GOOD OL’ LAKE GUSTAVE

The waters of this favourite family swimming spot have proven very generous to one contributor over the years!

One of our family’s favourite summer traditions is a trip up to my sister’s cottage on Lake Gustave, about an hour north of Montreal. It’s a beautiful, serene lake with a few cottages around the shore. There are no power boats allowed, so most days the only sound you hear is the occasional call of the resident loons that return to the lake every summer.

A few years back, returning to Montreal after a weekend at the lake, I noticed that my wedding ring was missing. I looked everywhere for it and racked my brains trying to figure out where it could be. It finally dawned on me that I had it on when I went for a swim in Lake Gustave the day before but couldn’t remember seeing it after getting out of the lake. There was a good chance that my wedding ring was on the bottom of the lake!

I was determined to at least try looking for my ring even though I realized it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

The next day, I bought myself an underwater flashlight and headed up to Lake Gustave with my snorkel gear. My family thought I was nuts to even try but I was determined, and besides, even if I was unsuccessful, I would still have a nice swim.

After about 45 minutes, I was giving up hope and decided to swim over to a little island in the middle of the lake to take a break. Approaching the island, I saw a flash of light from the bottom of the lake. It appeared to be a half buried, round metal object reflecting the sunlight. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a big fish hook. I dove down to pick it up and lo and behold, it was my wedding ring!

A few years later, I was back at Lake Gustave and headed out to go for a paddle in the kayak before sunset. I stepped off the dock and into the kayak, only to realize I was way too far from the seat, so of course the kayak flipped and into the lake I went, fully clothed. I decided to go for a swim instead since I was already in the water anyway.

I swam out to the island where I had lost my ring a few years back. On my return to the dock, I took the time to measure the distance back, using my smartwatch. As soon as I began swimming, I realized that I’d had my glasses on when I capsized but I didn’t have them on now—they were now on the bottom of the lake!

I went back the next day with my trusty underwater flashlight and snorkel gear, and found my glasses in about 15 minutes. Lake Gustave has been very good to me. ■