Bowers Camp on Bob's Lake

on Bob's Lake. It was built in the 30's or 40's I believe by the Broughtons. They were my great-aunt's aunt and uncle. I'm not sure when, but my Great-Uncle and Aunt ended up getting it and still own it to this day.

There are a number of cottages, with their rustic charm, and each one has a toilet room and a varying number of bedrooms. There is a shower for the men and shower for the women connected to the main lodge, so you have to go out side of your cottage to get there. Hey, I said the place was rustic. Nevertheless, the campground as a whole feels like 1960's fishing camp heaven.

What does one do at Bowers Camp, you wonder? Well, since my family has gone here many many times (every few years since I was 2 years old, and then since 2001 or so every year except this summer), we have experienced all kinds of weather and all the things you can do there. Now remember, this is supposed to be vacation, so yes there isn't like nightlife or something in Maberly, Ontario:-)

There is a little general store where we'd get icecream, and we'd go into Westport for shopping and dinner one night during the week, but other than that, you go out on the boat and catch a ton of pan fish and swim and clean the fish and then eat the fish. Then drink beer (if there was any left after frying the fish in it) and play cards. We've also watched movies on dad's laptop before. It may not sound like fun for everyone, but I have enjoyed all 9 times I've gone.

There have been times where you could drop your line in the water with no bait and catch a beautiful rock bass or sun fish. Or, catch a nasty pike and try to get him off the hook...have fun with that!

The scenery is beautiful, all the pines and little islands in the lake make for excellent hideaway coves to fish in. The lake is also like glass- you can ski, tube, swim and it's like a pool- only a tad murky;-)

I have many fond memories of this place. Many include falling off the floating docks into the water, falling down the huge hill to get to those docks, feeding the raccoons, fending off the mosquitoes, waiting for the showers to become vacant. Hearing the loons as I go to sleep on a pretty uncomfortable mattress, sorting food waste from trash from grease (for those loud pesky raccoons!), playing horseshoes up by the trash burning area. Laughing with my family, sometimes crying- since you're in such close quarters for a whole week! Regardless, I'm hoping to take my husband and my son there next year to experience the Canadian wild that I've grown up loving.