"They wanted to be quite sure they got on one of the insured boats. (They all are insured by the way). when we were aboard they hastened to try getting into their "Mae West" life jackets but made little progress until we showed them how it was done. J.W. and I teased them and told them they were shallow water Baptists. We did not mind getting wet and we could both swim. The trip over and back was thrilling, fifteen minutes each way. there were many things of interest on the island and we saw quite a few. Moose Factory Island is the oldest settlement in Ontario. We saw the huge, very up-to-date Eskimo-Indian Hospital; St. Thomas' Anglican Church with its beautiful very old bead worked moosehide altar cloths. At one time a spring flood floated this church from its foundation. The people managed to tow the church back into place before the water went down. To prevent this from happening again, holes were bored in the floor. In case of flood, the holes are unplugged and water allowed to enter the church, thus preventing it from floating away. The member felt it would be better to clean after the flood than to lose the church. There were other things we saw and man we did not. We were beginning to tire, or rather I was, so we failed to visit other places of interest.
We picked up a few souvenirs from the Indians. A wild goose and a loon for us, both beautifully hand-carved from wood by the Indians. J.W. bought a soapstone carving. We caught another boat to the mainland, and gradually worked our way back to the station. The way seemed such longer going back. We stopped at he little post-office to write and mail quite a few cards.
The train left at 6:15 and by this time it was pouring rain again. Have I said it rained all the way from Cochrane to Moosonee, then the sun came out and it was a nice day up to the time we got back to the station? We were early birds for those who loitered along the way were not so fortunate, they came in running and drenched.
As the train pulled out of the station, several little Indian lads waved a farewell, by putting their thumbs in their ears, wigwagging and making horrible faces. J.W. insisted they meant something entirely different. People and especially youngsters are about the same wherever you find them.
We were a weary, bedraggled looking group of people when the train started. Everyone had a big day. Souvenirs by the car load it seemed. I realized "my get up and go had got up and went." J.W. found some people to talk with, from far enough south of the border to have a drawl to equal his, and they kept the car in an uproar "shooting the breeze". After we had dinner I napped most of the way back to Cochrane.
We were due back at 11:30 P.M. but we were late, it was almost midnight when we arrived. cold, blustery and again pouring. Fortunately we had only to cross the street to reach our hotel. Nothing has ever looked so tempting as that bed after the day I had put in, then had to climb three flights of stairs to our room. No elevators!!! Although exhausted I had to have a "jay-bird" bath, then I tumbled in and was asleep almost by the time my head hit the pillow. BLESSED RELIEF.
The next morning we decided not to go down to the crowed dining room for breakfast but to enjoy the contents of our "care box". Nothing has ever tasted quite so good as that tea and blueberry coffee cake eaten off an old washstand in a little hotel. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of some little girls. Good Scouts All."
Cannot upload pictures, internet seems to be overloaded. Next time. (was able to upload today)
We picked up a few souvenirs from the Indians. A wild goose and a loon for us, both beautifully hand-carved from wood by the Indians. J.W. bought a soapstone carving. We caught another boat to the mainland, and gradually worked our way back to the station. The way seemed such longer going back. We stopped at he little post-office to write and mail quite a few cards.
The train left at 6:15 and by this time it was pouring rain again. Have I said it rained all the way from Cochrane to Moosonee, then the sun came out and it was a nice day up to the time we got back to the station? We were early birds for those who loitered along the way were not so fortunate, they came in running and drenched.
As the train pulled out of the station, several little Indian lads waved a farewell, by putting their thumbs in their ears, wigwagging and making horrible faces. J.W. insisted they meant something entirely different. People and especially youngsters are about the same wherever you find them.
We were a weary, bedraggled looking group of people when the train started. Everyone had a big day. Souvenirs by the car load it seemed. I realized "my get up and go had got up and went." J.W. found some people to talk with, from far enough south of the border to have a drawl to equal his, and they kept the car in an uproar "shooting the breeze". After we had dinner I napped most of the way back to Cochrane.
We were due back at 11:30 P.M. but we were late, it was almost midnight when we arrived. cold, blustery and again pouring. Fortunately we had only to cross the street to reach our hotel. Nothing has ever looked so tempting as that bed after the day I had put in, then had to climb three flights of stairs to our room. No elevators!!! Although exhausted I had to have a "jay-bird" bath, then I tumbled in and was asleep almost by the time my head hit the pillow. BLESSED RELIEF.
The next morning we decided not to go down to the crowed dining room for breakfast but to enjoy the contents of our "care box". Nothing has ever tasted quite so good as that tea and blueberry coffee cake eaten off an old washstand in a little hotel. Thanks to the thoughtfulness of some little girls. Good Scouts All."
Cannot upload pictures, internet seems to be overloaded. Next time. (was able to upload today)
Kirkland Lake
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