1. Norseman Park in Red Lake................................. 2. Gene Arriving at Mackenzie Island
3. View from Sun Porch to Mainland...................4. Awaiting our Arrival from a Twilight Boat Tour of Lake
5. Warming at Fire Celebrating Summer Solstice
The next morning, after coffee at the “Boomer” and a large breakfast at home we went for a tour of Re Lake. In the summer of 1936 at the height of the gold rush during the summer, this was the busiest airport in the world with over 100 flights daily! At Norseman park, they celebrate the use of the Norseman, a float plane made of wood, canvas and metal, that was built in Montreal, and was a major method of transportation intob remote communities. From there we went to the local museum which detailed the history of the local mining industry and also the fur trade.
Then we packed up the truck and drove six miles to Cochenour, where Steve, Gene’s cousin’s Donna’s husband, picked us up at the dock to bring us to their home on Mackenzie Island. Mackenzie Island is about 12 miles long and approximately 3 miles wide and is a little piece of paradise set in Red Lake. Not far from their home, Golden Eagle is sinking its shaft since the major ore body they have located is under the channel we came across by boat. There is a passenger ferry to the island and there is an ice road in winter, but it is a challenge to live on an island with the commuting logistics.
It was a day of darts, conversation, motor boating, fishing and copious amounts of food. Donna and Steve’s son Jay entertained us water skiing in the 12 C lake water. There are trout caught in Red Lake that are over 40 pounds! It was interesting talking to Steve about our trip through the Yukon, because he had worked at mining throughout that region and he gave us great insights. We had a roaring bonfire in the evening and neighbours from next door dropped over to help celebrate Summer Solstice.
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