through my eyes: Weslemkoon

    My folks have a cottage on Lake Weslemkoon in nothern Ontario. It is about 300 km north east of Toronto and just below Algonquin Park - one of Ontario's best known provincial parks. This part of Ontario is located on the Canadian shield, that is to say, there is a huge amount of rock, a thin layer of soil in parts, and some amazing pine trees that hold on despite it all! Lots of people might go in for ground up rock (aka sand) when it comes to cottages or lake time, but I am far more partial to a great big rock on which I can spread my body, partake of some heat and stare up at the clouds, by day, and the stars, by night.This is my grounding.

   There is something about this lake that calls to me. Every summer I get a longing in my body to be there: to meld my bones with the rocks and my cells with the lake. I can't really explain it, but it just feels like a part of me comes from that nature. And even after all our travels, I still think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

    This summer I tried to capture the cottage and the lake as I see them; to try and show just what it is about the place that draws me there.

the main cottage

the bunkie

Originally there was just one building on the site - the main cottage. It was/is quite rustic with two small bedrooms, a kitchen, sitting room and dining area. It became a passion and retirement project for my dad to add a second building, the 'bunkie', which is now nearly complete and is really quite gorgeous on the inside while keeping in the same modest style of the main cottage on the outside.

At the end of the day, however, it is the clear water, the form of the trees, the shapes of the rocks reflecting up, and the open expanse of sky that hold my attention.

Good night cottage. From three separate splendid evenings' sunset.