Basswood Lake, Ontario, Canada

Basswood Lake, tucked away in Ontario, Canada, where my mom is from, will always be my favorite place on Earth. It’s where some of my most cherished childhood memories live. Every summer, my grandparents would take my brother Reyse and me up there for a week, just the four of us, no parents, no cell service or T.V’s, just nature, laughter, and love. Those weeks were the highlight of my childhood, a special time I looked forward to every year.

My grandpa, who we sadly lost recently, is the reason I fell in love with the outdoors. He taught both of us how to fish, how to appreciate the stillness of the lake, and how to find joy in the simple moments, like the call of loons echoing across the water or sitting on the dock as the sunset. His warmth, patience, and deep love for nature left a lasting impact on me.

Now, every time I return to Basswood, I feel closer to him. It’s not just a lake, it’s a piece of my heart, a place filled with love and memories that I’ll hold onto forever.

Serene lake with a forested shoreline and a cloudy sky at sunset reflecting on the water.
Clear green lake water with a rocky forested shoreline under a blue sky.
Older man steering a boat on a lake, wearing a plaid shirt and bucket hat, surrounded by forest scenery.
Sunset over a calm lake with orange and pink sky reflecting on the water, silhouette of tree line on the horizon.
View from the back of a motorboat on a lake, showing the boat's seats and the water trail behind. The shoreline with trees is visible on the left, under a clear blue sky.
Three people on a boat at sunset, one smiling at the camera wearing a white hoodie, another in a plaid shirt driving, and the third in a pink hoodie sitting on a bench.
A boat deck overlooking clear water with visible aquatic plants below the surface.
Gravel path lined with trees and RVs, Canadian flag on left, campground setting.
Lake with boats docked, surrounded by forest and open field under clear sky at sunset.
Sunset view from inside a car with dashboard visible, showing a colorful sky with orange and blue hues, silhouetted trees, and buildings in the background.
A scenic view of a campground with a rainbow in the sky, surrounded by tall trees. The sky is partly cloudy, and a hand is visible pointing towards the rainbow.
A lakeside scene with several ducks swimming near the shore. The lake is surrounded by forested hills under a clear blue sky.
View from an ATV on a dirt trail through a forest, with trees on either side and another ATV in the distance.
Rocky waterfall with flowing water, surrounded by trees and blue sky.
Suburban neighborhood at sunset with parked cars, power lines, and a trailer in the foreground.
Fireworks exploding in the night sky with smoke
Serene lake with calm water reflecting sky and surrounded by lush green forest under partly cloudy sky.
Two people riding a yellow ATV on a dirt path with trees in the background. Both are wearing protective helmets, one orange helmet in use and another being held. Overcast sky overhead.
Overcast sky above a rocky landscape with trees
Silhouette of a person wearing a helmet against a blurred road and darkening sky at dusk
Scenic view of a lake with surrounding trees and a cloudy sky, visible from behind a bridge railing.
Two people standing on a rocky cliff above a body of water, with trees in the background.
People on a boat enjoying a sunny day on the lake, wrapped in colorful towels, with trees in the background.
Group of people walking outdoors on a dirt path surrounded by greenery.
Rocky river with whitewater rapids surrounded by pine trees and a cloudy sky.