By Community Affairs

The Many Phases of Lake Life

Jul 4, 2011 | 10:51 AM

Like so many of you – I went to THE LAKE for July 1st .

As compensation for living in a part of the country that has so many cold days – we are close to some of the most amazing landscape. Prince Albert (and even Kinistino, where I live) is literally minutes away from lake country.

Many families include lake life as part of their family culture and tradition. The lakes vary … Waskesiu, Emma, Christopher, Fishing Lake, Candle Lake and on and on.

The one thing that is consistent for many families is the devotion to the lake. Families travel to a particular lake for generations.There are great debates where families mightily defend their choice of lake. Some like to rough it up north and say … why go to a lake that is just like living in town! Valid argument. Others like to be at a lake that is quite and peaceful, where many of their friends are, with some amenities to make life a little more comfortable.

Others, like our family, have enjoyed the Prince Albert National Park choosing to be at the lake, tenting and making fires – but with the comforts of a community.

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Many here in Kinistino travel to Candle Lake. Our family has visited Waskesiu. My grandparents went to Waskesiu with their young children. My parents took us. Now, we take our children and we teach our kids to love the family summer spot.

This is my first year taking my son to Waskesiu and I was struck by the fact that not only do generations of families partake in particular lake life, but that within one lifetime, there are phases of enjoyment.

When I was a child, we would go fishing with my dad from the break-water and go biking with the family around the town site and throughout the vast areas of the park on bicycles made for two which were rented at the Gas Station in the centre of the village. We would go to the nature centre and watch movies about Grey Owl, bears, owls and beavers. We went to the outdoor theatre to watch plays while being nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes – and howl with the wolves.

As a teenage, my focus was trying to get my sickly white skin to tan – and attracting the attention of boys.

As a grown-up, I was in love and we would stroll through Waskesiu hand in hand. I would show him all the places that were special to me and we would learn about camping and the best ways to make a usable fire in the fire-pits. We would eat at the nice restaurants and shop at the beautiful stores.
This weekend, I brought my 5 year old. Again it is the same lake, the same town, but a different experience completely. Now, I am the one taking my son to the Nature Centre, looking up hiking trails and outdoor adventures. Now I am enjoying the playground – and thinking that we need to set up our beach spot near the swings. We walk slower and I see Waskesiu like a child again.

As we grow – there will be more ways to enjoy lake life.

Sometimes it is difficult to get away – difficult to get out of the day to day summer routine, so even if you are not a “going to the lake family”, take advantage of our proximity to all the great local lakes and enjoy. There is nothing like seizing the day, laying on golden sand listening to cool water and looking at beautiful trees.

Have a good week everyone!