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| The Wharf Rats: Gary Chamberlain Don Neild Tom Alexander |
Life is Good
by Robert Alexander
Winter 1962. Toronto Maple Leaves at Chicago Black Hawks, only 6 teams in the league. My friend Nick Sale, had Pay per View television, a coin box on the T V in Etobicoke, and invited me over to watch the game, on a cold Wednesday night in January.
Between periods the talk turned to the coming summer. I had spent my summers in the Keswick, Jackson Point area, and had tried Wasaga, but it was much too crowded and frantic. Nick proceeded to tell me of his family's basic cottage on an island, sort of, on Kahshe Lake, and extended an invitation to visit. Nick and I had graduated high school together along with Don Nield, but that is another story.
Summer arrived and my wife and I drove to Rockhaven Inn where the Sales docked their boat. When I navigated the last turn in the road, and found myself at the gov't. dock, my heart skipped a beat, my jaw dropped and a big grin spread across my face. I had never seen any place as beautiful before. The water, sky, rocks, trees and the wonderful smell of Muskoka enchanted me.
The Sale cottage is on the island south of Rockhaven. Moores and Biers are the neighbours. That summer and 1963 were the best I had spent in my life and I wanted more.
August 1963, Nick took me to Lindhill Isle to meet Mr Hill. He was the Real Estate agent in the area. The only lot he had for sale was 100' on the west shore of Grants Bay. I bought it. In those days Grants Bay was an unknown entity. The entrance was guarded by unseen rocks that moved around and attacked unsuspecting outboard motors.
I began work on my 16'x18' A frame in 1964, and hope to finish it soon. In Sept. 1969, I met Bill and Hilda Mylks and we became friends, I purchased the lot south of my place from them as it was a better bathing area for my two young daughters.
As I mentioned previously. Don Nield was a friend of both Nick and I. In 1972, Don and I sat down with Bill and Hilda and worked out a purchase of all the land from my property to where Nields are to-day. Gary Chamberlain acquired 3 lots on the north side of the Nield property. and so we built.
Electricity had arrived in1967, but we still travelled by boat. Our children all played and grew up together. By this time I had 3, Nield 3, Chamberlain 1.
One day in 1973, David Nield came to Don and I as we were working and told us had he had seen a truck across the swamp! Civilisation was within our grasp. Don and I investigated and found out who was building a road. We approached all the neighbours on the shoreline, but none were interested in getting a road.
In 1975, Alexander, Chamberlain and Nield, contracted with Cliff Boyd to build a road across the swamp, and proceed south to the Nield property. Donnie Robinson did the actual work. We split the entire cost three ways. A few years later Gary and Eleanor Maclean would purchase a lot to the south and contribute an equal share of the cost.
By August 1,1975, the road [as such] was completed, and our lives became easier. We were now free of our boats. The summers were spent building, visiting, sing songs, and bonfires.
In the early 70's I was part of a bar band called "The Over The Hill Mob. We would perform at Sunnycrest Lodge, owned and operated by Fred and Nellie Robinson. The Lodge was also headquarters for the "Snow Crest Riders" snowmobile club.
These were busy times at Kahshe Lake. In 1984, my wife Patricia and I parted ways, and divorced in 1989. I married Ramune, and we have made many change to the "A Frame" and are now enjoying my retirement.
As I write this in 2012, the road is 37 years old, the electricity is reliable, and the lumber yard delivers right to my door.
Life is good.
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Farewell to Paradise
After 50 wonderful years at Kahshe Lake, my time here has come to an end. For all things there is a season, and it is time to leave. I will not be able to say goodbye to my Peers, as they have preceded me, some through illness, and others who have gone to their final destination.
My departure has been lightened by the knowledge that the new owners of "St, Thomas, on the Lake" have shown a great interest in the history of the cottage I began building in 1964, and promised to complete by July 31, 2013. I hope with all my heart that they too will enjoy a lifetime of good times, and collect memories that may be cherished in their future years.
Good bye dear neighbours,
Tom Alexander
Grants' Bay
