Fishing was great at Lake MacSmith in 2005 and as of January 2009, we have made arrangements to return again in July 2009.  The American dollar is about $0.18 above the Canadian at this time making for a slight savings.  We have acquired a new vehicle, a Honda CRV with a roof rack and navigation in the vent we needed more space inside if we were to stop along the way and take a nap.  Plans now are to go halfway into Watertown, NY and stay at a nice hotel on the way up since driving 400 miles (8 hours) is enough for us nowadays.  We crossed the border at Niagara Falls in 2002 but became lost getting around Toronto since our vehicle at the time wasn't equipped with navigation.  Our past trips in 2003 through 2005 were through the border at Watertown New York which is an extra 100 miles but we really enjoy the trip along the Queens Highway 17, stopping at many rest areas along the way. 

Fishing was very good as usual and fished for our evening meal right at our pier using ordinary earthworms provided by Sudbury Aviation.  To our amazement this year, they had constructed a separate steam sauna building 20 feet from the cabin.  It was delightful to build a fire in the special water heating stove and pour lake water over the hot stones creating steam.  Afterwards, we would get under the portable hanging shower bag at the cabin and rinse off, not worrying about privacy.

We lost our dog Sadie in July of 2008 from kidney failure after spending more than $2000 at the Essex Middle River Veterinary Center in Essex, MD.  They could not find out what was wrong after making many tests, Xrays etc.  A friend told us to visit the Pulaski Veterinary Clinic on Route 40 East.  Right away, the courteous veterinarian Angela DeRosa ran a blood test and then told us about Sadie's high level of Potassium which is indicative of chronic kidney failure.  We were able to keep her alive by administering Ringers Lactate ourselves after proper instructions but eventually she became too weak from not eating even though we did attempt feeding her baby food by hand.  She was our constant companion for 13 years and my wife and I agreed not to get another dog since we want to travel as we wish even though we would gladly give that up if she were here.  Next year we may make plans for a trip to Alaska, not on a cruise ship but by direct flight from Van Couver.