My Uncle Earl Lahey our Leader, his two children Earl and Linda. My older brother Jack, Sister Grace and my self the gangley one beside my brother, We are just so stylish and cute. Photo Noreen Tyers

Here we go another Snow Road adventure dug up from the summer holidays. Hikes in the old Cave by Noreen Tyers

When I stop to think of the time we spent at Snow Road, I have to say that Uncle was the one who entertained the children. We could always depend on him to do things that were adventuresome and fun.

There was an old wooden bridge that went across the Mississippi River to an island. This bridge was in bad repair and had places where the boards had broken, so one had to watch where you placed your feet. At the time we didn’t swim so that this was a challenge and maybe somewhat dangerous in today’s standards. Uncle Earl was always close by so he guided us along on so before long we were on the other side.

We always had to take a treat on our adventure and something to drink. It was quite a walk from the bridge to the cave, where he was taking us. We walked through a grass covered area the whole time I was watching for snakes. It is so interesting how as a child the creatures always were rather big and always dangerous.

Another important item that traveled with Uncle Earl was light for inside the cave.

We had reached the opening to the cave, it did look rather frightening and very dark. We were not so sure that this was going to be as enjoyable as when we talked about it earlier. Speaking for myself I could imagine other things that would be not quite so frightening. I am one that might be sticking close to the adult for protection and I am sure that there were a lot of questions, just out of sheer fright. Inside the cave there were many things to see, bugs, spiders, bats hanging of the side of the walls. I often think of how it would have been great to be able to take photos, but in those days a camera would not have been what we needed in a rather dark, damp atmosphere. To keep you in suspense a hat was one of the items I was told to have to ward off the bats. What I didn’t know at this early age was that bats usually sleep during the day and chances are they wouldn’t leave their spots on the wall of the cave.

At the time we did not know that Uncle Earl was afraid of spiders. Now little ones were not too bad, he tolerated them, but if a big one happened to appear, you could watch him turn rather white in a hurry and leave the spot quickly. When I think of it I am sure he was thinking that this was a bit of a chore and may not have been such a good idea. I do have to say that other than the pale face you never noticed any fright.

I was getting to the point where I thought it should be time to leave the cave and I just hoped that we could find our way out. I am sure that the cave had been checked out before we ever started on our adventure but we sure didn’t know that. I know that the trip through the cave would have been much quicker without the children. After a few minutes a bit of light appeared and we were at the entrance of the cave.

After our experience we were ready for our treat and drink and then make our way back to the house. We did have to cross the bridge again but this time it was not quite as bad, seeing we did it already.

I am so glad that these memories have lasted and I am ready to write some of them down. I am sure that I have not remembered everything but I can always add to it should I remember something of importance.From the Pen of
Noreen – June 2007

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place and The Tales of Almonte

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun Screamin’ Mamas (USA) and The Sherbrooke Record

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