57 WINTER 2020 ISSUE 02 / VOL . 01
SNOWGOER . COM 58
Situated on the water near Haileybury is a huge , boxy edifice that looked more like a James Bond villain ’ s lair than the home it was intended to be . This imposing mansion – the largest private residence in Canada – is known as “ The Boat House .” Local magnate Peter Grant spent lavishly on its construction ( an estimated $ 65 million Canadian ) before abandoning the unfinished project in 2008 , when his forest products company went bankrupt . The 65,000 square foot building – which includes an interior dock large enough to house a yacht – is now bank-owned and reportedly was once for sale for $ 25 million CAD , but it ’ s now deteriorating after sitting vacant for a decade .
Once we finished gawking at Grant ’ s forlorn fortress , we headed back to New Liskeard , passing numerous ice fishermen and their shacks along the way .
SECOND DAY SIGHTINGS
Our second day ’ s ride was delayed by morning rain , so we scaled back our plans and departed before noon after the precipitation ended . Our destination was the Elk Lake Eco Centre and the weather was actually starting to improve when Martin Lortz , Sean Mackey and I set out from the Waterfront Inn after toweling off our soaked sleds .
Outside the city , the trail took us northward over flat agricultural land and along occasional roadsides . Despite the morning showers , the route was groomed smooth , allowing for some quick running .
At the town of Earlton , we turned west toward Elk Lake when one of the sleds began to falter after its electronic display went dark ( undoubtedly from the morning ’ s moisture ). Since we were on Sean ’ s home turf , he graciously offered to take the ailing sled back to the hotel and promised to meet us at our destination with truck and trailer . As he headed off , Martin and I pressed on .
The trail took us from farmland into forest and soon we were riding over freshly panned snow , obviously in the wake of a groomer . Several miles ahead the machine was parked on the trail with its operator from Club Echo adding coolant to its overheated engine . We stopped to chat briefly and commiserate over the mechanical challenges of snowmobiles and grooming tractors before expressing our appreciation for the trails and moving on .
As we entered a more densely forested area , the trail widened . Sweeping around a curve , we sighted a large brown cat ambling into the pines – a Canada lynx ! After getting a glimpse as we passed , we stopped the sleds and turned to observe it further . Martin was quick to get out his camera , soon announcing , “ There ’ s a second one !” Sure enough , a scrawny kitten was emerging from the bush to join its mother , who had plopped down on the trail .