2026 Deck Build

After several delays due to historic spring floods on the Black River plans finally came together to replace the old deck originally built in 2008. The question was would we finish before the black flies came out?

Murray and Barry arrive Thursday to start the demo! Barry doing what he does best!

Nothing left but firewood!

Murray and Barry had everything ready Friday for the rest of the crew to start the new deck build!

All hands on deck!

Good start!

Looking better!

Steps go on, thanks to Gary!

All done by the end of Saturday! Ready for railings.

Great crew with a way too many yellow tools!

Yes, the black flies appeared Sunday afternoon as we left!

 

Cabin Winter Trips 2026

 Several parties have enjoyed trips to the Cabin so far this winter . Here's a few pics of the fun.

Warren and Jerry checking the Polaris

Polaris on the lake.

Rob's new machine back on the trailer after a very short run!

Instant Cabin toast !

Shawn, Jen and Murray

All machines back after a run to Longford!

Snowshoeing back from Ragged Rapids!

March 31st! Rob has his Polaris back together and it runs sweet!

Lunch on Robinson Lake!

2026 Cabin Schedule

    

For the long Holiday weekends, Please check who else plans to be at the cabin so everyone can assess and make informed decisions.

As usual, all requests for vacation time at the cabin go through Doug. (the owners will then decide to grant or decline the request, depending on availability and circumstances)

Important Rules!

Play safe …It's a long way to a hospital. Cell phones may not work and 911 may not be able to find you here. (our 911 # is 1177 Black River Rd, East)

Wear life jackets when on the water … 4 people have drowned near here in the last 10 years.

Don't wander off by yourself because there are no “Search / Rescue” efforts until first light.

Tend your campfires carefully and no fireworks in dry conditions! There is a better than good chance of a forest fire.

Take your recycle/garbage home ... feeding the bears is not recommended.

Leave the wood box full ... the next visitor will thank you.

Don't leave mousetraps set when you leave ... It can be a stinky mess by the time someone finds it.

Before using somebody's snowmobile or ATV, please ask the owner and If you break it, offer to fix it.

When leaving please turn off the following,

1. the 12vdc power on push button panel,
2. the cabin inverter,
3. the propane tank in the shed
4. the inverter in the garage

 and lock all sheds, cabin doors, windows and the gate.

In general, leave the Cabin as good or better than you found it.

Kawartha Lakes Fireworks rules (yes, this applies to us)

2026 Schedule

January 1st New Years Day !! 

Jan 3rd - 4th 
Cabin - 

Jan 6th - 8th 
Cabin -  Doug/Barry

Jan 10th - 11th 
Cabin - 

Jan 17th - 18th
Cabin - Shawn and friends

Jan 24th - 25th
Cabin - 

Jan 31st - Feb 1st 
Cabin -

Feb 7th - 8th 
 Cabin - 

Feb 14th - 16th Family Day
Cabin - OPEN to the family

Rob and Family

Feb 21st - 22nd
Cabin - 

Feb 26th - Feb 29th
Cabin -  Warren/ Doug/ Jerry/ Barry

March 7th - 8th
Cabin -  

March 14th - 20th

March 21st - 22nd

Cabin -   Doug/Murray/Bruce/Barry/Rob/Charlie

The ride in was pretty rough, especially, where the river flooded across the road last week and washed out the snow leaving stretches of gravel to cross.

Still there was more snow than we expected!

Rob's new ride! 

Campfire and lunch on Robinson Lake. Lakes were frozen solid . No open water!

March 27th- 29th

Cabin -  

April 4th to April 26th  

Flood Season - road flooded

April 30th to May 3rd
Cabin -  Jerry/Doug/Murray/Gary/Barry/Rob

Replaced deck!

May 9th - 10th   Mothers Day
Cabin -  

May 16th - 18th  Victoria Day
Cabin - OPEN to the family

May 23th - 24th 
Cabin -    

 May 30th - 31st 

Cabin - 

June 6th - 7th  
Cabin -  

June 13th - 14th   Fathers Day
Cabin -  

June 20th - 21st
Cabin -  

June 27th - 28th
Cabin -  

July 1st   Canada Day  

Cabin -  OPEN to the family
   
July 4th - 5th 
Cabin -  

July 11th - 12th

Cabin - 

July 17th - 19th 

Cabin -  Robin/ Craig/ Family

July 25th - 26th

Cabin -

Aug 1st - 3rd Civic Holiday

Cabin -

Aug 4th - 10th 
Cabin - 

Aug 11th - 17th
Cabin - 

Aug 18th - 24th
Cabin - Doug/ Marcy/ Family

Aug 25th - 31st

Cabin - 

Sept 1st - Sept 4th

Cabin -  

Sept 4th - 7th  - Annual Family Fishing Derby 
Cabin - OPEN to the family

Sept 12th - 13th
Cabin -  

Sept 19th - 20th
Cabin -  Barry's Birthday Bash!

Oct 3rd - 4th
Cabin -  

Oct 10th - 12th  Thanksgiving Day weekend
Cabin - 

Oct 17th - 18th 

Cabin -

Oct 24th - 25th

Cabin - 

Oct 31st - Nov 1st 

Cabin -  

Nov 7th - 8th
Cabin - 

Nov 14th - 15th
Cabin -  

Nov 21st - 22nd 
Cabin -  

Nov 28th - 29th
Cabin -  

Dec 5th - 6th
Cabin -  

Dec 12th - 13th
Cabin -  

Dec 19th - 20th
Cabin -  

Dec 26th - 27th

Cabin -

Jan 1st 2027  New Years  Day
Cabin -  OPEN to the family

Winter trip Jan 2026

 

Another successful winter trip to the cabin completed!

Barry and I headed to the cabin banking on the Black River road being plowed by Hydro ... like they did the last 2 winters so we could drive in.

It wasn't.

So we hiked in taking snowshoes in case the snowmobile trail ran out and we ended up walking in knee deep snow. Which we did once we got to our laneway.

8 kms and a few hours later we arrived.

 Despite it being frightfully close to rye o'clock we started our snowmobiles and hooked up a couple of sleighs to head out to get our gear. 

First we had to chainsaw a tree that had fallen across the laneway and thaw out the lock on the gate to get out.

We met Chris and Erika who now own the property where we have been parking the snowmobiles at Lewisham Lane. They have agreed to letting us continue to do this. 

They just ask that we send him a text to give him a heads up when we will be there.

Chris is a canoe guide and a fitness trainer for the Canadian Olympic Freestyle Ski team and is heading to the Olympics next week. He said that he has driven mountain sleds out west but has never driven any snowmobiles as old as ours.

We found things at the cabin where in good shape. The foot of snow and ice on the roof slid off while we were there. 

Ice on the lake measured 12 inches with 6 inches of snow on top but was getting slushy as it warmed up.

Next trip Jan 17th! see Shawn for details ..

Annual Meeting Oct 2025

 Another very well attended fall classic is in the books! The Annual Meeting, went off with only a couple of minor hitches. Barry lost his phone in Orillia while cheering on the Blue Jays but some kind soul turned it in and he was able to get it back. And we got to try Shawn's new Ford Bronco off road, plus the Blue Jays won!

Happy to report that we did not need this !

But maybe next year so we will keep it handy. ... Thanks Nancy!

All 6 brothers were there which is pretty special and four of the younger generation (Gary, Ryan, Chris, Charlie) where much appreciated! Extra bodies to do the heavy lifting!

There were lots of chainsaws to go around. Dad's old 1962 Solo is in the foreground then some Huskies, Stilhs and Murray's electric DeWalt at the end

The main reason for the work weekend is to cut the firewood that needs to sit and dry for a year. Thanks to  great weather and lots of help this went well . Didn't lose a man  .... this year!

Other jobs done ....

1. Annual meeting held, Dues set, elections held (Rob is the new President)
2. President's Supper ... thanks Shawn for once again setting the benchmark even higher!
3. Filling the woodsheds for the cabin and campfire
4. Bringing in the swim raft for the winter.
5. Closing in the Shed. - fascia/soffits
6. Storing all the extra lumber for future project builds. ie. new deck in the spring
7. Winterizing the cabin plumbing.
8. Starting snowmobiles in prep for winter.