In June, I joined my brother and other family members at a rented cottage a few hours north of Toronto in densely forested Ontario. A steep dirt path through pines, maples, and naturally lined by ferns, not landscaped, led down to the lakeside.
The water was cold at first, but felt comfortable after a minute or two. My brother stood at the edge of the dock waiting for courage, then dove in. I preferred to use the ladder, slowly submerging one step at a time until my swimsuit was getting wet, then push off into the water and swim to warm up.
The mosquitoes were ever present and relentless. Fortunately, my family brought effective bug spray so I wasn’t obsessed with defending myself, although they managed to find any spots I’ve missed. Dragonflies with their colored wings, light shining through them, hovered at times, hopefully feasting on the mosquitoes. The big deer flies I could live without. One morning I took a walk right after a shower, with my hair wet, and they flew about my head incessantly.
Sitting by the dock, I was reading a beautifully descriptive book about another place (The Outer Beach, by Robert Finch, about Cape Cod). I came across the phrase “engaging the senses.” I sat back and let my own senses embrace the lake scene.
Listening to the gentle breeze rustling the tall trees. Cool in shadow, where I sat, the blazing sun made its way across the sky in echo, its reflection kept pace across the softly undulating waves, light sparkling on the surface of the water. A brief commotion of geese calls, something they suddenly needed to argue about or call to each other before taking flight. Goslings followed their parents, drifting by in a line. Shadows of the leaves speckled the deck as the sun and wind moved through them. My brother pointed out a loon further out on the water. The smell of fresh lake water and its choking green plants reaching up under the surface.
I liked to watch the constant movement of the reflections of the trees that border the lake, and of the small island. I kayaked out there one afternoon. There’s a cottage on the island, but I didn’t go all the way around to see it. I hugged the shore, looking for plant and wildlife.
White clouds hung on the horizon most mornings, shimmering blue sky above. One day it was mostly cloudy; it was a treat when the sun poked through, peering at us down below, then tucking back behind the clouds again. One morning I caught the sunrise, although not quite early enough to see it rise over the horizon.
It was quiet in the early morning; the subtle sounds of the lake were not competing with voices and motorboat vrooms. Saturday was a busy day for visitors to the lake, kids splashing, yelling, laughing, a dog whining to join the children and finally jumping in.
Reflections
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Lovely, Ruth. For ten minutes or so I was transported to this place. Kayaking on the lake must have been a lot of fun. I’m with the dragonflies when it comes to bug wars! Nice videos at the end.
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Thank you, Leighton, I was hoping to give this post the feel of being there and relaxing in that natural setting. So glad you enjoyed it.
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I love your mix of description and in spite of the constant insect attacks it sounds like a peaceful time in nature.
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Thanks so much for your visit and comment. It was a peaceful and relaxing place to spend some time.
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I love your prose, your narrative, your photos and your spirit. Just lovely!
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Thanks for reading, Carol! I appreciate your comments.
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Sounds peaceful.
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It was quiet and calm.
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Beautiful descriptions of your bucolic setting. It sounds like you and the family had a restful vacation! B and H
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That we did. Thank you for reading!
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The water sounds cold, but I would love to sit on one of those lovely colourful chairs on the deck! Beautiful pictures … and your reflections in the water videos are displaying a wonderful sense of calmness & serentiy!
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Those chairs were the place to be. We spent many hours there, always something a little different to see. Thanks so much for your kind comment.
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It looks like the perfect get away from everyday life. So many lakes and so many cottages in Ontario. We did something similar in Ontario when our kids were young. Thanks for sharing the peace. Allan
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It seems to be a common Canadian pastime. I was glad to experience it! Thanks, Allan.
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A were at a beautiful Canadian area. You chose a book about another beautiful place: Cape Cod. I haven’t read Finch’s book. But a few years ago I read The Outermost House, by Henry Beston. It’s set on Cape Cod too, and is terrific.
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Yes, I’ve read Beston’s book. Finch refers to it and quotes from it a bit. I did a blog series on Cape Cod last year, having spent 3 weeks there. My son is living there now and sent me Finch’s book. Both are beautifully written.
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Except for the mosquitoes and deer flies it sounds like the perfect quiet getaway. Maggie
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There’s always a downside to everything, isn’t there? They weren’t a serious problem. Pretty close to perfect! Thanks, Maggie.
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Looks idyllic . . . except for those blasted insects.
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As Gilda Radner used to say, “It’s always something!” We had the bugs reasonably under control, so it was a lovely stay.
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Oh, the serenity of Ontario lakes! Looks like a perfect place to spend a few days with a book. The mosquitos and the deer flies I can do without though!
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Nothing is absolutely perfect, right? Still, it was quite lovely and I can see why it’s a regular Canadian thing to do. And I did do a lot of reading.
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Your photos and descriptions are beautiful and calming.
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Thanks for your kind comment.
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You beautiful description of your experience has put me at my cottage on Salmon lake . We have enjoyed that exact experience since my parents bought in 1946. Thankyou
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It’s a lovely place. My brother’s neighbor owns the cottage. He and his family have gone there for many years. Glad you found this post!
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What a peaceful lake! Although the mosquitos weren’t giving you much peace (I absolutely detest them)…all the same, a tranquil time spent with family/loved ones during this eternal summer!
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It was a lovely place to spend some time, and we mostly could keep the bugs away. A special time. Thanks, Rebecca, for your thoughts.
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Wonderfully descriptive! A delight to read. Those bugs can be really annoying!
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Thanks so much for reading. It was enjoyable to write too (despite the insects).
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What a beautiful place Ruth! Mosquitoes are the death of me but I’m glad you were all equipped with bug spray. I particular like that picture of the water with the plants (are they a kind of pond lily?)- I stopped and thought my brain saw a Monet.
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Thank you! I thought of Monet as well. They are small lily pads, although I don’t know the exact name.
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It looks so tranquil and beautiful! I hate mosquitoes so would have been doused in repellant!
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I covered myself every day in the stuff! And happy to say, it worked. So I could enjoy my time there.
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Sounds like you definitely engaged the senses when you were at the cabin. The bugs can be brutal in June, but thank goodness for bug spray!
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It’s a wonderful invention. It was a lovely time, despite the insects.
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Absolutely gorgeous!!!
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Thanks so much!
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My pleasure!🙏🌹🙏
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This was just lovely. I was with you there on the deck. So peaceful. It all sounds quite idyllic.
Alison
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Thank you, Alison, for being there with me.
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Apart from the pesky mosquitoes and flies, this looks like the perfect place to unwind and chill for a while – but I think I said that when you first posted about it?! You really brought the lake, and a sense of being there, to life in this post, especially with those reflection photos and the videos 🙂 I love the sunrise too – just beautiful!
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Thank you, Sarah. This was a post of reflections in more ways than one. Glad it spoke to you.
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Bugs and Saturdays aside, the setting looks utterly tranquil. Thank you for sharing so many beautiful images.
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Thanks, Dave. Glad you enjoyed them.
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Beautiful! Wish I was there.
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Thank you. It was a lovely place to spend some time.
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As the summer begins to wind down, it is lovely to be able to take a trip to Salmon Lake with you, Ruth! I am very grateful to be reminded that these blessed places still exist on planet earth. Our news media (“if it bleeds, it leads…”) always warps my understanding of what is unfolding here on planet earth. Thank you for taking the time to document your visit and then share it with the rest of us!
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My pleasure, Will! Thanks so much for coming along. Besides thoroughly enjoying my time there, it helps me to process and keep it in my mind by writing and working with the photos. It’s what I do. Glad you found this post (and read through the other comments)!
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Thanks for the link!
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