Sphagnum Moss lives on at Camp 1

Sphagnum Moss

When I think about the 120 year old cabin we call  No. 1 not just its charm and history come to mind.

When Cabin 1 was built for the Riordan Paper Co. any material they could find to prevent air leakage was jammed in-between the logs. Old burlap was often used, but if it was available, sphagnum moss was the favorite.

This natural growing, and particularly pliable material is not found everywhere. A tiny patch exists along the east side of the camp road between nos. 4 and 1, but we thought it would be better left preserved to point out to our kids and grandkids when they visit.


My discovery of a cache of this material was on the west side of the lake where it spilt over some damp rocks at the shoreline. We accessed it by boat and harvesting was easy, just lifting and placing it into a bucket. Wherever you do find this moss never remove it all, take perhaps 30% as it will eventually grow back in time for the next harvest.  Sphagnum moss may dry out in hot weather, but then seems to come right back to life with rainy cooler temperatures.

Old chinking removed and renewed

Jon (JK) and Carol Kleivstul

So we set about removing and replacing the moss on the lakeside wall pictured in the top image here. Thanks to you JK, for the idea, encouragement and help in the project. Whether or not there are fewer breezes flowing through the cabin walls this fall or next spring, it was a rewarding experience working with this material for the first time. How many of us get to stuff moss in between logs?

(**Noted. An incredible amount of fine particles flowing from what must be the 50-100 year old dried moss and under the old dry bark. Perhaps this solves the mystery of the constant dust on the inside of the camp?)

TRIVIA As many of us were taught, read or shown, one can date logs by their annual growth rings. Looking at some of the visible parts of the structure of logs used in the construction of No. 1 cabin, particularly around the door frame, windows or ends of the house, one may count upwards of 25-30 ring lines in a single 1-2 inch visible notch. This would make the log itself approximately 100 years or more when it was cut, indicating the logs used in this cabin, started their growth back around the late 1700's. As an aside the hemlock logs (if indeed they are that) are as intact as the day they were cut and installed. 

Our holiday at Green Lake was the first lengthy stay in camp - almost two weeks from Aug 13-25, and we found the weather fully co-operative and mainly without incident, well almost....

Returning along a moon lit road from l’Ascension to camp one night, we came across an ATVwith driver completely off the road. When we inquired of the gentleman (who happened to be caught in our headlights urinating onto his machine), he stated innocently enough that he had had "un petite problem". Discerning if he was in shock from the crash, or a little inebriated, we discussed a plan of action.  Before we could do anything, the driver fell or jumped to the gravel road with his pants around his knees further injuring pride and his knees.

After assuring he was quite uninjured, we attached a towing belt to his vehicle and pulled it back onto the road. Other than a little minor damage to the ATV he asked if we were Irish, thanked us for our help, and motored off to somewhere with a few branches stuck here and there for good measure. We thought it unfair to take a picture, but hope that the narrative paints a vivid enough scene for you.

The Falls

Friends Lynne Adams and John Mayo along with their dog Darcy came up for the first weekend and enjoyed camp 4. Lynne rediscovered love with nature and swimming the falls in particular, and returned several days later with her daughter Arianne for two more nights.

During our stay we managed to accomplish a several minor outstanding camp chores besides our daily R & R. 

I finally took a ladder up on the roof at 2 to install / tape the new chimney cap. Hopefully this will now put an end to rain damage coming through roof and chimney.

JK brought his chain saw with him which we used to clear overgrowth and some standing dead white birch near the gas house. Jon also replenished the mantle / globe supplies in camp, and oiled and adjusted the on-off tabs on the propane lights.

The destroyed dock 2 (planks and logs) have been stacked at camp 1 (future stove starters). The crib and rocks were a little more difficult and are still in the water. We hope to float a dock over them in the next few weeks as we did at camps 1 and 3.

The old standing birch behind the gas house has been removed after a rather large branch fell on the edge of camp 4. 

Chantal and Carol

BBQ's were plentiful and most meals were on the deck or on the dock with temperatures mid 20s daytime and high teens evenings. My daughter Emily, (an excellent jeweler/metal smith) assisted in refurbishing the Beefeater BBQ we use at camp 2 with flame sizzlers cut from the heavy gauge tin off the back of the now discarded no 2 fridge.

Emily Gill

Small falls below Little Green 

Lot's of boat rides, beaver, duck and heron spotting. Picked blackberry and raspberry, swam the lake and falls, took lots and lots of walks and hikes and before we knew it we were back home.

John Mayo, Emily Gill, Lynne and Darcy Adams

Vercheres in the boathouse

Claude and his brother in law Jean-Claude spent considerable efforts repairing and painting all our Vercheres. A total of 9 boats (5 wood and 4 glass) are waiting for your fishing pleasures next spring.

To note: Anyone using camp 4, at the time we arrived and after turning on the gas (propane) there was a strong odor in the house.

We discovered the propane space heater had its valve fully opened. If you smell gas "IN the cabin", the first thing to check is the 'L' shaped 2 inch lever at the bottom rear right side of this heater. Move it to an off position and listen for escaping gas to insure it is closed. Do not attempt to light furnace or anything else  if there is an odor present. OPEN the front and rear doors and allow sufficient time for the propane to evacuate from the cabin before lighting fridge or pilots on the stove.

There is also a propane leak either in the line running outside and under the house or the assembly at the tank. We will be checking this immediately and advise. REMEMBER PROPANE IS HIGHLY FLAMABLE. It is the members responsibility to know how to light all propane and or wood stoves properly. If not you must ask Claude or another knowledgeable member.