Looking Back to Rawhide

By Pete Lathrop

Every new year brings with it the anticipation of what’s to come, but also a desire to look back and reminisce about the good times.

We all do our share of reflecting on past events, mostly scrolling through pictures and social media posts. We whittle down the most important and memorable times to just a handful of moments that seem brighter and more wonderful in our mind’s eye than what is on your phone or hanging on the wall.

As I write this article, I’m looking at a picture that is impossible to reenact or duplicate. Several in that photo are no longer with us. It is a framed picture of my newlywed wife and I, along with my friends and family, on the shore of a remote Canadian lake called Rawhide. Although this picture was taken over 30 years ago, its essence of spontaneity makes the moment come alive again. It was the last time my grandmother, “Nannie,” went to Rawhide Lake’s old longhouse, a tradition in our family since the 1930s.

Stepping into the old cabin was like traveling back to a time long ago. Nothing ever changed except an occasional coat of orange paint on the exterior. Taking the time to plan out that trip wasn’t my responsibility back then. My father worked out all the details. He made sure the 6-horse boat motor was tuned and ready. He saw to it that all the rods and reels in working order and made arrangements for Nannie to fly-in instead of enduring the grueling, three-lake portage to the longhouse.

We had glorious weather, and the fishing was good. Still, as with all remote wilderness settings in the midst of summer, there were the typical inconveniences of bugs, bathing in ice-cold water, and a smelly outhouse. Even a pesky bear roaming close to the longhouse added to the ambiance. Oddly enough, I wouldn’t call them inconveniences; I’d rather call these fortuitous accents of the outdoors. I appreciate the effort and sacrifice that my father made to make this memory unforgettable. He knew from experience the value of getting away from everyday life as his father planned trips like this throughout his childhood and as a young man. Since then, my wife and I have taken our children on many Canadian wilderness excursions, making an indelible impression in their lives. Taking the time to save, plan, prepare, and follow through with a family trip will bring precious memories that do more than cause you to reminisce. Trips like these bring families closer together. And that’s priceless.