I usually drive to North Western Ontario for my fishing trip but this year
I'm having less time then usual because of the build on our property.
I also am going by myself. No Daisy to keep me company.
It was nice to get there in 4 hours instead of 3 days.
I started coming out here to Malachi 24 years ago with Ron and Barb.
This is the highlight of my year , every year.
I'm sure glad they put up with me and keep inviting me back year after year.
This summer's project was to build a bunk house which will be attached to the deck
we built last summer on the waters edge.
Ron had all of the material delivered last weekend .
The concrete we used for the footings were almost impossible to move.
They sent concrete blocks 24 x 24 x4 by mistake.
I can't lift weight like that anymore.
It took both of us to roll them up the hill and drop them onto the level spots we had made.
I was criticizing this block Ron had cut.
I think he was showing me that it was perfectly square.
I arrived on Sunday and by Monday evening we had the floor ready for sheeting.
Ron is such good sport.
Even though his knees are bad he crawled under the deck to install the blocking.
I crawled thru as well to hold the blocking in place while he nailed them.
By Tuesday afternoon we had the floor joists finished, insulation cut and installed.
We were both quite proud of how well everything fit.
Tuesday night the floor was finished , seams sealed from the rain and ready to
see the walls happen.
We set a couple of chairs up every evening and enjoyed the sun set.
Ron and Barb's lake house has the most beautiful view.
The next morning we discussed what we plan to accomplish that day.
our supplies were piled on the deck we had built the year before.
We did have a nice working environment.
Lots of room and very few bugs.
Thank goodness for the breeze.
Barb took some time off of her work and showed up Wednesday evening.
She's so fussy. That broom went nonstop.
It also make a nicer working atmosphere.
We finally put a ladder on the deck to climb up and down onto the deck.
As our wood pile went down it got harder and harder to find something to step on.
Especially while holding a beer.
Getting a feeling of how the bunk house should be laid out.
By Thursday morning we had three walls up and were starting to lay out the fourth wall.
Thursday afternoon we wandered over to Clay and Peggy's to give them a dinner invite.
They tore their cottage down and have been living in a garage year round
for the last four years until they get their new home built.
It's warm and they have everything they need to survive .
Not my cup of tea.
I made one of my favourite dinners.
I brought a beef tenderloin and made a lemon meringue pie from scratch.
Yumm.
Next morning we installed the top plates and got ready for windows and doors.
The windows fit perfectly.
The sliding door ,,,,,, Not so much.
Someone measured the door wrong and we had to pull it out to redo.
Luckily it wasn't me measuring.
It was actually a small error and an easy fix.
After about an hour we had all our problems rectified.
My favourite time at the lake.
I had a shower , change of clothes and a fresh glass of wine.
The back two walls are panelled on the outside and their son is going to
cedar the front two walls. The roof will go on next week after I leave.
It's looking good.
This will be my bunk next year when I come.
Ron and Barb spare no expense to get me out of their lake house.
HAHA
Construction time is over . Now we're into fishing time.
We usually head down into the south lake and fish off of a reef .
We've done that for 15 years.
This year we went to the pine tree instead.
It's about 300 feet from their dock.
I really don't care where we go .
I just like sitting there with my line in the water listening to their stories.
Barb caught a 14 lb. master anglers walleye here by the tree 12 years ago.
Fishing was good by the tree.
I think of all the gas we could have saved if we had fished there instead for all of those years.
I brought some pretty nice walleye home for Ruth to eat.
Unfortunately , I get sick when I eat fish. Even fresh walleye.
So the bunkie is up and ready for it's fine finishing.
It turned out great. Everything is level and square.
Can't wait for my first night sleep in the mini lake house listening to the water and birds .
Sunday Morning I headed down to Clearwater Bay for a quick visit with Bruce and Heather.
Their chocolate Lab Daisy lives up to her name. Such a sweetheart.
Their view is second to none.
My favourite meal again.
I brought a beef tenderloin to cook for dinner in a red wine sauce
and Heather had fresh corn with new potatoes.
Another feast.
So I'm coming home.
Business class is the only way to go.
Especially for a foodie like me.
