ROAD TO CAMP

The trip to camp was definitely on lesser traveled roads in 1946. Even County Road 581 was still gravel. Beyond Perch Lake the road was a typical 2-rut logging trail. From National Mine travel time was 45 or more minutes. At first we went by way of Sagola Lake, the final portion being an old logging railroad grade. Eventually Pa tried the road toward Republic but heading south past Skinnies Lake. This was not as narrow & curvy and is now the much preferred route.

Speed wasn’t important then and we passed the time watching for deer, blueberries (Ma), certain scenic areas like the double 90˚ turn south of Helen Lake, ponds, spots wide enough to pull over in case of oncoming traffic, etc. The time it took to reach camp gave one the feeling of having traveled a long way (as on a vacation) and really being way in the bush. You know, away from civilization.

Besides the usual equipment for tire changing and repair, it was wise to carry an axe and saw to remove fallen trees and low-hanging branches. Also a shovel to fill in deeper holes that formed by traffic after rain. The road gradually improved with the much increased traffic to the new camps. I don’t remember when, but the county began to add gravel to bad spots and eventually began to grade the road. Now one doesn’t need to look for spots to pass oncoming traffic, although caution is still needed.

The biggest modernization occurred when the Channel 6 TV antenna was planted west of Perch Lake from its site on ‘signal hill’ by the Tilden Mine. The road was widened and paved from Perch Lake to the ELF station. This also brought electricity and telephones as far as Casey Lake. My young nephews bemoaned the modernization. Part of the adventure of going to camp was the old road and gas lights.