Generations of summer fun
At least two of the four boys were together at all times exploring the natures surrounding Ministikwan Lake weather on the land or on the water. Forts were built on the land, rafts were built for the water, when there was exploring to be done they were like musketeers. I recall an occasion when a fort had been under construction for several days and near completion. The boys were so excited they were going to be able to camp out on their own. All through that day air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows were seen going across the yard and into the woods. The camp out was under way until darkness fell, worried parents or was it mothers sending their husbands out to bring their children back to the safety of their campsite. Although I am not sure but the boys may have very well welcomed the concern and I am sure they would never admit to being just a little scared. Moving from the land to the water the engineering of raft constuction was unique to itself every piece of scrape lumber along with the odd log were lashed, nailed or some how bound together to form a platform which was too small or narrow to start with so it never really floated like a boat. The boys were always trying to to balance it so they could pole it along. Inevitably one would get a little too far over and one side or the other would start to submerge causing them to fall off into the water. Eventually, when they were worn out or perhaps water logged, they would retreat to their cabin or campsite to rest up for the next adventure or just wait for the evening garbage run which they never seemed to miss, ralleying around the truck helping to pick up the garbage, or an opportunity to drive and ultimately the drive to the dump to watch the bears. Other occasions would see the boys touring to town with Robert and I. Once on the way in we were passing an area where a fire passed through they saw something in the burnt out area and had to investigate. I have no recollection of what it was but there is a picture in a photo album of the boys climbing a burnt tree, returning to the truck black with soot from head to toe. Today these very boys, now men of course, still return to Ministikwan Lake enjoying the area with their families. As for the next generation Robert can be found in the campground either pulling a wagon load of children to the store for ice cream or satisfying their thirst on a hot summer day with a multi coloured freezie. Only time will tell how Ministikwan Lake influences the next generation. |
