A Week on the Bay

We were fortunate enough this September to be given an opportunity to spend a week on Georgian Bay at our friends Art & Nic’s cottage. A lovely little place on its own island, accessible only by boat and totally off the grid.

Art was waiting when we arrived on Sunday morning at the marina. We loaded all our crap and there was a lot of it into Lulu and headed out. We spent the day together taking a tour of the island, reviewing what we needed to do while we were there and when we left and touring the inlet with me in the drivers seat.  Some of us dared to take a dip in the lake after dinner…it was a warm 68 degrees…. before Art & Nic would head home leaving us on the island for the remainder of the week.

The weather was mixed throughout our stay….insanely high winds, a spectacular lightning storm, rain, clouds and some sun but we made the most of our time….reading books when it was raining, fishing, swimming, eating and napping of course.

Rory was really keen to fish on this trip so we took any opportunity to get out on the lake we could.  Our first adventure was to the Pickerel Pots as A was told this was a good fishing hole. As you can see above we didn’t catch much in the way of fish but we did see a bear (he’s the tiny black speck in the middle photo above).

Swimming time was limited due to the cooler water temps but I did manage to get Rory in once….it wouldn’t have been right if we didn’t go in.

On the Wednesday weather conditions were gloomy. The wind had been howling all night and didn’t stop for the duration of the day but as you can see the fishing was fantastic. Rory scored a couple big bass and a pike which actually broke the tip off his rod (Should have bought an Ugly Stick!!!).  We also made time to venture out in the kayak  and even managed to get Fremont in too. He absolutely loved it.

By late Wednesday the winds had slowed and the lake was still as we watched the sun set.

On Thursday conditions on the lake were still too choppy for a paddle in the canoe so we opted for a trip into town to check out Pointe Au Baril. We enjoyed a little look around C.C. Kennedy’s Home Hardware (they still let you shop on account there!) and lunched on a big box of fries from the Chip Wagon.  Before heading back to the island we stopped in at the Moose Lake Lodge Trading Post (a knick-knack haven) where I contemplated buying the lovely bear hat above.

We would be fortunate enough to see another lovely sunset Thursday evening…the sky looked like it was on fire and the cottage smelled of delicious chocolate chip cookies.

Friday’s weather was lovely. Fremont and I spent the morning trying our fishing luck at various points around the island while looking for great photo opportunities.

The change in weather also meant we could  finally celebrate Fremont’s 3rd Birthday. So before heading out on our canoe adventure we had a mini party on the dock. He loved his carrot cake & cookies which he totally deserved. Turning 3 meant he finally got up the nerve to jump from the dock into the lake. We were such proud parents!!!

Our canoe trip took us out to Painted Rocks which was a must see on the list of things to do. We were the only ones out there that day and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the sunshine.

Friday afternoon proved to be another great fishing day. I finally caught a decent sized bass as did Rory…..EGB lures all the way.

The lake was calm enough on Friday evening for us to venture out to open water to watch the sun set. Fremont wasn’t sold on riding the waves in the boat but I loved every minute of it. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky that night so we took the opportunity to lie on the dock and look for more shooting stars (I saw my first ever the night before!).

Saturday was another beautiful day so we headed out in the canoe back to the Pickerel Pots for more fishing and maybe a bear sighting.  The fishing proved unsuccessful, as did the bear sighting but we enjoyed a lovely paddle down the river to the Naiscoot River South Channel.

Our last evening was a quiet and calm one. The lake was like glass and we were feeling incredibly relaxed.

On Sunday morning, I enjoyed one last dip in the lake which had dropped to a chilly 65 degrees before we packed up our things. The week had been a tough one for Fremont as you can see. He was beyond exhausted but I know he is secretly hoping I might sign him up for a week of summer camp with Art & Nic next year. Leaving the cottage was tough knowing Monday meant back to work but we were both so grateful for our fabulous week on the island.

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