Mother,

I thought you would like to know that Robert caught several bass but no pickerel, but still a good time was had. We left Trenton yesterday on a motor launch, passing this interesting old bridge, I thought you might like to see it. We are now headed up the Trent River passing a lot of farms and pretty villages. We stopped in Frankford for lunch, and had a picnic by the river. Missing you all and looking forward to hearing how Father is making out with the crops.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We stopped in Hastings for the night, we have now ascended several locks along the way. It is quite the experience passing through them in a boat, bobbing like a wooden duck in a giant basin. Though the route was just completed, we learn that many of the locks are in fact quite old and some of them noticeably leaky. At each station the lockmaster turns a great iron wheel to open the gate, then we are off to the next station. There are many locks along the way, Robert says we are at the 18th and we have not yet come to the first lake.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We spent the day at the Great Rice Lake, and it is truly a magnificent sight. It has many beautiful islands and there is an Ojibwa village by the river. At the hotel they had this postcard of how they make the rice. There are fields of rice around the river, and many ducks and birds on the lake. There is an islands called Spook Island, they say there are spirits there, I’m not sure Robert will want to go.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We stayed at this hotel Gore’s Landing, it is as beautiful as you would think from the picture. We arrived just as the bread boxes were coming in from Peterboro on the steamer. The fishing is good on Rice Lake. Robert has had a wonderful time. While he was casting, we were beside the ruins of an old train bridge that used to cross the lake. It is quite the mishmash today. Heading up the river tomorrow.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

Peterboro is quite the thriving town, as you can see it even has a street car. There are many shops and a little lake in the town, we passed several mills on the river, and stopped by a factory here that makes boats and canoes. I think Robert would really enjoy one of their sail boats, but that is a dream for another day. We had ice cream by the lake and it was a pleasant afternoon. The shops sell fresh oranges.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We left Peterboro yesterday and came to the Lift-Lock. They say it is the highest in the world and is certainly a marvel to see. From the top you can see the countryside all around, and it only takes a few minutes to lift the great arms to the sky. I hope you are all in good health, we are both tip-top.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We have stopped in another pretty village, this one called Lakefield on the Otonobee River, that also has a canoe factory. I thought you would like this picture, it is of a regatta and we are hoping that we might see a regatta on one of the lakes before we are through. The route is a pleasant but winding one, I had no idea when we set out how many turns there would be before Lake Huron. Many of the pictures of the route show beautiful white steamships, but as yet we have seen but few of them. They say that many of the great transport companies are no more.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

Of the lakes we have seen so far, Stoney Lake is without doubt the most beautiful. It has many islands, with hills on all sides. We stopped at Juniper Island and visited the store, where we were served by a Mr. Stock. We are staying at Viamede Resort at Mount Julian, which is just lovely. We had a nice walk in the woods and enjoyed picking berries and enjoyed our evening looking at the lake from the balcony. We will stay here a few days before setting out on the rest of our journey.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

It is a blessing to be able to spend a few days on the water here at Stoney Lake. There are many pretty places to walk. We have been swimming a bit, and Robert got a tear on the shoulder of his swimsuit, but were able to mend. There is a dance hall and we will have the chance to enjoy it tomorrow evening. We have enjoyed visiting with Mrs. Graham at the resort.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

The Falls at Burleigh are a roaring cascade, we stood on the smooth rocks on either side and watched the water pour through. Had a lovely picnic with Robert under the pines on Lovesick Lake, what a romantic name! They say these Highland Lakes are like the Scottish Locks, just more subdued and peaceful. They are undoubtedly beautiful, but are not quite what I had imagined from the handbill. They have their own charm.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We passed through Chemung Lake on our way up. It is a long, narrow lake, with a wooden floating bridge that can take motor cars. They say it is just six miles motoring to Peterboro, though much further by boat. There is another Ojibwa village on this lake at a little narrows into the next lake. We saw several canoes as we passed and met a fishing guide.

Love,

Ethel

Mother,

We spent the night at Buckhorn at the Windsor Lodge, which is right by the lock. We passed by Fox Island, where they pasture cows, taking them across on a ferry. There are more forests in these parts than down on the Trent, though there are hardy souls making a living in their clearings. We passed a tug towing a barge of cordwood. Robert has much enjoyed fishing here, and has now caught a pickerel.

Love,

Ethel

Dear Folks,

At Pigeon Lake we stopped at another big island with cattle pasturing. There is a very pretty creek near the village at the top of the lake. Robert went fishing with Alf Nicholls, who was a very entertaining guide to paddle with. Bobcaygeon is on an Island, and we stayed at the Rockland House, which is right at the Canal. It is beside a huge private home, surrounded by a stone wall, owned by a family that they say owns half the town.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

On an outing we stopped at Sturgeon Point, a village of beautiful cottages on the lake. Here we actually did see people sailing. I think there might be a sailing club, and there is even a golf club. The point is an open grove, and a very pleasant place to walk along the lake. Tomorrow we plan to take a trip on the steamship (one of the last in these parts), the Lintonia to Lindsay.

Love,

Ethel

Mother,

We arrived at Lindsay this morning by steamship Lintonia. Captain Gray gave us a tour of the lake on the way and before long we were at the county town. There were many businessmen on the boat, who cottage at Sturgeon Point and work in the County Town. We enjoyed the afternoon along the river, and had a ginger ale from the bottling works. Some boys were standing under the flow of the dam washing themselves in the river. It was a silly sight.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We arrived at Fenelon Falls last evening, and are staying at the hotel that is just at the extreme right in this picture. There were many boats passing through the canal, and a photographic studio right beside the canal. The lakes in these parts are much more like those at the start of our journey, being less wild and ringed by farms. The train passes through this town, and there is a oak grove at the tourist camp by the lake. Three sisters keep a guest house there.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

After crossing Balsam Lake, which was one of the largest we have seen since the Rice Lake, we passed through another great lift-lock and ventured up the Trent River beyond. Before long we will be through to Lake Simcoe. We are passing through artificial lakes, and the flooded land around them is still much in evidence.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

Lake Simcoe is quite a large lake again, and there is much activity at the north end where were are staying at the Narrows of Orillia. We made a side trip to Beaverton, a little village on the side of the lake. We attended this old stone church, that reminded me of the ones in the old country.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

Having a wonderful time in Orillia, there is a very large park at the beach on Lake Couchiching. We are staying next door at the Daly House, and we see many people sailing in this town as well. We played tennis on an grass court, and watched the sunset over Lake Couchiching. Hoping you and father are well and looking forward to seeing you and Mam.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

We left Orillia yesterday and are now making our way up the Severn River, and will stay at Swift Rapids tonight. The country is again much changed and has a rugged, wild beauty. Robert has been enjoying the fishing, and caught an impressive Northern Pike. I was afraid to go near it.

Love,

Ethel

Mother,

We set out from Swift Rapids this morning, our last stop before we are on Georgian Bay. It is hard to believe our journey is almost over, and it won’t be long before we are headed home. At Swift Rapids there was a very impressive dam and power plant. We are at the Big Chute now, waiting for our boat to be loaded on the marine railway. Looking forward to seeing all of you again.

Love,

Ethel

Folks,

After what seemed like the whole summer on the water, we have arrived at Georgian Bay and toured out to see the many beautiful islands here. This is without doubt one of my favourite stops on the trip. The islands are smooth rocks and we enjoyed spending our last afternoon looking out into the endless lake. The sunsets here are magnificent. Back on the rails tomorrow.

Love,

Ethel