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ESCAPE to the NORTH


Page 8

In search for a home.

August 1st; I had taken down the tent and loaded the gear into the canoe. The wind was from the north-west which will be great for I can use the sail to push me along. After I had the canoe in the water, I noticed that I only had about 8 inches of freeboard. It seems like I had added to my gear plus with the extra groceries, I was pretty low in the water. After and hour, the wind picked up that I had to take down the sail, least i capsize the canoe. All along this shoreline I knew that there were houses all around so I had to get past Haileybury to find some wooded area that had no houses nearby. After I had passed the last house from Haileybury, the shoreline became steep with bare rock for a long stretch. Once passed this I came upon a small stream or river that had a for sale sign on its bank. So I had to pass by that area for it was privet property. Once I had passed the small river, the whole shoreline was heavily wooded. I also noticed that there was a small island further up ahead that I must have passed by, and not see it, when I had travelled towards New Liskeard during that dark night. I made a landing along the shore and scouted the area. But when I had travelled further up the hill, I noticed that there were blue and red ribbons tied to trees every now and then. These must be survey ribbons and must be privet property. So I headed back to the canoe and continued further down the shoreline. This I had done all the way to as close to Bucke Centennial Park, without being to near it, with the same results. I looked back and Haileybury seem to be quite a distance away. Then I looked at that little Island that I had passed by while looking for a place to make a home. Being that it was getting late in the evening, I decided to head for it to camp for the night. When I had paddled to the island against a head wind, I was plump tired by the time I had made a landing. I looked about where I had landed and spotted a neat little place that was free of any large bush to pitch my tent on level ground. I also went searching to see if I could see a house or cottage or any sign that may indicate if I was on privet property, but had found no such thing. The Island is very small, it only takes two minuets to go from one end of the Island to the other in either direction. What wildlife is on it are shrews and some gulls who land on the rocks on the northern end of the Island. I spotted an old beaver house at the very southern end of the Island. Raven or crows fly by and sometimes land on the trees, high above me. The lay of the land is pretty level with only a foot of topsoil that cover the rocky Island. Having made this quick survey, I went back to the canoe and unloaded it and set up my tent. Once I had the gear stowed away and made some supper, I went for a walk to explore the Island some more. I walked through the heavy bush and tall trees to the north end of this little island and I could see the town of Haileybury close by. I though that maby this would not be too bad of a place, for me to make a home. I would be close to town to sell my paintings, yet far enough away from people not to give them any great concern of my being here. The only other closest place south of here to a town was Ville-Marie. I remember seeing a good place to make a home, that is by a river and is only a short trip across the lake to the town of Ville-Marie on the Quebec side of the lake. I had always thought that I would find a location on the main shore, not on any Island. I will have to spend a little time to think about this new possibility. But for now, I better get back to the tent for it gets too dark. For some reason, as I laid on my bed, I felt that this is the place that I should be. When I had explored this little Island, I had a strange feeling about this place. I could not put my finger on it, only that I felt how this place can be turned into a botanical garden. One can make little trails that lead through the tall trees which gives you a feeling like walking into a Cathedral. There is one spot I remember I had walked through that really gave me a sense of it being an Enchanted Forest. Like I would not be surprised at all if a Unicorn should suddenly appear. It would not seem out of place here. That is where one can put a smerf like village that children can view. One can make rock planters along the trail that would represent all the various native wild flowers that grow here in Northern Ontario. This little Island can become a real botanical garden for people to come and visit. What a great Idea. I could do that while I take a break from my paintings. After all, it is close enough to town to sell my paintings and buy my food and whatever else I may need. I will inquire about this little Island when I go into Haileybury to make sure that this is not privet land.

Aug. 2nd; This morning there was a strong wind from the north. The lake looked too choppy for me to try to get to Haileybury today. Listening to the weather forecast, it call for strong winds for the day. But tomorrow the wind will shift to the south. With that wind, I might be able to go to Haileybury if the wind is not too strong. After breakfast, I took a stroll through the little Island and noticed a pile of rubble of old bottles and cans. I got some garbage bags and gathered these up. I will take these when I go to Haileybury and dispose these in a proper garbage container. Then I gathered some flat rocks and built a rock planter, just to see how it would look. It looked real nice when it was all done. It was ready to receive some wild native flowers. I stopped for lunch and decided not to do anything more. I was getting ahead of myself. I might have to leave this little Island yet. No point in doing all this work for nothing. I spent the rest of the afternoon just reading and listening to the radio. Later that evening, I could hear music coming from Haileybury. I sat on a rock, listening to the music while I smoked a cigarette and had some coffee. I can see boats on the lake, probably people fishing. When it got dark, I turned in, thinking that I have to decide if I should stay here or go on. But that choice was pointless, until I find out about this Island. One thing I found out for sure, there is no wildlife on this island that I can use to supplement my food supply. I would have to buy all of my food in Haileybury. I spent a few hours in meditation at this place of solitude. Later during the night, I turned on the radio and listen to some classical music on C.B.C. until I fell asleep.

Aug. 3rd. This morning the north-west wind was dyeing down. Good. I washed up and made some breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast and coffee. By noon, the wind had shifted to the south-east. I decided to head into Haileybury. It took me only 20 minutes with the wind at my back and my sail hoisted. When I had arrived at the public boat launch, next to the Haileybury Marina, I tied up the canoe next to a break wall so that I would not be in the way for people to launch their boats. I put the garbage of old bottles and cans that I had collected on the Island and put these in a garbage container can that is provided at the wharf. Then I took a walk around town. The first thing I noticed was how clean and tidy this town is. What a contrast to Toronto. I could tell that people here have a sense of pride to look after their town the way they do. Soon I came upon the town Art Gallery, that was also the Public Library, but it was closed. I walked across the street and went to Peter Pan take out. There I ordered a coffee and apple pie. While I was enjoying these, John, the owner came over and talked to me. I do not know how to explain it, but it seem that we took a liking to each other right from the word start. I told John that I was camping on a little Island just south from here. I think that he thought that it was talking about Mann Island. I was not in any hurry so we spent a good deal of time just talking. I noticed that all of John's wall in his restaurant were bare and asked John if I done some paintings, would I be able to display them on his walls for a commission? John was a little apprehensive being that he did not know how well I painted. So I told John that I would show my work first to him and then he can decide if they were good enough to hang on his walls. We spent a little more time talking until customers started coming in. I paid my bill and said to John that I would see him again next time I came to town again. I had asked John if he knew anything about that little Island that I was camped on, not the big Island as he had first thought I was talking about, but he could offer me no insight on it. I wanted to get some hardware and a few nails. Herb, the owner of Pro Hardware, supplied all the things I needed. I noticed one thing about Herb, you will only get top quality items from his store and he gives personal services to all of his customers. One can say that you will get quality and service at his place. But Herb wants to sell his place so that he can retire. I asked Herb if the founder of Haileybury, Farr or his family own that little Island that I am camped on? He believed that the Island is under Provincial or Federal jurisdiction and has nothing to do with the town of Haileybury as far as he knew. I told Herb that I found this very strange, because that little Island is after all, has been named after the founder of Haileybury. I was thinking that I might have to see someone from the Farr family and see if they owned that Island. Herb suggested that I try the land office on Main Street. I bid Herb farewell and thanked him for the things I was able to get from his shop and the chat that we had. I walked around town but most places were closed today because of the long weekend holiday. So I headed back to the boat launch to get my canoe and head back to the Island. I had found out that this little Island has been called Farr Island, and gull Island. Gull Island is not a very good name for it because very few gulls make use of it. I notice that they tend to congregate on the roof of a privet marina just south of the Town of Haileybury Marina. The more I look into this thing about this Island, the more confusing it gets. When I had arrived back to the camp, paddling against a slight headwind, I put the things that I had bought in town away and made some coffee and a sandwich of summer sausage with lettuce and tomato. I spent the rest of the day in camp. It is a very warm night that I do not need blankets.

August 4th; This morning the lake was totally calm. I decided that I would try my hand at fishing. I had tried various spots around the Island with not a nibble to be had. Then I paddled over to the main shoreline and tried a few likely areas with no better results. I even tried fishing at the mouth of Mill Creek but there again I did not get one nibble. So I headed back to camp and made breakfast. After breakfast, I made a few sketches of interesting driftwood formations I had found. I was thinking that I might try my hand at carving some of these driftwood. I can see such details as animal heads and other things in them that a little carving would bring these natural features, those hidden things out into full view. I must keep this in mind. After I had put my art pad away, I went around the Island and noticed that some beaver really had a field day cutting some of the large trees down. They were scattered all over the place. I wondered why had the beaver cut down such big trees when there was so many smaller trees around. I only answer I could come up with why the beaver was doing this was to wear down their tooth, to keep those big front tooth from growing too long. If the beaver didn't do that, their teeth would grow so long that eventually those teeth would grow so long that it would no longer would be able to chew and could starve to death. But why attack such big trees? That beaver can't use that big tree for its beaver house. Yet I noticed that there was only one cut per tree. Why couldn't the beaver use the one tree that it had cut down, and chew the tree into smaller sections to ware down its teeth? Hummmm! What a shame and a wast of these good large trees. I decided to get the bucksaw and cut these into manageable size to haul and stack in one location in order to tidy up the place. I had nothing better to do being that today was Sunday and everything in town was closed. I was thinking about Betty and Dave, and all the people I had met in New Liskeard. Then my thoughts turned to John and Herb and the people whom I had a chance to meet and speak to in Haileybury. I have a good feeling about this place, this is a nice little town with friendly people who are easy to talk to. At least here you can talk to people without being thought of being trying to pull a fast one on people, or trying to rob them like the attitude you get with some people in Toronto when you just want to say hi. That really doesn't say much for me, because I just remembered, I am from Toronto. But the Toronto that I had known so well is not the Toronto one finds today. I had been away from Toronto for 23 years until I came back to it a few years ago. I am glad to be here, despite the misfortune that I had. I decided not to do any more cleaning up, for I may not be here very long if I find out that I am not allowed to stay here. Instead, I decided to go to Haileybury for just something to do. A nice easy calm paddle will do the trick. It is such a beautiful day today. It is a bit hot around here because there is no wind to cool things down. The lake was just as smooth as a lily pond. It was so nice to be on the water today. When I had arrived to the Haileybury public launch ramp, I tied the canoe in my usual spot and walked over to Peter Pan Restaurant. John was open so I bought a coffee and a piece of apple pie. John and I talked where we had left off. I told John what little I had learned about the Island I was camped on. It was really not that much. John said to just camp there until some official tell me that I could not stay there and have to leave. That sounded like good advice to me. After all, if that did happen, all I needed to do was load up my canoe and I would be on my way, no fuss, no bother. John had asked me why not just buy some property and then I would not have to worry about being kicked off your own privet land. I told John that I did not have that kind of money to buy any land. Besides, I really did not want to own any land. After all, when I leave this earth, it will only be taken over by the government. So why buy land in the first place? I can't take it with me. I found out that John is Hungarian and he told me what went on during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against the communist take-over of Hungary. I remember hearing about it on the news media when I was living in Toronto at that time. I was 12 years old then. He also told me about the trip he and Monica, his wife, had made to Hungary during one Christmas season. He was terribly disappointed when he saw Budapest, the capital of Hungary. He said that it is no longer the Hungrain nation that it was when he had lived there. It is now a hodge-podge of all cultures and nationalities that it is no longer a true Hungarian nation. He might as well have gone to Toronto for all the difference in the world it made. The country has really changed that much since he had left Hungary back in 1996. Monica had found Hungry to be very cold due to the dampness during that time of the season. Monica is a lovely person. She is french Canadian and John had met her when he had worked as a cook in a mining camp in Manitouwadge, Ont. That is where he had worked before he and Monica came to Haileybury and bought this restaurant. They have been here for the past 23 years. John told me that he was in the process of trying to sell his place because he would like to retire and go to North Bay where his grand children are. He told me that I could display my artwork any time as long as he still had the restaurant, after he saw the few sketches that I had made. I told John that I would have to go to New Liskeard to buy some artist oil paints because none were available here, so that I could start painting soon. The extra money I would get from my paintings would not go astray. John told me that I could get the local bus to take me into New Liskeard. That was good to hear, I thought that I would have to paddle to New Liskeard. I was talking to John about having to make some kind of larger shelter that would give me a little more room than that 7X9X4 foot high tent that I am living in, especially during the winter months. I would also have to find a wood stove to heat the place when the weather gets colder. There was plenty of large dead trees that are laying about the Island and all the driftwood that is along the shoreline. I could gather these for firewood and clean up the place at the same time. I told John about the inspiration I had about that little Island, in making it into a botanical garden that people and children can come to view and spend a day picnicking. He thinks it is a great Idea. Anything that would help to give tourists and the local people something added to see and use would not go astray. Monica had come down from their upstairs apartment and we had a lovely chat. I found Monica to be a very nice person and think that John is a lucky man to have found such a very fine lady. While paying for my bill, I ordered a plate of hamburger and fries (to take-out), which is the house special and then headed back to camp. I had a pleasant paddle back to the Island. I spent the rest of the evening reading and listening to the radio until I went to sleep.

Aug. 5th; This morning while having breakfast, I was trying to determine what kind of shelter should I build. Normally, I would just build a log cabin, but because of the uncertainty of me being on this Island, it would be better if I built something that would be easy to take down in the event that I would have to leave the Island. I searched my memory and came up with the solution. I could build a frame tent cabin, something like in the style of the Iroquois longhouse. I could build the frame with the dead trees that are already here and with some thin young trees, I can build it in a day and it would be easy to take down if need be. It could be about 9X18X7ft high given that the size of the front and back of the tent is 9 ft. wide. I could split the tent in the middle, in half, and sew the front and back ends to a tarp for the long covering. This would give me plenty of room to live in comfort. Then I can always add a wood stove when I get one. The more I thought about this possibility, the more I liked it. It would not look as nice as a log cabin, but given the circumstance, as it is said, beggars can't be choosy. I decided to draw out the plans for this tent-cabin right away while everything is so clear in my mind. Having done this, I wrote up a list of the material I would need to get at the hardware store. This I will have to wait for tomorrow, because today is cold and very windy. I decided to pick a place where I would build the tent-cabin. I saw a real good place in an open area, yet surrounded by thick bush and trees to shelter the tent-cabin from northerly and southernly winds. I began to clear the area and dragged the dead logs that would be suitable, to the tent-cabin site. This kept me busy for the rest of the day. I took my time doing this because I was in no great hurry. I hope the wind dies dow so that I can go into town tomorrow.

Aug. 6th; This morning it is sunny and warm, the there is a north-east wind blowing that is preventing me to go to town so that I can pick up some supplies that I will need to make that tent-cabin. Having nothing to do, I decided to see how hard it would be to cut a nice trail to the head of the Island which I dubbed it, Lookout Point. From here you can see Haileybury, New Liskeard and Notra-Dame- du Nord with a strong binoculars. This would be a good place to put one of those powerful mounted scopes like you see at Niagara Falls. I spent most of the day cutting this trail. I turned out real well. Now a person can walk to the head of the Island without having to go through heavy bush or get a branch caught in your eye. I was really proud of the nice work I had done. It is so nice walking through the tall trees with their leaves covering overhead like a canopy. One gets the feeling you are walking inside a Cathedral, with the same sense of awe. I also found out that it is considerably much cooler when you are among these trees than the outside temperature. It is almost like having an air-conditioner, like one would have in their house. I then tried to move some of those large trees that a beaver had chopped down, but they were far too heavy for me to move. These I will have to cut them into smaller sections and would be good for firewood for whenever I get a wood stove. What I really need is a chainsaw to really do the job, and it would be far easier on me. After all, I am not a glutton to kill myself over a log. Once I get this tent-cabin built, I can then concentrate on getting some artist paints and do some paintings to help my depleting finances.

Journal to be continued....

Page 9

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