Off-Grid In Northern Ontario

This family camp is a year-round treasure

- Fran Sigurdsson

Flo and Frank DeJonge staked their claim in July 2014. And we’re not talking about the Hemlo gold mines where Frank works. No, this treasure was discovered a few miles east of Hemlo, on the shores of Cedar Lake in Ontario.

For years, the couple had searched for a retreat close to home in Marathon, Ontario. As soon as they saw this property, says Frank, they knew it was the right one. The nearly two-acre lot is adjacent to crown (public) land.

The property came with a small off grid cabin, plus a mother lode of materials left over from the cabin’s construction in the late 1970s-early 80s. Since the site has lake access only, Flo and Frank removed boatloads of debris and stoked many a giant campfire.

Also, the hardworking couple, along with other cottage owners, have cleared a few trails into the crown lands, notes Flo.

4-Season fun