Diary: Northwest, Brit[ish] Col[umbia] and Alaska

Ju. 8 [Mem.?] On these boats the best state rms to get are those aft of dining saloon. nos 34 to 45 for choice. [I] This mg fresh & v bright. Up on deck it is exactly like the [vid?] of an ocean voyage, apparently illimitable sea behind. in front, high cliffs, perfectly desolate, green with grass & trees. Might easily be the [u.] shore of [Holand?] and the air is as cold as we have found it there. Passed Thunder Cape, a splendid rugged point jutting out far into the lake, about 12 & were up at Port Arthur at 12.15. Lay at the

dock there over 1/2 an hr, during wh. We lunched. Sent our luggage ashore then & went on in [Street?] to Ft. William, about 2 1/2 – 3 miles by water. 5 by land. Ft. Wm. lies low & flat in swampy ground at mouth of Kaministiquia River an unattractive situation. Pt. Arthur is on rising ground & much more open & airy. We walked abt. Ft. Wm, took tram out to West Ft. Wm, all 3 miles further up river, [???ting] to see Train all the way back to Pt. A. where we got [r?us.] at Mariaggi's Hotel (late Northern) Walked about to CPR office abt our

hot bath. & me to bed. our rooms are excellent, nos 6 & 10 on 1st floor, with baths, elec. light &c. We pay $3.00 a day each for the double room & CR $3.50 for his. [Our?]. place

Sunday. July 9th Port Arthur Up to bkfst at 9.15. D appeared abt 10. After bkfst me all went to Ch. S. John's. Rector, Res [C. w.lted?] newly apptd there. Quite nice [Cl?] green hangings & stole. Cross & [flowers?] on altar. Back & hotel & did some writing before & after lunch. Talked to Mr. & Mrs. Pratt at table He is an engineer of the C.N.R & knows all the county well.

July 9 Mr. Keefer came to ask us to tea & at 4:30 we all went up there. He has a large new house on hill at E side of town. & a view I think unsurpassed, except perhaps at Quebec, out over the splendid bay, enclosed by its beautiful hills, wh. are like great fortifications. Mr. & Mrs. Keeffer, dau Madeline & 2 boys & a younger girl, who has been v. ill was in St John's last year. M. Keefer & the sons have been at Trin. Coll. She and S. Hilda's. Mr. & Mrs. Hedley came there & we had much talk & delicious tea. They offer to show us everything if we come back. We wish we were staying a few days