Prior to our visit, four of us were double vaccinated. Neil checked with the doctor, and was told that Felix (unvaccinated) would present the same risks as the rest of us provided he wasn’t attending school or summer camp. He had not, so unlike last year’s visit, this Grandpa was able to remain at his house while we were there.
Nolan mapped our route to pass the Muskoka airport so he could see some planes. We were treated to this sight. Photo by Nolan.
We arrived late on Friday, and spent Saturday and Sunday around the house and in the neighbourhood.
Neil worked on one of Grandpa’s garden patches.
Before and After. [Drag the arrows to to compare.]
This is where Grandpa goes to rent bikes.
Hundreds of bikes here, but how well do they work?
Everyone, including adults, had a bike to use.
The kids were equipped with their own transportation.Many hummingbirds visit his feeder, even in the rain.Black-capped chickadee.
The kids went on their requisite sail with Grandpa in his boat.Making structures.
On one of our outings, we found this creature checking out Joan’s yard 🤔
One evening, we watched a sailing race.First trip down to the water.Felix entertained himself with this log.A storm blew in, and we watched a wall of rain head towards us.It got extremely gusty but the rain missed us.Happy and tired kids.
Starting Monday, the kids attended a one-week sailing camp at the Deep River Yacht and Tennis Club. This is the same camp at which Neil learnt to sail as a kid, and where he taught sailing as a teen. Camp was Monday to Friday, from 9AM to 4PM, with 1 hour for lunch at $225 per kid for the week. This was definitely the best value and most fun summer camp the kids have ever attended.
Morning viewLunchtime viewAfternoon view
Day 1 condensed into 2 minutes. Capsizing was intentional – they had to show they could right the boats.
Cloudy day sailing
Sunny day sailing
PracticingCoaching on the water.Playing outdoor games while waiting for wind.There’s also some excitement. This is the aftermath of a three-boat crash that started when the boom fell off the red boat, on the third day of camp. Rendezvous with Grandpa and Joan. Afternoon chopper daily flyby.Cutting it close.Chatting with friends.
Nolan also made friends with 3 boys in another family who were all double vaccinated, and all 6 kids would convene at the local park to play ball after camp. On our last day, we all met at the beach, and the kids finally found a public raft to play on.
At an outdoor visit to Neil’s cousin “farm”, the boys held some super cute bunnies.Packing up for the drive home.
Our drive home was also filled with fun. We dropped by to visit our friends who are building their house in Eganville. They graciously allowed the kids to drive their skid steer, and fulfilled one of Felix’s dreams.
Better than an amusement park!We also stopped at a couple of locks. This is at the upper portion of Kirkfield Lock, the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world at 15 m.
