RIP Gramps

Dad, myself, and Grampa

On January 14th I was hit with the devastating news that my Grandfather was in the hospital and not going to survive the night. He was diagnosed with diabetes about 60 years ago, told the doctor it would have to wait because he was building a house and going on a honeymoon. That short story alone should set the stage for understanding the type of man he was. He died of an aneurysm in his brain, and while he remained breathing for three days after, he never recovered.

His dad settled the family in Kapuskasing (Northern Ontario) and that's where my dad was born. All

Courtesy of http://www.kapuskasing.ca

in all, Kapuskasing is about 850km (520mi) from Toronto. A solid 10 hour drive to get there. I did it once in my old Jeep YJ with a friend. It was as they say, an epic road trip. Didn't get off road, but cruising the northern highways with the top open was awesome. The Jeep was right at home.

Grampa giving me my first Argo driving lesson

Since he lived in Kapuskasing up until 19 years ago, I didn't get to see him too often, but when I did, what a blast. He had an Argo 8x8 that I recall being the first vehicle I ever learned how to drive. One day I hope to own my own (don't tell my wife), and I suspect that it was what really got me on the road to Jeepin'. Kapuskasing trips always involved the outdoors.

May be over our limit... maybe...

Perfectly safe to be out here with the kids

Summer was out in the Argo, heading back to the log booms to fish.
Log booms were floating platforms that kept the logs flowing down the river into the mill to be made in the paper we all know and love

Crazy thick ice

Winter was out on the skidoo heading out to the VERY frozen lakes to fish. Honestly, I'm not much of a fisher these days, odd considering how much I did as a kid. I recall working the ice drill with my dad, and putting it down to the handles (about 5') into the ice, and still not hitting water. Saganash Lake was quite the lake.

Full of advice, love and leaving a huge legacy behind. 

Evidently, I was round when I was born