by Doug Paul
While discussing how many extra minutes we spend on a Friday journey to Kahshe because of heavy traffic and when hearing rumours of an extra lane being added to highway 400, I often think of those early weekend trips with my parents to "The Lake" to ChaMar, the cottage belonging to my aunt and uncle.
The journey started Saturday afternoon, since Saturday was a half-day for many workers. The drive from Toronto along Highway #11 passed through the main streets of every town on route and lasted about four hours, provided that the Durant did not get a flat tire. On one occasion when we entered Orillia my mother left the car, walked the dog through the town and waited for father to catch up with the car at the north end. I eagerly anticipated finally passing by the cut through the PreCambrian shield at Washago.
After a short row or later a motor ride, we arrived at the cottage in time for a swim, dinner and maybe an hour or two of construction. Following Sunday lunch and a bit more time on the building site, we reversed the northern journey.
It was with great expectation that I awaited an invitation to spend a whole week with my cousin and aunt, who summered at the cottage, and my dad's two week vacation at the end of August.
Durant Motors was founded in 1921 and included a factory in Leaside for Canadian production. The company failed in 1933 as a result of the depression. A photo of a 1929 Model 60 sedan is above. It looks like the car that I remember ever so slightly.
Doug Paul
Doug spent part of every summer since 1940 at ChaMar, the cottage of his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Margaret McCaw, on the north shore of Kahshe Lake. He and his wife Karen now own a cottage on the S. Kahshe Rd. across from Sopher's Landing.
