and personal gear.  All weighed for your safety
and for calculating the price we'd pay for the plane.

Once all calculations have been made, it is stacked
and stored away in the plane with ropes and straps.
The seats fold up against the wall to make room for storage.
We take our places in the little jump seats and prepare for takeoff.

Now I don't know if dog years are similar to bush plane years, but our plane, as good as they are for the job they perform, is most likely 40+ yrs. of age in human years...you can do the math if you are a dog lover.  Any observations you make upon entering the plane and taking your seat are not going to be supportive if you have a fear of flying.  You'll see duck tape, caulking, torn upholstery, zip ties, and any number of other stop gap measures taken to ensure your safety!  For me, I loved every second of it, cause these things can take anything anywhere and have been doing so for decades.  

To the untrained eye, this may look overwhelming, but if you look
closely, behind the instrument panel you'll find a set of
hamsters taking turns working the wheel to power this old gal up.
See a GPS?  Exactly!

After what seemed to be a 10 second safety briefing (by the guy who reads the side effects on prescription commercials) on emergency procedures by our seemingly 12 year old pilot, we were off.  The only thing that slightly bothered me was the emergency medical kit.  It was somewhere in the rear of the plane behind hundreds of pounds of stowed gear and while I was stuck on that thought, I missed where my flotation device was or how to get the roof hatch off in case of, well... whatever.

Once in the air you see lots of water and trees.  Flat like Kansas,
but lots of water and trees.  A thunderstorm off in the distance.

We were off and knocking on the pearly gates.

To be continued...

My Zen from the air:  Our pilot was not 12 and our plane, even though it was old, is still working for a reason.  Its dependable, as was our pilot.  Never underestimate the age of anything or anyone.

Speaking of age, don't we look just a day over 50?

Canada Part I: Goin' up nort, eh?

Life changes and self preservation strategies are sometimes ugly business.  So as to not let retirement stresses and the pressures of learning new ways to spend our days build up into a powder keg, Miki and I had the opportunity to spend twelve days in a little slice of heaven and let said pressures vent out safely in a controlled environment.  This was all monitored by Dr. Greg Goodman... Life Coach, Stress Psychoanalyst to Retired Educators and newly retired teacher himself.  To get to heaven from Blue Springs, you have to go through Grundy Center, Iowa.  Not only do they have the first presidential caucuses in Iowa, but they also guard the pearly gates to one Fiart Island, Donald Lake, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

From Missouri, we traveled straight nort or "north" for you non-Canadians.

Traveling to heaven's gate takes you to Grundy Center and before
passing through we picked up other angels headed for the Canadian border.

Greg's dad and some college buddies went in together to purchase a small island, back in the 60's, had a cabin built on it, and it is now being passed down to the next generation of family members and friends to carry on the tradition of traveling to Canada to relax, have some fun, and FISH.  The original group all hailed from this area around Grundy Center, Iowa.  Their cabin, including 4 others on the lake, are now included in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.  

When the road ended in Red Lake, Ontario, we flew west to
Donald Lake or heaven as it is referred to by some.

After driving a relatively short 5 hours to GC, we followed it up the next day by an 8 hour  marathon to the US/Canadian border, which was followed up by a 5 hour slog to Red Lake, Ontario.  The closer you get to Red Lake, the higher your chances of running into a moose... literally... especially at night, which is when we happened to be closing in on our destination... heaven, remember?  I happened to have pulled the graveyard shift of driving this last section, of which the area cut back to the trees from the road was not much and gave moose good cover before darting out in front of an unsuspecting vehicle...like one traveling from a small town in Iowa.  Accidents between cars or trucks and moose are recorded every day in Ontario.  We rounded a particularly tight curve and my headlights had not yet caught up to the road ahead and . . . naw, it never happened, but we did see a couple of them .

We arrived in Red Lake the next morning just before 6 a.m. as planned, and prepared for our 25 min. flight to heaven.

To be continued...

My Zen from up nort, eh:  When you see a sign, my guess it was put there for a reason.  It may not impact you, but chances are it has someone else.  One of the groups that goes up earlier in the summer to this cabin did hit a moose a couple of years ago.  Be aware, no matter the sign.