Getting to know our cabin neighbours

As I write this week’s column, I can’t help but think of how fortunate we are to be on Rainy Lake.
We hosted a party for all of the residents within an island of our cabin this past weekend marking two national holidays.
Over time, we have lost track of the new residents. It was a fun event as most of those in attendance had not met each other before
The cabin owners in the area have changed a great deal in the past half-decade through sales and residents growing older and having to move their properties to other family members.
Some of the families can date their coming to Rainy lake to the early 1930s and some even earlier on the U.S. side of the lake.
It was a fun afternoon and evening learning where everyone was from. Utah, Nevada, Texas, Alaska, Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, International Falls were all identified.
Some residents have yet to arrive. Another generation of boys arrived to with their grandparents and quickly discovered that they enjoyed the water and exploring.
We have trails and they quickly discovered the routes and more than once expanded on the system.
We all discovered our passion for Rainy Lake life. It was our common ground.
Whether you are on Rainy Lake, or Clearwater, or Lake of the Woods, it is good to know who you might call should an emergency arise.
We exchanged phone numbers should we need some person to come to our rescue little realizing that one of the cabin owners would be making that call early the next morning.
A south and east wind had torn their dock apart and pushed their boats up onto the beach, knocking one motor off the boat and baring another motor deep into sand. On Sunday morning, they were stranded and other cabin owners came to help them.
The motor that was buried in sand was lifted and the prop removed and cleaned of all the sand and clay that packed into it.
The propeller will need to be replaced, but they were able to limp back to the marina pulling the other boat.
Life is like that on Rainy Lake as cabin owners willingly offer assistance at the drop of a hat for everything from blown down trees, to water line problems, to rescuing boats and families.
The Saturday afternoon was enjoyable. We collectively noted the number of vacant cabins that seems to grow from year to year.
We talked a little about fishing, shared stories about families and how we have each arrived where we live in the winter season.
We all found we have a lot in common.
Grown children seem to live quite far away with their families. Everyone brought their favorite dish for supper.
Sharing food and conversation is a wonderful way to build new friendships.
As the sun was setting everyone seemed to realize that it was probably time to head home.
It was that kind of day where time was lost, but memories were kindled.