Once again we were fortunate to have visitors from Belgium at Beaverland. Our friends Peter, Marleen and daughter Maryke stayed for almost a week on the first leg of their trip to Canada.

Here is part of what they wrote upon leaving for Ottawa...."We had a most wonderful time at Beaverland Camp, much more than we ever expected. We got to taste a bit of life up North, especially with you showing us around the place. Of course too short, but that's life. We hope that you come over to visit us....you are always welcome in our house and can stay as long as you wish!"

What a great time we all had, especially during a quieter time at the camp. The Marten River Provincial Park's Logging Museum was a great opportunity for our guests to see first hand the history and stories of logging in the area, especially since Beaverland had it's beginnings as a logging camp many years ago. Thanks to Diane at the Park for a personal tour of the museum and a great explanation of all the artifacts.

Early morning on the MArten

Whoa there friends.....it's already feeling like Fall here! Sorry for being so tardy in keeping the Beaverland site current, but it's good to have it up again. Some new things happening in camp. The row of old log cabins on the waterfront have been removed to open up green space and a beautiful view of the water. Many of the logs and lumber were saved for future use. Not a tire was damaged with nails either!

Pictured here are the crew who worked on the last cabin. Grandson Travis, who spent the summer at the camp, had a rare opportunity to work along side both of his Grandfathers on this day. Grampa Albert is in the driver's seat, Grampa Ray is kneeling beside Travis who is leaning on the tire. Pictured behind is Philip Gagne, our summer helper. It was a bittersweet moment to see the last of the historical waterfront cabins gone.

.and we can't forget about Alexis - our newest grandbaby! Here she poses with an Inuksuk (pronounced E-nuk-sook) at the entrance to Beaverland Camp. The Inuksuk is an ancient symbol of the Canadian North and is a sentinel to travellers, guiding them safe passage. Each part of the whole Inuksuk is crucial to its existance. Welcome Alexis and safe passage back to B.C. 

Better late than never! It was July 1st Canada Day weekend when Albert celebrated his Big 6-0 with a surprize party with lots of family & friends storming the camp for fun, food and lots of laughs and reminiscing. Dear friends Johan Janssens and Luk & Hilde DeSmet from Belgium made the trip to celebrate with us and also take a little tour of southern Ontario where they had worked as exchange students on the Cloet family tobacco farm.
Thanks to our family for taking time to spend the week with us. It really was a great time! Pictured here is the Big Guy himself with his special Birthday/Canada Day hat, our son, Mike from Mackenzie B.C. and Elaina Stidham, long time guest from Ohio, USA. Happy Birthday Al! We luv U!
 

WOW! A baby moose! This pic was taken by Rick Harrison of Uxbridge, Ontario on Big Marten Lake. The mama was ahead trying to encourage the little one to climb up onto the island. "I'm tryin' Ma, I just need a bit of a breather" 

WOW ! Look at this beauty! Drew Mitchell of Linwood, Ontario landed this awesome walleye on the opening day of the season. First time guest at Beaverland, and the first Walleye brought back into camp. Way to go Drew! 

It seems like a L-O-N-G time has passed since we saw this out the window. With Spring in the air, it won't be long before the boats will be wet and the anglers seeking their supper. Here Jeff Scheer navigates his boat past the docks and out to the lakes. Not too many sleeps ahead until this will be a common sight once again. Horray for Spring! 

It was like "old home week" when these guys spent a few days helping to get the wood cut, split and stacked for winter. From left - Albert helped as much as he could, still recovering from shoulder surgery, friends Willy Connolly and Tim Ferrell and our son Jeff Cloet worked hard and even had some great laughs and fun. Thanks a lot for all your help. It is much appreciated.  

It's time to set out for the evening fish. The sunset is not far off and this angler is taking advantage of the remaining daylight hours. 

This Thomas and Family vacation photo was taken as the families prepared to head back to Kirkland Lake. A week filled with fishing, fun, games and lots of laughter sure added to the friendly family atmosphere which the Thomas family brought into camp.Thanks for sharing your photo with us.
 

Wowzers!!! Teran Cloet and Bailey Ferrell can hardly hold these beautiful Smallies for their photo op! They enjoyed a great week of fun, fishing, swimming and playing in camp. And the fish fry was yummy too! 

A very happy Bob Kiesel of Guysville, Penn. shows off his prize Walleye! It weighed in at 6 & 1/4 lb and was 29 &1/2" long. Fish On!! 

Sarah Katrancha and her brother Dustin of Dunlo, PA proudly display their catch. Dustin's smallmoutn bass stretched to 18 & 3/4". Along with the other bass and walleye, they has a nice family fish fry for dinner!  

Reed Hickman and Nathan Walker of Simcoe area proudly display the catch of the day on the dock. It was a great week for the boys and their families, especially the swimming and the bike trail riding. Good going guys!! 

Another great day of fishing for Craig Pickering of Barrie, Ontario. This beautiful golden Walleye was the prize catch of Craig's holiday! After a photo session and a kiss, this prime breeder was released back into the waters of Little Marten Lake. Looking on is Craig's nephew Jared Edwards, as Craig proudly holds his catch. It's through conservation-minded anglers like Craig that the fisheries are able to be sustained to keep the waters populated for the sport fishing enthusiast. Thanks Craig for sharing this with us! 

Never a dull moment! Here granddaughter Rachel puts the finishing touches on the new picnic tables. Grampa Albert and Rachel spent 2 days making and painting about 14 of these tables to place around the camp. With the fantastic summer weather we have had, taking meals 'al fresco' has been a great pleasure for our guests.
 

Rachel and Grampa Albert proudly display their evening catch of Walleye. They kept only what would be enough for a tasty meal.  

Well what a day it was for Lance Default and his Dad, Tracy from Angus, Ontario. This stringer of Walleye and Smallies is proudly displayed and it wasn't long before these tasty fish were on the table! Lance's service dog, Otter, is always by his side, and the fishing trip was no exception. Way to go Lance and Tracy! Fish on!! 

This year's winner of the L'il Angler award in the Beaverland Big Bass Derby held each July is Gunnar Stidham of Shreve, Ohio. Here Gunnar proudly holds his winning Smallmouth Bass caught in the Marten. The Big Angler award went to Rob Scott. A special award for the smallest angler with the smallest Bass, live released, went to Hunter Kirsch. Guests also had a great Barbecue supper and were treated to a giant fireworks display to celebrate Canada Day and Independence Day for our Canadian and American guests and friends. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all who participated.  

Josh Burk of Haliburton, Ontario proudly holds this 18 lb. 3 oz. Northern Pike which he landed on a recent trip to the camp. It won't be long before this great Northern will be displayed on Josh's wall! His Black Lab, Titan, ,just had to get into the picture. After all, he was part of the fishing trip, too! Glad to have you in camp again Josh.