When growing up, I had the opportunity to do a fair bit of flying. This is a shot taken in 1963 at a fly in camp about 70 air miles north of Kenora. When the plane came in, everybody turned out to unload food, gas, guests and everything that a fishing camp in an isolated area required. Even the jeep on the dock was cut in pieces and flown in.
The aircraft is a Noordyn Norseman, an ex military craft built in the 1930's. In 1963 it was already old, but reliable. It had a big round Pratt and Whitney 450 horse power radial engine. It was loud, and hence the aircraft nickname of Thunder Chicken. There are still a few flying, and I believe that Red Lake Ontario still has an annual fly in honoring the plane. Other notable aircraft were common at the dock, the de Havilland Beaver, Otter (or Stone Boat), Twin Otter, Champion, Cessna 180, 182, 172, and even a Canso ( or PBY Flying Boat)
Life was very different in 1963. Words that come to mind are, restful, peaceful, easy-going.
Life revolved around the dock, eating, fishing and relaxing.
I didn't guide at this camp, but went fishing with a good friend, and hunted deer and moose in the fall.
The camp handled about 120 guests at a time and had a support staff of around 30.
A big single cylinder diesel generator was brought in via ice road. It powered a town of around 5000 people in one of the northern states prior to going north. The flywheel weighted about 3 tons if I remember correctly.
